(paid link below) As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. There are no additional costs to you. ▶ The Radio Shack 12-586 at Ebay: bit.ly/RadioShack12586
I bought one of these at a Radio Shack many years ago while on a trip in Massachusetts. I needed something to listen to while staying in a cabin. Great little radio, and it pulls in the stations as well as my new CC Pocket.
I stumbled on a very gently used 1200586 at my local Goodwill store with batteries installed for $1.99, batteries cost that much alone, wasn’t even a question if I was going to grab it. And to my surprise it is a nice quality Radio. I think that is already the best ever deal I will get on any radio.
If you open one of these up, there are some surprises inside. First, the number of components is at a bare minimum. Second...no tuning capacitor, just a second potentiometer. Apparently they use varactor tuning. Also, the sound the speaker makes has an odd quality that reminds me of a reed speaker radio.
Just picked up one of these for the collection -- seems to be a solid performer. Also have a Radio Shack 12-472 AM/FM/SW on the way (similar appearance and form factor), so we'll see how the two compare.
You should get yourself a Panasonic RF-2200. Your love for radios shines so brightly that there's no doubt you'd barge into a burning house to rescue one after you've had your hands on one. Yes they can be a bit pricey, and they've been out of production for one hell of a long time, but it's well worth it. I wish I could afford to send you one just so I could hear your joy as you tuned up the dial of it on here.
When I used my headphones on my radio shack pocket radio, the volume will act funny and go up and down. I don’t know if the contact point inside needs to be cleaned, but I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions? Thank you so much for your videos. They’re great, Peter.
There's two versions of that one; the 'DSP'/radio on a chip (the one you have), and an ordinary superhet. You can tell the difference by the dial. The DSP version has a linear (1110 and 98 in the center) tuning dial versus the superhet with the standard smash the higher frequencies together dial. Of the two the DSP is more sensitive and selective.
The only thing I don't like about DSP radios is that they skip over the weakest AM stations...some DXers like to be able to ferret out the weak catches. For my casual DXing they work well though.
Mine is the superhet and the other colour scheme. Mine has light grey on top with darker grey on bottom. I bought mine new in the store several years ago. The superhet analog tuner is the more sensitive tuner. The DSP models skip and don't hear the weak stations.
I purchased one of these radios at our local electronics flea market. It sounded great except for one issue with the power switch. If I turned it on and off then on again, it would not power up. I usually had to wait a bit. It also would cut out after a half hour. I ended up Freecycling the thing.
Yours has 2012 date code & mine is 2008 so this radio must have been made for some time. I bought a new Sony at Walmart & the radio shack has a better tuner. Mine was a goodwill unit.
I have this radio as well and really like it. (DSP version). Very sensitive and selective on AM, pretty darned accurate dial, good sound. From time to time, I just really enjoy pulling out a totally SIMPLE radio like this to have a little fun. It's radio sort of like grandma always had on her kitchen counter or on the front porch for the baseball games, ya know? Good times. I too really like the slight curve that is part of the form factor...that little bit of curve makes a difference in one's hand. I also love the really hard plastic feel... there's nothing flimsy about this set at all! Of course, being a DSP radio, you're going to have the usual "stepping." So, if you're not able to catch a weak station on your first pass, don't give up! Go back and forth...back and forth... a number of times... hovering over the spot where the weak station "should" be appearing...maybe rotating the radio as you do so, too. Usually, you'll eventually find the station, if it's there to be had at ALL,...and especially if you happen to "hover" at a time when the signal has maybe become stronger for a moment. Then, once you have it,...once the "window of receptivity" for that station has been clicked open, so to speak, it might even stay on, even if the station weakens. (Within limits, of course.) The fact that the tuning wheel on this radio is admittedly small and bit stiff, means this process is a little more labor-intensive than on some other sets. I too love any and all Realistic/Radio Shack radios. I have quite a few.
I recently saw a guy on Facebook showing the model 12-472 on SW. looks identical to this with the addition of SW. Have you reviewed that model yet? PS Just my personal opinion, but I think EVERY portable radio (pocket or otherwise) should include the Weather band. That should just be a given on every portable with an external antenna.
I bought this radio from RadioShack in 2012, and I have not been disappointed. It's super sensitive and selective. This is the radio that showed me how amazing AM radio really is. It picks up KNX 1070 in L.A any night of the week as well as KDWN in Las Vegas in southern Nevada over mountains East of the Bay Area. Both stations sound local but are hundreds of miles away. RadioShacks tabletop model is also a great radio. As always Todderbert, enjoyed the review!
(paid link below) As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. There are no additional costs to you.
▶ The Radio Shack 12-586 at Ebay: bit.ly/RadioShack12586
I bought one of these at a Radio Shack many years ago while on a trip in Massachusetts. I needed something to listen to while staying in a cabin. Great little radio, and it pulls in the stations as well as my new CC Pocket.
I also have this one and love it. Great review and thanks for sharing.
Thank you, I need to explore this radio more.
I stumbled on a very gently used 1200586 at my local Goodwill store with batteries installed for $1.99, batteries cost that much alone, wasn’t even a question if I was going to grab it. And to my surprise it is a nice quality Radio. I think that is already the best ever deal I will get on any radio.
If you open one of these up, there are some surprises inside. First, the number of components is at a bare minimum. Second...no tuning capacitor, just a second potentiometer.
Apparently they use varactor tuning. Also, the sound the speaker makes has an odd quality that reminds me of a reed speaker radio.
