No, it's worth very little I'm afraid.

If you have a radiogram you wish to dispose of, however lovely, please do not contact us.  If you do, there will be no reply.

Radiograms and stereograms dating from the 1950s onwards are offered to vintage radio collectors constantly. They are often in beautiful condition, having been well-cared for all their lives and commonly become available as part of an estate, with executors desperate to find someone - anyone - who will take them !

Because of their bulk, unremarkable styling and the sheer quantity of them available, '50s and '60s radiograms are not sought after by collectors and are consequently of zero market value. If you wish though, pre-1950 radiograms (which are generally of higher quality) can be restored by us - and will provide a lot of pleasure as a centrepiece in the home. However we never purchase - nor accept as gifts - any radiograms.

What you can do is to:

1. Trawl the relevant sections in our directory for other possible buyers.
2. Try the local bric-a-brac or charity shop but don't expect too much enthusiasm.
3. Try advertising it in the local paper.
4. Break it up and sell the valves and knobs on Ebay.
5. Dump it at the tip.
6. Decide to keep it after all.
   
   

No. We are restoration specialists. If first you need a radio to kick things off with, there are plenty of people selling 'raw' sets on their web sites and over Ebay. For example one reputable dealer, Steve Harris, can be found HERE. On our 'Radios For Sale' page you'll find direct links into the Ebay pages. Happy Hunting !   Once you've acquired your pride and joy; then's the time to bring it back here and we can transform it into a condition to use and enjoy.

WHAT ABOUT THE VALVES ?  CAN YOU STILL GET THEM ?  ARE THEY UNRELIABLE ?

Most valves (known as 'tubes' in the USA) are still available. Large amounts were originally manufactured and today these stocks are largely in the hands of specialist collectors and dealers. Since relatively few vintage receivers are in use today, this remaining stock will probably serve indefinitely. Just a few types of valve are now becoming rare and this is reflected in their prices. Otherwise valves remain plentiful and cheap.

It's a common mistake to regard valves as fragile and unreliable. Although it's obviously a bad idea to drop them, the fact is valves are far more electrically robust than transistors and will stand much more abuse. In general they're pretty reliable too. They don't 'pop' like light bulbs but wear gradually. Their average service life might be between 10 and 25 years for a set in regular use.

I HAVE A VINTAGE RADIO TO SELL. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY IT ?

No. However you might find clicking HERE useful to find out what your set is likely to be worth...

WHY DON'T YOU JUST REPAIR SETS RATHER THAN 'RESTORE' THEM ? SURELY THAT WOULD SAVE MONEY.

Actually we do now, under the bronze and silver schemes !  However to answer the question, it's far better to 'restore' rather than 'repair' sets for two reasons: the economic use of time - and set reliability. To take an example, imagine you brought in a vintage set for repair with the instructions: "Just get it going".

First, we would have to spend an appreciable amount of time in fault-finding - usually working through one fault after another. This process would work out more expensive than the standard 'component replacement' method we currently use. Also, once you've 'woken up' an old set by curing the faults, a lot of stress wiil be put on the other (original) components.The end result would be a set which would be likely to go wrong again, making it impossible to guarantee and later on even more expensive and troublesome for the customer. So, if you want a reliable job which will give peace of mind, there really is no alternative to a full 'silver' or 'gold' overhaul.

BUT IS IT WORTH HAVING MY SET RESTORED ?

As the number of our completed restorations heads toward the thousand mark, it's certainly interesting to consider why so many people have considered the answer to this question to be 'Yes'. There are at least three ways of looking at it.

The first is to ask: "Would I get my money back if I were to sell the restored set on the open market ?"

The answer here generally is "No". The situation is analogous to having a much-loved old car restored with the aim of enjoying using it again, rather than just storing it as an investment. Although the market value of your set would certainly increase substantially once restored properly, just like with classic cars only if it is a rare sought-after model would you find the value (say at auction) had increased so much that it would pay back the restoration fee. Having said that though, it's worth remembering we guarantee to redeem two-thirds of what you paid us as trade-in against another Radiocraft restored set from stock, so long as your set is still in good condition.

The second approach is to ask: "What would it cost me to obtain something else which would be as useful, provide the equivalent service and carry a comparable guarantee ?

