04-01-2018, 07:32 PM
Hi.
Well over the years I have been involved with not just normal Radio, TV & Hi-Fi repairs but in addition loads of in car stuff. Around 1977 in Clydesdale I started in Audio plus of course TV & Video. We recently got a contract from Lucas and the car stereos came in my crate load. Mostly from Vauxhall, some from Ford and then a mix of other manufacturers. Because both Lucas was big and we were one of the biggest in Scotland we got preferential treatment from the manufacturers. We got full service info and priority spare parts. Eventually here in Kilmarnock three engineers were in the audio dept and we also had one guy doing wholly organ repairs. Latterly I was the section leader in Audio and most of my time was spent on car stereos. When I left Clydesdale after they closed I worked with Serviscope for 6 months again doing Hi-Fi but very little ICE. My next 5 years with Sony UK (SES Glasgow) comprised all audio products with a lot of after-market ICE and of course VW who had Sony ICE as an option. We were always busy with these repairs and being the Minidisc expert I did all the headunits with MD players.
Latterly when I was self employed I did notice a drop in ICE work and only a few weeks ago I was speaking to a chap that has done ICE for around 45 years from old valve sets to basic transistor car radios and more elaborate units to say that he no longer does repairs due to modern cars with their built in sets and no market for after market sets and repairs. He also said that he would never touch one of the Chinese "specials" as they are so badly made. They seem to be popular in some BMW's and the Rover 75 for the big touchscreen etc but in reality they are a bag of worms.
It would seem that its another facet of our trade that has died.
Well over the years I have been involved with not just normal Radio, TV & Hi-Fi repairs but in addition loads of in car stuff. Around 1977 in Clydesdale I started in Audio plus of course TV & Video. We recently got a contract from Lucas and the car stereos came in my crate load. Mostly from Vauxhall, some from Ford and then a mix of other manufacturers. Because both Lucas was big and we were one of the biggest in Scotland we got preferential treatment from the manufacturers. We got full service info and priority spare parts. Eventually here in Kilmarnock three engineers were in the audio dept and we also had one guy doing wholly organ repairs. Latterly I was the section leader in Audio and most of my time was spent on car stereos. When I left Clydesdale after they closed I worked with Serviscope for 6 months again doing Hi-Fi but very little ICE. My next 5 years with Sony UK (SES Glasgow) comprised all audio products with a lot of after-market ICE and of course VW who had Sony ICE as an option. We were always busy with these repairs and being the Minidisc expert I did all the headunits with MD players.
Latterly when I was self employed I did notice a drop in ICE work and only a few weeks ago I was speaking to a chap that has done ICE for around 45 years from old valve sets to basic transistor car radios and more elaborate units to say that he no longer does repairs due to modern cars with their built in sets and no market for after market sets and repairs. He also said that he would never touch one of the Chinese "specials" as they are so badly made. They seem to be popular in some BMW's and the Rover 75 for the big touchscreen etc but in reality they are a bag of worms.
It would seem that its another facet of our trade that has died.
Cheers.
Trevor
MM0KJJ. Member of, RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC.
Trevor
MM0KJJ. Member of, RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC.