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Change Your Voice 1939: Bogen SM6 Speech Modulator Amplifier
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Change Your Voice 1939: Bogen SM6 Speech Modulator Amplifier
Cost: $25.87, according to Radio Shack Catalog [1939]
The SM6 was a 6-watt AC operated speech modulator amplifier that was designed for use in low and medium power transmitters. Back in the day, it plate-modulated 12 watts of input to an oscillator or class C amplifier. This unit had an overall gain of 110 decibels, which made it possible to use high impedance microphones including crystal, velotron, and velocity microphones. If you wanted to operate the microphone and phone inputs together at the same time, you had duo-stage electron mixing to make it possible. The unit was 11 inches long and 7.5 inches high, used 4 tubes in total.
*Check out www.radioshackcatalogs.com for more retro gadgets.
Boy! Do I remember the Transportable Cellular Telephone. They were huge and the adapter packed weighed a ton. Reception was not that good.
Something you must remember about these prices.
Right after WWII, In the 50's, the average family income was $2,992.
$30 back then was quite a bit.http://www.tomsguide.com/us/membres/?r=#modalForm
The 40's was around $1,900'ish income.
Heck, right after the war you could buy a ex-military high performance aircraft for $7,000.
And still no flying hooverboard!
Not sure I agree with some of the "modern" counterpart tough, sometimes you have choosen items that are far from the best tech of today, and not even the cheapest (sony mp3? The only way it could have been worse was with Apple)...
However very nice article, I really enjoyed it
And still no flying hooverboard! Not sure I agree with some of the "modern" counterpart tough, sometimes you have choosen items that are far from the best tech of today, and not even the cheapest (sony mp3? The only way it could have been worse was with Apple)...However very nice article, I really enjoyed it
We chose the modern counterpart that we thought made for an interesting contrast--not necessarily the cheapest or best.
In 1961 or 1962 I bought a very similar 5 transistor radio at the local drug store for $24.95. I was into high-tech then and was willing to spend my money on it. Too bad there wasn't a Fry's Electronics down the street like there is now.
Check out the entire 1939 Radio Shack catalog (with a ton of vintage radios) as well as all the Radio Shack catalogs from 1939 to 2005 at *** www.RadioShackCatalogs.com ***
Check out the entire 1939 Radio Shack Catalogs, as well as all the Radio Shack & Tandy Computer Catalogs from 1939 to 2005 at *** www.RadioShackCatalogs.com ***