The answer here is probably "A decent home entertainment system." This would cost many hundreds of pounds, probably far more than the cost of restoring your valve radio.

The third is to ask "What else could give me as much pleasure in ownership, or have as much character, or would be as unique, or as well-made, or would carry with it as much history ?"

YOU SEEM TO BE AT THE 'TOP END' OF THE MARKET. DO YOUR PRICES REFLECT THIS ?

Perhaps. But it's most important that we keep our prices keen for the level of service we provide and that our estimates are transparent. No business would grow or prosper otherwise. We have found the best way to gain new business is to receive recommendations (and repeat commissions) from our existing customers. Therefore we always try to offer 'something extra' in terms of value - to keep ahead of the competition. For example, nobody else in the business offers a lifetime guarantee.

When comparing prices, think of what you local mechanic or plumber would charge for a job taking a similar time - then you'll realise we're actually cheap!

WHAT SORT OF PERFORMANCE CAN I EXPECT FROM MY VINTAGE RADIO ?

There are two major types of performance to consider. These are: 'how good will it sound ?' and: 'how many stations will it pull in ?'  Vintage radios vary greatly in performance according to when they date from, who made them, and how expensive they originally were when new.

Broadly, most mains-operated radios manufactured after about 1934 will meet up with modern expectations. Before that, loudspeakers tended to be 'squeakier' and signal sensitivity poorer. Operationally too, very early sets can require care and a deft hand with the controls. And these controls may not do exactly the same thing as the Volume and Tuning we're all familiar with.

By 1936, domestic valve radios were, in the technical sense, fully evolved. Mid-market and up-market radios from the late thirties and on can give excellent sensitivity and tone. In fact the sound from these sets on 'AM' - that is the medium, long and short waves (for which they were designed) is generally far deeper and clearer than the sound from a modern transistor radio or ghetto-blaster - where AM is an afterthought and FM listening is primarily intended.

British-manufactured sets which always be counted on to give exceptionally good results include Murphy, Philips, R.G.D and Dynatron. But many others too will deliver really satisfying listening. And such radios need not cost a lot to obtain. In fact the more 'collectable' and valuable radios, where cabinet material and design are the primary considerations, also tend to be the poorer performers. It's a fact that you'll often get a better sound from that restored 'brown box' you originally picked up for a tenner than from a Round Ekco worth a thousand !  This is can be worth bearing in mind when deciding whether a restoration of your old set will be 'worth it'.

HOW CAREFUL WILL YOU BE TO MAINTAIN THE ORIGINALITY OF MY SET ?

Very. However there are two things even more important. First and foremost is safety. Sometimes we will have to make discrete modifications, particularly to the power circuitry, mains cabling and earthing, to ensure your set will be completely safe - for your (and our) peace of mind. The other consideration is reliability. For example our 'gold' sets are guaranteed for life. This is far longer than even when they were new. So, many of the hidden under-chassis vintage components will be replaced. This is always done neatly and in workmanlike fashion. You also have the option to request that new components are hidden inside the old if desired.

Vintage radios one day will be centuries-old antiques. Just as the case is with such antiques today, evidence of professional attention previously received does not detract from their value but just becomes an intrinsic part of their long history. In the future we believe this will be how Radiocraft-restored sets will be seen.

HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE I GET MY SET BACK ?

For the past several years our backlog of work has remained steady at around four or five months. However, if you don't want your restored set back within this time-span you may specify any point in the further future which you prefer. For example, you might not need the radio for your classic car to be ready until the car itself is expected to be coming together, say in the following spring. Handing your set in a long time in advance has the advantage that we can generally plan accurately for a deadline far into the future and 'slot the job in' to be ready exactly at the time you specify.

Alternatively, when you require your set urgently this can sometimes be arranged too, since other customers might not be in so much of a hurry. Let us know your requirements. We can generally work something out.

I SHALL HAVE TO PACK UP MY SET FOR DESPATCH. HOW DO I DO THIS ?

If you can't bring your set to us personally, or don't want to use our transport service, or perhaps live abroad, then packing up and posting your set becomes the only option. This needs to be approached with great care. Your old radio may have a fragile or finely-finished cabinet. Certainly it will contain delicate glassware (the valves) which can easily become dislodged and smashed. How then to go about it ?

