VIDOR PORTABLE C.N.396A, 1950

Vidor portable Radio model 396A was purchased on the 31st October 1950 for £15-15s-0d. Included with the set is the original receipt, Instructions, repair receipt for 10th November 1951, £1-1s-0d, original Guarantee and the owners list of all the stations he could receive. It requires two batteries a Vidor 15512 (90 volt HT) and a L5048 (7.5 volt LT) or equivalents also a Mains voltage of 200-250 VAC 40-100 Hz. Wavebands are Medium Wave 186-550m, Long Wave 1100-1870m. Valves used are DK92-DF91-DAF91-DL94 and EZ81 Rectifier. Release date November 1949. Original cost £12-9s-4d plus tax and Batteries.

Bruce Hammond Collection.

A1720

THREE STENTORIAN EXTENSION LOUDSPEAKERS, 1950's

On the rear of two speakers: - This model is suitable for use as a low impedance extension loudspeaker only and has a speech coil impedance of 2 and three quarter Ohms. The extension loudspeaker terminals on the set should be connected to the two plugs provided on the loudspeaker. This loudspeaker which is fitted with a powerful Alcomax magnet is specially suitable for providing good volume as an extension loudspeaker. On the side is a volume control and on the back two pin sockets.

Donated by Southend Museum.

A1698

PYE MODEL 'G' of, 1932

The Pye model 'G' of 1932 was made by Pye Cambridge Ltd and incorporated the familiar Sunrise loudspeaker fret that started in 1927. It is a TRF (Tuned Radio Frequency) Circuit (not Superhet design) with MW and LW bands only. Operating from AC mains 100 to 250 Volts supply. It has a permanent magnet loudspeaker (not energised) three valves and a Westinghouse metal rectifier. Price in 1932 was 18 Guineas or £18.18.00 GBP.

Kindly donated by the Fenland and West Norfolk Aviation Museum

A1604

PYE MARINE DOLPHIN 2 RADIO TELEPHONE OF 1948, 1956

Developed after WW2 to assist small craft with communications. The fist model was the Dolphin PTC110 in 1948, the design was based on the Wireless Set No19, and it used a rotary converter to create the high tension voltages just as in the WS19. Using 5 miniature valves and 4 GT base types, it had a frequency range of 1520-3800 KHz and operating from 12-24 volts DC. This unit was made in 1956

Kindly Donated by Phoebe Frost

• Inside View
  

A1598

PYE P75 WIRELESS, 1953

The Pye P75 is a five valve (including the rectifier) 3-band table set in a wooden cabinet and working from AC mains. The short range is 16.3-51.8 metres. The valves used are:- ECH42 - EF41 - EBC41 - EL41 and EZ41. the cost in 1953 was £15-02-1d plus Purchase Tax.

A0959

PHILCO MODEL 444 'PEOPLES SET', 1936

Made in 1936 and known as 'The Peoples Set' housed in a Bakelite cabinet, and is similar to the wooden cabinet version known as the model 269. They both have 4-valves including the rectifier and are powered by 200-250v AC mains. Model 269 also came as a console and radiogram version. Valves used in both sets are:- 6A7 - 78E - PENDD61 and 80. The model 444 in 1936 cost £6-6s-6d.

A1549

HMV MODEL 1121 WIRELESS, 1950

The HMV model 1121 is a 4-band five valve (including the rectifier) Superhet set operating from AC mains. The bands are MW LW and two short wave bands which are 50-187m and 16-50 metres. Two export versions were available each with five wave bands; these were the 5111 and 5112 models having no LW band and extra short wave bands. The valves used are:- X78 - W77 - DH77 - KT61 and U10. In September 1950 was £23-02-00d Plus Purchase Tax.

A1460

WW2 HRO MARCONI WORKERS WIRELESS (RADIO), 1940's

Made during WW2 for factory workers possibly at Chelmsford and assembled from a National HRO chassis. The tuning gearbox and chassis is black indicating an early HRO, also the crystal section and I.F. coils are original. Instead of a plug in coil section a permanent set of coils has been installed behind a blank panel, a wave change switch is included for Long and Medium wave only. The set might have been made by an employee of Marconi as there is no Manufacturers mark although the set is professionally made, only a large 'M' across the speaker. It was donated to the Museum with verbal provenance relating to its origin. No other information is known.

Donated by Marconi Museum

A1366

ROBERTS R66 MAINS BATTERY VALVE PORTABLE WIRELESS, 1956

The Roberts Model R66 has a Ferrite rod internal aerial and is a 2 band 4 valve portable which can be operated from All Dry batteries or AC mains. Wavebands covered are 182-580 Meters and 900-2000 Metres. In April 1956 it cost £13-19-6d Batteries and Purchase Tax Extra.

