This radio was manufactured less than two months after the TR-1's introduction, in November of '54. This, too, is my first time hearing an original Regency TR-1 playing. Thanks for sharing!
Man that brings back memories! When I was just a boy, one of our neighbors, who we considered RICH, ( we were dirt poor farmers back then) was showing off one of those at my uncle's home, we just happened to be over there when he arrived in his pickup with a camper shell (first one of those I had ever seen!) and he brought out that little radio in it's pretty leather pouch, we were amazed as it was the first transistor anything we had ever seen, sure we heard of transistors because of Sputnik but to actually see one working, and the size, when all we had was an old battery pack table radio that dad rationed the time on so the battery would last longer. My how times have changed since then.
Been trying to find one of these radios to add to my collection because they were the first pocket radio ever made in 1954 and they are expensive on eBay and the ones on eBay I don't know if they even work for the price they are going for. I want to buy a Regency Tr1 that actually works so I can just put it away in a box for a collector item for sure. One that actually works would make my day and I would be extremely happy to find one that works
A number of radio collectors are more concerned that the classic radio is all original and all there, and not so much if it works. Of course it would be nice if it works.
WOW ‼️ That’s some friend❗️ I managed to find an Airline ( Montgomery-Ward) “BR-1100a” for $5.oo at a thrift shop ❗️ (made by Raytheon- early 1956). I had it professionally redone, and keeping all the original parts still in place. I keep thinking of all the people anxiously waiting to purchase one of these radios. New technology ❗️ (And does pretty well with only 4 transistors). I’ve never actually seen one of these Regencys, but it amazes me, these old “primitive “ radios. ( Now almost everything is DSP 😐).
What will surprise you is I do not know where it is now. It is in my house. My friend Dave who gave me the radio. When I told him I do not know where it is he LOL.
A year 1955 later Sony introduced their first transistor radio,the TR-55 and it used 4 AA batteries. They only were sold in Winnipeg, Canada. Both were AM only. How far we have come since then.
@@AllAmericanFiveRadio I've seen a few more videos on the TR-1 models since my last reply. It cost $50 retail I think or a week's wages back then. It was too easy to place the 22V battery in the wrong way, damaging the set. It was the first step, and a lot needed to be worked out. Thanks for introducing us to this milestone in portable radios.
This is serial# 25209. I have a gray one serial# 40998. I got it at a garage sale at Fenelon Falls, Ontario for $2.00. That was about 45 years ago. Had no idea at the time that I was getting a piece of history! It also has a small crack on the back. It doesn't work, the circuit looks untouched and although I can easily fix it, it is more valuable if it stays original. The leather case is in almost new condition. On the earphone pocket, under the flap, it says: GENUINE TOP GRAIN COWHIDE - MADE IN USA Yehaw!!!!
The 22.5-volt battery is still available. Exell makes it, and it's $25. From what I've read on Wikipedia, the original battery (which was probably zinc-carbon) would power the radio for up to 30 hours. The Exell is an alkaline battery, so the battery life is probably in the hundreds of hours, so it just might be worth the 25 bucks.
Regency service manual says twenty hours. It's fairly low drain, so alkaline battery won't have nearly as much advantage as it would for say a flashlight or motorized toy.
I just got one from our family estate. It’s in the original box, has the instructions and the warranty card. The card is dated in 1955. I plan to put mine on eBay. I have too much stuff like this
Wonder if that battery can still be obtained. Saw a portable mini tube radio at mt great uncle's place when I was a kid, it was fairly compact but needed three different batteries, all oddballs.
***** Thanks this battery might work www.ebay.com/itm/Exell-412A-Alkaline-22-5V-Battery-NEDA-215-15F20-BLR122-FAST-USA-SHIP-/231146974641?pt=US_Single_Use_Batteries&hash=item35d16eedb1
Hi Rick. Any idea what it retailed for in '54? My older brother had bought a tube portable radio only a few months before this came out and he was really disappointed that he didn't wait a little longer to make the purchase. BTW, he still has the radio but I'm not sure it works. Regards, Mick - WB4LSS
I'm told it was fifty bucks. I think my dad paid $70 for a five-transistor Matsushita (Panasonic company) radio that used a 9V battery in ~1962. We used it when we attended JFK's funeral -- we could hear over the radio two or three seconds before we heard the actual sound.
Ron Pearson Thanks Ron This battery may work www.ebay.com/itm/Exell-412A-Alkaline-22-5V-Battery-NEDA-215-15F20-BLR122-FAST-USA-SHIP-/231146974641?pt=US_Single_Use_Batteries&hash=item35d16eedb1
This radio was manufactured less than two months after the TR-1's introduction, in November of '54. This, too, is my first time hearing an original Regency TR-1 playing. Thanks for sharing!
