1950s British Cossor 527/X African Community Radio

A unique receiver.

Built for the African Market.

Supposedly used as a "Community Radio", where villagers would gather round the set and hear news and entertainment. One person would be appointed as the operator of the set.

Battery powered, it was used in rural areas in Africa.

Made from, of all things, a Biscuit Tin! Totally sealed from the harsh elements.

AM and 2 Shortwave bands guaranteeing reception wherever it was placed.

Another radio that was made in this genre was Ever Ready's "Saucepan Special", its cabinet literally made from a saucepan! Its cabinet rested on top of the battery.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• old
• antique
• british
• cossor
• african
• community
• radio
• tube
• valve
• shortwave
• battery

[GeoN0JRJ]

That is an interesting radio. I have thought of buying some European AC supply radios to restore but fear the cost of cutting the transformer voltage down to 110VAC for here in the states would be too costly. Have you done any of that or are you strictly a battery radio guy? Keep 'em coming!

[batterymaker]

@GeoN0JRJ Strictly battery radio, so I don't have to mess with AC voltage conversions.

[TheChipmunk2008]

@GeoN0JRJ SOme earlier British radios (and I believe french and belgian) have a 110 or 127 volt setting, as the Europeans used a 3 phase system with 220v between phases, and 127v phase to ground.

Incidentally that's the reason European round pin plugs can be plugged in either way round, because both poles would be 'hot' or live.

Another option would be a 240v to 120v transformer used in reverse as a step up transformer. I believe they should be fairly readily available in the US

[78recordrepair]

Looks like a signal generator.

[vwestlife]

There has always been a lot of religious broadcasting on shortwave, but now it's the vast majority of what you hear during the daytime, because the American shortwave stations are all either owned by religious groups or rent out their airtime to anyone who will pay for it, and evangelical groups are among the few who still consider it worthwhile to do so. At least nighttime reception still brings in lots of interesting broadcasts from Europe.

[liggybird]

I always like when a radio has something of the look of a scientific instrument about it like this one. I find it fascinating to imagine the ionosphere when I listen to (long) medium and short wave radio. I'm glad you demonstrated reception on each waveband. It's maybe a pity this wasn't done at night though! Wonderful that you're still using a Heathkit signal generator. (Is the voltmeter Heathkit too? I used to have them both.) This is a very informative video. Thanks for posting.

[chompo7]

very interesting radio