Fradan? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Diabolical Artificer · 6th Apr 2018, 8:55 am

Anyone heard of Fradan? I've found Echomatic 50 on a search but can't find anything about the company.

The reason i ask is because I've found a "Fradan Computer Echo" whilst clearing out the workshop looking for where a mouse is hiding. It has four play heads, one record/erase and I think uses an endless loop tape. It is missing quite a few bits, hence my question.

Andy.

ms660 · 6th Apr 2018, 9:28 am

There was a Fradan Radio of Leigh, Lancs. that used to supply radio components and kits, adverts in RC and PW circa 1963.

http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...h=%22fradan%22

Lawrence.

Nuvistor · 6th Apr 2018, 3:07 pm

Fradan Radio (Leigh Lancs), that takes me back, I had forgotten all about that shop in Railway road.

ColinTheAmpMan1 · 6th Apr 2018, 3:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diabolical Artificer

...whilst clearing out the workshop looking for where a mouse is hiding. It has four play heads...

That is some weird-looking mouse!

Colin.

Diabolical Artificer · 6th Apr 2018, 4:11 pm

thanks Lawrence and Frank. When did they stop trading? A computer echo sounds early eighties. Sounds like I'm unlikely to find a schematic. Still shouldn't be too hard to knock up a Copycat clone using the heads,motor etc.

"That is some weird-looking mouse!" Chuckle : )

Andy.

Nuvistor · 6th Apr 2018, 4:39 pm

The address in the advert is a private house, it’s possible they used that as an office but they also had a shop in Railway road.
Cannot say when they stopped trading, I only went there a few times, I tended to use Modern Radio in Bolton, who are still trading.

GRID LEAK · 7th Apr 2018, 12:05 am

Fradan Radio were on Wigan Rd. in Leigh. There was a second shop in Millgate, Wigan opposite the Ship Hotel. They manufactured guiitar amplifiers, Pa systems and echo units which were very similar in design to the Watkins Copicat. They also sold hi fi gear, components and all sorts of bits and pieces. The owner was FRAnk DANdo, hence the name of the firm.

Alf · 7th Apr 2018, 12:27 am

I always knew Fradan Radio as being on Leigh Road in Leigh, not Wigan Road, I remember back in the 60s buying a mains dropper resistor for a trf set I was making, an 800Ω type and he set the resistance to what I'd specified. I think Frank had some connection with Barry G3WIS.

Nuvistor · 7th Apr 2018, 12:32 am

Now I cannot remember that shop in Millgate, also they must have moved premises in Leigh, I found an address of 38-40a Railway road, while the advert in post 2 is 36 Railway Road, plus the Wigan Road one you refer to.

For some reason I haven’t a problem remembering the Ship Inn.

Nuvistor · 7th Apr 2018, 12:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alf

I always knew Fradan Radio as being on Leigh Road in Leigh, not Wigan Road, I remember back in the 60s buying a mains dropper resistor for a trf set I was making, an 800Ω type and he set the resistance to what I'd specified. I think Frank had some connection with Barry G3WIS.

Appears they moved around a few times.

Alf · 7th Apr 2018, 12:52 am

He briefly had a shop in Hindley Green, opposite Organ Street, then moved to Atherton.

Diabolical Artificer · 7th Apr 2018, 6:03 am

Any idea when they stopped trading? Most component shops went OOB late eighties/early 90's yes?

"They manufactured guitar amplifiers, Pa systems and echo units which were very similar in design to the Watkins Copicat." So should be fine copying the Copycat.

A.

Nuvistor · 7th Apr 2018, 8:06 am

I have sent an email to a friend who has lived in Leigh all his life, asked does he remember the shop and it’s closing date. I have another local contact who is keen on radio and been local the last 60 years, I will ask him.
Don’t hold up a lot of hope, Alf remembers much more than I do, Organ Street Hindley Green, only one shop opposite Organ street, obviously changed hands many times.

Alf · 7th Apr 2018, 12:08 pm

I wonder if this is the same Frank Dando, would be about right age.

ColinTheAmpMan1 · 7th Apr 2018, 2:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuvistor

Now I cannot remember that shop in Millgate, also they must have moved premises in Leigh, I found an address of 38-40a Railway road, while the advert in post 2 is 36 Railway Road, plus the Wigan Road one you refer to.

I have looked and looked, but I cannot see any reference to any addresses on Railway Road in the link.

Colin.

Nuvistor · 7th Apr 2018, 2:54 pm

Quote:

I have looked and looked, but I cannot see any reference to any addresses on Railway Road in the link.

Quite right, dunce cap for me.

I seem to remember it there though, oh well more memories gone.

I have spoken to one of my contacts and he remembers the shop in Millgate and knew the man who ran that shop but couldn’t come up with a date of closure.

GRID LEAK · 8th Apr 2018, 10:21 am

Sorry chaps. Must have been one of my frequent senior moments!! The shop in Leigh was indeed on Leigh rd. They had a workshop to the rear of it with cabinet making facilities as well as electronic assembly stuff. Yes Alf, the obituary would be about the right era for him. Frank, I seem to remember the man who ran the Millgate shop was called Dick who was followed by a guy called John. Don't know their surnames though

Nuvistor · 9th Apr 2018, 6:16 am

The name I was given for the Millgate shop was John, from the info I was given he later went to work for a TV shop in Platt Bridge, Wigan.