***** Thanks
Regency was located in or near Indianapolis, Indiana. They made many products that were excellent. Made by American workers,
Man that brings back memories! When I was just a boy, one of our neighbors, who we considered RICH, ( we were dirt poor farmers back then) was showing off one of those at my uncle's home, we just happened to be over there when he arrived in his pickup with a camper shell (first one of those I had ever seen!) and he brought out that little radio in it's pretty leather pouch, we were amazed as it was the first transistor anything we had ever seen, sure we heard of transistors because of Sputnik but to actually see one working, and the size, when all we had was an old battery pack table radio that dad rationed the time on so the battery would last longer. My how times have changed since then.
ThanksYes they have. But this little radio is still so cool.
Sputnik used valves!
The Jensen speaker logo really caught my eye. Nice radio.
Barnekkid Thanks
You are very lucky to own one of those! That is great to see and was fun to actually get to hear one. Thanks.
RadioHamGuy Thanks
My friend used to sell transistor radios in the eighties to Japan they only wanted early American such as this ...
beautiful
Bret H Thanks
Wow that's nice. Wish I could find one.
***** Thanks Jordan, there still out there
you may find one.
***** Did you take lots of picture at the station?
Wow, looked like a Jensen speaker! Back in the day if your guitar amp had Jensen speakers you had quite a rig!
+Tim Dockery Yes and I noticed that too. I have a new Fender bass amp with a Jensen in it.
+NewHampshireBoy Cool, didn't know Fender still used Jensens. I have a 1985 Twin, have to check out the speakers!
This cutie sold for 50.00 and at that time( 1954) the Zenith 500 sold for 75.00. The Zenith ran on pen lite batteries!
Thanks
Nice-looking radio!
Very nice gift, glad to see it still works
Billy Steen Thanks
I'm planning on buying one of those off eBay sooner or later. The Regency TR-1 is very interesting
Brilliant using 2ea 9v batteries in series! Thanks
These came in several colors. If I owned this I would build an outboard battery supply so I could use it. Those 22 volt batteries are long gone!
NewHampshireBoy a video showed 2 12v batteries size of AAA batteries fitted to it
Nice radio and what a friend!
YES. I have known Dave since high school.
Nice radio Rick. I was 2 years old at that time! LOL!!!!
Been trying to find one of these radios to add to my collection because they were the first pocket radio ever made in 1954 and they are expensive on eBay and the ones on eBay I don't know if they even work for the price they are going for. I want to buy a Regency Tr1 that actually works so I can just put it away in a box for a collector item for sure. One that actually works would make my day and I would be extremely happy to find one that works
A number of radio collectors are more concerned that the classic radio is all original and all there, and not so much if it works. Of course it would be nice if it works.
WOW ‼️
That’s some friend❗️
I managed to find an Airline ( Montgomery-Ward) “BR-1100a” for $5.oo at a thrift shop ❗️ (made by Raytheon-
early 1956). I had it professionally redone, and keeping all the original parts still in place.
I keep thinking of all the people anxiously waiting to purchase one of these radios.
New technology ❗️
(And does pretty well with only 4 transistors).
I’ve never actually seen one of these Regencys, but it amazes me, these old “primitive “ radios.
( Now almost everything is DSP 😐).
What will surprise you is I do not know where it is now. It is in my house. My friend Dave who gave me the radio. When I told him I do not know where it is he LOL.
Pristine History from when I was 3 years old and my Dad made a 2x valve radio and his first 6 transistor KIT a few years later
Thanks
Interesting how you have the 9Vs arranged. Also that it required such a high voltage.
That's the way they designed it. Probable for available battery at the time. Thank you.
A year 1955 later Sony introduced their first transistor radio,the TR-55 and it used 4 AA batteries. They only were sold in Winnipeg, Canada. Both were AM only. How far we have come since then.
Thank you, and your welcome.
@@AllAmericanFiveRadio I've seen a few more videos on the TR-1 models since my last reply. It cost $50 retail I think or a week's wages back then. It was too easy to place the 22V battery in the wrong way, damaging the set. It was the first step, and a lot needed to be worked out. Thanks for introducing us to this milestone in portable radios.
This is awesome! Very nice piece there. Thanks for sharing.
