2 comments about Radio Receiver Design.

1. This book is excellent. The writing is very easy to understand and practical examples are given to help soidify concepts. Just enough technical calculation detail is given so as to notIconfuse the reader. It's a must have.



2. By way of full disclaimer, I just received this book. I previously searched for customer reviews but could find none. I took a chance on the rather skimpy reviews and ordered the book. Am I ever pleased!
   
   Having read through just the first chapter, I am impressed with the authors writing style. My sense is that the book is tutorial in nature, delivers an easy-to-read discussion of all the architectural components needed understand a receiver, and is full of specific examples of the topics discussed. The book is not a "cookbook" with specific circuit examples. The book approaches receiver design from the standpoint of architecture at a systems level with discussion of the specification, considerations, and other characteristics needed to understand good receiver design.
   
   Chapter 1 "introduces many of the basic concepts". I found that chapter one was a good review of the basic concepts more so than an introduction. Review of dB math, standard use of dBHz, dbK, etc. Following topics include frequency, propagation, and wavelength, transmission lines, two-port networks, matching and power transfer, modulation theory (AM, FM, PM) in the time and frequency domain, and noise theory. Each topic is short in the sense that a 140+ page chapter cannot do justice to a complete coverage of each topic. That written, the authors provide clear explanations with great examples of each topic of discussion. I found the discussion of transmission line theory very well written, did not overwhelm the reader excessive high-level math, and covered the key transmission line concepts that a receiver designer needs to master. The authors tell "war stories" to discuss real-life issues illustrating why mastering each topic is important in practice. A discussion of transmission line propagation using "bounce diagrams" was as clear as I've ever read.
   
   More to follow as I read through the book...
   
   Note: The copy I am reading has many errors. There is no email address to reach the authors and Noble does not appear to monitor (or respond) to email. It would be nice to provide corrections or have an errata sheet of known errors. So, Kevin and Tom, if you read this and plan on revising the book...

3 comments about Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide.

1. For students of comedy, Smith's Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide is priceless. Those of us collectors who are lucky enough to have picked up a mint Brother Theodore or Bob & Ray On A Platter for next to nothing will delight to see the lofty prices afforded to these and many others. Smith definitely lets his personal tastes be known and his write-offs of such classics as Robert Klein's Mind Over Matter, Richard Pryor's That Nigger's Crazy and Peter Sellers' recorded output may leave some fans confused/angry. But that's the norm in album guides of all sorts. All in all, comedy historian and expert Ronald L. Smith has given collectors an entertaining, informative and exhaustive study of humor on record.



2. Amazing book. The guy not only has every comedy record, but has listened to them all. What I liked best was that he was fair with all types of comedians -- he digs Lord Buckley as well as Homer and Jethro, Mort Sahl as well as Jackie Mason, and tells you what their best records are. I also found out I have some albums worth BIG BUCKS! Yeah!! But he doesn't say where I can sell them. Great to find a book that's worth the money. Photos of album covers were good, too. Wish there was more of them.



3. The reference is very valuable, though not quite exhaustive. And if anything other than highbrow humor makes you laugh, then try to avoid reading the reviews of the albums, they'll just make you mad. The harsh criticism of record after record makes you wonder if the author actually has a sense of humor.

2 comments about Transistor Radios: A Collector's Encyclopedia and Price Guide.

1. The rather long title says it all. It's a nice collection of transistor radios, their descriptions, price estimates, and hundreds of (mostly black and white) photos. Lots of good history here, along with tips for collectors. Not as fancy as some of the others, but a classic, and another must-have.



2. Excellent book with good coverage of every set I could find. Easy to follow and I particularly enjoyed the history section about the beginning of the transistor age. Very nice book!!

2 comments about Valve Radio and Audio Repair Handbook (Newnes) (Newnes).

1. The 3-star rating reflects kind of an average between the useability for a British radiophile (probably 5 stars) and a US radiophile (probably 1 star). Though the book is well written and factual, it is written for the British radio enthusiast. Although all radios operate the same in any country, radio models, tubes (valves), test equipment and nomenclature in general are totally different in the UK than in the US. This makes it difficult to translate back and forth and I found myself trying to figure out what a particular term meant or what the equivalent US numbered tube might be. Not a quick read or reference if you're from west of "the pond."



2. ISBN 0 7506 3995 4

   An ever-increasing number of Electronics Engineers, born since the transistor (1955ish), are asked sooner or later to help with a "wireless" or amplifier which contains "valves", or "tubes". In spite of countless similarities, valve systems have many important differences; and advice about servicing them is hard to come by.

   But at last, here is a densely-packed book of advice, spiced with humour, reminiscences, and informed opinions - but only when and where they really help.

   Whilst a pedant might pick holes in some of the theory and treatment (misplaced dots and outdated units for example), the practical advice is invaluable and will save patience, fortune, and lives. (Besides, if we are working on gadgets where 4.7 m meant 4.7 megohms, better to say so. We are even told the alternative American notation.)

   If you are new to Vintage Electronics you will not be baffled by 50-year-old "slang", because commonplace terms are explained. But if you have been "at it" for 50 years you will not feel patronised. You will soon find out how much you "didn't know you had forgotten."

