Trans-Solar TP706 (Ch= 1123)

Hoffman Radio Corp.; Los Angeles, CA

  • Year
  • 1958
  • Category
  • Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 141098

Click on the schematic thumbnail to request the schematic as a free document.

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Transistors
  • 6
  • Main principle
  • Superheterodyne (common); ZF/IF 455 kHz; 2 AF stage(s)
  • Tuned circuits
  • 5 AM circuit(s)
  • Wave bands
  • Broadcast only (MW).
  • Power type and voltage
  • Solar- and/or muscle driven, also addl. power jack possible / Solar / 1 x 4 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • Permanent Magnet Dynamic (PDyn) Loudspeaker (moving coil) / Ø 2.75 inch = 7 cm
  • Material
  • Plastics (no bakelite or catalin)
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Trans-Solar TP706 - Hoffman Radio Corp.; Los
  • Shape
  • Very small Portable or Pocket-Set (Handheld) < 8 inch.
  • Dimensions (WHD)
  • 147 x 89 x 43 mm / 5.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 inch
  • Notes
  • The Hoffman Model TP706 has a Turquoise cabinet.

    The Hoffman Model P706 series was one of the early solar-powered radios. It was introduced in June 1958 as stated in the Los Angeles Times on June 8, 1958.

    The top mounted solar panel, consisting of 12 solar cells in the shape of a quarter round, could only be used to power the radio and it did NOT act to recharge the internal 4-volt mercury battery (primary, not rechagable).  A slide switch on the back side allowed the user to choose from “SOLAR” or “BATT.”.

    The colors of the P706 series cabinets are defined by the model prefix, as shown in the following table.

    Model Color
    BP706 Mocha
    CP706 Expresso
    KP706 Ebony
    OP706 Oyster White
    PP706 Pink
    RP706 Red
    TP706 Turquoise

    A few oddities of the P706 series are known, such as a paper label inside the battery cover shows the model number based on cabinet color – but some sets have been seen with a wrong model number label pasted inside.

  • Price in first year of sale
  • 75.00 USD
  • Source of data
  • -- Collector info (Sammler)
  • Literature/Schematics (3)
  • Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1958.
  Solar Radio History 2935 KB
  • Documents regarding this model
  • Author
  • Model page created by a member from A. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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