[Arran]

Well, yes, all the radios, even those built in 70s, had 110/220V switch since there were still some nooks even in 70s.

Before the WWII most places were 110-127V.

Americans did consult the largest hydroelectric plants' projects in 20s. The famous DneproGES (Dnieper Hydroelectric Plant, now in Ukraine) was consulted by Hugh Cooper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnieper_Hyd...ic_Station
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Cooper

When I was growing up, I saw in 70s last 110-127V strongholds disappear, but even in 80s one could see all electronic and electrical equipment having switches for 127V (even electric shavers).


As for the vacation, if you indeed plan go there (not just for radios), sure, this may be your best bet to pick up some good equipment.

Daugava was built at A. Popov Riga Radio factory (Latvia).

So it wasn't just a rumor, interesting, rather like how they bought technology from RCA in the mid 1930s (either officially or unofficially)to get the Soviet radio industry going. In my opinion they should have stayed with the 110-120 volt system instead of going with the wacky European 220-240 crap, was it 60 cps as well as it is here? Is the newer 240 volt system 50 cps like in Europe? At least everywhere that they use 110-120 volts they use the same recepticals and the same lamp sockets, in Europe every other country thought it was a bright idea coming out with ones of their own. If the former Soviet Union would have stuck with 120 Volts that would have inconvenienced the Germans, French, or Chinese should they have invaded, unless they switched to 240 V to inconvenience the Americans or export electricity? Funny how everyone can agree to drive on the right hand side of the road in continental Europe but they can't agree on what plugs to use.
Regards
Arran