Homemade Single-Tube Armstrong Regenerative Shortwave Receiver (1930s-1940s). The receiver uses a vacuum tube and a feedback coil called a tickler coil to amplify weak signals. The tickler coil is mounted inside the main tuning coil and can be rotated using a front-panel knob. This adjusts the feedback, allowing the operator to control the receiver’s sensitivity and tune in distant shortwave stations.

SM6FHZ EME (Moonbounce)

YU1JTU Club Radio Station, circa 1960

Radio Bargain News, October - November 1932, features a young radio technician relied on hands-on experimentation, electrical measurements, and practical repair skills.

Ethel Leginska, the “Paderewski of woman pianists,” listening to a Westinghouse Aeriola Senior one-tube (WD-11) radio receiver. New York, circa 1921

The early Land’s End Radio Station (Wireless Telegraph Station), located in St Just, Cornwall, England, was established in 1913. It served as an early ship-to-shore wireless telegraph and radio station for the Land’s End area.

Morse Code Printer

DF9QX 6cm EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)

Radio Telegraph Transmitter Model ET 8004, circa 1944

Heathkit Visual-Aural Signal Tracer, Model IT-12, 3 Vacuum Tubes, Metal Cabinet, Made In USA, circa 1962

UR5VDM Two-Lever Wrench

Larry Mueller’s W8RLT Amateur Television Station, Livonia, Michigan, circa 1960

EK4ACI self-oscillating Hartley transmitter, circa 1926

EA6VQ EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)

W1AE, circa 1950, operating his 40-meter rig in his basement radio shack. He sends Morse code with his right hand while holding a pencil in his left. This was a common practice among commercial radio operators of the era, allowing them to copy incoming messages by hand while continuing to transmit.

JI3CWI QTH

The first amateur superheterodyne receiver, an illustration for a do-it-yourself article in a 1920 amateur radio magazine.

VE2UN Amateur Radio Club, circa 1962

National NC-125 Communications Receiver (1950)

Hallicrafters SX-28A “Super Skyrider” Shortwave Communications Receiver (1944–1946)