Heathkit GR-151A
Not much is documented about the Heathkit GR-151A, and what survives is fragmentary. It was an early transistorized AM radio sold as a kit, part of Heathkit's long line of build-it-yourself electronics for hobbyists. The "6 Transistor" in the name tells you the core of the design: six transistors driving a 4"×6" speaker, with a built-in ferrite rod antenna for AM reception. It came in a simulated tan leather case, and the original price in its first year of sale was $22.00.
The kit was the point, as with most Heathkit products. The manual, which survives in a few collections, includes specifications for resistors, capacitors, and voltage measurements. One source describes the radio as letting users build their own AM/FM receiver, though the model name and transistor count suggest AM was the primary band. A related model, the GR-151B, followed, and an "advance schools GRB-151-2" appears alongside it in period references. That suggests the design found some use in educational settings.
Beyond that, the record is thin. No production years are confirmed, and no weight, dimensions, power output, or battery specifications have surfaced. No period reviews from the major audio magazines have been located, and current market prices are undocumented.
Known specs:
- 6-transistor solid-state AM radio, sold as a kit
- 4"×6" speaker
- Built-in ferrite rod antenna
- Simulated tan leather case
- Original price: $22.00
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