A solaristor (from SOLAR cell transISTOR) is a compact two-terminal self-powered phototransistor. The two-in-one transistor plus solar cell achieves the high-low current modulation by a memresistive effect in the flow of photogenerated carriers. Hoffman already manufactured radios based on vacuum tube technology and decided that solar cells would work well with a radio that used transistors instead of. . Without the solar panel, it is just a 6-transistor, battery-powered radio. org says it sold for $250 (!) when new and needs an external "Sun Power Pak" accessory for solar use. Beitmans. . The Hoffman 706 series Trans-Solar radio was one of the first mass-production solar radios and actually the first to be purchased by the general public in very large numbers. It was released in 1958, a year after the Hoffman P411 series in 1957. The term was coined by Dr Amador Perez-Tomas working. . Very small Portable or Pocket-Set (Handheld) < 8 inch. Circa 1962/'63, a nice little 9-transistor solar-powered / battery-powered radio.
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