1961 Gauja
Micro-table / coatpocket radio, thermoplastic cabinet
6 7/16 x 3 7/8 x 1 5/8 inches / 164 x 99 x 41 mm
2-band MW/LW, six transistors (Russian, 3x П-15, 3x П-401, + two diodes (д9B, д7ж)
Superheterodyne circuit
One standard 9-volt battery
Manufactured at Rigas Radio Rupnica (RRR), Riga, Latvia
Gauja was the first Soviet "pocket" (coatpocket) transistor radio made both for Russia's domestic market and for export — most likely it was manufactured over a period of several years in large production runs, judging by how many show up these days on Western auction sites. It certainly must have some true nostalgic value for Russian collectors — they rarely put a minimum bid under $100 USD on their auction price even though this radio is far more available on the Russian market than many other far less commonly-found Russian transistor radios of the time.
This example was made for the domestic market. The export version is easily identified by the “L” and “M” English-language abbreviations on the long wave / medium wave slide switch below the tuning dial and by the English-language “MADE IN USSR” lettering stamped on the back face of the cabinet.
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