Please note that although I have either dealt with the following companies myself, or have been received recommendations from other visitors, I cannot accept responsibility in the event of any problems. If you have any comments, good or bad, about these or any other suppliers, I would be pleased to hear from you.
If you are contacting one of these suppliers by phone or fax, please remember that here in the UK the time zone is GMT (winter) or GMT+1 (summer). If you are outside the UK, please check the time difference so that you do not inadvertantly call during the night. From outside the UK you need to dial your international access code, then 44 (for the UK), then the area code and number shown but omitting the initial zero. For example, to dial 01234 567890 from outside the UK, dial your international access code then 44 1234 567890.
To reduce the chances of these people receiving spam or viruses by email, I have shown their email addresses in a form that is not immediately machine-readable. To get the email address of a repairer, replace the word "(at)" with the "@" character and remove the spaces either side.
Vintage Radio Service Data
UK Vintage Radio Service Data
Web - http://www.service-data.com
This is my own website. Service data on CD-ROM and by email from just £1.99Allen and Alanna Nunneley
Web - http://www.shopingathome.com/Military Wireless.htm
A wide range of data is available - not just military! Choose "Manual Lists" then "Domestic".Malcolm Bennett's Vintage Radios
Web - http://www.valve.demon.co.uk
Email - MFB (at) valve.demon.co.uk
Supplier of valve radio service information and valves. Competitive prices. Service information can be sent via email if required.Richard Shireby - Service Information
Tango Systems Group, Rookery Lane, Sudbrook, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 3RU, England
Web - http://business.virgin.net/richard.shireby
Email - richard.shireby (at) virgin.net
Richard stocks a vast range of servicing information, covering equipment both vintage and modern.
He charges just £1.00 per A4 side + £0.95 p&p for any size order. Email him with your requirements for a quotation. He also has nearly every copy ever of Practical Wireless (including issue 1) and can locate articles of interest and supply copies.Mauritron Technical Services
8 Cherry Tree Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39 4QY
Email - enquiries (at) mauritron.co.uk
Web - Service sheets are detailed individually on http://www.mauritron.com or on collections at http://www.servicemanuals.co.uk
Tel - 01844-351694
Fax - 01844-352554
Valves and Tubes
Valve and Tube Supplies
Woodlands Vale House, Calthorpe Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1PR, England
Web - http://www.valves.uk.com
Email (Rod Burman)- rod (at) valves.uk.com
Phone - 01983 811386
Fax 01983 563730
My usual supplier. Valves, new and used/tested. A vast range, reasonable prices, and superb service.Langrex Supplies
1, Mayo Road, Croydon, Surrey, CRO 2QP.
Email - langrex (at) aol.com
Phone - 020 8684 1166
Claim to be the largest stockists of Valves & Tubes in the U.K. - obsolete types a speciality.
Wilson Valves (Jim Fish)
28, Banks Avenue, Golcar, Huddersfield, Yorks., HD7 4LZ, England
Tel - 01484 654650
Fax - 01484 655699
Email - wilsonvalves (at) surflink.co.uk
Highly recommended by several visitors to this website for their good service and extremely helpful nature.Sherwood Tubes
Victoria Buildings, Peveril Street, Nottingham, England.
CRTs supplied and regunned.Crowthorne Tubes
65 Greenwood Road, Crowthorne, Berks, RG45 6JS, England
Email - crowthornetubes (at) aol.com
Web - http://www.crowthornetubes.com
Supplier of valves and CRTs. Also audio equipment, radios, components, books, service data, AVO & TAYLOR valve data and manuals, valve testers, test equipment, in fact anything to do with radio/early TV/Hi-fi that becomes available. BVWS member who worked for Chas Miller in the 50's.Kenzen (Ken Bailey)
Unit 9, 16-20 George Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9RG
Phone - 0121 446 4346
Fax - 0121 446 4245
Malcolm Bennett's Vintage Radios
Web - http://www.valve.demon.co.uk
Email - MFB (at) valve.demon.co.uk
Supplier of valve radio service information and valves. Competitive prices.Dave Thompson
83 School Lane, Hartford, Cheshire, CW8 1PW, England
Tel/Fax 01606 871082
Valves for sale/swap/wanted. Most types 1920s to 1960s available.Micronetics
Web - http://www.micronetics-trading.com
Email - tubes (at) mnfoc.com
European supplier of NOS (New-Old-stock) valves. Website gives current stock list (but no prices). Email with your requirements (including types, quantity, brands, as well as destination country), and you will receive a quote in less than 12 hours.
