Published via Ecency

Guillermo Marconi never imagined that since his first radio transmission at the end of the 19th century, radio would become one of the passions shared by many people in the world.

In Cuba, it is one of the electronic equipment most commonly found in the homes of our families. We enjoy its news, its music and it is a great means of communication, especially in case of emergencies and environmental disturbances.

Today I want to introduce you to part of my collection of radios. Specifically, I will show you the smaller and portable ones for your use. Their main electronic base, in these models, is the use of transistors.

Sony brand radio

Sanyo brand radio

This Japanese brand receiver, I used for many years. I used to put it on the nightstand next to the bed, as it had an alarm clock function, with large olive green digits. It is easy to operate and listens well on both bands.

Elta GmbH brand radio

This tuner made in Germany, is also a 2-band equipment: AM and FM. It is the one we usually use at home, when the electricity is cut off, for energy saving reasons or in case of weather disturbances.

It has good audio quality, great volume and sensitivity, which allows us to listen to the main channel of Cuban television. But above all, the fact that it uses 4 batteries, type C, makes it last quite a long time. The unfavorable part is that it is difficult to find these batteries in my country.

BIR-04 brand radio

Nobody surpasses the Chinese electronic products, in gathering in the same equipment, several functionalities to make it more practical in its use.

A radio that works with its integrated rechargeable battery, with the possibility of being used with an external transformer, a solar cell, and even with a dynamo, operated by a hand crank.

This model is well known by Cubans, and because of its dimensions it is very portable. It offers a good volume, and incorporates 3 types of radial bands.

VEF 206 brand radio

A radio made in the Soviet Union, widely used in Cuba in the 1980s. A multiband equipment, strong in its construction, and that has sweetened the soul of many people who were waiting for the program "Nocturno". An exquisite space, which continues to transmit a varied music and at the request of the audience.

Others liked to tune in to stations from other countries, and listen to news broadcasted by the "BBC London".

Selena brand radio

Every Cuban will know the Selena radio. Another Soviet radio receiver of great sound quality, and with the capacity to discriminate 4 radio wave bands.

It was the most desired at the time of the 80's, and undoubtedly the best tuner of the moment. A gem with great sensitivity, to be able to pick up the FM stations, and with a more attractive design, compared to the model mentioned above.

Many young people enjoyed the USA radio program, "American Top 40", with the voice of the iconic Casey Kasem, who led that program in its golden age, from 1970 to 1988; and who did that countdown, with the best 40 musical hits of the week.

SiriusXM satellite radio

This is a radio, which made a technological leap. Something sophisticated that uses integrated circuits in its electronic board, and brings a digital screen where we can visualize the different metadata: name of the singer or band, title of the song, etc.

It is a satellite radio service. It works from USA and Canada, 24 hours a day, since 1990.

The model in my photo, the Delphi MyFi XM2GO, comes with 3 types of antennas. A small one that sticks by a magnet to different surfaces. The one used when we move in a car.
Another one is shaped like a cigarette, which you carry while walking, carrying the receiver on your waist. Something that is not very effective, because when you move, you can lose access to the satellite.

The other antenna is the one shown in the picture. It is rectangular and you can give it the right elevation: to the South. Very used, when we have the radio, attached to an audio amplifier and its output to speakers.

I love being able to access more than 140 music channels, organized by musical genre; listen to news and podcasts, depending on the subscription plan we decide to hire.

It is beautiful to experience that this cocktail of electromagnetic radio waves that travel through the air are captured by equipment capable of converting the non-visible into audible sound.

Sound waves that stimulate people's sense of hearing. From there, everyone will fly their imagination, will feel the waves of their emotions, receiving with immediacy: music, information and experiences, from any latitude of our planet.

That is why, for me and for many: Listening to a radio, will always be a magical experience.

Thanks to those who read me. I wish you a nice start of the week.