The Rise and Fall of National Radio, the Company That Ruled Radio for 76 Years
6.8K views · Aug 18, 2026 · Education
Comments · 19
@tanyalovesluke · 1 month ago
National Radio lasting 77 years says a lot about how important it once was. It’s remarkable how a company can shape an entire industry and still eventually fade from public memory.
4
@BeyondOfficialHistory · 1 month ago
The building is still there on the Melrose _ Malden line. I could almost hit it with a rock from my home in Melrose. As a tenager. I dreamed of owning that HRO-500 but never did.
7
@Vintage-Technology--Gary · 1 month ago
HRO-500 was the receiver I would dream of using as a kid
4
@kraftconspiracies8480 · 1 month ago
I have an RAO6 National built and a RAO that was built by Wells Gardner for National. Both have been re-capped and aligned and work great. Not bad for something 70 plus years old!
2
@careycraig4360 · 3 weeks ago
Excellent Presentation!
1
@steveurbach3093 · 1 month ago
My dad had a RAO6 and a HRO60 and the box of plugin coils. It (the HRO) was easy to use (I was 8) and I would spend hours listening.
2
@Randomlyme123 · 1 month ago
When I was in the Navy and listening to the Russians on shortwave I used a British Racal receiver. That was in the 1960's. National made good radios too.
4
@spacemissing · 1 month ago
A beautifully competent document, though there are a few flaws, including one worthy of a small laugh --- "Hallicrackers".
1
@adiamondforever7890 · 1 month ago
National, Hammarlund, Heathkit, Lafayette, Radio Shack, Drake, Swan, Zenith, Collins, they are all gone. Drake is in business, but no longer radios. Have fun
1
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