Help with Identifying a radio construction book - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Philips210 · 30th Aug 2022, 7:40 pm

Hi.

Back around 1980, I borrowed a very interesting library book on radio construction projects and I'm trying to find the title and author. I don't have a lot to go on but I'm fairly certain it used Denco coils and I think many of the illustrations were in colour. It was probably published in the mid/late 1970s. I think it was a largish book, the pages being a little smaller than A4. I think the front cover was white or light coloured.

It's a mystery I'd like to solve and would be good to find a copy.

Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks.

Regards,
Symon

Cobaltblue · 30th Aug 2022, 7:44 pm

Radio teach yourself gibson?

https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/davi...E#GOR002806832

Cheers Mike T

paulsherwin · 30th Aug 2022, 8:03 pm

It could have been one of the later editions of Gilbert Davey's Fun With Radio books.

Philips210 · 30th Aug 2022, 8:10 pm

Thanks Mike, it looks like that's the book!
I see there's an interesting thread on it, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=71909

The illustrations look familiar and in colour. I think it must be the one I originally borrowed from the library. The old memory must be playing tricks as I pictured it as being a larger book.
Do you know if there were any other radio books that employed Denco coils?

Thanks again,

Regards,
Symon

Philips210 · 30th Aug 2022, 8:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

It could have been one of the later editions of Gilbert Davey's Fun With Radio books.

Thank you Paul. I hadn't come across any of Gilbert's Fun with books before. I'll have a search for these.
I see there's been coverage of his radios before on the forum, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=162895 and in that thread refers to the very interesting Remembering Gilbert Davey's Radio Sets website, http://www.thestudioeonevalveradio.org.uk/yds.html which covers his valve radio. Very interesting site.

Regards,
Symon

SiriusHardware · 31st Aug 2022, 10:35 am

Many of F.G. Rayer and R.A. Penfold's designs as found in the Babani book series also made extensive use of the off the shelf Denco range (and why wouldn't they?). It's a shame the coils are not still available now. (Second hand ones can be found, but tend to be expensive and may have damaged or corroded windings, depending on how they have been stored).

Example of such a book, courtesy of the world radio history website:-

https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Ber...-Receivers.pdf

The book you remember was also the trigger which took me from no interest in electronics at all to what turned into a lifelong interest and job. I borrowed it from the school library, read it, understood it, and that was that.

FIXITNOW · 31st Aug 2022, 1:11 pm

https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSH...dio-Gibson.pdf

its available as a down load

30th Aug 2022, 7:40 pm	#1
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,580	Help with Identifying a radio construction book Hi. Back around 1980, I borrowed a very interesting library book on radio construction projects and I'm trying to find the title and author. I don't have a lot to go on but I'm fairly certain it used Denco coils and I think many of the illustrations were in colour. It was probably published in the mid/late 1970s. I think it was a largish book, the pages being a little smaller than A4. I think the front cover was white or light coloured. It's a mystery I'd like to solve and would be good to find a copy. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks. Regards, Symon

30th Aug 2022, 7:44 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,880	Re: Help with Identifying a radio construction book Radio teach yourself gibson? https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/davi...E#GOR002806832 Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

30th Aug 2022, 8:03 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,989	Re: Help with Identifying a radio construction book It could have been one of the later editions of Gilbert Davey's Fun With Radio books.

30th Aug 2022, 8:10 pm	#4
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,580	Re: Help with Identifying a radio construction book Thanks Mike, it looks like that's the book! I see there's an interesting thread on it, https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=71909 The illustrations look familiar and in colour. I think it must be the one I originally borrowed from the library. The old memory must be playing tricks as I pictured it as being a larger book. Do you know if there were any other radio books that employed Denco coils? Thanks again, Regards, Symon

31st Aug 2022, 10:35 am	#6
SiriusHardware Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 11,594	Re: Help with Identifying a radio construction book Many of F.G. Rayer and R.A. Penfold's designs as found in the Babani book series also made extensive use of the off the shelf Denco range (and why wouldn't they?). It's a shame the coils are not still available now. (Second hand ones can be found, but tend to be expensive and may have damaged or corroded windings, depending on how they have been stored). Example of such a book, courtesy of the world radio history website:- https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Ber...-Receivers.pdf The book you remember was also the trigger which took me from no interest in electronics at all to what turned into a lifelong interest and job. I borrowed it from the school library, read it, understood it, and that was that.

31st Aug 2022, 1:11 pm	#7
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,976	Re: Help with Identifying a radio construction book https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSH...dio-Gibson.pdf its available as a down load