Motorola 52L1

[Phil Nelson]

I used to have one exactly like that. Motorola made loads of portables in the early 1950s, often with more interesting cabinets than other manufacturers.

I bought mine at a swap meet because I needed change! I wanted to buy a certain radio, but that seller wouldn't take a check and couldn't make change. I stepped next door, bought this for $5 (getting change), and went back to the first booth with the right amount of cash in hand.

Many of these portables are amazingly clean inside. I think the owners got tired of buying batteries and put them away before long.

The electronics are very conventional. It's a good idea to replace the electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. After that, it may just spring into life.

Phil Nelson