RADIO MANUFACTURERS.
COLLINS.
DRAKE.
The R.L. Drake Company was founded in 1943 by Robert L. Drake, a radio design engineer. The company initially prtoduced low and high pass filgters for the US Government and amateur radio enthusiasts. Following the Second World War, the company produced amateur radio transmitters and receivers, and receivers for maritime services. (Wikipedia 2024)
HEATHKIT.
ICOM.
Icom Inc is a Japanese manufacturer of radio transmitting and receiving equipment that was founded by Tokuzo Inoue in April 1954 as 'Inoue Electric Seisakusho'. (Wikipedia 2024)
Icom's first amateur radio transceiver was the FDAM-1, a 6m solid state radio released in 1964. (Icom 2019)
An excellent history can be found on the Icom Australia website.
KENWOOD.
In 1946, Kenwood was established in Komagane, Nagano, Japan, as the Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. In 1960 the company was renamed Trio Corporation. Three years later, in 1963, the company established their first overseas office in Los Angeles, USA. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Lafayette Radio Company rebranded and sold Trio products during the early 1960s, focusssing on CB radio.
A&A Trading Co. imported Japanese-made electronics for RadioShack. William "Bill" Kasuga, partnered with George Aratani and Yoichi Nakase to establish a company which was the exclusive importer of Trio products. (Wikipedia 2025)
The name Kenwood was derived by Kasuga. It was a combination of the name 'Ken' which was a name common in Japan and the USA, and 'wood' referring to the durable material and suggesting a relationship to Hollywood, USA (Wikipedia 2025)
Kenwood became more well known that Trio, and this resulted in the company's rebranding. George Aranti was the company's first chairman, followed by Kasuga. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Lafayette Radio Company rebranded and sold Trio products during the early 1960s, focusssing on CB radio.
A&A Trading Co. imported Japanese-made electronics for RadioShack. William "Bill" Kasuga, partnered with George Aratani and Yoichi Nakase to establish a company which was the exclusive importer of Trio products. (Wikipedia 2025)
The name Kenwood was derived by Kasuga. It was a combination of the name 'Ken' which was a name common in Japan and the USA, and 'wood' referring to the durable material and suggesting a relationship to Hollywood, USA (Wikipedia 2025)
Kenwood became more well known that Trio, and this resulted in the company's rebranding. George Aranti was the company's first chairman, followed by Kasuga. (Wikipedia 2025)
YAESU-MUSEN.
Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd was founded in 1956 in Otaku, Tokyo, as General Television Service Co. Ltd. The company was owned by Sako Hasegawa who held the amateur radio callsign of JA1MP. They commenced development of wireless communication equipment and released their first single sideband equipment in 1957. (Co 2025)
Above:- Sako Hasewawa. Image c/o EA1ETN QRZ.com page
In 1962 the company commenced exporting wireless communication equipment. (Yaesu 2025)
During the early 1960s the company released the FL-20 and the FL 10/40.
In 1963 the Swiss company Sommerkamp imported Yaesu equipment into Europe, and sold the equipment under their brand name. (Wikipedia 2024)
During the early 1960s the company released the FL-20 and the FL 10/40.
In 1963 the Swiss company Sommerkamp imported Yaesu equipment into Europe, and sold the equipment under their brand name. (Wikipedia 2024)
Above:- Sommerkampp branded radio. Image c/o https://www.isaacasimov.it/ik5qlo/ft101.htm
In 1964, the company moved to Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and changed their name to Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd. Musen is the Japanese word for 'wireless' or 'radio'. (Co 2025)
In 1973, Yaesu Museum U.S.A. Inc was established in Los Angeles, USA. (Yaesu 2025)
In 1993, the company's founder, Sako Hasegawa died. Jun Hasegawa took over as the company's managing director. (Wikipedia 2024)
In 1994, Yaesu UK Ltd was established in 1994, and this was followed by Yaesu Germany and Yaesu Hong Kong in 1995. (Yaesu 2025)
In 2000, the company name was changhed to Vertex Standard Co. Ltd. (Yaesu 2025)
In 2012 the company name was changed to Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd. (Yaesu 2025)
In 1973, Yaesu Museum U.S.A. Inc was established in Los Angeles, USA. (Yaesu 2025)
In 1993, the company's founder, Sako Hasegawa died. Jun Hasegawa took over as the company's managing director. (Wikipedia 2024)
In 1994, Yaesu UK Ltd was established in 1994, and this was followed by Yaesu Germany and Yaesu Hong Kong in 1995. (Yaesu 2025)
In 2000, the company name was changhed to Vertex Standard Co. Ltd. (Yaesu 2025)
In 2012 the company name was changed to Yaesu Musen Co. Ltd. (Yaesu 2025)
References.
- Co., Y.-M. (2025). Yaesu-Musen Co. Ltd.; Tokyo manufacturer in J, radio technol | Radiomuseum.org. [online] Radiomuseum.org. Available at: https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hersteller_detail.cfm?company_id=3887#google_vignette [Accessed 10 Jul. 2025].
- Icom UK (2019). History of Icom’s Innovative Amateur Radio Technology. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOjAMSvQMzk [Accessed 10 Jul. 2025].
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Yaesu (brand). Wikipedia.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Icom Incorporated. Wikipedia.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Kenwood Corporation. Wikipedia.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). R. L. Drake Company. Wikipedia.
- Yaesu.com. (2025). Yaesu Musen. [online] Available at: https://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/company/history.html [Accessed 10 Jul. 2025].