ROBERTS RT22 RED RETRO TRANSISTOR RADIO
This is a superb example of a compact Roberts RT22 portable transistor radio from the late seventies. The case is finished in crimson red leatherette with real hardwood side panels – an iconic design for Roberts. Front and rear grilles are very good with no dents. Top dial is clear with one white mark that indicates radio 2 LW. There are also three red station pointers that can be moved to indicate your favourite channels. Chrome handle is excellent with no pitting. Aerial is perfect and all push buttons retain their end caps. Volume and Tuning knobs are original with a few marks on the volume cap see photos. The leatherette case is very good with no nicks tears or rips. This model has a rotating turntable base for optimum reception.
Sound quality is very clear with decent volume from the 3″ speaker. Mullard components are used such as the LP1185 module for FM high frequency amplifiers along with the ‘tropical fish’ C280 capacitors. You can see a 0.1μF and 10nF fishes in the third photo below.
Receives FM (88-104MHz), MW & LW via built in aerial. Operates from a 9v PP9 battery. Size is compact – approx: 23cm wide, 14cm high, 7.5cm deep. Weighs in at 1.2Kg.
Overall a very desirable smaller format Roberts transistor radio.
08/10/2021 at 9:45 pm
Hi Rick, I find the sound fine at lower levels. A little tinnie at greater volumes, compared with more modern radios. I have soldered a smaller 9v battery clip onto the original pp9 connection. Would the smaller more common 9v battery change the sound quality? And secondly, would you recommend attempting an upgrade of to a speaker with a larger magnet? As you have mentioned with the R250.
09/10/2021 at 8:10 am
The smaller PP3 will work well at low volume but can’t provide the peak current that a larger PP9 can. So the voltage will drop at higher volume and could cause the distortion or tinnie sound. Also, a PP3 won’t last as long so its voltage will drop faster and need replacing. You could try 6 AA or AAA batteries using a battery holder that should fit and provide the extra power eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Battery-Holder-Storage-Double/dp/B08Z7F8PSM
Upgrading the small plastic speaker would improve the bass response but space is very limited in the RT22. The same 3″ upgrade I used on the R250 would be too close to the PCB. Increasing the speaker diameter or finding a low profile elliptical one may improve the sound more than a larger magnet – the amplifier in the RT22 is less that 1 watt so larger magnet is not required. It’s worth checking the larger value light blue electrolytic capacitors – smoothing and speaker coupling – as they will have aged and can cause the thin sound.
Hope this helps, let us know how you get on.
16/08/2025 at 10:40 pm
I have just picked up 2 of these what should I do check if they work
17/08/2025 at 7:42 am
You’ll need a 9v battery. The PP9 is not longer manufactured, but you can try using a smaller PP3 and a pair of crocodile leads to test if they work. Or search for “PP9 battery adapter” as conversion kits are available so you can still use these radios with standard batteries. eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156173896000 These are nice useful small radios, so worth getting running again. Often the volume control and push button switches need a squirt of switch cleaner to stop the crackling due to oxidation. You could try a local Repair Cafe if you don’t want to try yourself.