David Looking at Things: transistor radio

David Lee

20-5-2023

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

In this series, I take a look at things that usually get hardly any attention. Today: a cheap, rather old transistor radio.

Moderately intrigued, I stare at an archaeological find from my parents’ house: a portable radio, yellow-black, from around the late 1980s. Not very impressive, at any stretch of the imagination.

The radio is emblazoned with an ornate «JSP», which reminds me of a wine label. After some googling, I realise that this should really be JPS, short for John Player Special. Apparently, a brand of tobacco products. I haven’t found anything concrete about the device online. Turns out the internet doesn’t know everything, not by a long shot.

It says «Radio FM Sport» at the bottom. The device is rubber reinforced, definitely surviving a few impacts with the ground. There’s even a belt latch at the back. Or something like that. I could go jogging with it if I really wanted to. Not that I would. Still, it’d be more comfortable than lugging a boom box on my shoulders.

The radio has a built-in speaker. It works flawlessly, not even the volume control crackles. The headphones only play from the left, probably due to a mono sound format.

I’m quietly happy that the FM shutdown keeps getting delayed.

David Lee

Senior Editor

David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.ch

My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.

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