Mystery radio. (Identified as a Sobell S316). - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

pctechman · 16th Oct 2020, 11:26 am

Hi all, I have recently bought a non working Sobell transistor radio which I have serviced and it's going well, the only thing is there is no model name or number on it and I can't find any info on it on the web. Here are some pics, see if anyone can solve the puzzle

Paul_RK · 16th Oct 2020, 1:07 pm

This one's a GEC G816, from 1964 or thereabouts -

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...stor-248580621

so yours will be its Sobell clone, the S316.

Paul

pctechman · 16th Oct 2020, 1:39 pm

Thanks for that, I wouldn't have guessed that there were clones that far back, LOL.

AC/HL · 16th Oct 2020, 1:58 pm

Technically it's the other way round. I believe the takeover of Radio and Allied by GEC was a reverse one, in that GEC production moved to Sobell not as we think.

Paul_RK · 16th Oct 2020, 2:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pctechman

I wouldn't have guessed that there were clones that far back...

Much longer ago than 1964! In this case, as often with GEC/Sobell in the '60s, there was a Masteradio version too, the D516.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/masteradio_d516.html

Interesting that all three appear to have been produced with an eye to sales in a French-speaking territory (GO and PO - grandes ondes and petites ondes - for LW and MW at the right hand end of the tuning scale).

pctechman · 21st Oct 2020, 9:46 am

Thanks lads for all the info, I was wondering about the GO and PO on the dial, now all is clear.

16th Oct 2020, 11:26 am	#1
pctechman Diode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Strabane, CountyTyrone, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 6	Mystery radio. (Identified as a Sobell S316). Hi all, I have recently bought a non working Sobell transistor radio which I have serviced and it's going well, the only thing is there is no model name or number on it and I can't find any info on it on the web. Here are some pics, see if anyone can solve the puzzle Attached Thumbnails

16th Oct 2020, 1:07 pm	#2
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,259	Re: Mystery radio. This one's a GEC G816, from 1964 or thereabouts - https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...stor-248580621 so yours will be its Sobell clone, the S316. Paul

16th Oct 2020, 1:39 pm	#3
pctechman Diode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Strabane, CountyTyrone, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 6	Re: Mystery radio. Thanks for that, I wouldn't have guessed that there were clones that far back, LOL.

16th Oct 2020, 1:58 pm	#4
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Mystery radio. (Identified as a Sobell S316). Technically it's the other way round. I believe the takeover of Radio and Allied by GEC was a reverse one, in that GEC production moved to Sobell not as we think.

21st Oct 2020, 9:46 am	#6
pctechman Diode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Strabane, CountyTyrone, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 6	Re: Mystery radio. (Identified as a Sobell S316). Thanks lads for all the info, I was wondering about the GO and PO on the dial, now all is clear.