***** Thanks
you have some great friends. thank you for sharing. much respect
Yes I do! Thanks
This is serial# 25209. I have a gray one serial# 40998. I got it at a garage sale at Fenelon Falls, Ontario for $2.00. That was about 45 years ago. Had no idea at the time that I was getting a piece of history! It also has a small crack on the back. It doesn't work, the circuit looks untouched and although I can easily fix it, it is more valuable if it stays original. The leather case is in almost new condition. On the earphone pocket, under the flap, it says:
GENUINE TOP GRAIN COWHIDE - MADE IN USA Yehaw!!!!
+Xenofon Gounaropoulos
You are absolutely correct, this radio is worth more original if it is working are not.
The 22.5-volt battery is still available. Exell makes it, and it's $25. From what I've read on Wikipedia, the original battery (which was probably zinc-carbon) would power the radio for up to 30 hours. The Exell is an alkaline battery, so the battery life is probably in the hundreds of hours, so it just might be worth the 25 bucks.
Regency service manual says twenty hours. It's fairly low drain, so alkaline battery won't have nearly as much advantage as it would for say a flashlight or motorized toy.
Thank you.
I have soviet still working at midwaves Cosmos-M radio of 1968 and midwave radio Orljonok-M of 1973.
Do a video so that we all can see them.
I believe the ear plug was an extra $7 back when they first came out.
Thanks.
This was amazing for 1954.
A Regency Tr1 that actually works
Thank you, and your welcome.
I just got one from our family estate. It’s in the original box, has the instructions and the warranty card. The card is dated in 1955. I plan to put mine on eBay. I have too much stuff like this
Thanks
Source for 22 -1/2 volt battery at batterycountry(dot)com. Found info on another TH-cam video featuring a Regency! Great find.
Wonder if that battery can still be obtained. Saw a portable mini tube radio at mt great uncle's place when I was a kid, it was fairly compact but needed three different batteries, all oddballs.
***** Thanks
this battery might work
www.ebay.com/itm/Exell-412A-Alkaline-22-5V-Battery-NEDA-215-15F20-BLR122-FAST-USA-SHIP-/231146974641?pt=US_Single_Use_Batteries&hash=item35d16eedb1
whats a radio like that worth?
This 4-xsistor radio has surprisingly good sensitivity/volume, though the sound quality needs some improvement
Thanks
You are wellcome
Hi Rick. Any idea what it retailed for in '54? My older brother had bought a tube portable radio only a few months before this came out and he was really disappointed that he didn't wait a little longer to make the purchase. BTW, he still has the radio but I'm not sure it works.
Regards,
Mick - WB4LSS
I'm told it was fifty bucks. I think my dad paid $70 for a five-transistor Matsushita (Panasonic company) radio that used a 9V battery in ~1962. We used it when we attended JFK's funeral -- we could hear over the radio two or three seconds before we heard the actual sound.
It retailed for $49.95 in Christmas of 1954.
I have been trying to find one of these radios for a long time but trying to find one that works good
I hope you do find a working radio, good luck.
o Início do transistor... Histórico.
Yes it is, and thank you,
Pretty neat little radio. Too bad you can't get a battery for it.
Ron
Ron Pearson Thanks Ron
This battery may work
www.ebay.com/itm/Exell-412A-Alkaline-22-5V-Battery-NEDA-215-15F20-BLR122-FAST-USA-SHIP-/231146974641?pt=US_Single_Use_Batteries&hash=item35d16eedb1
Original Eveready#505, NEDA221
Please get back to me as soon as possible if you know of anyone who is selling a Regency Tr1
I will.
Looks good !
Thanks
Nice réception
Thanks
I wonder if that strange voltage battery can still be obtained? And how much would it cost?
+Randy, The Lazy Comic No, they have been out of production for many years.
It has got my name on it .. Jensen
Thanks
I loved the vedio... V nice👍
Thanks
Can it be converted to run on 9volts.I love the leather case .
Not easily, I think. But if you are good at circuit design, here's a schematic of the set: www.regencytr1.com/images/TR-1_tech_serv_man.pdf
Thank you, and your welcome.
Does this radio, power supply 18 Volts?
22 1/2 volts
Thanks
why 22v
That was a battery available in 1954.
@@AllAmericanFiveRadio Thanks
Do they make a 22 volt
battery any more
You can make one using 9 Volt batteries, but it takes some work.
@@AllAmericanFiveRadio www.amazon.com/Exell-Battery-412A-Alkaline-BLR122/dp/B009Z1ERAE
yes, the #215 22.5v battery is on Amazon. $23
Eveready # 412
Nice-looking radio!
+Miguel Epistola
Hey Miguel, thanks, and I hope everything is going well with you.
Nice-looking radio!
+Miguel Epistola Thanks