Basically the test will be to create a package that you would feel absolutely comfortable throwing down on the floor !  To pack to this standard you must:

1. Remove the back and pack around all the internal parts and valves with soft material or rolled up newspaper. The idea is that nothing will become dislodged in transit!  Be very careful when doing this since it is easy to damage fragile parts such as fine windings attaching to coils etc. If you're at all unsure, get a more knowledgeable friend to help. If the set has any valves larger than your thumb, remove these and pack them separately alongside the set.. Tune the set to the long-wave end of the scale to close the tuning capacitor vanes. Make sure nothing can become dislodged or move inside the set, even when it's upside-down.
   
   
2. Replace the set back. Put cardboard guards over the vulnerable bits: ie the dial glass, speaker fabric and any delicate knobs. Use rubber bands to seat them against the set (not tape, which can strip the finish off).
   
   
3. Put the set in an unused bin-liner or similar.
   
   
4. Place the assembly into a generous sized stout cardboard box. Pack around it, top, bottom and sides, with plenty of packing materials, preferably using the type of bubble-wrap with large 'bubbles'. Ensure the set is well separated all round from the box sides.
   
   
5. Seal the box. Now place it inside a second (larger) stout box, with more bubble-wrap separating them.
   
   
6. Add any paperwork before sealing this second outer box. Ensure the sealing tape covers all the flap-ends and corners of the box.
   
   
7. Clearly mark the outer box with with our address: RADIOCRAFT, 56 Main Street, Sedgeberrow, WR11 7UF, England.  Ensure your sending address is also shown. Mark the box 'FRAGILE - GLASS. WITH CARE. KEEP UPRIGHT.' and add pointers around the box to show which side is the top.
   
   
8. Lastly, ensure the package is adequately ensured. Radiocraft admits to no liability whatsoever, for any damage howsoever caused, even when following these instructions !  Vintage radios should always ideally be transferred by hand, but generally if you take this kind of care, you should be all right.

I SIMPLY WANT SPARES FOR MY VINTAGE SET. WHERE CAN I GET THEM ?

Try Andrew Emmerson's excellent online directory of stockists, now situated elsewhere on this site. It's the biggest resource of its type on the internet and you'll find virtually everything you could think of (and more) there !

Please note, Radiocraft does not supply spares nor can we provide advice on sourcing for individual cases. Please use the directory referred to above.

I DON'T LIKE WHAT'S ON THE MEDIUM WAVES THESE DAYS. HOW CAN I LISTEN TO MY OWN MUSIC ON MY VINTAGE RADIO ?  

Well there's always Radio 4 (the Home Service) on Long Wave...but seriously, it's a fact that today the majority of content on British medium wave stations is one of two types. Either it's the 'shock jock' variety, consisting of phone-in voice broadcasts with the opinions of the 'hoi polloi' very much in evidence, or it's compressed, blaring rock music complete with cocky and gobby presenters - perhaps acting an opiate for the masses. Well, I suppose it helps some people get through the day, but the sound of it just makes me feel bleary-eyed and run down. Rant over ;-)

But there is another way. It's quite easy to play anything you like over your vintage radio, be it a digital or FM station, or your very own CDs. The DAB+FM kit (see the green box further down) will accept most types of audio input. So you'll be able to tune your vintage radio into whatever you like!

In this connection, you may have noticed I have recommended the Guild series of CDs on the home page. I have no connection with this company apart from having already amassed over 50 of their CDs and being a very satisfied customer. These CDs consist of collections of re-mastered original recordings of Light Music - once often heard as radio and television themes, newsreel film backgrounds, and television interludes. This sort of music is full of melody, lush instrumental texture and atmosphere - and it sounds great through old radios! It also has to be said it's refreshingly different and definitely 'un-cool'. Today, increasing numbers of people are rediscovering this wonderful, tuneful music from the pre-pop era.

HOW CAN I LISTEN TO FM STATIONS ON MY VINTAGE RADIO ?  

Yes!  Please see the next section.

