. . . valves were never entirely eclipsed. Fun with Radio
Gilbert Davey's best-known book, Fun with Radio, first appeared in 1957, and featured many of his designs that had appeared in the Boy's Own Paper since the war.   It ran to six editions as below, with content revised to take account of component availability and the move to widespread use of transistors, but valves were never entirely eclipsed.   The early editions, with all or most of the diagrams produced by R Barnard Way, are perhaps the most appealing.


Welcome and introduction, contact details, disclaimer, rights notice, BVWS link, site map.
The man who introduced radio construction to several generations of boys, many of whom became radio or communications professionals.
The history of the famous one-valve circuit, 1948-78.
The Studio 'E' 1-valver and the Focus Transistor radio: downloads for these famous designs, and lots more!
This portable receiver clearly became very popular, as it was published seven times from 1962 to 1981.
A growing resource for those who built Davey designs years ago, or who simply wish to know more about them.
Davey's forgotten pre-war writing for Practical Wireless and other journals. Downloads for seven pre-war articles.
The Boy's Own Paper - a complete listing of Davey's designs and articles.
Davey's articles in the compendium books produced by BOP's Editor, Jack Cox.
(This page) Davey's most well-known book, which ran to six editions.
The other titles introduced young constructors to every aspect of the radio and electronics hobby.
Davey sets built by contributors - including designs that could have been lost but for some prolonged detective work.
Two home-made coils to use in place of the all-too-scarce commercial types, suppliers for other components, and other sources of useful information.
Latest news, links to other sites of interest, and news archive.
Hover your mouse over the
navigation buttons above for
brief page contents.
Pages marked  >  give access to
one or more subsidiary pages -
see also Site Map at bottom
of WELCOME page.
Gilbert Davey's best-known book, 'Fun with Radio' . . .
    Dust jacket of Fun with Radio, 2nd edition, 1959.

    Image courtesy Graeme Zimmer.
    Other rights may subsist.

With Jack Cox as Editor throughout, and much content drawn - at least initially - from Boy's Own Paper articles, Fun with Radio and Davey's other Fun with . . . titles might well be thought of as "BOP offshoot publications" as much as the books listed on that page.   But as the work of a single author rather than compilations of articles by different authors, and produced under a different publisher, Edmund Ward Ltd (later Kaye & Ward Ltd), they deserve to be treated separately.

The diagrams for the first edition of Fun with Radio were drawn by Robert Barnard Way, a prolific writer and illustrator of books on practical subjects since the 1930s, among which are several Ian Allan railway books for young people, and at least one book of his own on radio.   Sadly he died not long after Fun with Radio was first published, and the new diagrams required for subsequent editions and for Gilbert Davey's later books were drawn by B Gerry.   Some of Barnard Way's diagrams were re-used for some years, though.   More info on Robert Barnard Way at https://bearalley.blogspot.com/2008/10/r-barnard-way.html

Valve-based radio designs (from the Beginner's One-valver to a five-valve superhet) were featured in every edition (the superhet was dropped from the sixth edition).   Transistor designs were included from the second edition onwards.   Amplifiers were also included.   (For details of the evolution of the Beginner's One-valver, see THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.)

A further edition is often seen listed on booksellers’ web sites, ostensibly published in 1986 by Sportshelf & Soccer Associates, New Rochelle, New York State, USA.   Doug Brown has kindly looked into this, and his findings show that Sportshelf & Soccer Associates was an importer of many English-language books for the USA market - many years after publication in some cases - and distributed them with their own stamp on the title-page.

Before using the list, please read the caution and usage notes on this section's introductory page.

