Carlos buys a vintage Wahda transistor radio

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who writes:

Hey Thomas, check this radio set I just bought.

Portable, MW only, working with 4 AA batteries. It’s working perfectly.

This piece was made in Japan, I don’t know the year, but the curious thing is the Arabic name on it.

Maybe a model directed to Middle East markets?

Who knows, your readers may come with some information about this model.

All the best,

Carlos Latuff

What a cool little transistor radio! Thanks for sharing the photos, Carlos.

Post Readers: Please comment if you’re familiar with this particular radio model–or the Wahda brand–and have any insight to share with Carlos.

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11 thoughts on “Carlos buys a vintage Wahda transistor radio”

Mark February 6, 2022 at 9:46 am

06. February 2022

The name Al-Wehda ?????? or Wahda ???? simply translated means ‘unity’ or ‘oneness’ and it is found in many contexts in Arabic language and culture.

Careful analysis of the image reveals that the radio was most likely manufactured between 1953 and 1963 (inclusive). This can be ascertained by the simple observation of the CD markings for the Conelrad (Control of Electromagnetic Radiation) which are marked on the 640 and 1240 kcs. (kHz) position on the radio dial which were required by US law during that time.

Obrigats Carioca…

Mark

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Carlos Latuff February 6, 2022 at 5:11 pm

Thanks Mark.

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Carlos Latuff February 6, 2022 at 5:24 pm

Mark, your observation was exceptional, thanks a million.
Judging by these marks, do you believe that this model was then aimed at the US market?
I imagined that it was a Japanese model produced for the Arab world, due the name “wahda” written in Arabic.

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Paul February 6, 2022 at 3:55 am

The name of the radio, in Arabic: ?????? means unity. If built in the late 1950s or early 1960s, it may very well be a marketing reference to the United Arab Republic between Egypt and Syria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Republic

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Carlos Latuff February 6, 2022 at 5:15 pm

Thanks, Paul.

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TheZ February 5, 2022 at 4:14 pm

Clean the leather with saddle soap & treat with Griot’s Leather Rejuvinator. The Griot’s will keep the leather from cracking.

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Carlos Latuff February 5, 2022 at 9:01 pm

Thanks for the tip.

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Pavel Kraus February 5, 2022 at 2:36 pm

Hi Carlos, it looks almost like this radio. Except for the shape of the speaker grille.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/koy_six_transistor.html
The scheme will I think will be exactly the same.

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Carlos Latuff February 5, 2022 at 3:11 pm

Thanks Pavel, quite similar indeed, I think the Arabic name indicates that this model was made in Japan with focus in Middle East costumers.

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