Just picked up one of these for the collection -- seems to be a solid performer. Also have a Radio Shack 12-472 AM/FM/SW on the way (similar appearance and form factor), so we'll see how the two compare.
I have one of those and it does very well on the AM band. Nice job.
Rockin' the Shack Attack! I just love that title...thanks again RG.
You should get yourself a Panasonic RF-2200. Your love for radios shines so brightly that there's no doubt you'd barge into a burning house to rescue one after you've had your hands on one.
Yes they can be a bit pricey, and they've been out of production for one hell of a long time, but it's well worth it. I wish I could afford to send you one just so I could hear your joy as you tuned up the dial of it on here.
That’s a suit case radio
Yes I'm here in Australia and have that radio.Love the sound and reception is very sensitive. Great radio.
too cool for school :) awesome, going to make a few more vidoes with it as the co-star.
I just found one without a manual or a box at a thrift shop and it was a steal at $1.75. Great little radio.
Thrift stores can rock.
I have one like this. I don’t know how old it is. Works pretty well, though. 😊
When I used my headphones on my radio shack pocket radio, the volume will act funny and go up and down. I don’t know if the contact point inside needs to be cleaned, but I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions? Thank you so much for your videos. They’re great, Peter.
DeOxit D5 on the headphone connector, and then plug it in and out a few times, clean off the jack, and repeat as needed.
There's two versions of that one; the 'DSP'/radio on a chip (the one you have), and an ordinary superhet. You can tell the difference by the dial. The DSP version has a linear (1110 and 98 in the center) tuning dial versus the superhet with the standard smash the higher frequencies together dial.
Of the two the DSP is more sensitive and selective.
The only thing I don't like about DSP radios is that they skip over the weakest AM stations...some DXers like to be able to ferret out the weak catches. For my casual DXing they work well though.
Mine is the superhet and the other colour scheme. Mine has light grey on top with darker grey on bottom. I bought mine new in the store several years ago. The superhet analog tuner is the more sensitive tuner. The DSP models skip and don't hear the weak stations.
Would you recommend the 1200586 or Sony P26 for best AM reception?
I love the P26, it would be my first choice. I enjoy pure analog tuning on the AM band.
I purchased one of these radios at our local electronics flea market. It sounded great except for one issue with the power switch. If I turned it on and off then on again, it would not power up. I usually had to wait a bit. It also would cut out after a half hour. I ended up Freecycling the thing.
Mine does that. Cut on after about 3 seconds, sound.
i miss radioshack
Me too, me too. I cry at night...serious though I miss talking to the manager there that knew what he was doing.
Nice Radio Hoy Sum. Would love one of those.
I have one of these and the volume has gone extremely quiet all of a sudden. Anything I can do for that?
Not sure how this radio is designed, could be a bad electrolytic capacitor.
Yours has 2012 date code & mine is 2008 so this radio must have been made for some time. I bought a new Sony at Walmart & the radio shack has a better tuner. Mine was a goodwill unit.
I have this radio as well and really like it. (DSP version). Very sensitive and selective on AM, pretty darned accurate dial, good sound. From time to time, I just really enjoy pulling out a totally SIMPLE radio like this to have a little fun. It's radio sort of like grandma always had on her kitchen counter or on the front porch for the baseball games, ya know? Good times. I too really like the slight curve that is part of the form factor...that little bit of curve makes a difference in one's hand. I also love the really hard plastic feel... there's nothing flimsy about this set at all! Of course, being a DSP radio, you're going to have the usual "stepping." So, if you're not able to catch a weak station on your first pass, don't give up! Go back and forth...back and forth... a number of times... hovering over the spot where the weak station "should" be appearing...maybe rotating the radio as you do so, too. Usually, you'll eventually find the station, if it's there to be had at ALL,...and especially if you happen to "hover" at a time when the signal has maybe become stronger for a moment. Then, once you have it,...once the "window of receptivity" for that station has been clicked open, so to speak, it might even stay on, even if the station weakens. (Within limits, of course.) The fact that the tuning wheel on this radio is admittedly small and bit stiff, means this process is a little more labor-intensive than on some other sets. I too love any and all Realistic/Radio Shack radios. I have quite a few.
The tuning dial is stiff at first but loosens with use. It's smooth after that! Again great portable radio! I too miss RadioShack!
I recently saw a guy on Facebook showing the model 12-472 on SW. looks identical to this with the addition of SW.
Have you reviewed that model yet?
PS Just my personal opinion, but I think EVERY portable radio (pocket or otherwise) should include the Weather band. That should just be a given on every portable with an external antenna.
You would think so! I love NOAA Weather reception on my portables. I have a radio soon to be reviewed that has the three bands and is very portable.
I bought this radio from RadioShack in 2012, and I have not been disappointed. It's super sensitive and selective. This is the radio that showed me how amazing AM radio really is.
It picks up KNX 1070 in L.A any night of the week as well as KDWN in Las Vegas in southern Nevada over mountains East of the Bay Area. Both stations sound local but are hundreds of miles away. RadioShacks tabletop model is also a great radio. As always Todderbert, enjoyed the review!
I just placed an order for one on ebay 😂
Supposed to be one of the best AM DXers according to JayAllen...me, CC Pocket, Sangean DT-200X.
I have this but it doesn’t work! Ugggg
Bummer, it is a good radio.
I attempted a repair and was able to get sound but no reception....
@@lacrossewieas2411 bet some back yard techs been turning screws in it.
They don't make them like that anymore, at least not RS.
yes, now they rubber stamp their name on common Chinese portables.