    Fun with Radio, 1st to 4th editions: Edmund Ward Ltd; 5th & 6th editions: Kaye & Ward Ltd.
Edition:   Chapter/design: Construction and key components:
Coils: A = aerial winding;
          MW = medium wave winding;
          LW = long wave winding;
          SW = short wave winding;
          R = reaction or reflex winding

1957
Fun with Radio,
1st edition 		  Foreword -
    Jack Cox summarises Davey's career as the Boy's
    Own Paper's radio expert and as a broadcaster.
-


    1: Introduction to Radio Set Building -
    Development of radio, circuit symbols, theory books,
    finding components, resistor colour code, designs
    from manufacturers, tools, soldering.
    Reasons given for excluding transistor designs.
-




    2: Crystal sets -
    Basic crystal receiver:

    Selective crystal receiver:


Plywood panel; GEX35 or OA60;
Osmor QCD coil (MW tapped, LW) or Teletron HAX;
Solid baseboard and plywood front panel;
2 x Teletron BA2 coils; GEX35 or OA60
    3: A Beginner's One-Valve Set -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel;
Teletron D/R coil (A, MW, R), DAF91
    4: Two Portable Receivers -
    Two-Valve All-Dry Receiver:


    Four-Valve Superhet Portable:





Ply front panel, metal sub-panel, cabinet;
Wearite? PA7 (MW, R), Interstage transformer;
DAF91, DL94, output transformer, speaker
Ply front panel, metal chassis, cabinet;
Teletron ferrite rod aerial (MW), Teletron BO2 (osc);
2 x Teletron miniature 465Kc/s IFTs;
DK92, DF91, DAF91, DL94;
output transformer, speaker
    5: A Three-Valve Receiver for Bedside or Camp -


Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel, cabinet
Teletron HF2 (A, MW), Teletron D/R (as interstage/reaction);
W21, W21, PM22A, output transformer, speaker
    6: A Portable Cycle Radio Set -
    Reprinted from BOP March 1952.
    See YOUR DAVEY SETS.
    Note: in Fig. 17, under-chassis view, C6
    should go to LT-ve, not LT+ve.
Metal chassis, plywood front panel, cabinet,
separate box for speaker, batteries in saddlebag;
Wearite PHF7 or homebrew coil (MW, R);
HL2K, PM2HL, PM22A;
output transformer, speaker.
    7: Constructing All-Mains Receivers -
    Indirectly-heated valves, safety, buying components
    for mains sets.
-


    8: A Mains HT Unit for AC Mains -
    Mains unit:


    Safety output filter for sets with headphones:
Note: protection as described is inadequate by modern standards.
Wood or metal chassis with partial perforated top cover;
Mains transformer with 120v secondary, smoothing choke 10H;
Brimar SB2 metal rectifier or equiv.; smoothing capacitors.
Baseboard; small LF choke; 2 x 2μF capacitors
    9: A Midget AC Mains Two-Valve Receiver -
    Reprinted from July 1954 BOP



Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Plywood front panel, metal chaasis, cabinet;
Teletron D/R (A, MW, R), Teletron RFC4 choke;
EF50, EF50, selenium rectifier;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    10: A Three-Valve Portable Receiver for AC Mains -




Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Chapter 5 chassis (foil-covered) or metal chassis, cabinet;
Teletron HF2 (A, MW), Teletron HF2 or D/R as interstage;
EF41, EF40, EL41, Selenium rectifier 250v/50mA;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    11: A Simple High-Fidelity Amplifier -
    Revised reprint of March 1950 BOP design



Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal inverted tray chassis; LF choke 10-30H;
Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 5v, 6.3v;
6J7G, 6V6G, 5Z4G;
output transformer, speaker
    12: Building Receivers for Home Use -
    buying cabinets for table sets or radiograms,
    options for radio feeders, speaker cabinets,
    sets for use in DC mains areas.
-



    13: Five-Valve Supersonic Heterodyne Receiver -






Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Wood chassis (foil covered) or metal chassis;
LF choke 10-30H, Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 5v, 6.3v;
Osmor B2 (LW, MW Coilpack c/w switch),
2 x Osmor 465kc/s IFTs (pre-aligned);
6K8, 6K7, 697 (sic - should be 6Q7), 6v6, 5Z4
output transformer, speaker
    14: Short Waves and Short-Wave Sets -
    One-Valve Short-Wave Set:


