197
Item nr.
For Dutch travelers to Tour de France.
| Production | Japan, 1984. |
|---|---|
| Bands | 6 fixed channels. |
| Semi- conductors | TDA1220B (receiver IC), Amplifier IC. |
| Cabinet | Plastic. Size 6x10x3 cm. |
| Power | Battery 9V, 20mA. |
The name of the radio model (Tour de France) suggests it was intended for people going to France for the cycling tour. With this radio they could hear a pop station occasionally (675 kHz), news broadcasts in the evening (1008kHz), and during the day they could hear reports of the sports event they couldn't see, through our shortwave programme. The radio has a tiny speaker (4cm) and can be played with earphone. The battery drain is 20mA, which I find quite a lot for such a small radio.
| Obtained | 12/2001 from NVHR Swap Meet. |
|---|---|
| Condition | 7. |
| Disposed | Sold 3/2016. |
| Sound sample | PLAY SOUND Floyd Landis indeed won the Tour de France 2006, but a few days later he was accused of having used illegal drugs. A blood test and the second test showed increased testosteron levels, so he was taken his champion title and fired. This was the first time such a thing happened in the Tour. |
The usability span of a radio with fixed frequencies is limited. The frequencies 675 and 1008kHz are marked HILV I and HILV III (for Hilversum 1 and 3), but in 2014 they were in use by religious broadcasters Groot Nieuws radio and Radio Maria. The WereldOmroep does not broadcast for travellers abroad anymore. 
As you can see on this photo (by Thomas B), the radio came with some accesoires. There was a little earphone, and a soft corner around the set with a whip antenna, and a little screw driver to align the stations.
To open the radio, unscrew a small bolt under the battery (missing in my case) and the ring around the earphone jack.