they believed would gain prominence for their new wares. In addition, around Christmas time each year National would produce tempting advertisements festooned with holly leaves. In the late 1950s, National asked the readers of QST what they wanted in a new ham radio receiver, with the result being the National NC-300 (and its successor, the NC-303). It featured a rare 30–35 MHz input for converters for 50, 144 and 220 MHz use (220 MHz equipment was very rare at the time). In 1965, National introduced the solid state HRO 500, which did not incorporate the HRO dial system, but instead relied on a direct readout rather than a conversion scale or chart. At the time, Popular Electronics magazine reviewed the HRO 500 as "possibly the best amateur receiver ever". Today, many National radios are collected, restored and operated by vintage amateur radio enthusiasts. Through the 1970s and 1980s, National survived as a government contractor and ceased development and production of civilian equipment. However, by 1991, after continuing difficulties, the company ceased trading. See also Atomichron Collins Radio E.F. Johnson Hallicrafters Hammarlund R.L. Drake Vintage amateur radio References External links Radio Bay History and products of National Radio Company Atomichron: The Atomic Clock from Concept to Commercial Product, with some history of the National Company, inc A Brief History of the National Company, Inc National rigs Manufacturing companies based in Massachusetts Defunct companies based in Massachusetts Amateur radio companies