Radio "shop" in museum - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ed_Dinning · 8th May 2013, 4:45 pm

Hi Gents, some time ago there was an appeal for sets, parts and tools so that a museum (in midlands, NW England) could set up a period radio repair shop.
Can anyone give me the details of this please?

Mods please move if in the wrong section.

Thanks, Ed

M0FYA Andy · 8th May 2013, 4:48 pm

Ed,
This is at the Black Country Museum in Dudley. An excellent museum to visit, although I haven't been for a few years now.
Andy

Ed_Dinning · 8th May 2013, 5:00 pm

Many thanks Andy, that was a quick reply.

Ed

Phil G4SPZ · 8th May 2013, 9:01 pm

Hi Ed,

The radio shop is known as Griptons, and has been open for the past two years at Number 18, Old Birmingham Road. I am one of the two volunteer radio engineers who 'activate' the workshop behind the showroom, two days per week. If you are planning a visit, feel free to check with me in advance to ensure that the workshop will be staffed on the day you choose to visit - Mondays and Thursdays at present, changing to Tuesdays and Thursdays from June.

The workshop is set in 1939 has a full range of 1930s vintage test equipment, tools, spare valves and radios undergoing restoration. The sets currently being worked on are a 1932 Climax and an AD75.

The link to the shop at the Black Country Living Museum's website is here.

camtechman · 9th May 2013, 1:19 pm

Doesn't Phil look as happy as a Pig in Muck ?!

I want his job !......

Phil G4SPZ · 9th May 2013, 9:36 pm

Oh, I'm happy all right! Who wouldn't be, working in an authentic replica of a 1939 wireless repair workshop, testing valves, fixing pre-war radios, demonstrating sets, talking to visitors about the heyday of radio, and listening to 1930s dance band music all day long? And at the end of each working day, I can leave the austere 1930s behind and return to the air-conditioned comfort of the 21st century, reasonably confident that I'm not about to be called up to fight in World War II.

There are two reasons why you can't have my job. First, you wouldn't want it, as it's unpaid - the word "volunteer" is the give-away - and second, you look far too youthful!

Ed_Dinning · 18th May 2013, 10:30 am

Hi Phil, again many thanks.

Ed

techiesteve · 18th May 2013, 11:10 am

I've been to the museum 3 times now, and visited Gripton's once. Well worth the trip. I feel another visit coming on.

8th May 2013, 4:45 pm	#1
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Radio "shop" in museum Hi Gents, some time ago there was an appeal for sets, parts and tools so that a museum (in midlands, NW England) could set up a period radio repair shop. Can anyone give me the details of this please? Mods please move if in the wrong section. Thanks, Ed

8th May 2013, 4:48 pm	#2
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Radio "shop" in museum Ed, This is at the Black Country Museum in Dudley. An excellent museum to visit, although I haven't been for a few years now. Andy

8th May 2013, 5:00 pm	#3
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Radio "shop" in museum Many thanks Andy, that was a quick reply. Ed

8th May 2013, 9:01 pm	#4
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Radio "shop" in museum Hi Ed, The radio shop is known as Griptons, and has been open for the past two years at Number 18, Old Birmingham Road. I am one of the two volunteer radio engineers who 'activate' the workshop behind the showroom, two days per week. If you are planning a visit, feel free to check with me in advance to ensure that the workshop will be staffed on the day you choose to visit - Mondays and Thursdays at present, changing to Tuesdays and Thursdays from June. The workshop is set in 1939 has a full range of 1930s vintage test equipment, tools, spare valves and radios undergoing restoration. The sets currently being worked on are a 1932 Climax and an AD75. The link to the shop at the Black Country Living Museum's website is here. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts Last edited by Phil G4SPZ; 8th May 2013 at 9:04 pm. Reason: Thumbnail added

9th May 2013, 1:19 pm	#5
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Radio "shop" in museum Doesn't Phil look as happy as a Pig in Muck ?! I want his job !...... __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

9th May 2013, 9:36 pm	#6
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Radio "shop" in museum Oh, I'm happy all right! Who wouldn't be, working in an authentic replica of a 1939 wireless repair workshop, testing valves, fixing pre-war radios, demonstrating sets, talking to visitors about the heyday of radio, and listening to 1930s dance band music all day long? And at the end of each working day, I can leave the austere 1930s behind and return to the air-conditioned comfort of the 21st century, reasonably confident that I'm not about to be called up to fight in World War II. There are two reasons why you can't have my job. First, you wouldn't want it, as it's unpaid - the word "volunteer" is the give-away - and second, you look far too youthful! __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

18th May 2013, 10:30 am	#7
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Radio "shop" in museum Hi Phil, again many thanks. Ed

18th May 2013, 11:10 am	#8
techiesteve Pentode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Aylesbury, Bucks, UK. Posts: 161	Re: Radio "shop" in museum I've been to the museum 3 times now, and visited Gripton's once. Well worth the trip. I feel another visit coming on. __________________ Steve M0SVB