A1340

EVER READY SKY KING PORTABLE WIRELESS, 1956

The Sky Queen was for the Ladies, the Sky King for the gent's. Medium and Long wave only it used an internal frame aerial, and the Battery was an Ever Ready B136 (combined HT 90v & LT 1.5v). Valves used are:- DK96 - DF96 - DAF96 and DL96. The price in June 1956 was £10 - plus taxes and batteries

A1339

EVER READY SKY BARONET PORTABLE RADIO, 1958

Ever Ready made portable wirelesses until 1968 when they reverted to making batteries only, this model was made in 1958. The Sky Baronet followed the Sky Princess and has a similar lid to the case but employed a Printed circuit chassis, instead of a hand wired metal type. Valves used are:- DK96 - DF96 - DAF96 and DL96. Price in 1958 was £14-7s-3d (included batteries and taxes)

A1338

EVER READY SKY PRINCESS PORTABLE RADIO, 1956

Ever Ready made portable wirelesses until 1968 when they reverted to making batteries only, this model was made in July 1956. Using a ferrite rod internal aerial, a 2 band All Dry battery portable with 4 valves, the wavebands are 192-550 Metres and 1040-1765 metres. The valves used were:- DK96 - DF96 - DAF96 and DL96. Cost in 1956 was £10-10s Batteries and Purchase Tax extra.

A1337

PHILCO TORCH RADIO MODEL 3782, 1956

Philco portable mains battery valve Radio of 1956, has a plastic case with a torch embedded in the tuning knob on the side. The sales literature states ''Powerful built in torch. 3 Bands Long Medium and Maritime. Choice of four colours. AC/DC Mains operation. Cost in 1956 18 Gns Tax Paid''. Uses four miniature valves, DK92, DF91, DAF91, DL94.

A1334

WIRELESS LICENCE, 1930

The British Broadcasting Company Ltd was a British commercial company formed on 18 October 1922 by British and American electrical companies doing business in the United Kingdom and licensed by the British General Post Office.

On 31 December 1926, the company was dissolved and its assets were transferred to the non-commercial and Crown Chartered British Broadcasting Corporation.

The BBC had to be paid for by public subscription ie listeners were required an annual licence.
All manufactures were legally bound to obtain a licence from the Post Master General, before producing their Wireless Sets.

The licence shown was issued to Thomas George Morris Asquith 93 Vale of Heath Road, Port Tenarth, on the 15 of January 1930, Cost 10 Shillings.

A0149

HMV COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE, 1937

Hallmarked silver plaque given to 'The Totland Bay Garage' in 1937 to:

"Commemorate your association with "His Masters Voice" during Coronation Year".

A1046

BREADBOARD TYPE PORTABLE WIRELESS SET BCM/CWC, 1920's

Portable receiver of unknown make marked BCM/CWC, built on a wooden board and hand wired known as breadboard construction, although portable it required three batteries HT, LT, and Grid Bias, with a good aerial and earth.

Bruce Hammond Collection

• Internal view of the wireless
  

A1182

'VULCAN' 2 VALVE BREADBOARD WIRELESS SET, 1925

Breadboard wireless with 2 valves, it requires headphones or High Impedance speaker for listening and three batteries, it would also require at least one hundred feet of aerial and a good earth.

Made by J.G.Graves,Hallamgate Works, Crookes Rd, Sheffield ,South Yorkshire, in 1925. The radio was called the 'VULCAN' and came complete
with 90volt HT battery, 2volt accumulator, Grid Bias battery, Loudspeaker, Aerial cable with insulators,rope halyard and pulley, and lead-in tube (all missing) and connecting leads, all for £7-17-6d

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1199

CLYNE RADIO SUPERIOR 4 WIRELESS SET, 1966

Supplied as a kit, complete with instruction book and original receipt.
Cost £6-9s-6d PT 2s-6d

A0152

BRANDSET 2 CANADIAN BRANDS WIRELESS, 1924

Two valve TRF receiver made by the Brandes Corporation in Canada 1924, similar sets were made in Slough England, and a later model the 3A was launched around 1929 with 3 valves.
The set requires 3 Batteries and listening is done via headphones of which the Brandes version are shown, the headband is missing.
No more is known about these sets.

Nortel Collection

A1321

KOLSTER-BRANDS 'MASTERPIECE' RECEIVER, 1932

Only 40,000 "Masterpiece" wireless sets were made and were given away free in exchange for coupons from packets of cigarettes in 1930.

The cigarettes in question were "Best Dark Virginia", and in order to qualify for a free radio, it was necessary to spend over £12 which would have purchased 500 packets of ten.

At that time the price of receivers was very high, because of a protection scheme run by a cartel of British manufacturers.
The valves that were used had to be British, and the royalties had to be paid to the Marconi Company and the BBC.

