BACKGROUND:
Yes, yet another radio receiver I have decided to offload as it has no practical use any longer for us.
It's not so much the receiver that makes this unit "special" but what it represents.
This portable radio is a REPRODUCTION of the original TR82, released by Bush Radio Ltd in UK. I used to think "Ah Ha! Bush radio, must be Australian" but that's not the case although they are now popular in Australia, apparently. The company name comes from a famous area in London called Shepherds Bush and they had been producing non-portable domestic radio receivers for years prior to releasing the original TR82 in 1959.
For this model, Bush engaged the services of an external design company (Ogle Design) to create a "modern styled" looking portable radio and it is this design that has become iconic, almost as a symbol of 1960's pop culture as this radio was very popular amongst the younger generation due to it's looks and portability. Remember this was just 15 years after WWII was done with, not a lot of portable radio's were available in UK and most were of an unimaginative design (often just a box with knobs). The technical design of the radio wasn't what made the TR82 special although this was at the very beginnings of transistor based technology, using such things as the OC series Germanium transistors and OA diodes which were "brand new technology" for the domestic market back in 1959.
Move forward through the passages of time and a lot of changes occurred to the original Bush Radio Ltd company, in fact it now exists in name only to be realistic. Lots of money changed hands over the years, all cashing in on the BUSH name which was well known in England. These days the brand is owned by the chain store Sainsbury's except here "down under" where Harvard International owns the Bush brand.
I am giving all this information so that there is no misunderstanding about this portable receiver, Yes it is based on the original TR82 but if the truth be known, only the case bares any resemblance to the original TR82! Even with the case there are small, subtle differences such as the antenna - the original did not have a "whip" antenna but instead used a socket at the rear plus the original had no AC input socket, it ran on a LARGE 9V dry cell battery pack.
The original TR82 B used moulded polystyrene, Rexine (leathercloth) and Brass for the BUSH letters on the front whereas this model uses ABS plastic.
All of this means that the PRIMARY appeal of this reproduction portable radio is the history behind it, the significance of the design and the fact that this reproduction "looks similar" Of course, updating the electronics, including an AC power input and adding a nice DAB receiver is also a big plus!
I did see some "clown" commenting online about the sound quality "not being 'great', with no doof doof doof (Bass lacking)", that's not the point with this radio - it's a nostalgia thing, not an audiophile or boombox beastie for goodness sake - be realistic!
A blending of something with a COOL 60's look mixed with modern DAB technology.
CLAP! CLAP! (You have probably fallen asleep by now so let's get stuck into the description of THIS TR82DAB)
BUSH - Classic REPRODUCTION Of The TR82 With DAB (digital radio) included
Made in China
Circa 2006 (ish)
Model: TR82DAB (Colouring of Chrome/Blue suggests this is intended to reproduce the TR82 C original
Power: 230~240V AC input (power lead supplied) OR 9V DC using 6x Type C (1.5V Alkaline batteries)
AM Analog receiver (530 ~ 1600KHz manually tuned)
FM Analog receiver (88 ~ 108MHz manually tuned)
There is no LW receive facility (sometimes you will see LW mentioned in marketing blurb but this model does not have that feature.
DAB Digital receiver (174 ~240Mhz electronically tuned)
SPECIAL NOTE: Of course, DAB digital radio reception is only going to work if you are in the coverage area of DAB services ... this really means metro areas, major cities. Go out "bush" (with your BUSH) and you will have to use either the AM or FM analog system.
DAB control panel has a one line display showing the song title, artist or whatever other information the station chooses to broadcast.
Digital display is only functional when in DAB mode, AM or FM mode and it remains blank.
The large circular front dial face has the original station "areas" marked on it (Scotland, Helsinki, Gothenburg etc) and there is a broad scale of frequencies on the face, giving an approximate indication of the tuned frequency although finding stations using AM or FM analog can be a bit "hit & miss"
External headphone socket (mono not stereo)
Auxiliary input socket - Yes you can connect an external audio source so that this receiver can be used as a simple, low powered amplifier.
I do not have the original User Manual any longer, however these are easily obtainable online HERE although the manual is only useful when learning how to use the DAB preset functions, setting up etc ... I noticed the online manual differs slightly from this model in that there is no Line Out socket but instead that has been replaced by the AUX In socket on the side of the receiver.
DIMENSIONS:
330mm wide x 220mm height x 85mm deep
WEIGHT: 2.2Kg (no batteries fitted either)
For a "portable" receiver, by today's standards this is a behemoth! Back in the 1960's it was probably a surprise that BUSH could produce such a small portable radio, and better yet, walking around with one of these and EVERYONE will notice you!
TESTING:
Previously used (and fully functional) around ten years ago, while in a remote area - my interest was in the AM and sometimes FM analog side of things, not the DAB at that time.
Today I took it, powered it up using the normal AC power from the wall socket, and "checked it out"
AM and FM worked as expected, tuning is made using that large central dial
Volume and Tone also work fine, plenty of tonal and volume level adjustment is available and not "scratchy". While not a screamer, the volume can be turned up pretty loud and it sounds fine!
I used the "auto-tune" function to load up all the DAB stations the radio could find (hundreds of them), this worked fine.
I programmed in a few stations using the DAB presets, made sure they worked then turned off the power ... powered back up and made sure the radio "remembered" my presets - all good here.
The small display is not brilliant but does the job (White characters on a Blue background with backlight) The backlight goes out after around 5 seconds and I couldn't see a way of extending this time period - I guess it is a battery saving measure.
Whip antenna works fine too!
I ran the radio for around one week, continously (background music) and had no issues at all
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED (but barely it would seem)
VERY clean
NO scratching was observed on any part of the case or the carry handle.
NO damage to the case or other ABS plastic parts, again including the handle.
The whip antenna is in great shape and not damaged or broken (so many times I have come across receivers with broken whip antenna's)
For all intent and purposes, this portable receiver is almost "like new" in appearance
I have now safely packed away this receiver, along with the power lead, inside a sealed clear plastic packaging while it awaits a new owner to impress their friends with!
Last note (truly!) ...
I noticed online that some folks are offering exactly this model, used for A$259! Fair Go ... JB HiFi had these retail (NEW) bundled with a kettle and whatnot for that price, years ago. Even A$100 is a bit steep for this type of offering ... my asking price is what I think is fair and reasonable for this type of portable radio i.e Retro design but technically nothing extra special
