Unknown crystal set. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jim_beacon · 1st Sep 2007, 7:44 pm

Hi,

can anybody identify this recent eBay purchase? It was sold as an Ivalek crystal set, but there are no makers marks on it. A positive identification of maker, model and approximate age would be very helpful.

It is 4" in diameter, 2" high (including knob), uses a solid dielectric capacitor and a "permanent" (two different types of crystal) detector.

Thanks

Jim.

John M0GLN · 2nd Sep 2007, 7:59 am

I've got one as well, almost the same as yours, red knob on cats whisker adjuster and slightly different shape to tuning knob, otherwise identical,they are always described as Ivalex but I've never seen any 'proof' i.e adverts etc to back this up, and they are so different to the well known model they sold.

John

jim_beacon · 2nd Sep 2007, 4:05 pm

John,

thansk for that - I can't find an advert for it either. I'm familiar with the Ivalek set which looks like a minature valve set, and have seen plenty of adverts for that one. I hope someone can shed some light on the subject.

Jim.

John M0GLN · 29th Dec 2007, 10:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaines

I've never seen any 'proof'
John

Jim

I've just proved myself wrong, tidying up some files on the PC I came across this eBay page I saved a few years ago and had forgotten, the set is being sold with original box.

John

John M0GLN · 29th Dec 2007, 10:30 am

I've tried to attach the 2 images to the post but I keep on getting 'invalid file', you'll have to leave it with me for a while, I presume its because they are jpeg rather than jpg, whatever the difference is.

John

John M0GLN · 29th Dec 2007, 10:37 am

I've saved them as gif files so hopefully they will appear.

John

PS They have

wireful3 · 29th Dec 2007, 5:05 pm

Hi Jim,
Your picture rings a bell with me but only very faintly.

I think I have seen a similar set from the Mid 40s. Certainly prior to 1949 and after 1940 . It had the same style and bakelite case as yours. It may have been for sale through Hobby magazines or possibly from Woolworth's.
The Woolworth version could even have been modular with the detector and tuning condenser being separate self assembly items. There might even have been a choice of either cat's whisker or Perikon detectors.

Whether it is a recollection of the set you have got, I don't know but it might give you some ideas of where to look in old magazines.

jim_beacon · 29th Dec 2007, 9:13 pm

John and John,

thanks for your help. We now have a definite manufacturer, and I think the date of mid to late 40s is right.

I'm glad someone remembered the question after so long!

Jim.

1st Sep 2007, 7:44 pm	#1
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Unknown crystal set. Hi, can anybody identify this recent eBay purchase? It was sold as an Ivalek crystal set, but there are no makers marks on it. A positive identification of maker, model and approximate age would be very helpful. It is 4" in diameter, 2" high (including knob), uses a solid dielectric capacitor and a "permanent" (two different types of crystal) detector. Thanks Jim. Attached Thumbnails

2nd Sep 2007, 7:59 am	#2
John M0GLN Octode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 1,156	Re: Unknown crystal set. I've got one as well, almost the same as yours, red knob on cats whisker adjuster and slightly different shape to tuning knob, otherwise identical,they are always described as Ivalex but I've never seen any 'proof' i.e adverts etc to back this up, and they are so different to the well known model they sold. John

2nd Sep 2007, 4:05 pm	#3
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Re: Unknown crystal set. John, thansk for that - I can't find an advert for it either. I'm familiar with the Ivalek set which looks like a minature valve set, and have seen plenty of adverts for that one. I hope someone can shed some light on the subject. Jim.

29th Dec 2007, 10:30 am	#5
John M0GLN Octode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 1,156	Re: Unknown crystal set. I've tried to attach the 2 images to the post but I keep on getting 'invalid file', you'll have to leave it with me for a while, I presume its because they are jpeg rather than jpg, whatever the difference is. John

29th Dec 2007, 10:37 am	#6
John M0GLN Octode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 1,156	Re: Unknown crystal set. I've saved them as gif files so hopefully they will appear. John PS They have Attached Thumbnails

29th Dec 2007, 5:05 pm	#7
wireful3 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 808	Re: Unknown crystal set. Hi Jim, Your picture rings a bell with me but only very faintly. I think I have seen a similar set from the Mid 40s. Certainly prior to 1949 and after 1940 . It had the same style and bakelite case as yours. It may have been for sale through Hobby magazines or possibly from Woolworth's. The Woolworth version could even have been modular with the detector and tuning condenser being separate self assembly items. There might even have been a choice of either cat's whisker or Perikon detectors. Whether it is a recollection of the set you have got, I don't know but it might give you some ideas of where to look in old magazines.

29th Dec 2007, 9:13 pm	#8
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Re: Unknown crystal set. John and John, thanks for your help. We now have a definite manufacturer, and I think the date of mid to late 40s is right. I'm glad someone remembered the question after so long! Jim.