Hi all,

I just picked up this vintage AM/FM/SW portable radio at a charity garage sale for $5 It included the manual which is in great shape.. The AC cord is missing but I popped 5 D batteries in it and it worked fine right away. I was able to clearly pick up a Pittsburgh FM station that is hard to get on modern radios here (WXDX) , also briefly tried AM and was able to Pick up WLW in Cincinnati with no problems. My main problems with the radio are the missing AC board (it is removable) and has a very small female and with close pin spacing. The biggest problem is that the pushbuttons for the bandswithch and AFC stick horrible and the other bands don't engager. before I mess something up does anyone have any suggestions for freeing the switched up. Also any idea who made this i was thinking probably Sanyo but i am not sure. Lastly what year is this form and how much was it new.



Thanks,

Matt

A Sams search shows that this radio is in TSM-108.

Dave

Nice find, especially for 5 dollars!

I'm no expert on transistor radios but from the type of case and styling (black plastic, sturdy, chromed steel) it looks to be the same general era as a Sears Com-Trek, I have one of those that was made in 1970. So maybe late 60's, early 70's?

I also did a Google search on your radio and came up with this info (guy unfortunately doesn't know the year it was made, either):
http://www.lesswaiting.com/sears-2278.shtml

Matt,
Sticky push button switches can be freed up with isopropyl alcohol. Just dribble a small amount into the mechanism of each switch (the sliding metal parts, usually) and work them. Eventually, the alcohol will dissolve the dried up old grease that has gummed up the switch. Then put a small drop of oil on each mechanism (but not on the switch contacts).
Rick