WWII Radio: Truman and the Scott Radio Labs RBO-2

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kim Elliott, who recently shared the photo above of President Harry S. Truman via @RealTimeWWII.

If I’m not mistaken, that is a Scott Radio Labs Model RBO-2.

I’m guessing that’s also the speaker mounted on the wall directly above the receiver.

Scott Radio Labs marine receivers were shielded to the point that they had very low local oscillator radiation. This design prevented detection of the ship via the enemy’s use of radio direction finding gear.

I have a commercial Scott Marine Radio Model SLRM–it is my favorite receiver and I use it daily.

Post readers: Anyone else have a Scott Radio Labs receiver in their shack? Please comment!

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4 thoughts on “WWII Radio: Truman and the Scott Radio Labs RBO-2

  1. pirateradio

    I picked up a Scott SLR-12-B and Hammarlund BC-779 (SP-210) at auctions recently. Both have the cabinets and both are heavy. I had to carry the SLR-12-B about 100′ out a garage, down the driveway, down the sidewalk to my car. The SP-210 involved climbing a flight of stairs in addition to the walk to the car. I’m debating whether I commit to both of them and either try to restore them (or have it professionally done) or unload one or both. Time will tell, but either route I take could involve hernias.

    Not sure if you or anyone else will read this comment, but I’d like to see comparison reviews of WWII U.S. military receivers, maybe National NC-120 vs. Hallicrafters SX-28 vs Hammarlund BC-779 vs. Scott SLR vs. RCA RCC vs. BC-348 vs. RCA AR-88? That might be a bit too complicated . . . or it might involve a multi-part article.

    Reply
  2. Howard Forkash

    Hi there, I just stumbled upon one of these RBO2 units. I need to figure out how to test it, and what it is worth if it works

    Reply

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