Hi Guys,
I just recently lost my grandmother and whilst helping clear out her apartment, I came across an old radio I remember my grandparents using when I was a kid.
The National Panasonic R-399 from 1968 sat up on a shelf in my grandparents old kitchen and was always on!!!. It ran from 1968 - 2012 non stop!
My father was going to throw it out but I had to save it.
After I got it home, I tested it out. It worked fine on AM (which it was always on), but after switching to SW and back to AM, I noticed a fault with the band selector. I pulled it apart to clean the unreliable switch. I was amazed how well built this thing is. The selector switch is actually a long metal rod with 3 separate switch mechanisms (AM, SW1, SW2) 3cm apart allowing super easy servicing. The case is held together by brass encapsulated nuts and fine thread screws
- no chance of stripped threads on this one. After that quick service, she's running fine again!
It's no boombox but it is a fine example of how well built the old National Panasonic radios were back in the day.
It's worth very little to any one else but to me, it's priceless - the memories are worth millions to me!
James....
I just recently lost my grandmother and whilst helping clear out her apartment, I came across an old radio I remember my grandparents using when I was a kid.
The National Panasonic R-399 from 1968 sat up on a shelf in my grandparents old kitchen and was always on!!!. It ran from 1968 - 2012 non stop!
My father was going to throw it out but I had to save it. After I got it home, I tested it out. It worked fine on AM (which it was always on), but after switching to SW and back to AM, I noticed a fault with the band selector. I pulled it apart to clean the unreliable switch. I was amazed how well built this thing is. The selector switch is actually a long metal rod with 3 separate switch mechanisms (AM, SW1, SW2) 3cm apart allowing super easy servicing. The case is held together by brass encapsulated nuts and fine thread screws
- no chance of stripped threads on this one. After that quick service, she's running fine again!It's no boombox but it is a fine example of how well built the old National Panasonic radios were back in the day.
It's worth very little to any one else but to me, it's priceless - the memories are worth millions to me!
James....
I also have a couple mono's in my collection that I had in 80's. Awesome story and box