The sale of cheap foreign imports was banned but giving them away "free" wasn't, so this loophole was exploited in order to sell more cigarettes.

The receivers were made by KB but cheap imported valves were supplied by the tobacco company.

The KB shown here is one of the earliest Bakelite-cased models and is an extremely neat design using a TRF circuit around a couple of 2-volt valves. The lid which carries the loudspeaker hinges up to reveal the tuning and reaction controls.
Unfortunately although the receiver is very small, the batteries were standard and had to be employed externally to the set.
This changed the neat receiver into a bit of a messy affair with its trailing leads and collection of batteries.

Nortel Collection

A1315

KOLSTER BRANDS (TOASTER RADIO) FB10, 1950's

Kolster Brands FB10, was known as The Toaster Radio, two versions were made AM and FM types, both 5-valves including the rectifier. This version (AM) is a 2-band Superhet using an internal aerial, both powered by AC mains and an auto transformer is used to reduce the problem of heat inside the case. The valves used in the AM model are:- 6BE6 - 6BA6 - 6AT6 - 6V6GT and 6X5GT. In September 1950 it cost £8-17s-1d.

A0804

MARCONI 706 5 INCH TV/WIRELESS, 1939

Although appearing complete the tube is a later radar type and the scan coils are missing. Housed in a wooden cabinet it has 17 valves and a 5-inch CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The TV section is single band only whilst the radio has LW MW and a short wave on the 16.5-52m band, the set operated from AC mains. In 1939 only one BBC channel was transmitted this being limited to just a few hours each day, therefore a wireless section was added to improve sales. Made in 1938 this set when purchased cost in January 1939. £30-09-00d.

John Ambrose collection

A0846

PYE B18T TELEVISION, 1948

Housed in a wooden cabinet single band only (only BBC transmitted at the time). Using nineteen valves including eleven EF50's plus a 19inch CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and designed to operate from AC mains, the set has no mains transformer so it could run from DC mains. The BBC transmitted from London and Birmingham so sets at the time needed an appropriate tuner to receive each service. In January 1949 it cost 49 Guineas.

John Ambrose collection

A0847

PYE LV30C TELEVISION, 1950

The Pye LV30C single channel Television (BBC only). Housed in a wooden cabinet and having 14 Mullard valves and a 9-inch CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) working from AC mains only requiring 50 c/s to receive the transmission correctly. A series of sets were produced known as BV30 and BV51 models, required for reception in the Birmingham area. First sold in June 1950 for £38.11s.8d PT extra.

A0375

BUSH TV12A TELEVISION, 1949

Housed in a Bakelite cabinet and using 18 Mullard valves with a 9-inch CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) this set was designed to operate from AC mains. The TV12B was the Birmingham equivalent to the 'A' which was for London only. The only difference being the tuners, which were interchangeable. An autoradiogram version was available with a 12-inch tube known as Model TRG12A. Magnifiers could be purchased that were filled with liquid and strapped to the front to magnify the size. In April 1949 the TV12 cost £41.3s.1d PT extra.

A0374

SINCLAIR MICROVISION TV MODEL TV1B, 1978

The Microvision TV1B was launched in the autumn of 1978, it was 4 inch x 6 inch and 1.5 inch high. Its predecessor the TV1A sold for around £230.00, it weighed 26 oz; this made it ounce for ounce more expensive than Silver. The picture could be viewed from a foot away. Functioning on VHF and UHF bands, it was the world's first multi-standard receiver.

Donated by Allen Robert

A1023

TELEVISION MAGNIFIER, 1940's

Small Television screen magnifier. This was filled with liquid and strapped onto the television to magnify the size of the picture, it did however create some distortion. Many visitors to the museum remember using one of these.

A0378

TELEVISION MAGNIFIER, 1940's

A small Television screen magnifier, this one is tinted pink. It was filled with liquid and strapped onto the television to magnify the size of the picture, this would cause some distortion.

A0377

BUSH DAC90, 1946

The Bush DAC90 is built in a Bakelite case using an internal round coil as an aerial, there is no socket on the rear for an external aerial, the sensitivity of this set makes this arrangement very effective. Not so well known as the DAC90A (item A1010) it is a 5-valve including the rectifier 2-band Superhet working from AC mains. The DAC90A was a complete redevelopment of this model. The valves used in the DAC90 are:- CCH35 - EF39 - EBC88 - CL33 and CY31.The DAC90 cost 11 guineas in July 1946 and was replaced by the DAC90A in Feb 1950. A Cream Bakelite version was available at Extra cost.

A0148

BUSH DAC90A, 1950

Available also with a cream cabinet it is a 5-valve including the rectifier 2-band Superhet working from AC mains. The wave-band ranges are 187-550m and 1,070-1,900m. Valves used are:- UCH42 - UF41 - UBC41 - UL41 and UY41. This was one of the most popular sets ever made, and is still in use today.
They are often seen at fairs. It replaced (and not to be confused with) the DAC90 (item A0148). In Feb 1950 the DAC90A Cost £12-1s-8d plus a premium for the cream version, purchase tax extra.

