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Portable AM MW/SW radio
Luxus Boy 200 E is a portable transistorised AM radio, introduced in 1960
by Grundig in Fürth (Germany). It is one of many models sold by Grundig
over the years. It is special in that it not only receives the
MW broadcast band, but also two shortwave (SW) bands.
For this reason, the device was popular during the
Cold War among East-European spies
and agents. They used it for the reception of coded messages that were
transmitted via the enigmatic Numbers Stations (OWVL) [3].
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The device is housed in a two-tone plastic enclosure that measures
140 × 210 × 60 mm and weighs 1300 g, batteries included. It is powered
by four 1.5 V C-size cells, and has two antennas: a telescopic one that
is integrated with the rear case shell, plus an internal ferrite antenna.
The Grundig Luxus Boy 200E was popular among foreign intelligence agents operating
in Western countries, mainly because it was so small and because it covered
the SW (HF) radio bands. Furthermore, it could be purchased in any
Western radio store without attracting attention [3][4].
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The device was then used by the agent for the reception of secret coded
messages that were frequently broadcast on a dedicated frequency by a so-called
Numbers Station. These stations were part of a
One-Way Voice Link (OWVL) from the spy base to the
agents abroad.
Most agents purchased the device in a local (Western) radio store for no less
than DM 186 (EUR 550 in 2026).
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The image below provides a quick overview of the features of the Luxus Boy
200 E. The device measures just 140 × 210 × 60 mm and is seen here from the
top right corner. Including the four 1.5V C-size batteries, it weighs just
1.3 kg. The device covers the regular MW broadcast band (510-1620 kHz),
as well as the SW band from 3.2 to 18.2 MHz divided over two bands.
The desired band is selected with the plastic lever at the right side.
It has three settings: MW, SW I and SW II, each of which corresponds to
a line with the same name on the tuning scale.
The device offers a choice of antennas. Inside the device – behind the tuning
scale – is a long ferrite antenna with a separate coil section for each of
the frequency bands. It picks up the magnetic component (the H-field) of
the radio signal. In addition, there is a telescopic antenna at the rear,
which picks up the electric component (the E-field) of the signal.
For weak signals, an external wire antenna (and a suitable ground) can
beconnected to the twist-terminals at the right.
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Spy radio transmitters used with the Luxus Boy 200 E
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Usage as part of a spy radio station
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According to former Abwehr
radio operator and spy radio collector
Rudolf Staritz,
the Grundig Luxus Boy 200 E was the receiver of choice
for many Eastern Block agents during the early 1960s. They could simply purchase
it in a local radio store without attracting attention of the authorities.
On pages 65 of his manuscript
Awehrfunk - Funkabwehr,
Staritz writes the following:
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Mit forschreitender Miniaturisierung (Transistorisierung) und einer breiten
Palette preiswerter Kofferradios ist es, zumindest in westlichen Ländern,
nicht mehr nötig, den dort eingesetzten Agenten spezielle Empfangsgeräte
für den A3-Funk mitzugeben.
Der in Abb. 91 gezeigte Grundig "Transistor-Luxus-Boy E" mit einem
Kurzwellenbereich von 3,5 bis 18 MHz wurde z.B. von östlichen Funkagenten ab den 1960er-Jahren fast als "Standard-Empfänger" verwendet, um die
A3-Rundspruchsendungen auf 3218 und 5820 kHz aufzunehmen.
Aufgrund "irgendwie besorgter Unterlagen" oder "knackbarer" Schlüsselverfahren
sind solche Sendungen schon während des Krieges zu großen Teilen entziffert
worden. (...)
Später ist das Verfahren der meist von Frauen auf Tonband gesprochenen
Zahlengruppen durch Computer mit "Sprachausgabe" ersetzt worden.
With advancing miniaturisation (transtorisation) and the wide availability
of inexpensive portable radios, it was no longer necessary – at least in
Western countries – to equip deployed agents with specialised receiver for A3 (AM) radio transmissions. The Grundig "Transistor-Luxux-Boy E" shown in
Fig. 91, which covers a shortwave range of 3.5 to 18 MHz, served, for instance,
as "standard-issue receiver" for Eastern Bloc agents from the 1960s onwards,
for the reception of A3 (AM) broadcast transmissions on 3218 and 5820 kHz.
Thanks to "somehow acquired documents" or encryption methods that could be
"broken", large portions of such transmissions had already been deciphered
during the war. (...)
Later, the practice of using number-groups on magnetic tape — usually spoken
by women — was replaced by computers with "speech synthesis".
This confirms that the Luxus Boy was used for the reception of the so-called
Numbers Stations that broadcast secret coded messages in the form
of endless strings of spoken five-number groups. Such stations are also known
as a One-Way Voice Link (OWVL).
Staritz also suggests that the
encryption methods used in the early days were not very secure, as they
could be broken by Western intelligence. Later, when they had moved on to
One-Time Pad (OTP) encryption,
the traffic could no longer be broken, as OTP — when used
correctly — is inherently secure.
➤ More about One-Way Voice Links
➤ More about Rudolf Staritz
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The interior of the Luxus Boy 200 E can be accessed by removing the large
screw at the centre of the rear panel,
after which the rear case shell can
be taken off. This reveals the interior as shown in the image below. Note that
the telescopic antenna is mounted in the rear case shell, and connects to the
radio via the large screw that hold the two case shells together.
The device is powered by four C-size batteries that must be fitted
in the purpose built battery holder at the centre.
Most of the interior is taken up by the two pertinax 1 printed circuit
boards (PCBs) that hold the electronic components. The layout and the
choice of high-quality parts is extremely good for the era. There
are no less than 8 transistors. The loudspeaker is integrated
with the PCB, with its rectangular magnet protruding a cut-out in
the PCB. At the upper edge is a long ferrite antenna with three coil
sections; one for each band. Tuning is achieved with the tuning capacitor
at the bottom right in combination with the adjustable capacitors on a
separate sub-board near the band selector. If necessary, an external antenna
can be connected to the terminals at the right side.
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Pertinax is also known by other trade names like Paxolin.
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Restoration of this device has not yet been started.
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Device Portable transistor radio Purpose Reception of broadcast stations, spy radio reception Model Luxus Boy 200 E Designator 1131-2000 Manufacturer Grundig Year 1959-1962 Country Germany Frequency 510-1620 kHz, 3.2-18.2 MHz Bands see below Waveform A3 (AM) IF 460 kHz Transistors 8 Output 300 mW Enclosure Plastic Colour Cream, Dark grey/cream Power 6 V/DC Batteries 4 × 1.5V C-size Dimensions HWD: 140 × 210 × 60 mm Weight 1300 g Price DM 186 (1959)
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MW 510 - 1620 kHz SW I 3.2 - 10 MHz SW II 9.8 - 18.2 MHz
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Monday 28 September 2026. Last changed: Wednesday, 30 September 2026 - 11:07 CET.
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