VEF Spidola
VEF Spidola was the first mass-produced transistor radio with short wave band in the Soviet Union. It was manufactured by the VEF factory in Riga, Latvia, since 1962. A small series under the name "Spidola" had been manufactured since 1960. It was named after the fictional witch Spīdola from the Latvian epic poem.
History
In many cases, the Spidola was used to listen to Western stations, such as the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, BBC, and Deutsche Welle. The criminal prosecution of at least one Soviet dissident involved confiscation of the Spidola as an "instrument of crime," but without specifying the "crime" committed with the confiscated Spidola.The word "spidola" was a genericised trademark for "transistor radio" for a long time in Russian. In Chukchi language, the word "spidola" is generic for any portable transistor radio.
Specifications
First, "Spidola" was a ten-transistor, seven-band superheterodyne. Some versions were eight-band.- Intermediate frequency: 465 kHz.
- Tuning range Longwave, Medium Wave and more than five short waves ranges.
- Sensitivity: 1.5 - 2 mV/m, 100 μV.
- Selectivity : 32 dB or better
- Power supply: six D cells, or two 3R12 batteries, of 9 V total.
- Output power: 150 mW.
- Average current consumption: 25 mA.
- Dimensions: 275×197×90 mm.
- Weight without batteries: 2.2 kg.
- Price : abt. 73 rubles.