Donated by Ernest Richards.

A1010

BUSH DAC91, 1947

This is the version that superseded the DAC90 (item A0148), which has an expanded metal grille, and with the same valve line up but without the internal frame Arial, (Required an external Arial) also it has a cream plastic speaker grill. The cost in May 1947 was £17-17-03d including Purchase tax.

A1115

BUSH VHF 90 WIRELESS, 1956

The Bush VHF90 has only Medium Wave and VHF FM Bands and has internal aerials for AM and FM, with an external VHF Arial connection. Housed in a plastic cabinet these sets were AC/DC meaning, there is no transformer inside, therefore no isolation from the mains, it also has an aluminium chassis making it lighter but more expensive, (most chassis for sets of this type are made of steel). It had seven valves including the rectifier these were:- UCC85 - UCH81 - UF89 - UF89 - UABC80 - UL84 and UY85. A VHF90C version was also produced, with the only difference being an AM Arial connection on the rear. In July 1956 it cost £16-12s-08d Purchase tax extra.

Donated by Mr Edward Allner and given to her by the British Wireless for the Blind Fund.

A1403

DAVENSET BATTERY CHARGER, 1930's

Usually found in Garages or Cycle shops for charging Wireless Accumulators. Supplying 20 Volts, it can charge 10 X Accumulators at one time. Davenset Chargers are still made today.
All the museum trutees can remember their parents taking an Accumulator to be re-charged.

A0115

BTH CRYSTAL SET AND BBC HEADPHONES, 1920's

This is the BTH Type 'C' Form 'A' twin detector crystal set manufactured by British Thomson Houston Ltd. in 1924. It bears the BBC/Post Master General stamp marked with the GPO Reg. No. 106.* The lid carries the instructions for use. The date of manufacture is printed in the lower left corner of the instruction card. This crystal set was manufactured by BTH from 1922 through to 1925.
*All manufactures were legally bound to obtain a licence from the Post Master General, before producing their Wireless Sets.

The set is housed in a walnut cabinet and features variometer tuning, twin cats whisker detectors and selectable aerial coupling.

A variometer is a rotary variable inductance typically used for aerial tuning

Nortel Collection

A1318

S G BROWN AMPLIFIER, 1924

Known as the 'Brown Microphone Amplifier' it was initially designed to amplify telephone signals,although called a microphone amplifier it is not used with a microphone, this refers to the working mechanism which is purely mechanicle. In the 1920's a license was required for valve equipment, this unit cost half the fee. A wireless set or crystal receiver could be connected to these units and enough power could be produced to enhance the sound considerably. With a six volt battery to power the unit it would consume less power than an equivelent two valve system. In 1924 this model for valve sets cost £5.5s.0d.

A0312

OSRAM MUSIC MAGNET WIRELESS, 1929

Sold as a kit using the trade name GECophone in 1929, it has a metal chssis and front panel with oak end panels and lift up lid. It is a battery set and has 3 valves. There are two waveband coils six condensors, an L.F. transformer and little else. Requiring headphones aerial and earth.

A0159

BREAD BOARD 6 VALVE RECEIVER, 1930's

Many small companies sprung up in the 1920's making wireless sets for sale. These unfortunately soon suffered from the large companies going into mass production and flooding the market. This receiver has six valves four of which are RF amplifiers, Long Medium and Short wave making it ambitious, as Superhetrodynes had not yet become widely available,so much amplification must have produced a lot of unwanted noise. A label on the set says Made by J.Karslake & Son 264 High street, opposite the Post Office. Exeter 2510.
The coils inside are Wearite types, carefully matched for three stages of a TRF or "straight" receiver
The cans are copper and the coils plug into standard B4 valve sockets.
The covers were vital for a stable receiver so that there was no unwanted coupling between the amplifying stages.

A0144

FRAME AERIAL FOR LONG AND MEDIUM WAVE, 1930's

Many houses in built up areas did not have gardens large enough to acommodate an aerial, (flats had no gardens) so an aerial for a receiver was a problem. The frame aerial provided some help, mounted on the top of the set, it could provide some signal strength, but not as good as an outdoor aerial.

A0145

GECOPHONE BC 3050 RECEIVER, 1920's

The item shown is a single valve receiver made by GEC using a HE3 Valve.

A0143

IVELEK CRYSTAL SET, 1950's

Advertized in Exchange and Mart and other periodicals, and aimed at young enthusiasts. Museum staff remember listening to radio Luxemburg on these sets in the 50's and 60'S.
Radio Luxembourg was a Long Wave commercial radio station that began broadcasting from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 1933.

