Overview
Kraco was a U.S.-based consumer electronics brand active primarily during the 1960s through the 1980s. The company became well known for automotive accessories and Citizens Band radios during the CB radio boom of the 1970s.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Type | Consumer electronics / private-label brand |
| Primary Products | CB radios, car stereos, automotive accessories |
| Peak Activity | 1970s–early 1980s |
| Manufacturing | Primarily OEM (Japan and Asia) |
| Market Segment | Entry-level to mid-range consumer |
Physical Description
Kraco CB radios were typically compact mobile units designed for vehicle installation. Styling followed common trends of the era, with metal chassis construction, simple control layouts, and integrated speakers. Many models featured basic channel selectors, volume and squelch controls, and occasionally signal meters.
History
Kraco Enterprises, based in California, marketed a wide range of automotive electronics and accessories. During the 1970s CB radio surge, Kraco-branded radios were widely distributed through department stores, auto parts retailers, and mail-order catalogs.
Rather than manufacturing radios directly, Kraco sourced equipment from established OEM manufacturers, often in Japan, and sold them under the Kraco name. This resulted in models that sometimes shared internal designs with radios from other brands.
As CB radio popularity declined in the early 1980s, Kraco shifted focus more heavily toward car audio and automotive accessories, remaining a recognizable name in that market for years afterward.