Radio

RCA Victor Strato World 7-BX-10' short-wave radio

The leather covered radio has a hinged pop-up panel that hides the control buttons when placed down. When the panel is up, it reveals a decorative map of the world. The radio has rounded corners and circular indentations in leather on ends. The front contains a metal area which houses the tuning knobs and the bandwidth dial. Hinges at bottom of the radio open the back plate. A handle is located on top of case for portability. A small plastic knob on top conceals antenna cavity.

RCA first began manufacturing the 'Strato World II" in 1956. Specifically marketed as the radio for 'seasoned diplomats and world travelers", this 7-band portable boasted its ability to pick up radio waves from Paris, Tokyo, and London. The 'Strato World II' ran on batteries, but came with a plug in order to run on AC/DC power. It had three antennae to pick up the stations from around the globe. Among them, a built in antenna for AM radio, a window antenna that suctioned to the glass for "airplane and train" use, and a 4 ft radio aerial to receive radio transmissions. This radio has long lost its attachments but stands as a testament to the life in Keno, Yukon during the late fifties and early sixties. The life in Keno and its relative seclusion from the outside meant that Keno was without world newspapers or television for years, radio was the primary source of world developments and audio entertainment. With a little ingenuity, Keno residences could pick up radio signals from as far away as Mexico City or as close as the local Yukon stations. For the remote town of Keno, the residents welcomed the cacophonous chatter into their houses during the long dark winter nights.