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Songping Wan ![]() Schem.: 1 Pict.: 20 19.May.10 19:01 Count of Thanks: 30 |
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This is a translation of Chinese post found on leowood bbs; I have obtained permission from author ZTL to translate and publish on RadioMuseum. I will translate little by little and post here when time is available.
In Winter 1922, American journalist E. G. Osborn established the first radio broadcast station in China, a 50 watt radio tower located on the rooftop of Robert Dollar Building on Guangdong Road, Shanghai. Osborn had a business partner Zeng Jun, a Chinese living in Japan, and they formed the Radio Corporation of China, registered as an American company to sell radio receivers in Shanghai. The station was named the Osborn Radio Station, which started broadcasting at 8 PM, January 23, 1923, and it created a sensation in Shanghai. In a few days 500 radio receivers (later renamed Radio) were sold. This was the first radio station and the first radio company in the history of China. Later on, many more radio stations were established, and radio became popular in Shanghai. In the early days, radios were imported, mainly from the US. Crystal radio sets and tube radios were available in Shanghai, with crystal sets being the most popular. * more readings: Brief History of Broadcasting Stations in Shanghai *Poster comment: The Osborn Radio Station was in business for only a few months. It had financial issues, but the most important reason for its demise was its legal status, because the Northern Government didn't have a law to allow civilian radio broadcasting at that time. Robert Dollar Building, built in 1921, now located on 51 Guangdong Road, Shanghai In August 1924, the Ministry of Transportation announced interim provisions for broadcast radio receivers, allowing the public to assemble and use radio receivers. The Shanghai Construction Committee established the Shanghai Wireless Machinery Factory to make seven-tube AC powered radios from imported components. City residents slowly started to assemble radio receivers; many adopted regenerative circuits. Mr. Yan Jingyu from Shanghai Jiande Savings Society successfully assembled a superheterodyne receiver the same month. In Oct. 1925, Ama Radio Co., Ltd. successfully manufactured crystal radios and vacuum tube radios in Songjiang Library. These radios not only received broadcast from Shanghai, they also received music programs from broadcast stations in Japan. Ama Radio had been established on October 8, 1924 by seven siblings Su Zufei, Su Zugui, Su Zuxiu, Su Zuguo, Su Zuyao, and Su Zuguang, and was the first Chinese domestic capital electronics company. Ama set up a factory, a retail department, a repair department, a broadcast station, and a publishing house to manufacture and sell electronic components, radio equipment, books, crystal radios, and vacuum tube radios. In July 1952, Ama Radio Co., Ltd. merged with YaNan Fabrication Company and changed its name to AMA Mechanical and Electronic Co. Ltd. The Electronic Branch of AMA changed its name to AMA No.2 Electronic Factory in 1955, and became the AMA Electronic Factory in 1957. In 1966 it became the Shanghai No. 26 Wireless Factory. China Radio issue 1 volume 2 China Radio issue 22 volume 4 China Radio issue 3 volume 9 This article was edited 18.Jun.10 08:01 by Thomas Albrecht . |
Songping Wan ![]() Schem.: 1 Pict.: 20 03.Jun.10 15:06 Count of Thanks: 26 |
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In October 1933, Ama Radio Co., Ltd. started to sell its 1001 crystal radio. Due to its compact size, low cost, and good reception, it was well received by general public. In October 1935, Ama designed and made China's first superheterodyne AM radio, the model 1651 with five tubes. Ama became the first company to commercialize radio production. Except for tubes and carbon resistors, the 1651 used in-house manufactured components such as RF/IF/power transformers and coils. The specifications of the 1651 were equal to imported models but it sold for only half the price, which was very attractive to consumers. Following the 1651, Ama made the 1641 four-tube model and dual band models 5TS5 and 5TS6. Because their design conformed to the local Shanghai 50 Hz electricity standard and were suitable for the local climate, they had a long working life and a competitive advantage over imported radios. Because of this Ama established a very good reputation in Shanghai. 1001 Crystal radio advertisement 1001 Crystal radio advertisement (note its price is 3 silver dollars) Ama 1651 radio advertisement Ama 1651
