FM only radio is a radio that receives the FM broadcast band and no other radio frequency bands. Radio means it is not a "tuner" (which has no amplifier or speaker) and not a "receiver" (which has no speaker). As you will see, my FM only collecting interests go a bit beyond this limited definition.
1) Personal "walking" radios (e.g.,
Sony Walkman)
Personal "walking" radios are included. The most famous are the
Sony Walkman series. However, the Hastings FM, Jr. was a personal FM
"walking" radio that preceded the Sony series. There are other
interesting early examples, like the Sinclair FM Watch Radio. Less time
has been spent locating all the different variations on more recent models, but
they will eventually be included.
2) Scanning-type novelty radios
Unless there is some other interesting feature, radios built with the Philips FM
receiver chip (variants of the TDA7000) will not be included. These radios
are the "scanning" type. They have scan and reset buttons and no
other method for tuning.
3) Boom-boxes
These are perfectly collectable items, but are not included as part of this
site.
4) Early FM tuners
These are clearly not FM only radios, but are an important part of the early
history of FM radio. Classic or unusual examples are included.
5) Console radios
These are included. The Meissner 9-1023 is the only FM-only console I have every
seen. It is pre-WWII.
6) Cassette/radio, phonograph/radio,
8-track/radio, CD/radio combinations
These are generally not included, but at least one rare Hacker
"radiogram" (radio grammaphone) has snuck onto the list. There
are a few other special, rare combinations, like the English Electric TV/FM
radio combination.
7) Car radios and FM to AM car converters
These are included, but not exhaustively researched.
8) Clock radios
Early FM only clock radios are so uncommon that they are included. Modern
digital clock radios are excluded, but some early digital clock radios are on
the list (e.g., KLH TR82, Sinclair Watch Radio).
9) Two-part table radios
Certain table radios were sold with a custom external speaker. The KLH 8
and it relative, the Advent 400, are prime examples. These are included in
the list.
10) Table-top stereos
Around 1963, certain radio manufacturers offered a table-top adapter to provide
stereo for the table radio. These components operate together as a table
top stereo. Examples include the "Companion" by Granco and the
KLH 13 adapter for the KLH 8 radio. These are included in the list.
The Advent 420s is also included. It is a descendent of the Advent 400,
which is an indirect descendant of the KLH Model 8.
11) Single frequency promotional radios
These are included if they meet the other criteria.
12) Background music (SCA) radios
These are included, but a more careful search is needed to find more.
13) Rack mounted radios
Rack mounted FM radios are a bit unusual. Some are included here. The
National NC-108R is included because it has a desktop brother, the
NC-108T. Industrial rack-mount stations monitors are also included, even
if they are just receivers (with no speaker).
[HOME] [FM list] [Photos] [Converters] [Stereo] [Wanted] [Links] [Credits] [Clones] [Siblings] [Low Tech] [Tubes] [FM vs AM]
Last updated 31 October 2004
Original site located at http://www.somerset.net/arm/fm_only.html by Andrew R. Mitz ; copied with permission.
(Mirror maintained by Mark Sherman)
m@mwsherman.com
All text, photographs, and other graphics are copyright (c) 1998- 2004
LTJ Designs.