Still no closing date though.

Diabolical Artificer · 11th Apr 2018, 6:25 am

Thanks all.

Andy.

Alf · 12th Apr 2018, 12:49 am

From what I can remember, there were two TV shops in Platt Bridge, Bob Bell and Sharples, both long gone but their premises remain. Maybe someone will know.

6th Apr 2018, 8:55 am	#1
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Fradan? Anyone heard of Fradan? I've found Echomatic 50 on a search but can't find anything about the company. The reason i ask is because I've found a "Fradan Computer Echo" whilst clearing out the workshop looking for where a mouse is hiding. It has four play heads, one record/erase and I think uses an endless loop tape. It is missing quite a few bits, hence my question. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

6th Apr 2018, 9:28 am	#2
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Fradan? There was a Fradan Radio of Leigh, Lancs. that used to supply radio components and kits, adverts in RC and PW circa 1963. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...h=%22fradan%22 Lawrence.

6th Apr 2018, 3:07 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Fradan? Fradan Radio (Leigh Lancs), that takes me back, I had forgotten all about that shop in Railway road. __________________ Frank

6th Apr 2018, 4:11 pm	#5
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Fradan? thanks Lawrence and Frank. When did they stop trading? A computer echo sounds early eighties. Sounds like I'm unlikely to find a schematic. Still shouldn't be too hard to knock up a Copycat clone using the heads,motor etc. "That is some weird-looking mouse!" Chuckle : ) Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

6th Apr 2018, 4:39 pm	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Fradan? The address in the advert is a private house, it’s possible they used that as an office but they also had a shop in Railway road. Cannot say when they stopped trading, I only went there a few times, I tended to use Modern Radio in Bolton, who are still trading. __________________ Frank

7th Apr 2018, 12:05 am	#7
GRID LEAK Triode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lancashire, UK. Posts: 46	Re: Fradan? Fradan Radio were on Wigan Rd. in Leigh. There was a second shop in Millgate, Wigan opposite the Ship Hotel. They manufactured guiitar amplifiers, Pa systems and echo units which were very similar in design to the Watkins Copicat. They also sold hi fi gear, components and all sorts of bits and pieces. The owner was FRAnk DANdo, hence the name of the firm.

7th Apr 2018, 12:27 am	#8
Alf Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 479	Re: Fradan? I always knew Fradan Radio as being on Leigh Road in Leigh, not Wigan Road, I remember back in the 60s buying a mains dropper resistor for a trf set I was making, an 800Ω type and he set the resistance to what I'd specified. I think Frank had some connection with Barry G3WIS.

7th Apr 2018, 12:32 am	#9
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Fradan? Now I cannot remember that shop in Millgate, also they must have moved premises in Leigh, I found an address of 38-40a Railway road, while the advert in post 2 is 36 Railway Road, plus the Wigan Road one you refer to. For some reason I haven’t a problem remembering the Ship Inn. __________________ Frank

7th Apr 2018, 12:52 am	#11
Alf Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 479	Re: Fradan? He briefly had a shop in Hindley Green, opposite Organ Street, then moved to Atherton.

7th Apr 2018, 6:03 am	#12
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Fradan? Any idea when they stopped trading? Most component shops went OOB late eighties/early 90's yes? "They manufactured guitar amplifiers, Pa systems and echo units which were very similar in design to the Watkins Copicat." So should be fine copying the Copycat. A. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

7th Apr 2018, 8:06 am	#13
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Fradan? I have sent an email to a friend who has lived in Leigh all his life, asked does he remember the shop and it’s closing date. I have another local contact who is keen on radio and been local the last 60 years, I will ask him. Don’t hold up a lot of hope, Alf remembers much more than I do, Organ Street Hindley Green, only one shop opposite Organ street, obviously changed hands many times. __________________ Frank

7th Apr 2018, 12:08 pm	#14
Alf Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 479	Re: Fradan? I wonder if this is the same Frank Dando, would be about right age.

8th Apr 2018, 10:21 am	#17
GRID LEAK Triode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lancashire, UK. Posts: 46	Re: Fradan? Sorry chaps. Must have been one of my frequent senior moments!! The shop in Leigh was indeed on Leigh rd. They had a workshop to the rear of it with cabinet making facilities as well as electronic assembly stuff. Yes Alf, the obituary would be about the right era for him. Frank, I seem to remember the man who ran the Millgate shop was called Dick who was followed by a guy called John. Don't know their surnames though

9th Apr 2018, 6:16 am	#18
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Fradan? The name I was given for the Millgate shop was John, from the info I was given he later went to work for a TV shop in Platt Bridge, Wigan. Still no closing date though. __________________ Frank

11th Apr 2018, 6:25 am	#19
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Fradan? Thanks all. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

12th Apr 2018, 12:49 am	#20
Alf Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 479	Re: Fradan? From what I can remember, there were two TV shops in Platt Bridge, Bob Bell and Sharples, both long gone but their premises remain. Maybe someone will know.