I bought a couple of blue AM Flavoradios around 1990 - my mother still has one of them in a kitchen drawer for emergency info in case the power fails. Nothing special about them - the tuners were kinda stiff.

Radio Shack was still selling them in 1999 (last catalog I have) - a black AM model 12-201 for $6.95. That one took AA batteries - the older ones used a 9 volt. There's one on eBay right now - ad says it was made in the Phillipines.

First things first - have you tried a new battery? If that doesn't get this little set singing much louder than it is now, I'd look at the volume control. If it is open, or if the wiper contact is not in contact with the carbon resistance element inside the control, it can reduce drastically or even kill the audio output. I have an old tube-type radio with the same problem as yours (extremely weak audio output); it has been suggested to me by at least one person here on AK that the volume control may be open.

I've seen those little squarish-shaped radios, but never actually heard one in operation. However, they are cute little sets. With eight transistors, I would guess yours may have a push-pull audio output. In any case, it is almost impossible to tell, without seeing at least the schematic, what the functions actually are of the seventh and eighth transistors. :scratch2:

If you decide to have the radio repaired, I would look for someone (an electronically-inclined friend, for instance) who would be willing to look at it for little or nothing. Taking one of these little sets to a repair shop could be a colossal waste of time and money, as it would probably cost more just to have it looked at (let alone repaired) than the radio is worth. I'd try replacing the battery and cleaning the volume control first.

Here's the ad from '98. 20 years later the price only went up .04!

http://www.e-bnlcafe.com/audioweb/flav2.gif

You can find more info on the Flavoradio (than you ever wanted) at oswegoradio.com Also, articles in the June 2002 and March 2008 issues of Antique Radio Classified.
Briefly, the original Flavoradios were introduced in 1972 and ran through 1986 giving them the record for longest production of any radio ever made. There were eleven color choices. The first redesign came in 1987 and was available in just red, blue and black. The last redesign hit in 1991 using an IC (no transistors at all) and came in red, blue, purple and black. The last flavoradio (blackberry) left the Radio Shack shelves in 2002 at $3.99. What posessed the 'shack' to continue with an am only radio is anybody's guess. (mac)

Cool info. Thanks Mac!

Civil Emergency? :scratch2:

***edit: Just got your avatar! Cool!***

My dad gave me this red Panasonic when I was 12 - I was sick in bed with the flu, and I remember listening to Kasey Kasem's Top 40 (around 1979?)...

Came with a white in-ear "headphone" (earbud?), which I no longer have...

Panasonic

I have one of those in white, found at an antique shop mint in box - never used. It is a high quality radio with excellent performance. Very rugged too with its extra thick plastic case.

no thumbnails
 

Hey Guys...Cool Site... I See the Field,'Attatched Thumbnails', w/no pics, don't get the pointing finger icon to click on show up in the Field. Anybody see the old crystal sets built from a kit? Used to spend hours over the Kitchen Sink hooked up to the Spigot... JB Is this where I might get help w/ID'ing radios? In Pic on far right is a 'Candle' 10 transistor AM (Japan),next an 'Audition' AM,just says 'solid state' (Hong Kong),next is,'GE' 10 transistor AM/FM,next is 'Life Long' model 845-2 AM/FM w/LCD Alarm Clock,w/Day-Date,(China) Just Curious...

Finally found it in the basement: a Continental TR-622. IIRC, $2 at a yard sale about 10 years ago. Before I packed it away, it worked, but now the tuning thumbwheel doesn't move the display or capacitor.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/724...entaltr622.jpg

SOLO 100 made by Tehnoton Romania
 

Here is one of my pocket-radio-transistor, made in Romania by TEHNOTON in 1970 (i guess). It's a super-heterodyne type for medium and long waves.
4x silicon transistors and two germanium transistors (AC184-AC185).

ELECTRON M radio (kit for amateur builders)
 

Here is another radio from my collection, a russian kit for amateur builders.
It's a nice radio, unfortunately, is a radio with direct amplification which reduces the selectivity and sensitivity. I would have kept the original electrolytic capacitors but they were all dry. All transistors are original germanium, it's just for medium waves.

Neat. We don't see too many (if any) Eastern European sets over here. :)

I have a Polish Calypso "Diora" model 62015 AM/FM/SW tabletop set. It is a knock-off of the popular German wooden tabletop sets of the 1950-65 era, but the finish is more or less gone on it, & it doesn't perform anywhere near as well as its German cousins. But to be fair, it only has 5 tubes. Interestingly, enuff, it has the American FM band, & is set up for 110, so maybe it was an attempt by the Poles to try to get hard currency. Who knows ? I got it offa You-Know-Where a few years back, I don't think I have very much in it. Sorry to go off-topic, this is sposed t'be about Pocket Transistor Sets...

Channel Master!
 

Model 6512, BC and SW. Off Craigs, and I also have the case in fair condition, but missing the screw on antenna. But does not work....With a good set of batteries it seems to be dead on the speaker, but using an earphone I can hear the slightest scratching sound while turning the volume up and down. The sound stays at the same weak output regardless of the position. I guess caps won't bring this one to life, or will they?....

I just found a near perfect example of my first childhood transistor radio, a Motorola X 11 from 1959. It was given to me as a gift in that year. I misplaced or lost it.

Here is a link, scroll all the way to bottom of page.

http://www.visions4.net/journal/vintage-micro-radio/