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It 's a ten transistor radio covering the Medium and Long wavebands plus shortwave from 5.85 to 7.4 MHz and the full VHF/FM band from 87.5 to 108 MHz. Switchable AFC is incorporated and there is a rotary tone control for excellent sound from the large loudspeaker.
A switchable battery test meter is provided on the front panel. Sockets are provided for the connection of a VHF Dipole, AM Aerial & Earth, Earphone, Tape Recorder 5 pin DIN and external power supplies. Normal reception for Short Wave and VHV is from the built-in telescopic antenna (which is still in superb condition), while MW and LW reception is from the built in ferrite rod. The radio will work from 6 'D' size cells, a 9 Volt external power supply, or 240v mains.
Being almost half a century old, the audio is understandably 'wooly' compared to the sharpest radios of today, but it has a deep, relaxing tone which no modern radio can simulate and this makes it incredibly easy to listen to.
What a lovely thing to have around :-)
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| Grundig Yacht Boy 210 (1971) |
So why even bother with this analogue antique? It probably seems ridiculous to some people when they have smart-speakers, iPhones, Spotify and such like.
Well yes, I understand that reaction to some degree - in fact, sat behind this 1971 relic is an Amazon Echo!! I have two Alexa's in the house, two smartphones, a music server with thousands of MP3's, a collection of laptops, tablets and desktops with music stored on them and still I turn to this old girl for relaxed listening.
The thing is with streaming on Spotify or Amazon Music, etc, you get exactly what you ask for. Just by speaking a few command words, you can stream the best of Gregory Porter or shuffle through Pink Floyd's discography, but YOU have to decide. And with so many songs and artists available to you, it's hard to choose - a bit like when you find yourself flicking through all those TV channels that you have on Freeview, Netflix, Prime, Now, etc.
What you don't get, is company!! You don't get the surprise of a forgotten track, you don't get local news or gossip, you don't get to hear people laughing in the studio and sharing a funny moment. Many young people don't even know how to use a radio...
CAN YOU USE A RADIO?
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Analogue radio isn't going to be around forever and I just want to make the most of it. I want to revel in the soft tones of a vintage radio that's in great shape after 50 years of service, from a time when people made good stuff and other people valued it and looked after it.
Rock on, Grundig Yacht Boy!
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9 comments:
An amazing radio. I came across this page as I am playing with my faithful 210. I am forever in awe of this great radio that has a presence that no other has. I have all sorts of vintage radios, from Philips to Roberts, Hacker or Sonys, but this one has a special place, and I miss its sound and a build quality that is felt when you use it.
Hi there and thanks for the visit and nice comments. Yes, it's a lovely old radio and I enjoy it most every day.
Regards, Tom, M7MCQ.
The 210 is awesome, isn't it? I've restored a couple and have one in our kitchen. It's used everyday and sounds just great! Like you, I remember relatives having one when I was a kid. Fond memories.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/9927085@N03/i1215h
Looks nice that Tony! Thanks for the visit.
73, Tom, M7MCQ
Hi, Nelson here from Portugal.
Really nice to find your blog, i have one of those beauties myself, and i love it, not only for the sound, the looks, but also for the nostalgia, it have been in my family since forever, and i have pictures listening to it as a baby :-)
I proudly display ti in my living room.
I was wondering about your echo connected to it, can you use this radio to play music from Alexa/Spotify?
I would love to to so, to listen to my collection/playlists trough this little baby :-)
Thanks a lot in advance and keep your good work
Best regards
Nice this to read have the 210 today like new price 20Euro great sound have also all the Grundig Satellit s one by one Art thx anyway gl 73, de ON3MK Mor
Lovely to see all your appreciative comments on the 210. I too have one that I bought new in about 1972. Still works beautifully on a home made power supply of a similar date. Only problems have been a cracked volume knob, which I replaced from a scrap Ferguson TX9 TV, and the loss of the top extension of the aerial. It can still thump the floor so I assume all its electrolytic are in good order despite having a few periods of disuse. The major bus word has already been mentioned, and that is -------------------QUALITY! I even love just looking at it. I'm getting on a bit now so I suppose it's next event will be my kids or grandkids chucking it in the bin. UGGGGGH!
Best wishes to all you lovers of truly good things.
Peter.
I continue to find your blog fascinating - thanks, however, only just seen this.I've been looking for one on and off for a while as this model was our posh radio at home. Permanently seemingly on with what seemed like a lovely rich tone. My radio thing started with my Ecko valve radio as a child and I have great nostalgia for this radio.
Peter M7GQS
@M7GQS : Thanks for another visit to the Blog Peter - much appreciated. Funny you should post this comment because I was in the garage last night doing some work on my bike (CB650R) and was thinking that I might sell my YachtBoy on because we are downsizing in the new year and there's SO MANY things that have to go. This is one of them, sadly. Let me know if you're interested before it goes on sale. Email m7mcqio83ro@gmail.com
Kindest regards,
Tom.
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