 The Radiomarine Portaguide series is, for some reason, nonexistent on the internet. No pictures, no descriptions, no schematics. They are also somewhat rare radios- which does not make sense to me, since the previous, tube model AR-8711 is so common. In ten years of searching on eBay, I must have seen at least 30 to 50 AR-8711's, but I think I have only seen two other Portaguides. They do appear in advertisements in Yachting magazine... off the top of my head, without dragging out my magazine collection... I think it was the early to mid '50's that these were produced. They are all transistor, battery powered. The voltage is a bit of a mystery so far. The label states one should use "(3) RCA type VS067" batteries. The fact it uses 3 batteries probably means the radio is either 4.5v, 6v, 9v, or 12v. I tried a 9v transistor battery, and the radio works fine. But I think it may be a 12v radio, because when I press the "test" button with the 9v battery installed, the needle does not make it into the green. But in googling "VS067", or "VS 067", or "VSO 67" and so on, there is literally nothing on the internet. This is surprising to me. But it was probably an RCA re-branded battery, which was common under it's original designation... whatever that was. |
 Clean, easy to read dial. Nice RCA badge. The lines in the knobs were hand painted! I am lucky in that the very delicate "Portaguide" logo... a thin plastic casting... is all there. One errant wipe with a paper towel and it would fall apart. How did it survive 60 years? |
 The signs of low production are all over this radio. While all quality materials are used, it is obvious much of the insides are handmade and hand assembled. If you look at that nice brass arm, I think it is clear that it was hand cut, then sanded. The downward portion is shaped nicely to an oval. The arm is to allow the antenna to turn about 20 degrees past 360 degrees in either direction... presumably in the case where your null happens to be just at the stop of the antenna, which would be a problem otherwise. A simple and elegant solution. The large spring on the antenna mount is to protect the antenna if it is bumped or catches on something in transit... to afford a little "give". |
 The label says it all. I think it is interesting that the beacon band range on the label was changed at some point (poorly, and by hand!). There seems to have been some sort of variation in the interpretation of this band. I do think that the actual range was meant to be 150-500 KC. However it is often begun at 180, 190 or even 200 KC, and often tops out at 400KC, when interpreted by various manufacturers. I think this is because in reality the beacon range fell in here, and so to get a good spread on the average dial... for accuracy in picking your station, and also to give a good range once the station was tuned... the band was pared down. But again, it would be interesting to find another Portaguide with a different beacon range. My guess is, if I do, it will have 150KC to 500KC. |
 Boy, that is just so nice. |
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