The Admiral 111-07: Why This Vintage Gem Refuses to Fade Away
Vintage Audio / Hi-Fi
There are thousands of transistor radios out there. Most of them end up in landfill, forgotten, their plastic cases cracked and their tuning knobs frozen.
It doesn’t try to be jewelry; it tries to be precision . The tactile feel of the dial—a long, horizontal ribbon tuner—is buttery smooth. When you slide your finger across it, you aren’t just changing stations; you are piloting a machine. Pop the back off a typical transistor radio, and you will find a messy bundle of wires and cheap capacitors. Pop the back off a 111-07, and you will find a thing of beauty.
March 8, 2025
Admiral used a layout that is exceptionally clean for the era. The ceramic capacitors are color-coded like tiny candies, and the transistors are housed in those classic top-hat metal casings.
At first glance, it looks like a standard mid-century portable. But for those who collect vintage American electronics, the model number 111-07 is something of a legend. It represents a specific window in time—roughly 1962 to 1964—when Admiral, the Chicago-based electronics giant, was competing directly with the likes of Zenith and RCA.
Unlike later "pocket radios" that used tiny speakers producing tinny highs, the Admiral features a 4x6 inch oval speaker mounted in a sealed wooden back (not plastic!). Because of this wooden baffle, the 111-07 produces low-end response that should be impossible for a battery-powered unit.