Ama workshop in 1930s In 1930s, other manufacturers started to make radios. Among them, Zhongyong Wireless Factory (Established in Oct. 1930) had a fairly large scale, second only to Ama Radio Co., Ltd., and made one tube three-circuit radios and DC three tube radios. Other radio companies included Huachang Wireless Apparatus Factory, Shaodun Electronic Company (established in May 1925), and Ya Er Electronic Factory, which made many radios ranging from one tube to five tube models. Although their manufacturing facility fell behind and not a great number of radios were made, these radios nevertheless represent one period of Chinese radio history. Ama, Mofanle and Liangyou (Good Friend) were reputable brands. The Mofanle five-tube radio made by Ya Er Electronic Factory started selling in Thailand in 1937; Ya Er became the first exporting Chinese radio manufacturer. Zhongyong 101 Zhongyong radio advertisement This article was edited 20.Aug.10 02:33 by Songping Wan . |
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CH Articles: 5691 Schem.: 13756 Pict.: 31072 18.Jul.10 22:55 Count of Thanks: 24 |
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This link to the top view enables the reader to get the full sketch about the radio history in China. The tow view article lists the different articles about the Chinese radio history and gives an overview - also about literature we know of etc. |
Songping Wan ![]() Schem.: 1 Pict.: 20 21.Jul.10 18:51 Count of Thanks: 27 |
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In 1936, along with technology development, radio became much more popular in Shanghai, total number reached more than 100,000, but almost all of them are foreign made products, competition kept domestic radio manufacturing industry a slow development pace. July 1937, the Sino-Japanese War broke out, a big hit to the Shanghai radio manufacturing industry. On December 18, 1942, Japanese occupation force prohibited the use of radios with more than seven tubes, and forced users to remove shortwave coil of radios with six tubes and below, production came to a stop, Ama Radio Co., Ltd. converted to make "Triangle" brand bicycle chains, Liwen Wireless Company (founded in November 1939) instead to make bicycle seats. Philo one tube radio and crystal set advertisement |
Songping Wan ![]() Schem.: 1 Pict.: 20 10.Aug.10 18:23 Count of Thanks: 27 |
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June 1946, Head Office of Central Government National Resources Commission moved to Shanghai, preparing to set up Central Wireless Equipment Co. Ltd, the Head Office becomes management division of the company. In July the same year, Central Broadcasting Equipment Maintenance and Manufacture Station, subsidiary of National Government Broadcasting Administration moved to Shanghai. July 1st 1947, Central Wireless Equipment Co. Ltd formally established. (The company together with Central Broadcasting Equipment Maintenance and Manufacture Station came under military control after China Communist Party took power in 1949. In June 1949, Central Broadcasting Equipment Maintenance and Manufacture Station was renamed Shanghai Broadcasting Equipment Maintenance and Manufacture Factory, and resumed production. On May 3rd, 1950, four electronics/communications factories including Shanghai Broadcasting Equipment Maintenance and Manufacture Factory, China Record Factory moved to Beijing, to help build the Beijing People’s Broadcasting Equipment Factory.) The research division under Central Wireless Equipment Co. Ltd was expanded into a research institute and workshop added. The research workshop made “Resources” brand table and floor-standing high quality 8-tube radios, AC power stabilizers, Radio and Auto-Change Record Players. After 1949, the research institute was put under the Bureau of Telecommunications, Ministry of Heavy Industry and renamed Shanghai Electronics Research Institute, and moved to Beijing in Autumn 1952. Resources BR6-2A radio
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Songping Wan ![]() Schem.: 1 Pict.: 20 11.Aug.10 17:39 Count of Thanks: 43 |
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May 27, 1949 the communist People's Liberation Army entered Shanghai and ended the Nationalist Government control. From 1949 to 1952, the new government gave a big support to private radio business, production generally improved, there were 558 telecommunications equipment manufacturers established in this period and 2032 workers employed. From 1952 to 1955, radio production increased 10-fold. Shanghai 131
Shanghai 142
Shanghai 152 Shanghai 154 Shanghai 155 Shanghai 155-A Shanghai 135 Shanghai 156-A Shanghai 156-A (Different design) Shanghai 156-B Mother Country 158 Shanghai 159 Shanghai 161 Shanghai 354/355 Shanghai 553 Shanghai 157-B Shanghai 157-D Shanghai 157-H Shanghai 157-M Shanghai 157 Manual Metto 382 Car Radio Shanghai 451 Shanghai 451 Wood Shanghai 451 Manual Wireless Technology (Shanghai 451 Special Edition) People's Daily (Report on new radio models)
Shanghai 132 Shanghai 132-1 Shanghai 133 Shanghai 531 Shanghai 532 Shanghai (Model to be identified) Shanghai Broadcasting Equipment Factory Flyer
This article was edited 11.Aug.10 17:55 by Songping Wan . |