Lafayette Radio

Name: Lafayette Radio
Brand: Lafayette

A mid-century electronics retailer and brand selling radios, CB gear, and components. Known for rebranded imports and sales aimed at enthusiasts.

Overview

Lafayette Radio & TV Corp was founded in 1920 in New York (some sources cite 1946). It ran as both a retail chain and a mail-order supplier of radios, amateur and CB equipment, electronic parts, and tools. Popular products included shortwave receivers, portable radios, and components. Most Lafayette-branded radios from the 1960s were rebranded Trio-Kenwood models, with moderate performance and build quality. Two specific models: the FS-103, a rebadged 1955-56 Japanese Sharp 5M-67 five-valve tabletop radio, and the 1964 LR-200T, one of the brand’s first solid-state receivers, which used germanium transistors.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Lafayette Radio & TV Corp; New York (NY) (USA)
Brand names	LaFayette, Trutest, Duo Symphonic, Mighty Atom
Founded	1920
Notable model: FS-103	Rebadged Sharp 5M-67 five valve superhet table top radio, produced 1955–56
Notable model: LR-200T	First solid-state receiver, germanium transistor powered, introduced 1964
Notable model: LR-120	Stereo Receiver, listed at $649.99 in 1979 catalog
Notable model: LR-9090	Receiver, listed at $549.99 in 1979 catalog; highly praised by a leading audio publication
Notable model: LR-120 DB	1978 model, silver finish, FM/MW tuning; power output listed as “120” (likely 120 watts)
Company closure	Last store closed in 1981

Design

The Lafayette FS-103 was a rebadged Japanese Sharp 5M-67 five-valve superheterodyne tabletop radio. In the 1960s, most Lafayette radios were rebranded Trio-Kenwood sets. The LR-200T, introduced in 1964, was a solid-state receiver powered by germanium transistors.

Context

Lafayette Radio positioned itself as a destination for electronics enthusiasts. It sold through fewer than 100 stores, far fewer than Radio Shack’s national footprint. Its best sellers were shortwave receivers, parts, and portable radios. The downfall began in the early 1970s, after the company invested in 23-channel CB radios. These became illegal when the FCC approved 40-channel units, and the unsold inventory was discarded. By the late 1970s, aggressive competition and pricing from retailers like Radio Shack sealed its fate. The last store closed in 1981. The brand was relaunched at CES in 2003.

Market

Users report that the LR-120 DB suffered from thermal runaway in its power output transistors, leading to cascading failures. Manuals for over 1,500 Lafayette Radio models remain available.