A0142

MARCONI P20B PORTABLE WIRELESS, 1948

The Marconiphone P20B is housed a small jewellery type case with a sprung held lid and with an internal aerial. It used miniature parts throughout and is powered from a HT and LT battery combined in one unit. The valves used are:- X17 - W17 - ZD17 and N17.In December 1948 the P20B cost £11.19s. 6d, plus Purchase Tax.

A1048

HONEYTONE POCKET TRANSISTOR MICRO 7, 1960's

Seven Transistor Miniature Pocket Radio, popular in the 1960's.
This really is very small and does fit into a pocket quite easily, compared to the Selecta Portable item A0147 40 years earlier, things had come a long way.

A0153

EVER READY 'B' or MARCONIPHONE P17B, 1947

Made by the Marconiphone Company and also supplied by Ever Ready who had developed a small battery incorporating HT and LT sections specifically for sets like this. The set weighed just 3lb-10oz's and was advertised as a handbag portable wireless. It is a single band Superhet using four miniature valves and having a switched sprung loaded lid. The valves used are:- X17 - W17 - ZD17 and N17. In June 1947, it cost 10 Gns.

A0151

MARCONI 382, 1936

The Marconiphone receiver is a 3-band Superhet using five valves including the rectifier and is powered by AC or DC mains, it comes with a short wave range of 16.5-50metres. Its chassis is similar to that used in models 392 radiogram and 355 Automatic radiogram, also the HMV models 486 table version and 487 Radiogram. The valves used are:- X31 - W31 - D41 - N31 and U30. In September 1936 this wireless set would cost £14.3s.6d.

A0160

SELECTA PORTABLE RECEIVER, 1920's

Large early portable receiver, made in 1929, with four valves and space for HT Battery and LT accumulator.Required a good aerial and earth, a hand written list inside the front doors gives all the control settings for various stations. Tuning was accomplished by plain amplification T.R.F. (Tuned Radio Frequency). In 1929 it cost £33.12s.0d. On the inside back panel is a meter to indicate the charge state of the accumulator. Also available as a suit case portable, and a mains version.

• Rear view of the Radio
  

A0147

BROWNIE NO 2 CRYSTAL SET, 1920's

The number 2 was manufactured by the Brownie Wireless Co. of Great Britain Ltd. The set was available from September 1925 and appears in the 1925/6 Catalogue of the East London Rubber Company. Described as,

"Complete with Semi-Opal Protected Detector, D.L.5 Crystal and "Pallmadium" Cats whisker".

It sold for 10/6 (10 shillings and six pre-decimal pence), or 52.5 pence in today's terms, This price was very competitive, cheap alongside other models of the time, which might have cost in the region of £1 to £5.

A0785

ASTRAD ORION MICRO POCKET WIRELESS, 1968

Made around 1968 and costing £2-10s-00d, this is really tiny and was announced as the world smallest Radio, it has two dials and a crystal earpeice in a plastic case.

A0943

HMV MODEL 1410G HYBRID WIRELESS, 1958

This set is similar to the Marconiphone P60B and is a 2-band (MW and LW) portable Superhet set which could be housed in a grey or cream plastic case, using an internal ferrite rod Arial and a printed circuit board, with three valves and two transistors in the output stage to reduce power consumption. Models 1410B came in blue and 1410G came in a grey case. The valves used are:- DK96 - DF96 and DAF96, plus two Germanium PNP transistors.

Donated by Geoff Morgan

A0872

ETRONIC WIRELESS ETA 521, 1948

Wood Cased Wireless with rotating needle dial, Mains only, Made by the Hale Electric Company Ltd The Etronic ETA 521 Is a 2-band MW and LW Superhet powered by 200-250v AC mains receiver mounted in a wooden case and using 5 valves namely 6K8G - 6U7G - 6V6G AND 6X5GT. Purchase price not found.

Donated by Mr Edwards

A0924

PROPAGANDA NAZI WIRELESS, 1938

Made during WW2 and tuned to German local frequencies only. Known as 'Die Goebbelsschnauze' ( The Goebbels Gob ) This is the Deutscher Kleinempf-nger DKE38 made by G. Schaub in Germany around 1938. It is has 1 valve (plus rectifier) and is a mains TRF receiver housed in a brown bakelite cabinet.

Deutscher Kleinempf-nger means 'German small receiver', and the DKE38 is a low cost peoples-set designed for mass production and intended to be introduced into as many German homes as possible, very much like the utility sets that were in UK homes during the Second World War. It was intended for the communication of German propaganda and was manufactured by a number of manufacturers. Like the utility sets,
its design is simple and whilst it would have been adequate for receiving strong local stations, it would have required a good aerial. Many of the parts used in this set are marked with the German eagle.

