I bet it wouldn't be too difficult to make a modern version of this with a Am/Fm radio kit or with a CD Player, or perhaps even MP3 if you wanted to go that route. Might make for a cool project.
There is a lot of very cool AM radio here, especially at night. And, the internals on an old AM are fairly easy easy to repair. I wish I had of seen that earlier. I have a few of the old Gilligan Island style AM that I love to tinker with.