Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Steve Smith · 7th Jul 2015, 8:01 am

Is there a name for the two pin plug which was used to connect a gramophone pickup to a wireless?

I just need to know what to search for - unless anyone knows of a source.

Steve.

Nickthedentist · 7th Jul 2015, 8:59 am

Hi Steve,

Normally two separate plugs were employed, known as "wander plugs".

Not terribly easy to come by, but there are workarounds. Do a forum search

Nick.

ukcol · 7th Jul 2015, 9:22 am

I believe John Birkett in Lincoln still has some wander plugs but Lincoln is quite a long walk from the Isle of Wight. Perhaps if you phoned him he would post you some. 01522 520767

Steve Smith · 7th Jul 2015, 1:16 pm

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukcol

but Lincoln is quite a long walk from the Isle of Wight

I do have a bicycle but I would have to find a wooden boat to smash up to make a raft to get across to Portsmouth first!

Steve.

vidjoman · 7th Jul 2015, 1:47 pm

You could use 3mm split pins, solder the wire and cover with shrink wrap.

camtechman · 7th Jul 2015, 2:06 pm

Would banana plugs fit the sockets, if so, here's the link to my post about modern made but vintage style ones I got on the t'interweb-a-thingymajig.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...e+banana+plugs

7th Jul 2015, 2:14 pm

As far as I know, wander sockets are 1/8" and Banana 4mm, 4mm is also the size of some European mains (unshuttered) sockets. And no surprise Banana plugs are quite difficult to get on the continent.

emeritus · 7th Jul 2015, 6:22 pm

You might be able to use the L and N pins removed from a BS546 3 pin 2A plug (or a 2 pin 2A plug if you can find one) as they are are 1/8" diameter. An old plug would probably be best as they often have split pins, whereas modern plugs have solid pins and rely on the socket contacts to provide resilience. The old Wander plugs usually relied on a split pin plug engaging a socket which had a non-resilient uniform diameter tube, although I have come across wander plug sockets having resilient contacts.

Herald1360 · 7th Jul 2015, 9:46 pm

There are 3mm Banana plugs about, at a price

which will fit wander sockets quite happily.

Matchsticks are cheap

TonyDuell · 7th Jul 2015, 9:57 pm

1/8" brass rod, slit down the end with a slitting saw blade? Cut a thread on the other
end and make a screw-on cap.

Philips had 2 (active) pin connectors for this I think. They had a dummy pin in the
middle, either round or flat. There was a convention that one was for outputs and the
other for inputs, but I can't remember which was which.

Steve Smith · 8th Jul 2015, 7:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDuell

1/8" brass rod, slit down the end with a slitting saw blade? Cut a thread on the other end and make a screw-on cap.

That's what I'm going to do. I have some brass rod here and I will make them fit into the plastic covers for 4mm plugs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herald1360

Matchsticks are cheap

That's what is currently being used!

I did find a strange BS5733 mains plug which has three pins 2mm diameter. Removing the centre earth pin allows the other two pins to fit into the input and the fact that they are slightly closer together makes them a good friction fit so this could work. However, I have a CNC router and a 3D printer at work so I think I can do better!

Steve.

7th Jul 2015, 8:01 am	#1
Steve Smith Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Isle of Wight, UK. Posts: 24	Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input Is there a name for the two pin plug which was used to connect a gramophone pickup to a wireless? I just need to know what to search for - unless anyone knows of a source. Steve.

7th Jul 2015, 8:59 am	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input Hi Steve, Normally two separate plugs were employed, known as "wander plugs". Not terribly easy to come by, but there are workarounds. Do a forum search Nick.

7th Jul 2015, 9:22 am	#3
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input I believe John Birkett in Lincoln still has some wander plugs but Lincoln is quite a long walk from the Isle of Wight. Perhaps if you phoned him he would post you some. 01522 520767

7th Jul 2015, 1:47 pm	#5
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,324	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input You could use 3mm split pins, solder the wire and cover with shrink wrap.

7th Jul 2015, 2:06 pm	#6
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input Would banana plugs fit the sockets, if so, here's the link to my post about modern made but vintage style ones I got on the t'interweb-a-thingymajig. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...e+banana+plugs __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

7th Jul 2015, 2:14 pm	#7
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input As far as I know, wander sockets are 1/8" and Banana 4mm, 4mm is also the size of some European mains (unshuttered) sockets. And no surprise Banana plugs are quite difficult to get on the continent.

7th Jul 2015, 6:22 pm	#8
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,337	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input You might be able to use the L and N pins removed from a BS546 3 pin 2A plug (or a 2 pin 2A plug if you can find one) as they are are 1/8" diameter. An old plug would probably be best as they often have split pins, whereas modern plugs have solid pins and rely on the socket contacts to provide resilience. The old Wander plugs usually relied on a split pin plug engaging a socket which had a non-resilient uniform diameter tube, although I have come across wander plug sockets having resilient contacts.

7th Jul 2015, 9:46 pm	#9
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input There are 3mm Banana plugs about, at a price which will fit wander sockets quite happily. Matchsticks are cheap __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

7th Jul 2015, 9:57 pm	#10
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Connector for Wireless Gramophone Pickup Input 1/8" brass rod, slit down the end with a slitting saw blade? Cut a thread on the other end and make a screw-on cap. Philips had 2 (active) pin connectors for this I think. They had a dummy pin in the middle, either round or flat. There was a convention that one was for outputs and the other for inputs, but I can't remember which was which.