Transistor Radios Around the World

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1961 Fidelity Coronet

Large shirt pocket radio, thermosetting cabinet
4 5/8 x 2 5/8 x 1 3/8 inches / 118 x 67 x 35 mm
2-band MW/LW, six transistors, superheterodyne circuit
One tubular 9-volt battery
Manufactured by Fidelity Radio Ltd.; London

Slightly smaller in cabinet dimensions than the Regency TR-1, the Fidelity Coronet is a British transistor radio with a very British-looking cabinet, i.e., more bland than necessary. And then there's the ergonomics: the volume and tuning dials are really hard to use because they are set nearly flush with the cabinet -- you have to press down on them to turn them. The cabinet plastic is very soft to the touch, and this example was kept in its imitation leather pouch all these years and apparently never used -- the plastic is perfect. This is a two-band radio of sorts: MW, and one preset LW frequency of 1500 meters (200 kHz). No band switch -- both bands are on the same tuning dial. Collector Richard Allan states on his Fidelity Coronet page that the Fidelity Coronet was a kit radio, and "when introduced in 1961 was the first transistor radio produced to sell for just under £10 in the UK".


Fidelity Coronet

1961 Fidelity Coronet


Fidelity Coronet

1961 Fidelity Coronet


Fidelity Coronet

close-up of back face


Fidelity Coronet

chassis

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