Okay. You're sitting at your Orbacom radio terminal, pressing the XMIT button for your Motorola 800 MHz trunked radio system, listening to incoming transmissions on a Plantronics headset. Hey, what do you care that radio has changed enormously in the past 50 years?
Well, it has. And if you need proof, this is it! That "thing" above is a portable radio. True, it's not beltware. In fact, they didn't even call it a portable radio back then. It's officially a "Handie-Talkie FM Radiophone," with a model number of H21AAC-101AM-SP1, and a "XMITER TYPE" of "CC1501." The manufacturer is identified as "Motorola Inc., Chicago."
The metal radio handle doubles as a cradle for the handset, which has a push-to-talk button in the center. The squelch (labeled "S") and volume ("V") knobs (left in photo) surround the antenna jack--the antenna is missing. Between those knobs and the radio handle is a two-inch speaker covered by a metal grille. On the right side of the radio handle is a rotary ON-OFF knob. On the right side of the radio is the jack for the handset, and a second jack for an unknown device.
Two substantial metal rings on either end of the radio are attachment points for a shoulder strap to carry the radio, which weighs about 8 pounds.
The lower, darker portion of the radio contains the replaceable battery. The battery fits into the housing and is then connected to the housing with two and three-pronged plugs. The battery housing then fits onto the upper radio section, and connects to the radio electronics via a 16-connector jack. The battery housing is secured to the radio with two substantial, metal compression clasps.
Inside, the radio has a "Tedford Labs" crystal with the stamping "32485.00." Some small components have the Motorola logo on them, while a small glass tube has the "Raytheon" name on it. One metal electronic component is ink-stamped "AUG 26 1959."
Hey, be glad you have an HT-1000. It only weighs about 23 ounces!
