I had one of these radios back in the 1960s! The Lafayette KT 340 communications receiver. It was my best piece of HF kit for many years.
The Lafayette KT-340 is an American-designed, nine-valve communications receiver from the mid-1960s. It was sold as a semi-kit for radio enthusiasts who wanted a capable shortwave receiver without having to construct an entire set from individual components.
It is an interesting receiver for collectors and valve radio restorers because it combines traditional superheterodyne circuitry with features normally associated with more expensive amateur radio equipment. The KT-340 was the kit version of the Lafayette HA-230, which was supplied ready-built.
The receiver covers four ranges:
Band
Coverage
This gives the radio coverage of the medium-wave broadcast band, international shortwave broadcasting, and the principal HF amateur radio bands of the period. The separate bandspread tuning control makes it much easier to tune stations close together, particularly on the amateur bands.
Valve
Type
Function
The use of a separate 6BE6 local oscillator, rather than a combined self-oscillating frequency changer, was intended to improve stability.
An unusual feature is that the mixer and oscillator valve heaters remain energised while the receiver is connected to the mains, even when switched off at the front panel. This keeps the valves warm to reduce frequency drift after switching on.