Home Radio of Mitcham
From 1959 Home Radio (Mitcham) Ltd produced a catalogue of components for the constructor of Radio and Electronics.
The following pages are taken from various issues. The method used by Home Radio in deciding catalogue issue numbers was as follows: First Edition 1958 reprinted June 1960. Second edition December 1960 reprinted May 1961. Third edition printed August 1961 and reprinted in March and November 1962,June 1963,December 1963 and July 1964.
In 1964 the price of the catalogue was 5/- (Five Shillings)to cover printing costs but you had five one shilling vouchers in the catalogue to be redeemed at the rate of 1 shilling for every pound of goods you ordered.
Also with this issue was a larger printing run up from 5000 to 10000 copies. It was expected that a supplement to this catalogue would be issued giving price and new item details about every 6 months.
Home radio existed before 1958 and the earliest reference I have found so far is 1956.The company never seems to have had any other shops except the one in Mitcham.But its entry into the mail order market must have proved worthwhile as it survived until the early 1980's.
A noteworthy reference is made on the rear cover of the 1961 issue of a Service Department in Locks Lane. However by the 1964 version this has changed into Radiokits (Poldew Ltd).
Does anyone remember Poldew and what they sold and there relationship to Home Radio?.
By the early 1970's the company time had changed to Home Radio (Components) Ltd. I understand the reason for the change was that Home Radio had gone into partnership with a number of other dealers to buy components in bulk and hence cheaper.
By the early 1970's with the introduction of integrated circuits and social changes the 'Hobby' was in serious decline. The 'Baby Boomers' of the late 1940's were now settling down and concentrating on family life and many small dealers had ceased trading and more were to follow. Even the larger companies were not imune and by the 1980's even Home Radio had ceased to exist.
Ron Bryan has sent this memory of the Radiokits (Poldew) Shop.
I have a faint recollection of buying items from the Radiokits (Poldew) Ltd
shop. As far as I recall, it was an outlet for miscellaneous electronic
components which were in the category of Manufacturers Surplus, mostly
unbranded. The shop had a large display board in the window, to which were
wired the various electronic components which were in stock. I do remember
buying some 465 kc/s IF transformers there, for my first attempt at a home
made communications receiver (using 9 pin plug in Denco coils and octal
valves). The IF transformers I bought were of good quality, but were
definately cheaper than the ones for sale from the Home Radio shop. Your
catalogue indicates that a Denco or Eddystone IFT were about nine bob each,
which was a lot of money for a scholboy, especially if three were required,
so this budget priced source was very welcome.
I think its fair to say that you have to be at least 35 years old to have had any dealings with them but many people over 40 years old will remember them and no doubt will have bought items from them.If you have an earlier catalogue or know anything about the company that you would like to share please contact me.
However besides the catalogue you could visit the shop in Mitcham and to help you here is a map of their location and the Bus routes that pass the area.
Many thanks to Peter Munro who loaned me the 1961 catalogue.Has anyone got the 1959 issue that I can borrow?. |
The following are scans of pages from the different issues of the Home Radio Catalogue.
It was found that between the various issue many pages had remained the same so these have not been repeated except where there is significant difference or there is an historical issue which is highlighted.
The year of issue is given at the start of each section. |
Batteries
August 1961Both Ever Ready and Vidor batteries are covered in these pages.For both Valve Portable Radios and early Transistor Radio.Batteries for both Heater and High Tension are listed together with sizes and connector layout.Battery Voltages are 1.5v,4.5v,7.5v and 9v Grid Bias. HT are 67.5v,45v,90v,85.5v,120v.Combined Low and High Tension with a Low Tension range of 1.5v to 9v and High Tension up to 135v Also early Transistor Radio Batteries from PP1 to PP11 with voltages of 6v,9v,4.5+4.5v.
Full dimensions are given for all battery connections and a page is devoted to dry battery plugs and sockets. |
Batteries
1964Both EverReady and Vidor batteries are covered in these pages.For both Valve Portable Radios and early Transistor Radio.Batteries for both Heater and High Tension are listed together with sizes and connector layout.Battery Voltages are 1.5v,4.5v,7.5v and 9v Grid Bias. HT are 67.5v,45v,90v,85.5v. Also early Transistor Radio Batteries from PP1 to PP11 with voltages of 6v,9v,4.5+4.5v.
Full dimensions are given for all battery connections. |
Chokes and Coils
August 1961These two pages on chokes are different to the 1964 edition. For Parmeko,Partridge plus Denco,Teletron and other manufactures see the 1964 section below as there are no differences also covered are coils specifically for use with valves by Denco and MAXI Q. Special coils Including those with Reaction windings by Osmor.Superhet coils and Ferrite Aerials by Repanco and Teletron. Weyrad and Wearite P and H coils. Coil Formers and IF Transformers. Discriminator.LF Transformers and Intervalve transformers. |
Chokes and Coils
1964Wire ended HF and chassis mounting LF chokes by Parmeko,Partridge plus Denco,Teletron and other manuafactures are covered by the choke section.Coils specifically for use with valves by Denco and MAXI Q. Special coils Including those with Reaction windings by Osmor.Superhet coils and Ferrite Aerials by Repanco and Teletron. Weyrad and Wearite P and H coils. Coil Formers and IF Transformers. Discriminator.LF Transformers and Intervalve transformers. |
Transistor Radio Components
1964Components to make your own Transistor Radio in 1964. Ardente Switches and Volume controls.Ardente Transformers, Push Pull,Driver and Interstage. Repanco Transformers Push Pull, Interstage,Driver and IF coupling. Parmeko Transformers for GEC Products.Repanco Coils and IF Transformers. Push Pull,LF Coupling,Output and Interstage.Denco and Weyrad Transformers. Parmeko Driver and Output transformers.Denco Coils and IF Transformers. 1st,2nd and 3rd IF Transformers.Ferite slab aerials.LW/MW coils.Aerial and Oscillator coils.Denco Miniature Dual purpose coils.Aerial,Interstage and Qscillator.Denco Miniature IF Transformers. 1.6Mhz and 465Khz.FM IF Transformers.Weyrad Coils and IF Transformers.Ferrite Rod Aerial,!st,2nd and 3rd IF Transformers.Jacksons Tuning Condensers. 1 and 2 gang. Miniature Plugs/Sockets and Earpieces. |
Variable Tuning Condensors (Capacitors) and Drives
1964Components From Eddystone.Jackson.Wavemaster. Tuning Capacitors from 1 to 3 gangs and values from 8pf to 500pf.Trimmer Capacitors. Postage Stamp type,Concentric and Tube type.Drives and Dials from Eddystone and Jackson. Two pages of drive accessories including Reduction Drives and couplings. |
Last updated 30.5.2005
2003-2005 © Maurice Woodhead
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