panda-eg: B-802; Panda 熊猫 - more information

The Panda B-802 was a very popular model in China, made over a long period, starting in 1963 when the Nanjing Radio Factory used the first available germanium transistors for short wave.

Here is Panda 802 top part - see the Panda 802-1 in the next picture.
The main difference ist the tuning indicater.

Because of the high production and exports I begin here an article for Panda and Xiongmao models B-802 with tuning indicator and B-802-1 (without tuning indicator (meter). This article can be linked in the notes of each separate model page for this family of radios. With this we can easily add information at one place to show at many places. We can always be up to date with this. I should have done this before writing too much into the model page for Panda B-802 which reads at the moment as follows:

The model Panda 熊猫 B-802 was manufactured during 1963 to 1982 with about 46 million sets made (info from He Yuqi, Beijing) - with a slightly falling price (from 205 to 195 yuan). The transistor line up of the first models is 3G1C, 3G1D, 3G1A, 3G1A, 1G2D, 1G2D, 1G2B and 1G2B instead of the listed (then) more modern transistors. 8 germanium transistors, two diodes. See the two antenna systems, broadcast coil and telescopic rod antenna for SW. 208-1 has a plastic tip. Roughly, the bands are broadcast, SW1 3.7 to 9 MHz, SW2 9 to 18 MHz. Tuning indicator (tuning meter) on model B-802 but not on B-802-1. The tuned circuits consist of two RF circuits - each 3 bands with separate coils, 1 IF transformer with a special regulation for fine tuning with two tuned circuits and two normal IF transformers with each having one only tuned - in total 6 tuned circuits for all bands. Push-pull output. Socket for ear phone on the left side, two sockets for external antenna on the right side. Two switches at the rear.

See also the same set under the brand XIONGMAO which is Pin Yin for Panda - and the separate follower models, 熊猫 B-802-1. There are export versions and domestic versions. We distinguish also the different scale colors like "near white", pink-red, blue etc. But we don't differ the different colors (red or white) of the station finder (finger) or antenna tip. The blue scale seems to be the most common. Please look up the right version when uploading pictures. In 1963 the Nanjing Radio Factory used the first time transistors for short wave.

See the "hand writing type" of the model number below the scale, compared with others
and see the three sockets at the right side.

We have to be careful to not think the model Panda 802-1 was also made with a tuning indicator because we can find some picture with the indicator on a B-802-1. There is an article at xndzw com /Article/2007/200702/626.html which explains in detail how to modify the B-802-1 for having a tuning aid. As a true collector one would not modify a collecting peace. But it is understandable with so many peaces still around ...

Any more information is invited.

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