A0086

EDDYSTONE EB35 COMMUNICATION RECEIVER, 1968

This is a domestic receiver of 1968 receiving AM and FM with 6 bands, fully transistorised and used by wireless amateurs in the early 1970,s operating from batteries only. It used Germanium transistors of a type which suffer badly with age, it is unlikely that any of these sets will still work without major repair. the ranges were 88-108 FM, AM 8.5-22MHz, 3.5-8.5MHz, 1.5-3.5MHz, 550-1500Khz, 150-350Khz.
The tuning indicator meter on the left is not original.

A0110

EDDYSTONE COMMUNICATION RECEIVER S640, 1947

Desk top Receiver in metal case. Designed as a communication set for wireless amateurs. In 1947 this would have cost £42.00 A 3 band general coverage set HF 1.7-31MHz.Using an EF39 in the RF stage.

A0967

MURPHY A122M, 1949

Made in 1949 with 5-valves including the rectifier, a three band Superhet, short, Long and Medium wave. Mains only operation, and requiring an external Aerial and Earth connection. Switch-able tone control and four separate glass scales with cursor, one for each band, individually illuminated when chosen. Sockets at the rear are provided for a gramophone pick up and an extension loudspeaker. The valves used are:- TH41 - VP41 - HL41DD - PEN45 and UU6. In January 1949 the Murphy A122M cost £22.00 Purchase Tax extra.

A0721

BEETHOVEN A415 WIRELESS, 1946

The Beethoven A415 is a 5-valve (including rectifier) 3-band Superhet MW LW including a band pass circuits and SW, the SW range is 16-51 metres. Working from AC mains. The valves used are:- ECH35 - EF39 - EBC33 - EL33 and AZ31. In May 1946 Cost 16 Guineas Plus £3.12s.6d Purchase Tax

Donated by Mrs Edwards

A0923

CAR MASTERADIO, 1948

This early Car Radio would be slung under the parcel shelf with an external loudspeaker mounted either in a separate box or in the back parcel shelf. The power unit (missing) was bulky and noisy, so it was either under the bonnet or in the boot of the car.

A0173

VIDOR 'MY LADY ANNE' PORTABLE, 1955

Model CN430 "Lady Anne" used a new range of low power valves had 2-bands MW and LW and was housed in a small wooden box with a hinged lid. It could be powered from AC mains or a small combined "All Dry" HT and LT battery. The valves were:- DK96 - DF96 - DAF96 and DL96.
The "My Lady" range of wireless sets became very popular in the 50's, they came in different colours and were very much in demand by the teenagers of the day. The cost in January 1955 was £14.14s.2d PT Extra


Donated by Ken Thompson

A1034

VIDOR 'MY LADY MARGARET' BATTERY PORTABLE WIRELESS, 1954

Vidor "Lady Margaret" model CN429 is a four valve 2-band Superhet personnel portable in a wooden case working from an "All Dry" Battery only. Its Lid has a switch which turns on the radio when opened. The valves used are:- DK96 - DF96 - DAF96 and DL96. This is the battery only version of Accession No1034.The 'My Lady Anne' portable. In June 1954 this cost £9-2s-10d PT Extra.

A1131

PHILIPS 660 A/U WIRELESS, 1938

Supplied by Philips Lamp Co in August 1938. Made by Mullard as Model MAS24.
The wooden cabinet in dark wood stain is in almost perfect condition. With square dial and revolving needle tuning, this is directly controlled by eight buttons each can be tuned to a selected station individually. A special type of tuning condenser is used for this designed by Philips and known as a "Beehive" tuner (see item A0745). The valve used are:- EF8 - EK2 - EF9 - EBL2 and A21, also a tuning indicator EM1. Purchase price not found.

A1116

CLIMAX FOLDING FRAME AERIAL, 1930's

Frame Aerial used with early Wireless sets when a long Aerial in the garden was not possible.

A1044

EDISWAN 'COMPACTUM' WIRELESS WL385, 1920's

Ediswan Compactum. Supplied in the 1920's as a kit costing £4 or complete and tested for £11- 11s. Required a HT and LT batteries with a good aerial and earth. Listening was by headphones. The receiver could be worked with any triode valve of the period, dull or bright emitter type.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1181

MARCONIPHONE 256 WIRELESS, 1932

The Marconiphone 256 Superhet had seven valves including rectifier, one valve is used as a separate oscillator. Various other models used the same chassis, namely the 258 radiogram, Columbia 356 table model and 631 autoradiogram, and the HMV Superhet "Lowboy seven" console, 523 radiogram and 524 (non AVC) autoradiogram. The valves used are:- VMS4 - MH4 - MS4 - VMS4 - MH4 - PX4 and U12. Designed to operate on 200-250 V, AC mains. The cost in 1932 was £25.4s

