[turretslug]

It is a nice radio, a good example of an interesting if somewhat niche type of receiver. The compactness and very low power requirement of transistors meant that what used to be called a "radio compass" (descriptive if quaint term) changed from an expensive, bulky and specialist fitment to something that was affordable and available to Joe Public for the likes of modest yachts. I'm willing to bet that it would run for a long time on even a cheap primary battery, again meaning that it makes sense to use on small pleasure craft, or available for use under circumstances of stress like power/generator failure.

There are innumerable tales, some tragic, of the ambiguity associated with radio DF'ing on a loop (going as far back as Amelia Earhart and probably earlier), so the whip resolving was an important part of the radio compass principle and adds an interesting technical aspect to the set.

If nothing else, this should make a good LF/MF DXing set, and it looks as though there are quite a few IF cans for good selectivity. Could the signal strength meter have been replaced at some point? I like the output stage heatsink- looks like a classic bit of pragmatic and down-to-earth Japanese production engineering.