Pete Roberts
Runcorn, Cheshire.
Email - PeteRoberts007 (at) aol.com
Web - http://hometown.aol.com/PeteRoberts007/home.htm
eBay id - bikerpete
Stocks of germanium transistors, pocket radio on/off/volume controls, miniature B7G "battery" valves. Modern silicon devices also supplied.Colomor Electronics Ltd
Unit 5, Huffwood Trading Estate, Brookers Road, Billingshurst, W. Sussex, RH14 9RZ, England
Tel - 01403 786 559
Email - sales (at) colomor.demon.co.uk
Web - http://www.colomor.demon.co.uk
Transformers
Sowter Transformers
E A Sowter Ltd. The Boatyard, Cullingham Road, Ipswich, IP1 2EG, England
Web - http://www.sowter.co.uk
Email - techsupport (at) sowter.co.uk
Phone - 01962 620135
Fax - 0870 458 1700
High quality audio transformers via online shopping website. Also custom made replacement transformers for vintage equipment - submit spec via website or email.
Newmarket Transformers
Unit 5, Hele Business Park, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9RA, England
Web - http://www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk
Email - info (at) newmarket-transformers.co.uk
Phone - 01271 879300
Fax - 01271 879330
Johnie Walker recommended this company. He said: "Can I suggest www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk for the transformers section, they make the old E&I transformers for restoration projects - and are more than happy to make them to customer requirements. Very helpful and friendly too which I think goes a long way."
VVT Transformers
Variable Voltage Technology Ltd. Unit 24W Samuel Whites Estate, Medina Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7LP, England
Web - http://www.vvttransformers.co.uk
Email - sales (at) vvt-cowes.freeserve.co.uk
Phone - 01983 280592
Fax - 01983 280593
Able to supply small quantities of transformers for Valve Equipment to custom order. A range of useful standard types are shown on the website at reasonable prices.Scot Transformers
Hanley Swan, Worcestershire
Tel - 01684 569104 or 01684 563113
EHT transformers rewound.
Complete Radios (Restored and As-Found)
Past Times Radio
School House, Old School Lane, Wadworth, Doncaster, DN11 9BW
Email (Richard Booth) - richard (at) pasttimesradio.co.uk
Web - http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk
Phone - 01302 858468
Good selection of sets available, both restored and as-found, at reasonable prices. See website.Vintage TV and Wireless
Unit G1 (first floor) Dixon Centre, Reepham Road, Hellesdon, Norwich, Norfolk, HR6 5PA
Email (Rob Howard) - info (at) vintagetvandwireless.co.uk
Web - http://www.vintagetvandwireless.co.uk
Phone - 01603 429816
Offer a specialist service to restore, service, repair and sell vintage electronic equipment. We are based in Norwich, Norfolk in England and are glad to accept equipment in person, but if you live away from our beautiful county you can also call us for information regarding our mail order service.Radiocraft
Main Street, Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, WR11 7UF
Email (Steve Ostler) - steve (at) vintage-wireless.com
Web - http://www.vintage-wireless.com
Phone - 01386 882280 or 07876 296019 (mobile)
A selection of sets is on display on the website, both restored and unrestored - including Retrovisors when available. There is now also an illustrated advertising page for collectors.Malcolm Bennett's Vintage Radios
Web - http://www.valve.demon.co.uk
Email - MFB (at) valve.demon.co.uk
Not a dealer himself, but the website contains loads of For Sale and Wanted adverts, mainly placed by private collectors. Plenty of bargains to be had.
Pete Roberts
Runcorn, Cheshire. Situated by River Mersey about ten miles upstream from Beatle City - Liverpool.
Email - PeteRoberts007 (at) aol.com
Web - http://hometown.aol.com/PeteRoberts007/home.htm
eBay id - bikerpete
I buy/sell/exchange complete radios (primarily portable and transistor sets). All radios offered for sale will be in full working order unless customer requests otherwise.Roberts Radio Man
Web - http://www.therobertsradioman.co.uk
Repairs, restores and sells Roberts transistor radios.
General and Miscellaneous Components etc.
Note that many of the suppliers of complete sets listed above can also supply general components.
