VEF 204 transistor radio, with affixed Sacred Heart of Jesus devotional image

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

VEF 204 transistor radio, with affixed Sacred Heart of Jesus devotional image

Entry/Object ID

2026.4.1

Description

Portable 8-band transistor radio. Rectangular case with carry handle, telescoping antenna, and a large horizontal dial covering LW, MW, and shortwave bands (60 m–13 m) over a perforated metal speaker grille; tuning and volume knobs at lower right; "10 TRANSISTOR / VEF 204" on the dial face. Affixed to the upper-left front corner, fastened with small screws, is a laminated devotional image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ("Sagrado Corazón de Jesús") — a later, personal addition. The molded plastic back panel carries the model/spec legend and a battery diagram; a loose lead protrudes at the rear.

Use

Belonged to Neida Céspedes Sierra

Collection

Neida Céspedes Sierra collection

Acquisition

Accession

2026.4

Made/Created

Manufacturer

VEF

Time Period

1970s

Place

City

Riga

Location

Latvia

Country

U.S.S.R.

Region

Eastern Europe

Continent

Europe

Notes

Date: Circa 1970–1974 (VEF 204 production). The devotional image is an undated later addition.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Front: "10 TRANSISTOR," "VEF 204," "MW," "TUNING"; band labels LW, MW, 60–13 m. Back (molded): "VEF 204 / AM RECEIVER 8 BAND / 10 TRANSISTOR 2 DIODE / MADE IN USSR"; frequency-range table (LW 150–408 KC, MW 525–1605 KC, 60 m–13 m); "BATTERIES STANDARD FLASHLIGHT / BATTERY 373, 6 EACH 1,5 VOLT"; VEF logo. Devotional plaque: "SAGRADO CORAZÓN DE JESÚS" with Sacred Heart image.

Materials

Material Notes

Materials: Molded plastic/Bakelite case; metal trim, perforated speaker grille, and telescoping antenna; glass/plastic dial; laminated paper-and-plastic devotional image with metal fasteners. Technique: Mass-manufactured transistor receiver (molded plastic, stamped metal). Devotional image added post-manufacture (screw-fixed).

Condition

Overall Condition

Poor

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Neida Céspedes Sierra

Notes

owner

Research Notes

Notes

The VEF 204 is a Soviet export receiver. Radio VEF-204 was produced by the Riga Electrotechnical Plant VEF from the beginning of 1970; it is the export version of the VEF-201, powered by 6 R-20 (А-373) cells. Radiomuseum dates the VEF 204 (VEF Radio Works, Valsts Elektrotehniska Fabrika, Riga, Latvia) to a 1970 build, with 10 semiconductors. The 13 m band and English lettering identify it specifically as an export model.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

February 6, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 15, 2026