Is Billy Joel a Shortwave buff or Ham Radio operator?

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Larry Thompson, who writes:

I recently came across a photo of Billy Joel’s office in Sag Harbor in an interview with Willy Geist.

It looks like he has several shortwave radios or ham transceivers. Just wondering if anyone has a clue to his radio interests.

Readers: please comment if you have any insight!

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10 thoughts on “Is Billy Joel a Shortwave buff or Ham Radio operator?

  1. WALDO

    Hi there.
    The rig on the left might be a RDF probably a KAAR manufactured at Kaar Engineering Co.; Palo Alto, California in the late 40s or early 50s.
    The center rig is a RADIOSHACK Realistic DX-302
    As for the one on the right it seems to be a tube desktop radio from the 40s or 50s AM – SW but not FM)
    Could be any brand of consumer radio manufactured in the period.
    Best
    Waldo

    Reply
  2. Robert Richmond

    Linked below is a zoomed and enhanced pic of the radios if that might help ya’ll. Cropped in GIMP, then rescaled and “restored” via Upscayl, then further tweaked in GIMP for white balance and color. YMMV.

    https://ibb.co/K0qsZ4x

    Reply
  3. Steve

    The radio to the left is a Ray Jefferson model 483 radio direction finder. He may well have radio interets but these are just for decor — very narrow table just fitting the radios, no cords, etc.

    Reply
  4. Neil

    It is hard to say,as the picture is so small, but the radio in the middle looks like a very old Yaesu , maybe just a receiver like the FRG-7 or it’s family.
    The one on the the left has a a kind of “Heathkit” look, and the loop antenna looks like a small transmitting loop ( Magloop ) with a capacitor at the top … Or it could be an antique Direction Finder loop & receiver 🙂 All this could be wrong, It may just be nice “decor” in the room, to go with the “nautical” theme!

    Reply

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