One For the Radio Nerds


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Seeing the posts about Carrington Street reminded me:

 

Who can recall 'Damon Electronics' right at the canal bridge on Carrington St? A few doors away, on the same side of the street, was 'Charles Town' (?) a very 'vintage' radio parts shop.

 

There was another electronics parts shop on Shakespeare St - opposite the fire station and next door to a chippy. Anyone remember its name?

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I remember Charles Town, our old tele used to break down regularly with frame collapse, so I'd have to pop down there for a PCL85. I remember the name Damon Electronics but can't place where it was. There was an electrical shop half way down that stretch on the right heading into town, I bought a reel-to-reel tape recorder from there late sixties.

 

I can also remember the shop on Shakespeare St, next to the newsagents I think, I worked at the petrol station a few doors down when I was at school. Sold some hifi too?   

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Used to love going to Charles Town, there was another similar shop up a narrow street just round the corner from the Co-op on Parliament street. Can't remember the name of street of shop though.

I remember it sold lots of ex wd gear, I bought some aircrew throat mikes, god knows why.

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8 hours ago, Ado64 said:

There was another electronics parts shop on Shakespeare St - opposite the fire station and next door to a chippy. Anyone remember its name?

 

One of these, which has been mentioned in several other threads. I don't remember its name, but there are people who do.

shakes.jpg

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The bloke in URS was very friendly.. we all built little radio sets as kids...he would solder bits for you etc...and then my Dad would pay him on a Saturday morning.

Miserable scroat in the papershop next door-and don't forget the Dentist upstairs... Mr. Snapper!!..couldn't make it up.

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I was in a band or pop group as they were known in the mid 60s

I was also still at school so had very little money.

My bandmate (hello Charles aka tony1) and I were always trying to mend the amps and leads etc so used to get our spares from places like Charles Town.

I recall a similar place on Alfreton Rd near the top of Peveril St called something like Alf's Electronics

Charles Town kept all sorts of bits in stock. The shop had double glass fronts with a passage through to the entrance.

The window displays consisted of a multitude of electronic components, valves, knobs, grills, loudspeakers and empty speaker cabinets etc. There wasn't much he didn't have and he wasn't dear.

We spent hours in these places and I still have a dream I'm in there seeking out a second hand tape recorder LOL

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On 09/11/2016 at 4:35 PM, TBI said:

Yes loppylugs, University Radio Stores.

 

I bought a few bits and pieces in there. I seem to recall they also used to stock QUAD amplifiers and Tuners, like these ...

 

Image result for tuner quad fm2

 

Image result for quad 405 amplifier

 

Many of these still in use to this day.

 

Col

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P.S.  There are still plenty of specialist component suppliers about, mostly working online these days.

As a general rule, if it was made, somebody, somewhere, can fix it., or supply spares.

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Went to Maplins in Preston yesterday for a few electronic components but they only had half of what I wanted. 

Ended up buying only resistors, and even some of those were the wrong value when I checked them at home.  Everything else I had to order online...... such as standard transistors and Thyristors, and Ferric Chloride they only had in 1 litre bottles, no project boxes. So Maplins is not what it used to be

 

So yes I agree with Col :rolleyes:,  best to order online

 

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Tompa, if in Preston, go to trade counter at CPC, Fulwood.  They are the consumer side of Farnell.  Vast selection, keen prices.  No account needed.

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8 hours ago, The Engineer said:

Tompa, if in Preston, go to trade counter at CPC, Fulwood.  They are the consumer side of Farnell.  Vast selection, keen prices.  No account needed.

 

Thanks for the tip, I did know about them but I thought it was trade only, will go there next time I need something.

 

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I still mess about with radios having done so a since childhood. All started with a Phillips Electronic engineer kit. I used to get bits and pieces from Charles Town. There were 2 worked there an older man and one younger. The younger one was very helpfull and helped me trouble shoot projects. I recall he had a motorcycle sidecar outfit. I then started using A1 factors which was cheaper and originally at the very top of North Sherwood Street but moved to Radford Boulevard near Ilkeston Road. The owner was Doug DeHavilland who was a lovely man, very knowledgable. He lived in a beautiful house in the park. I got to be good friends with him and saw him regularly until his death several years ago. He had been in the trade for years and sold kits mail order in his early years. 

I can recommend Birkett's. The shop is at the bottom of Steep Hill in Lincoln and is a stuffed with components you dont see very often present day. It has that smell all these shops seemed to have. I recently bought some power transistors and a double triode valve from him. Mr Birkett is in his 90's and opening times are restricted so check if you intend to go.

i like the Quads DJ360. I used a quad 303 for some time but sold it for a Mullard 3-3 valve amp. 

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I well remember Doug DeHavilland. I used to buy electrical parts for machines from both shops. You could always discuss the particular electronic problem with him and he would give sound practical advice. Also he was a fellow ex Mellish pupil, although much older than me.

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