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1155

MULLARD MA3 WIRELESS, 1935

The Mullard MA3 was manufactured in 1935. From the mid 20's till 1938 Mullard was more or less owned by Philips. A fact which was little known by the public, Philips models were labelled and sold as Mullard products, often with different cases. It is a four valve 2-band TRF receiver with two alternative Arial sockets to the rear these were used if the set was too close to the Droitwich transmitter, these are marked "A2" and "D", the former being a simple condenser and the later a rejection circuit for Droitwich. The valves used are VP4A - SP4 - PEN4B and IW3. Original price not found.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1163

EVER READY SKY COUNTESS PORTABLE WIRELESS, 1958

The Ever Ready "Sky Countess", is one of the last of the valve portables made by Ever Ready, in 1959 the 'Sky Captain' was made, which marked the switch to non-royal named transistors. Made in a wooden case with an on/off switch operated by the lid. It is a 2-band four valve Superhet operating from two batteries (HT and LT). Incorporating a Ferrite rod Arial and using a printed circuit board as the chassis. The valves used are DK96 - DF96 - DAF96 and DL96. The cost in 1958 was £10.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1175

MOVING IRON LOUDSPEAKER, 1920's

Before permanent magnets were made strong enough and cheap enough, loudspeakers used a coil moving an iron reed which was attached to the diaphragm of the speaker.
Internally a high resistance coil with a permanent magnet through it was used to move an iron reed, attached to a rod on which was placed the paper cone. An Adjustment was provided for maximum efficiency. This method did not require a strong magnet to operate, and the quality was inferior to modern loudspeakers which use the moving coil principal.

A1136

'SUNRISE' EXTENSION LOUDSPEAKER, 1940's

Original moving iron speaker removed and replaced with moving coil type

A0891

CELESTION MOVING IRON LOUDSPEAKER, 1927

Before permanent magnets were made strong enough and cheap enough, loudspeakers used a coil moving an iron reed which was attached to the diaphragm of the speaker.
Internally a high resistance coil with a permanent magnet through it, was used to move an iron reed, this was attached to a rod on which was placed the paper cone. An Adjustment was provided for maximum efficiency. This method did not require a strong magnet to operate, and the quality was inferior to modern loudspeakers which use the moving coil principal.

A0914

'THE THINKER' MOVING IRON LOUDSPEAKER, 1940's

Extension Loudspeaker for transferring the wireless to other rooms, with fret cut out to the shape of 'The Thinker' sculpture.

On the the rear view can be seen the adjustment control for the Moving Iron Loudspeaker, it was necessary to occasional correct the clearance of the reed or armature, to keep the unit working properly if this was not done loud volumes would cause thumping or sticking, the unit needed to be able to give good sensitivity for all volume levels.

Bruce Hammond Collection

• Rear view of the Loudspeaker
  

A1168

'THE STAG' LOUDSPEAKER, 1950's

Extension Loudspeaker for transferring the wireless to other rooms, with fret cut out to the shape of a Stag.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1169

RADIO MAGNAVOX MH1, 1920's

Designed to replace Headphones on early Wireless sets, before loudspeakers had been perfected because of problems with a strong enough magnet.
The coil is a high enough impedance to connect directly to the output valve of the set. The terminals on the units would carry high voltages, and yet no insulation was thought necessary.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1164

STERLING 'BABY' LOUDSPEAKER HORN, 1923

Designed to replace Headphones on early Wireless sets, before loudspeakers had been perfected because of problems with a strong enough magnet.
The coil is a high enough impedance to connect directly to the output valve of the set. The terminals on the units would carry high voltages, and yet no insulation was thought necessary.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1204

RADIO LOUDSPEAKER HORNS, 1920's

A selection of loudspeaker horns from the 1920's and a Bakelite Philips Loudspeaker from the 1930's.

Including
A BTH Tpe C2 1925
An Amplion 'Standard Dragon' AR19 1923
A Telephones Le Las Horn 1920's
A Philips Lamps Ltd Bakelite Loudspeaker surround Model 2007 1928
The horns would replace headphones on early valve receivers before loudspeakers had been perfected, or even manufactured, and were simply connected directly to the audio amplifier valve in the receiver. They were normally high resistance and therefore very sensitive. The connection from the audio amplifier valve would carry high voltages; (not liked by today's health and safety regulations!)

A0167 to A0170

REVOPHONE CRYSTAL SET AND HEADPHONES, 1923

The Revophone Crystal Set 1923 Cost £2-10s Royalty was extra at 7s-6d. Its wooden box with hinged lid is in excellent condition, inside are two knobs and the crystal holder.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1188

GECOPHONE JUNIOR CRYSTAL SET, 1925

This is the GECOPHONE Junior Crystal Set BC1700. Built by GEC (UK) in 1925, this simple crystal set is in a polished mahogany case. The connection points for the aerial, earth and headphones are all provided, the controls comprise a tuning knob and a lever to adjust the detector. This set would have cost 15s 0d in 1925,the 1600m Loading Coil would cost an extra 7s 6d.

