The Podhale radio was manufactured in Zakłady Radiowe Diora in Dzierżoniów in 1957-1958. In terms of design it is an evolution of the Śląsk radio, which was produced in the same factory. The Podhale was the first Polish radio receiver allowing reception of ultra high frequency wave, thanks to the built-in, super-reaction tube adapter. The full UHF path wasn’t implemented until the Calypso radio, also produced by Diora. The Podhale also enables reception of radio signals in double ranges of short and medium wave, and it also has one long wave range and the possibility of switching frequencies to the local Warsaw I station. It uses frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) systems. The receiver has automatic amplification adjustment and separate tone adjustment for bass and treble. In terms of electrics, it is an eight-circuit, AC-powered, superheterodyne, with vacuum tubes. Sound emission is through two built-in magnetoelectric DGWS 20/3 speakers, with a characteristic warm sound. As was the case with the Śląsk, selection of the waveband, as well as switching other functions of the device, is possible using a 10-key switch panel. The built-in socket allows connection of a gramophone adapter to the radio. The Podhale radio was considered a luxury item, and it was designed as a high-quality device. An intricate housing, made of solid wood, was covered in veneer. Two colour versions of the box were available on the market – a black and a light version. In both cases, the veneer on the front plate was assembled of parts composed in a geometric diamond pattern created by the wood grain. Under the vacuum tube tuning indicator in the upper right corner of the front panel there should be a handwriting-styled inscription “Podhale” made of a finely profiled sheet of brass, but unfortunately, many extant units lack this inscription. Perhaps the glue holding it was not durable enough, so the badges fell off and were lost …

Author: Filip Wróblewski