   Bill Jarvis

1 comments about Zenith Radio, The Glory Years, 1936-1945: History and Products (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I have to start by saying I have been a collector of antique radios for over 25 years, so this book is right up my alley.
   
   I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Harold Cones at a radio swap meet several years ago, and heard a talk about the research that went into this series of books on Zenith.
   
   Zenith radios are some of the most collectable antique radios. From the radio made famous (and expensive) by the Walton's Television series, to the more common table radios, and the large console radios with the big black dials and funny green "Magic Eye" tubes. This is from an era where worldwide communication was not instantaneous, and television was but a dream.
   
   These authors had the opportunity to go through the archives of the Zenith Radio company prior to its dissolution. Zenith was the last American radio and televison manufacturer. It was eventually purchased by LG Electronics of Hong Kong.
   
   The radios of the mid to late thirties seems to be the culmination of both the woodworking art and the art of hand made electronics. This book focuses on the story behind the company and the people who designed and made the radios.
   
   There are some beautiful photographs of many of the Zenith radios made during this period. Each photograph is accompanied by a rarity value and an estimated value range. The photography is exceptional.
   
   In addition, the book has many reproductions of advertisements of the time, and many other documents that give insight to the company during this ten year period.
   
   One section that I found very interesting was composed of several drawings of possible designs for radios that were never made. These were provided by the family of the designer (Mr Budlong), and I see these designs from the early 40's look like the designs of the late 50's and early 60's, indicating that he was way ahead of his time.
   
   All in all, this is a great book for anyone who has ever had or still has a Zenith radio, or is just interested in the story of a great American company that has since faded into history.

1 comments about Tomart's Price Guide to Radio Premium and Cereal Box Collectibles: Including Comic Character, Pulp Hero, TV and Other Premiums (Tomart's Price Guides).

1. This book is a detailed description of premiums nostly obtained originally from Old-Time Radio shows and comic books. It catalogues each premium by character name (e.g., Captain Midnight, Tom Mix, Jack Armstrong), many with photographs. In addition to monochrome photos, there are also 12 pages of full-color collections of premiums by type (badges, rings, etc.) plus color cover photos of premiums. Author Tumbusch has researched the premiums diligently, which also include early television as well as radio, "premiums" from comic books and those as "prizes" in cereal packages.

   In addition to listing values, Tumbusch makes a point of providing background, where possible, on the various premiums. Particularly for the new collector, the book makes it easy to identify some obscure ring or badge found at a flea market or garage sale.

   The book is nearly a decade old, so the prices listed shouldn't be taken too seriously, though they might provide an idea of the relative values of premiums.

   Even those not collecting such items should find the pictures and writeup of the premiums an interesting and informative perspective on the collectibles of yore.

No comments about Old Radio Sets (Shire Albums).

4 comments about Radio Receiver Projects You Can Build.

1. I bought this book with expectations of building a few of the projects. That was a few years ago - and I still haven't. Something about this book just didn't enthuse me. Hey, I'm not lazy - I've completed many projects in the past - but I just can't get fired up about any of the ones in the book. I guess I'm more a 'tube' than 'transistor' kind of guy. Many of the components specified for projects are not impossible to get - but they are not easy to get either. All in all, I wish I had my $25 back.



2. I picked this up from the remainder bin and am glad I did not pay much for it.
   The author wastes too much space on bits and pieces of cutting up scrap wood and such for mounting parts than on bulding the part of the radio that actually does something. What use is precise bending of scrap metal to form clips to hold wire? Most of these are are not the type of radio you would show off after building.
   His coil winding instructions are annoyingly repetitive. (How many times does he need to tell the reader to hold the wire with tape or something while the coil dope/nail polish sets?) His instructions for the actual winding are poor - at one point (p.74)he instructs you to leave 4" of a 4 to 5 inch ferrite rod bare, bare of what? wire or tape? It is unclear. Winding diagrams show windings side by side, the text has the second winding being wound over the first.
   There are poenty of pictures but most are simply to fill space, they do nothing to aid construction. (I do like the photos that show that he gets his mismatched brands bateries from the same junk box as his parts!)
   It would have been nice if the author had used succesive projects, as they grew in complexity, to teach theory.
   I'm not sure who this book was meant to appeal to. Those interested in learning some electronics/radio/RF theory or fundamentals will be dissapointed. Those interested in early (homebrew) radio and how radios have changed over time get nothing. Neither is there an attempt to give the experimenter building blocks to take further. There is no large final project to build for those with a real budding interest in what goes on inside a commercial radio. Based on the repetition it seems this is not intended to be a book that one works their way through, but rather a book that one picks up and starts anywhere.