At the back of the set is the 'Entirely British Manufacture' BBC stamp.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1233

HMV 441A WIRELESS, 1935

Also known as a Marconiphone Model 264, part of the "Jubilee" range. It has 5 valves including the rectifier; it is a Super-Heterodyne circuit 2-band table receiver and runs on AC Mains 200-250 volts with a moving coil loudspeaker, magnetic field created by an electro dynamic coil. HMV also produced models 444 a console and the 541 radiogram. Whereas Marconiphone produced models 297 console and 287 a radiogram. The valves used in all identical chassis were:- MX40 - VMS4 - MHD4 - MPT4 and MU12. The cost of the HMV 441A in 1935 was £13

A1138

DICKSEN 'MIDGET' 4 VALVE WIRELESS DM40, 1939

Midget radios became popular in America between the wars as new smaller valves were being developed, this is just one example made in 1939 it has 4 valves including the mains rectifier, and a simple TRF circuit design.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1206

MARCONI WIRELESS TELEGRAPH COMPANY'S RADIO, V2 MODEL, 1922

2 valve reflex circuit, manufactured between 1922 and 1926. Original cost £22.8s.0d reducing to £15.16s.2d in 1925, and to £8.0s.0d in 1926.

A0771

McMICHAEL MAINS THREE RADIO, 1931

The McMichael Mains Three of 1931 was a three valve TRF receiver that was built like a Tank, with a metal back and no expense spared on its construction. In 1931 it cost 20Gns. Valves and Royalty's included.

The Mains Three is what is known as a 'landmark set', i.e. it introduced a significant or interesting feature into radio design. In this case, it was the first radio to have a dial calibrated directly in wavelength (metres) - up until then dials/knobs were 0-100 with a look-up table.

Bruce Hammond Collection

Thanks to (www.McMichael.org.uk) David Cochrane.

• Rear view of the Radio
  

A1162

McMICHAEL SUPER RANGE PORTABLE FOUR, 1932

The McMichael Super Range Portable Four is similar but an earlier version of the Duplex Four Type S. which in its sales literature is described as:-.

A high efficiency four valve circuit is used, double gang tuned to indicate on the duplex scale (not fitted on this model). An automatic grid bias dispenses with a grid bias battery (grid bias required with this model) and automatically adjusts the reproducing valves to maintain unimpaired tonal quality throughout the life of the high tension battery. The set is contained in a handsome case of dark furniture hide, fitted with ebonite panels and controls, with nickelled panel fittings. For protection an aluminium valve screen is employed. It has four valves:- PM2 - SG215 - HL210 and DEP215.

Made between 1928 and 1931 it cost around 17 Gns.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1165

McMICHAEL CONSOLE RADIO MODEL135, 1935

The firm of McMichael Radio, based in Slough, was established in the early 1920s by Leslie McMichael, in collaboration with design engineer Ben Hesketh. (Until the late 30s, sets carried the initials M-H, which stood for McMichael-Hesketh.)

Their sets were very solidly engineered, and made to a high standard. The company went to a lot of trouble promoting the radios. Publicity was helped by demonstrations of their sets' abilities to receive on trains and aeroplanes. These tests were probably less severe than the public imagined, but they were good publicity stunts.

Their sets were sold mainly by accredited dealers, who were urged on by an in-house magazine called the McMichael Messenger, which featured dealers from around the country. The 135 console is a five valve including the rectifier Superhet for use on AC mains. The valves used are:- AC/TP - MVPS - PEN-DD4 and 442BU.

A0536

RADIOLA BRITISH THOMPSON HOUSTON BIJOU, CRYSTAL SET GPO Reg. No. 861, 1923

Early Crystal receiver, Form B, Cost £1.15s.0d. Also shown is a boxed set of Brown's Type F headphones

Printed on the front of the set is the PO licence number.
All manufactures were legally bound to obtain a licence from the Post Master General, before producing their Wireless Sets.

A0138, A0150

WWII UTILITY RADIOS

Utility radios were made by over 40 different manufacturers, under a government directive. They were very basic to keep the cost as low as possible, enabling everybody to be kept informed of events. Both Mains and battery versions are shown.
The battery version on the left was made by, Philips Lamps Ltd. and has a manufacturer's mark of U8.
The mains version on the right was made by, Kolster Brandes, and has the manufacturers mark U32.
Both sets are single band only (MW) they are a Superhet using four valves, these are:-BVA276 - BVA243 - BVA267 and BVA211. These sets are purported to be designed by G.D.Reynolds of Murphy Radio.

A0163, A0162