A Brief History of Gross Radio Company

Archive

-

Radio Alpha

AWA Review #22 2009. Courtesy Antique Wireless Association

AWA Review #22 2009. Courtesy Antique Wireless Association

Name/Title

A Brief History of Gross Radio Company

Scope and Content

A Brief History of Gross Radio Company

Category

Manufacturer, Company Histories

General Notes

Note

Abstract The Gross Radio Company - A Historical Backgroun, by Bruce J. Howes, W1UJR This paper reconstructs the history of the Gross Radio Company and its founder, Jerome "Jerry" Gross (2AUD/W2AAE), a prominent but largely forgotten manufacturer of amateur radio equipment during the 1930s. Operating in Manhattan's historic "Radio Row" district, Gross lived out a real-life "Horatio Alger" success story, building a business that catered to cash-strapped hams during the Great Depression by balancing simplicity with affordability. Using historical advertising runs in the American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) QST magazine and contemporary accounts, the author traces Gross’s business evolution from his initial 1925 mail-order component offerings to his tenure managing the Leeds Radio Lab, and the subsequent 1931 launch of the Gross Radio Company. The paper examines the technical design lineages of iconic Gross products, including the "Eagle" shortwave regenerative receiver series and the highly popular CW/CB-25 "Beginner's Transmitter" line. Finally, it explores the company’s transition into military contract manufacturing during World War II and addresses the legacy of its distinct, black-crackle vacuum tube equipment.