Perdio

Perdio made a wide range of transistor radios and other transistor equipment in the early 60s. The name seems to have disappeared in the mid 60s, so they may have been a victim of the Japanese radio invasion! Most of their sets appear to be made in the UK, although a few later ones (such as the Popsy 1 and Popsy 2) are badged far-eastern products. They are also famous for their Portarama fully transistorised portable televisions.


Popsy 1

Wavebands - MW, LW

Transistors - 6 unknown

Date - 1960s ?

Status - In my collection

This was another Christmas (2003) present bought by my partner on eBay. Since I already had the Popsy 2 from Jon Evans, it was nice to add its predecessor to the collection.

The set is a bit dirty but is generally in good condition, as is the leatherette case. It works but there is an intermittent connection somewhere.


Popsy 2

Wavebands - MW, LW

Transistors - 6 unknown

Date - 1960s ?

Status - In my collection

Jon Evans said some very cruel things about this set on this page at his website, so when he was having a clear-out I offered to give it a home where it would be appreciated!

The original case was badly damaged due to heat, and Jon picked up another case at a Wootton Bassett swapmeet. This is chipped on the front right and has had a section cut out by the earphone socket, but it's still better than the original. The set does not work very well - you can just about make out some stations between the whistles, and it's rather distorted.


PR7

Wavebands - MW, LW

Transistors - OC44, OC45, OC45, OC71, OC81D, OC81, OC81

Date - 1958

Status - In my collection

I bought this wreck for £1 in the December 2003 Wootton Bassett swapmeet auction. It is in a very poor state - the case is filthy, the handle is missing and the tuning control and speaker grille are discoloured. It works but the sound is very tinny and distorted. It'll probably end up being stripped for parts, since I think it's beyond hope for restoration.


PR29 Mayfair

Wavebands - MW, LW

Transistors - AF117, AF117, AF117, OC81D, OC81, OC81

Date - 1963 ?

Status - In my collection

I have been trying to obtain one of these sets for some time. I had one when I was a child, but dismantled it as kids do. :(

Following an appeal on my website (and in a couple of other places), Pete Roberts contacted me and offered to send his set to me his to look at and make him an offer. We settled on a swap for two of my CD-ROMs.

My childhood set was mauve, whereas this one is cream. If anyone has a mauve one please contact me.

The set was in need of some work, although it was basically working. Full details of the repair are in the Recent Repairs section.

The case is very discoloured, but this discolouring is completely even in all areas that have been exposed to light and air. Underneath the handle, the underside of the case and inside are the original colour. It is not dirt, it is definitely discoloured plastic, and I don't think anything can be done about it.


PR36 Fanfare

Wavebands - MW, LW

Transistors - OC44, OC45, OC45, OC71, OC81D, OC81, OC81

Date - 1962

Status - No longer in my collection

I bought this set with a Pye P114BQ in the auction at the Wootton Bassett swapmeet in December 2002 for under a fiver. Apart from the missing brass trim on the centre of the tuning control, this set is in good clean condition and working order. The original factory inspection tag is still tied to a capacitor lead.

The construction and styling of the set would be best described as basic. The volume control and waveband switch on the PCB do not align particularly well with the holes in the case. The trim around the speaker grille is flat and held on with visible pins. The pointer on the tuning knob is just a line moulded in the clear plastic - there is no reduction drive.

The design may have been inspired by the Ekco PT378, but the construction quality is not in the same league. One cannot help being reminded of Fidelity sets!




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No part of this website may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from Paul Stenning.
All details are believed to be accurate, but no liability can be accepted for any errors.
The types of equipment discussed on this website may contain high voltages and/or operate at high temperatures.
Appropriate precautions must always be taken to minimise the risk of accidents.

Last updated 14th April 2006.