Vintage Wireless Books

[Andrewausfa]

In the few months I've been working on valve radios I've bought some older books on wireless after seeing mention of them in various messages. I've listed these below. After the discussion about Mr. Stranger, whose books I've never seen, I was wondering if anyone else could recommend any other titles that would be useful to get a hold of?

Modern Practical Radio And Television. A. Quarrington 3 volumes plus the circuit data book
Radio Receiver Servicing And Maintenance E.J.G Lewis
Wireless Servicing Manual W.T.Cocking
Radio Designers Handbook F.Langford Smith. Ed
Radio and Television Engineers Reference Book Molloy/Pannett
The Superhet Manual F.J. Camm
Practical Wireless Service Manual F.J. Camm
50 Tested Wireless Circuits F.J. Camm
The Superhet Manual F.J. Camm
The Wireless Constructors Encyclopedia F.J. Camm
A Beginners Guide To Radio F.J. Camm
Foundations of Wireless M.G. Scroggie

Thanks _ Andrew

[Skywave]

Anything by F.E. Terman. Thorough and detailed studies and analysis of almost every aspect of electronics (of its vintage) and radio communications. IMHO every vintage wireless enthusiast should have his publications on their bookshelves; invaluable.

'Second Thoughts on Radio Theory' by M.G. Scroggie (If you can find a copy: it's as rare as hens' teeth!).

'Handbook of Line Communications' - Royal Signals. Vol. 1 is always coming up on e-bay, but vol. 2 I've never seen (And when I do, I'm buying it!)

'The Services Text Book(s) of Radio', vols. 1 → 7. Some volumes come up now and again, some are very scarce.

Various publications by the R.S.G. B. and its USA counterpart, the A.R.R.L. The latter are particularly very thorough in their detailed analyses.

I'd avoid 'Modern Radio Communication' by J. H. Reyner. It's badly written and has many technical errors.

There are plenty of others - but that'll do to be going on with.

Incidentally, I do have copy of Ralph Stranger's book 'The Outline of Wireless' for sale (it's simply surplus to my needs).

HTH

Al.

[Mark R]

I think that list covers most of the theory books!

Apart from those written by Tony Thompson of course, a modern day genius! (Aerodyne if you were not aware).

You could also look out for Radio Radio by Hill and the Set makers, which give the history of radio and TV.

cheers Mark

[Andrewausfa]

Thanks Al,

'Second Thoughts on Radio Theory' by M.G. Scroggie - is that the same one as edited by 'Cathode Ray'? If so, I bought that yesterday. I'll PM you about Strangers book if you don't mind.

Mark,

Yes I'll be arranging to see Tony for his new book as soon as I've got rid of the cold I have at the moment. I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate it over Xmas I have Radio Radio, The Setmakers and also Chas Millers repair book.

Andrew

[Joe]

I've just been having a look on Amazon. I found 'Radio Radio' - Ouch! - but have ordered a copy of 'The Setmakers' for three quid.

- Joe

[Andrewausfa]

The Setmakers is a good read Joe, with some interesting photos of the factory production lines such as at Pye. I think of all the thousands of people who worked in these places and now there's mostly nothing left of these factories. That whole era of social history pretty much wiped from the map.

I think I picked Radio! Radio! up for a tenner from Abe Books, mine's a signed second edition while I believe the third and current edition has more information on transistor radios.

Regards - Andrew

[Skywave]

'Second Thoughts on Radio Theory' by M.G. Scroggie - is that the same one as edited by 'Cathode Ray' ?

Yes: that's the one. 'Cathode Ray' was the nom de plume of M.G.S.

Al.