How is Eddystone rated ?

[beam me up schottky]

Have a bit of an itch to get a comms receiver, Eddystone stuff seems to be well made, how would the experts here rate their equipment ?
Just so you all know, I'm clueless when it comes to communications stuff so don't go too far over my head !

[Skywave]

Comms. receivers, especially of the vintage variety, is one of my key interests, and (surprise, surprise) that includes Eddystone radios.
I could go on at considerable length to answer your question, based on my experience as an owner, user and repairer over the last 50+ odd years or so. But I'll try to summarise.

Generally speaking, they were built to last - in actual point of fact, most models have lasted far, far longer than the designers ever anticipated! (I know that for a certainty since that is what I was told by an original Eddystone Radio design engineer; I used to be employed by Eddystone Radio). And, in their day, most sets were very expensive.

In terms of performance, again, generally excellent (when fully refurbished - if necessary), but like all manufacturers, a wide range of products was produced over the years for various applications and various price ranges: generally speaking, the more you pay, the better the performance & you get more user-facilities, etc. - but it really depends on what you want to use it for and what performance you require.

As regards construction, again, very good (although there are some serious weaknesses in some sets, IMHO). The only negative comment I will make is that on all of their radios, the layout under the chassis does make maintenance difficult: in some places (fortunately not many), component replacement is virtually impossible. Many parts are still readily available, but the Eddystone-unique parts are, of course, now very rare, difficult to source and can be quite expensive when they do become available - mains transformers, for example. Fortunately, in my experience, during repair work, it's usually the common things like resistors, capacitors and valves (no rare ones used that I'm aware of) that require replacement.

If you have any particular model - or models in mind, and would like to know more about them, or alternatively, you have a particular need (e.g. Amateur radio only; general coverage broadcast, VHF/UHF only, etc.), please send me a PM. If any of them are in my experience / knowledge base, I'll be only too happy to advise.

Al.

[beam me up schottky]

Thanks Al, pm sent.

[Skywave]

Your PM received ~ and responded to.

Al. / June 3rd. //

[Skywave]

And just to complete this Thread for anyone else so enquiring:

http://www.eddystoneusergroup.org.uk/

provides much information.

Al. / June 4th., 2011 //

[Shaman]

Hi Al,
i have two Eddystone radios models 770U and 770R, alas they have been got at by the phantom, radio fixer who thinks IFT,s are better with wire extensions and taped to the top cabinet runner, the 770U is suffering from, lets cut component wires in the cascade panel, its so sad to see this done to these sets, the 770R main smoothing cap was replaced and taped to the choke, i have recut the hole in the chassis and mounted a replacement properly, and rebuilt the rest of the power supply, both sets i am almost sure will work if 1 i can find a way to rewire the if as there is no room to solder under the chassis. And 2 if i could get a replacement or rebuild the cascade panel. any ideas would be greatfully welcome, as the last resort is to strip these sets for bits, because another bit of Eddystone radio is lost, i would rate them as a good set, which were at one time used to listen to USSR military broadcast,s....kind regards.....Alan.

[Michaelr]

Hi Al,
i have two Eddystone radios models 770U and 770R, alas they have been got at by the phantom, radio fixer who thinks IFT,s are better with wire extensions and taped to the top cabinet runner, the 770U is suffering from, lets cut component wires in the cascade panel, its so sad to see this done to these sets, the 770R main smoothing cap was replaced and taped to the choke, i have recut the hole in the chassis and mounted a replacement properly, and rebuilt the rest of the power supply, both sets i am almost sure will work if 1 i can find a way to rewire the if as there is no room to solder under the chassis. And 2 if i could get a replacement or rebuild the cascade panel. any ideas would be greatfully welcome, as the last resort is to strip these sets for bits, because another bit of Eddystone radio is lost, i would rate them as a good set, which were at one time used to listen to USSR military broadcast,s....kind regards.....Alan.

Alan
Quite a dilemma I know but sometimes stripping a set for parts is sometimes the only way to go, at least it may keep some other sets up and running. I have a 940 that will go this way as it so incomplete.

I have been very grateful to people who have offered me spares for some of my kit especially test equipment and it has allowed me to continue having good use and enjoyment .

Mike

[Paula A]

The "let's cut wires, something impossible to fix" method was standard GCHQ decommissioning method before disposal. Can't say how I know that or any more on the how or why.

[Shaman]

Hi Paula A ,
i used to work there errrrrhhhhhmmm, know what you mean though....regardsa....Alan

[Skywave]

Shaman; Paul A: So did I. That makes three of us. We could start our own club. I'm sure there are many anecdotes we could swap & share, but strictly on a "need to know" basis.

Al.