HOW CAN I LISTEN TO DIGITAL (DAB) STATIONS ON MY VINTAGE RADIO ?  

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio is the latest way to listen to radio in the UK. This way you can receive all the stations previously found on FM and many more besides. We now can supply a two-part package consisting of a portable DAB+FM radio (also usable on its own) and an AM Modulator obtained specially from the USA but assembled here in the UK. This is widely considered to be the best AM modulator available. You'll want for nothing in sound quality and you'll be able to continue using your vintage radio indefinitely into the future !

The result is that you can now tune any vintage radio in your house into your chosen FM or digital (DAB) station. You can even have the same station on several radios at once if you like !   No connection is needed to your set(s). You simply tune in your selected FM or digital station just like any other medium wave station.

Digital radio is being promoted as the next step in the development of radio. Currently Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) is available through various means, including over the Band III VHF frequencies formerly used in the UK by ITA for 405-line television. However there is also a scheme afoot to also apply a related technique on 'our' AM (amplitude-modulated) long, medium, and short wave bands. This would combine 'near-FM' standards of audio quality with the international range associated with the current AM bands. The system is called Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) and is already being tested in Great Britain.

You can't receive DRM stations on vintage radios. DRM stations will sound like a slight increase in background hiss on traditional AM radios - that is, if you listen for it. DRM will doubtless spread around the world slowly but old-style analogue stations will remain plentiful on the bands for a generation or more.

As regards the Short Waves, it is here that the most interference might be found, though not from the DRM digital stations but from something much worse - use of the National Grid for carrying broadband internet. This is an incredibly leaky and inefficient way to do the job. With broadband coverage now approaching saturation in the UK using more conventional means, here's hoping this horrible technique will never be used !

The UK has pinned its digital hopes on DAB (radiated on Band III VHF) fot the future of domestic radio.The current plan is for AM and most FM stations to cease broadcasting by 2015. However, many doubt this schedule will actually prove possible.

The government is now encouraging the switch-off of the AM and FM services by 2015 and their replacement with DAB (with sets ready for DAB+, a more efficient form of DAB). At that time some ultra-low power local stations are still to remain on FM. However because of the sheer numbers of AM and FM radios in use and the reluctance of broadcasters to suddenly forfeit a large chunk of their audience, this schedule is likely to prove hard to achieve.

But let's suppose it will actually happen. Even then, there will doubtless still be many foreign stations to enjoy, so there is no need to panic. But... you want to listen to British stations don't you ?   Still no problem; if you already have one of our FM/DAB outfits (see further up) this issue won't concern you at all. Moreover we are also working on still more solutions which will be in place long before then. Doubtless, by 2015 there will be no problem at all in continuing to enjoy an old analogue radio if that's what you want to do. And we hope you will...

WHAT DO I NEED TO OPERATE MY VINTAGE TELEVISION ?

British vintage televisions will only produce results from a long-obsolete type of television signal. This means that not only is the picture made up of fewer 'lines' (405 instead of 625), but also the radio carrier wave used is of far lower frequency than the one used today. So what's involved ?

First, one must arrange an appropriate 405-line picture signal for the old set. This is generally achieved by stepping down the modern 625-line signal down to 405-lines, through the use of something called a standards converter.

Secondly, the 405-line picture has to be carried into the set atop a radio carrier of the appropriate frequency. This task is performed by a modulator.

Another refinement is to obtain a Test Card Generator. A fully-programmable, dual-standard one is available from R.T.Russell at www.rtrussell.co.uk/products/tccgen/tccgen.html and includes old favourites such as Test Card 'C'.

In addition, if you live within the London M25 area (or even farther afield), there's now a distinct possibility that one day all you'll need to do is erect an 'H' aerial on your chimney, connect up your vintage (restored) set and watch !  The British Heritage Television Group is hoping to radiate a Channel 1 signal from Alexandra Palace again. This will be a bit like a heritage railway when old trains run on their old tracks again. By the same token old televisions would be running on their old channel again !  It is hoped the first test transmissions from this novel service will go out late in 2009.

For more information on this topic, be sure to visit our own Vintage Television site. or if you might prefer instead a modern 'retro' colour TV, take a look at the Retrovisor. Please note these are no longer in production though sometimes one can become available.