[lelanthran]

> Is it easier to build or repair a radio now than it was when they were first sold?

"Build"[1], yes. "Repair", not really. A lot of things (like radio) can be an isolated module you just drop in.

Right now a bright HS student can produce a clock radio by plugging together an arduino, an I2C FM receiver, I2C display, an I2C audio amp and a speaker. Pop it all into an enclosure and you have a real clock radio.

Compare to building a clock radio back in 1990 - you'll have to understand how to wire up an op-amp, the principles behind op-amps, how to drive the readout from a clock, etc.

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[1] By "build" I assume you mean "assemble from parts".

[queenkjuul]

Well not really, i imagine you'd have grabbed a HeathKit clock radio kit and assembled it without knowing how an opamp worked, or you did what i would have done and taped wires from a 9V to the hands of an analog clock such that they'd power on a transistor radio at a specific time lol