Sid Chaplin
43 Lime Avenue, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 3PA, England.
Email - sidney (at) tradradgrilles.freeserve.co.uk
Telephone - 01702 473740
Traditional Loudspeaker Cloth. A good range, send £1 in stamps for samples
Also Rexine, handles, catches, cabinet trim, etc. Also stocks grilles and Tygan for BBC Ls35/a speakers. I have now added scans of Sid's samples on this website.
Tim Pullin
Bradford on Avon, near Bath.
Email - timothy.pullin (at) bt.com
Phone (mobile) - 07802 770395
Has a stock of valves and other parts available by post. Also repairs Valve radios, Tape recorders, Amps and Test equipment (sorry, no radiograms or tellys!).
Pete Roberts
Runcorn, Cheshire. Situated by River Mersey about ten miles upstream from Beatle City - Liverpool.
Email - PeteRoberts007 (at) aol.com
Web - http://members.aol.com/PeteRoberts007/home.htm
eBay id - bikerpete
Stocks of germanium transistors, pocket radio on/off/volume controls, miniature B7G "battery" valves. Modern silicon devices also supplied. Other parts available as and when I come across them.Geoff Hopkins
27 The Templars, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 9JT, England
Email - gj.hopkins (at) ntlworld.com
Supplier of a HT converter (details to follow), and an AM modulator costing £19.50. Write or email to the above addresses for full details. Products can only be supplied within the UK.MCB Supplies
Court Cottage, Higher Porthpean, St. Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6AY
Email - enquiries (at) mcb-supplies.co.uk
Web - http://www.mcb-supplies.co.uk
Supplier of wood veneers etc.DAC90A Dial Glass
Email - ian (at) morse-code.fsnet.co.uk
Ian Liston-Smith sent me the following offer: "A friend and I have had a number of reproduction DAC90A glass dials silk-screen printed in exactly the style of one of the red/yellow/black/white types.They are available from me for £15 plus £2.50 recorded delivery postage. I've sold four so far and have about 25 left. Feedback has been very good regarding print quality."The Radio Doctor
6 Coorong Ct., Wantirna Melbourne, Victoria 3152, Australia
Email - anatron (at) hotkey.net.au
Knobs and other small parts moulded to order. Repairs to Bakelite cases and cabinets.Cardwell Condenser Corporation
Web - http://www.cardwellcondenser.com/
American manufacturer and supplier of air-spaced tuning capacitors etc.Bulb Direct
Web - http://www.bulbdirect.com
Email - info (at) bulbdirect.com
Recommended by a visitor, who was very impressed with their help in obtaining obscure bulbs for his Sansui tuner. Speciality American lamp distributor that sells brand name quality lamps manufactured by General Electric, Osram Sylvania, Philips, Ushio, Eiko and others.
Colron Woodcare Products
Sterling Roncraft, 15 Churchfield Court, Barnsley, S70 2LJ, England
Web - http://www.colron.co.uk
Manufacturer of woodcare products for furniture restoration, available from most DIY stores.
Modern Component Suppliers
CPC
Web - http://www.cpc.co.uk
Supplier of components primarily to the TV servicing shops etc. They stock several components of interest to us including high voltage capacitors, dial lamp bulbs, and cleaning products. Also (quite unrelated but useful) cheap PC components and accessories. If you are also interested in repairing modern equipment, they carry spares (including original manufacturers parts) for a vast range of televisions, video recorders etc.CPC accept orders from anyone (payment by credit card). I understand that they only send catalogues to account holders, however the full range is available via the website. It is not difficult to open an account if you have a trading name (I don't think they take up references etc now) and it's worth it for the catalogue and weekly special offer flyers - the month's free credit is a bonus!
RS Components
Web - http://rswww.com
Formerly known as RadioSpares, RS Components are now a major supplier to the electronics industry. The range of components of interest to us now is fairly limited, although they do stock a useful output transformer, high voltage capacitors, and the usual bits and pieces. Suppliers to the trade only, but they have a separate division which supply home users. Full catalogue is on the website.The online catalogue on the website is very good, and if you can get hold of their CD-ROM you will find it's even better. We use RS more than any other supplier for R&D jobs at work, simply because they make finding and ordering components so quick and easy.
