Polar Tuning Capacitors - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

saddlestone-man · 19th Sep 2022, 12:25 pm

Hello All

Does anyone have a reference to the company Polar, who made tuning capacitors (and presumably other components)? I believe they were located in Liverpool, but not sure where.

best regards ... Stef

Mr Moose · 19th Sep 2022, 12:38 pm

Hello,
From the Trader annual for 1930, Polar components were made by Wingrove & Rogers Ltd.
Their London address is given as Arundel Chambers, 118/9 Strand, London, WC2.
Their works address is given as Polar Works, Old Swan, Liverpool.
Yours, Richard

Cobaltblue · 19th Sep 2022, 12:41 pm

Isn't there a new Book out about Polar Radio?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/5946...earch/?q=Polar

https://castleridgepress.com/basil-b...ation-company/

Cheers

Mike T

Restoration73 · 19th Sep 2022, 12:45 pm

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Wingrove_and_Rogers

G.Castle · 19th Sep 2022, 12:49 pm

Wikipedia entry https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingrove_%26_Rogers

David G4EBT · 19th Sep 2022, 2:42 pm

I notice that Polar sold it's capacitor business to Jackson Brothers at the end of 1980.

There never were any 'Jackson Brothers' as such - it was a fictitious name:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Brothers

Interesting to note that what finished Jackson Brothers off was the invention of the varicap diode.

As I recall, some years ago Mainline Electronics at Leicester bought out JB, then I think they had a fire.

They still list Jackson products, but on Mainline's website, under 'Rally's' [sic] they only mention Norbreck Castle 2016, so I don't know if they're still active:

https://www.mainline-group.com

saddlestone-man · 19th Sep 2022, 3:01 pm

Many thanks for all the replies .... most helpful!

best regards ... Stef

CambridgeWorks · 19th Sep 2022, 4:35 pm

I think I saw Mainline on ebay not so long ago.
Prepare to sit down when you see the prices of JB variable capacitors!
Rob

Aub · 19th Sep 2022, 8:16 pm

Yes you're right Rob. Building that linear would cost a pretty penny. Surprised they never offered roller inductors to match those nice capacitors.

Cheers

Aub

19th Sep 2022, 12:25 pm	#1
saddlestone-man Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 391	Polar Tuning Capacitors Hello All Does anyone have a reference to the company Polar, who made tuning capacitors (and presumably other components)? I believe they were located in Liverpool, but not sure where. best regards ... Stef

19th Sep 2022, 12:38 pm	#2
Mr Moose Octode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 1,043	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors Hello, From the Trader annual for 1930, Polar components were made by Wingrove & Rogers Ltd. Their London address is given as Arundel Chambers, 118/9 Strand, London, WC2. Their works address is given as Polar Works, Old Swan, Liverpool. Yours, Richard

19th Sep 2022, 12:41 pm	#3
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,875	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors Isn't there a new Book out about Polar Radio? https://www.facebook.com/groups/5946...earch/?q=Polar https://castleridgepress.com/basil-b...ation-company/ Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

19th Sep 2022, 12:45 pm	#4
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Wingrove_and_Rogers

19th Sep 2022, 12:49 pm	#5
G.Castle Heptode Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Swaffham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 587	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors Wikipedia entry https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingrove_%26_Rogers

19th Sep 2022, 2:42 pm	#6
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,763	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors I notice that Polar sold it's capacitor business to Jackson Brothers at the end of 1980. There never were any 'Jackson Brothers' as such - it was a fictitious name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Brothers Interesting to note that what finished Jackson Brothers off was the invention of the varicap diode. As I recall, some years ago Mainline Electronics at Leicester bought out JB, then I think they had a fire. They still list Jackson products, but on Mainline's website, under 'Rally's' [sic] they only mention Norbreck Castle 2016, so I don't know if they're still active: https://www.mainline-group.com __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

19th Sep 2022, 3:01 pm	#7
saddlestone-man Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 391	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors Many thanks for all the replies .... most helpful! best regards ... Stef

19th Sep 2022, 4:35 pm	#8
CambridgeWorks Nonode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,859	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors I think I saw Mainline on ebay not so long ago. Prepare to sit down when you see the prices of JB variable capacitors! Rob __________________ Apprehension creeping like a tube train up your spine - Cymbaline. Film More soundtrack - Pink Floyd

19th Sep 2022, 8:16 pm	#9
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,039	Re: Polar Tuning Capacitors Yes you're right Rob. Building that linear would cost a pretty penny. Surprised they never offered roller inductors to match those nice capacitors. Cheers Aub __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.