3. This book has a lot of fun radio designs. It doesn't teach radio principles. I think it's for builders who want to fool around with some differrent ideas. I liked the tube regenerative radios. He mostly used 1S4 and 3S4 tubes which are inexpensive and their filaments can be run on a C-cell or two. For B+ he puts 2 or 3 or more cheap 9V batteries in series. He winds coils on plastic film canisters and uses easy-to-find components ... EXCEPT for the ZN414Z and the ZN416E. Fortunately the MK484 appears to be a replacement for the ZN414Z. So every design in the book is still doable. Neat ideas! AA1WW



4. The book contains many projects but doesn't go into great detail on how they work, or why the circuits were designed the way they were. Suitable for anyone wanting to build a radio. Not aimed at designers, however. Covers crystal, direct conversion, superhet, and solar radios. Some with integrated circuits, some with vacuum tubes. Very little theory, just a simple hands-on construction guide.

4 comments about Collector's Guide to Vintage Televisions: Identification & Values (Collector's Guide to).

1. Man's consciousness happened in a cathode ray tube in the 1900s.
   This much we know to be true. Use this book to track old hardware used to tap into this consciousness and then view with the whole family!



2. This book is lots of fun even if you only want to look at the many excellent photographs.



3. A must have for anyone interested in television. Clear and easily readable, this book provides all the essential information (and then some) when it comes to vintage TV's.



4. Beautiful little paperback with 200 superior, very sharp full color pictures. Sets are grouped by manufacturer. There are brief sections covering cautions, definitions and warnings. Current values of each model appears, along with its description, model number and year of manufacture. The products of nearly 120 manufacturers are included. Anyone collecting vintage TVs or those interested in nostalgia items will enjoy this book.

5 comments about The Zenith Trans-Oceanic, the Royalty of Radios: The Royalty of Radios (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. If you're a Trans-Oceanic aficionado like myself, you need this book! These sets command a mystique like no other and this book is an excellent tribute to these outstanding receivers.



2. As a collector of Trans-Oceanics, I found this to be the best book I have read in awhile. Couldn't put it down.
   
   The book covers several areas: the history of the Trans-Oceanics, details of the various models, restoration and repair information, and accessories.
   
   The history information is well worth reading, and told me a lot I didn't know about the radios.
   
   The repair/restoration sections are excellent, whether you are experienced with electronics or not.
   
   I would say this book is a must-have for anyone with an interest in Trans-Oceanics



3. This is easily the best written book for collectors that I've read. Not only are its 160 magazine-sized pages thorough and exhaustive in their presentation of history, key personalities, and technical data, but the book is thoughtfully structured to be as useful as a reference as it is an entertaining read. A wealth of pictures, many in color, come from ads, from Zenith archives, and from individual collections.

   The book places the genesis and subsequent evolution of the TO clearly in historical context and explains the impact of the TO on the commercial development and acceptance of the portable radio. The authors provide practical advice for collectors, even citing restoration techniques and specific restoration products used by museums.

   Especially gratifying is the use of endnotes that provide sources of historical information. More than just references, the endnotes contain enough interesting anecdotal data that you'll find yourself reading them in their entirety when you finish the main text.

   If you are interested in the history of radio for any reason, you won't go wrong with this fascinating, authoritative work. I expect that it has already significantly increased interest in the collecting of Trans-Oceanics.




4. I recently acquired a 1956-57 model Y600 at a flea market. The Zenith Trans-Oceanic is clearly in a class by itself and I wanted to learn as much about the history of this model as possible. What a pleasant surprise when I received "The Zenith Trans-Oceanic, The Royalty of Radios" and found it to be extremely well documented, highly entertaining and it even includes a restoration guideline section. The print quality is first class with all the historical photographs of related personages and reproduction of Trans-Oceanic advertisements that a reader could want. The writing style is both scholarly and entertaining. In short this book has provided significant additional pleasure in owning, restoring and listening to a radio worthly of being known as a historical benchmark in radio history. Thanks to Amazon Books the finding and acquiring this book was made easy!



5. Whenever radio-guys assemble to swap tales of great radios one name stands above the rest - the Zenith Trans-Oceanic. Considered the radio for listening to the world, Trans-Oceanic portables were one of the finest engineered and designed products made in America. I learned of the magic of the Trans-Oceanic from my foster Dad, who carried one (the R520\URR military version) in Korea. He told me it was the most reliable radio he had ever seen. A few years later I bought a 600 series and discovered for myself the joys of short-wave listening. I carried that Zenith from the States to Europe where, two years later, I bought a Royal 3000-1 which went back to the States and then on to Southeast Asia. The Zenith Trans-Oceanic - The Royalty of Radios, is one of the finest collector books I have ever seen. The author's spent more than two years researching the Zenith archives to bring this book to life. Page after page of beautifully produced color, combined with black and white photographs show each model inside and out, along with original magazine ads presented in their original format. Information covering the origin of the Trans-Oceanic and model changes through the years make for interesting reading. Also included are repair hints, as well as collecting information. The section on original cost compared to 1996 dollars demonstrates how expensive these sets were when new. The original Trans-Oceanic sold for $75 in 1942, which translates to $695 today. The most astounding price was on the first transistorized model, the 1000-D, introduced in 1958 at a 1996 price of over $1400! This is a book for anyone interested in the history of one of the finest products ever produced in the United States - the Zenith Trans-Oceanic radio. The authors, publisher and printer deserve a thank you for producing this fine volume. by Bob Moore The Roving Editor