Farnell Components
Web - http://www.farnell.co.uk
Another supplier very similar to RS Components. Prices are often more competitive and they are more welcoming to home user customers. I understand that you can order online with a credit card, and there is no delivery charge - which is a better deal than Maplin or RS.The online catalogue on the website is reasonable, but does tend to give you huge lists of parts spread over a number of pages to wade through (particularly in the Capacitors section). They also offer a CD-ROM containing the entire printed catalogue set as PDF files. Some people at work hate it, but I think it's OK (you just need to know how to use the Adobe Acrobat search facility).
Maplin Electronics
Web - http://www.maplin.co.uk
Maplin started as a hobbiest supplier and have been trying to get into the professional electronics market. They stock the usual range of components and are the only supplier I have found so far of the 1/8" (3.2mm) banana plugs used for aerial and speaker connections on many post-war sets. The full catalogue is on-line, and includes credit card ordering facilities (which works fine in my experience).Recent reports suggest that Maplin have lost the plot a bit. They now seem to be abandoning the "professional" market (no real surprise for anyone who has tried dealing with them this way) and are becoming a Tandy clone. They have dropped their magazine and their own kits, and are selling Velleman kits, remote control toys, consumer goods (CD and cassette players etc.), leads etc. Components are beginning to take a back seat.
ScrewFix Direct
Web - http://www.screwfix.co.uk
Probably more useful when putting together the workshop than when actually restoring radios, ScrewFix Direct are a mail order supplier of building and DIY supplies including electrical accessories, power tools and, of course, screws! Their prices on smaller bits and pieces are often cheaper than the DIY stores, and the quality of the goods is much better. Full catalogue on the website, with on-line ordering by credit card. However they will send you a free paper catalogue if you phone them, which is much easier to find things in!
Magazine Addresses
British Vintage Wireless Society
Web - http://www.bvws.org.uk
Email (Membership Enquiries - Graham Terry) - membership (at) bvws.org.uk
Tel (Membership Enquiries - Graham Terry) - 01793 886062
See the Books and Magazines page for more details.Radiophile
Radiophile (Admin Office), Larkhill, Newport Road, Woodseaves, Staffs, ST20 0NP, England
Web - http://www.radiophile.co.uk
Tel (office hours) / Fax (anytime) - 01785 284696
Excellent vintage wireless magazine, covering domestic sets. Edited by Chas E Miller.
Technical and historical information, plus some light-hearted moments.Radio Bygones
Wimborne Publishing Ltd., 408 Wimborne Road East, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9ND, England
Tel - 01202 873872
Fax - 01202 874562
Web - http://www.radiobygones.co.uk
Web - http://www.radiobygones.com
Email - radiobygones (at) wimborne.co.uk
Magazine covering mainly vintage military and communications equipment. Available in printed form or as a downloadable PDF file (which is cheaper - .com website only). Also publishers of valve data book reprints, and suppliers of a range of valve related books.Morsum Magnificat
The Poplars, Wistanswick, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 2BA, United Kingdom.
Web - http://www.morsemag.com
Email - subscribe (at) morsemag.com
Tel - 01630 638306
Fax - 01630 638051
Morsum Magnificat is a bimonthly journal for all Morse enthusiasts, amateur or professional, beginner to veteran. Professional Morse at sea is about to end and Amateur Morse, visualised as the last bastion of Morse operating, is under longer-term threat. MM speaks out for Morse, and nothing else. However, it is not a commercial enterprise and it exists only through the support of individual enthusiasts, taking out subscriptions to the magazine to keep "their journal" alive. If you are concerned about recent developments it is in your own interest to support MM!
Events
Dates of many vintage radio events are now on the BVWS website.
National Vintage Communications Fair
Web - http://www.nvcf.org.uk
Email - info (at) nvcf.org.uk
Twice-yearly event held in Birmingham, now run by the British Vintage Wireless Society, but still open at all!British Vintage Wireless Society
Web - http://www.bvws.org.uk
Email (Membership Enquiries - Graham Terry) - membership (at) bvws.org.uk
Tel (Membership Enquiries - Graham Terry) - 01793 886062
Other contact details are on the website
The BVWS organise several events each year. Most are for members only, so this is another good reason to join!Radiophile
Radiophile (Admin Office), Larkhill, Newport Road, Woodseaves, Staffs, ST20 0NP, England
This magazine organise several swapmeets and auctions each year. Although they are open to all, only subscribers get to hear about many of them.
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