    All Wave Receiver:
    Reprinted from October 1952 BOP


    Mains Short-Wave Set (to feed amplifier):

Slotted plywood chassis on side runners, plywood front panel;
Raymart, Denco or Eddystone coil (tuned, reaction), RF choke;
HL2K, phones
Wood chassis (foil covered) or metal chassis, rear runner;
Eddystone 706 plug-in coils or eqiv. (A, tuned, R), RF choke;
HL2k, PM22A
Phones or output transformer and speaker
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
No practical details given - for experienced constructors
to work up as complete set, incl. mains power supply.
Eddystone, Raymart or Denco plug-in coils suggested.

1959
Fun with Radio,
2nd edition 		  Missing from British Library collection, but checked by purchase.
Published just two years after the first, this edition anticipates the appearance of Fun with Short Waves the following year by dropping the chapter on short-wave sets, and substituting a chapter on "Transistors and Transistor Receivers".   Other chapters are unaltered, but as noted below, substitute valves and connections are given for the old 2-volt types.

    Foreword -
    Jack Cox summarises Davey's career as the Boy's
    Own Paper's radio expert and as a broadcaster.
    (As 1st edition.)
-



    Author's Note to Revised Edition -
    Davey expresses thanks to readers and friends in the radio
    trade and press for favourable reception of 1st edition.
    Reasons given for reprieve of outdated Cycle Radio design.
    Details given for substituting 1.4-volt valves for 2-volt types.






    Notes substitution of chapter on transistors for that on
    short-wave sets.   Minor clarifications given for some
    illustrations that re-appear in this edition, and use of
    grid-bias batteries explained.




Chapter 5 -
For W21, W21, PM22A, substitute:
DF91/DF92/DF96, DF91/DF92/DF96, DL94/DL96
Chapter 6 -
For HL2K, PM2HL, PM22A, substitute:
DF91/DF92/DF96, DF91/DF92/DF96, (both strapped as triodes), DL94/DL96
Base connections given.




    1: Introduction to Radio Set Building -
    Development of radio, circuit symbols, theory books,
    finding components, resistor colour code, designs
    from manufacturers, tools, soldering.
    Davey now recommends transistors for amateur use, as
    they were becoming cheaper and more easily available.
    (Revised.)
-






    2: Crystal sets -
    Basic crystal receiver:

    Selective crystal receiver:
    (As Chap. 2, 1st edition.)

Plywood panel; GEX35 or OA60;
Osmor QCD coil (MW tapped, LW) or Teletron HAX;
Solid baseboard and plywood front panel;
2 x Teletron BA2 coils; GEX35 or OA60
    3: A Beginner's One-Valve Set -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.
    (As Chap. 3, 1st edition.)
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel;
Teletron D/R coil (A, MW, R), DAF91

    4: Two Portable Receivers -
    Two-Valve All-Dry Receiver:


    Four-Valve Superhet Portable:



    (As Chap.4, 1st edition.)

Ply front panel, metal sub-panel, cabinet;
Wearite? PA7 (MW, R), Interstage transformer;
DAF91, DL94, output transformer, speaker
Ply front panel, metal chassis, cabinet;
Teletron ferrite rod aerial (MW), Teletron BO2 (osc);
2 x Teletron miniature 465Kc/s IFTs;
DK92, DF91, DAF91, DL94;
output transformer, speaker
    5: A Three-Valve Receiver for Bedside or Camp -
    (As Chap.5, 1st edition, but see above under Author's Note
    for 1.4-volt valve substitutions.)
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel, cabinet
Teletron HF2 (A, MW), Teletron D/R (as interstage/reaction);
W21, W21, PM22A, output transformer, speaker
    6: A Portable Cycle Radio Set -
    See YOUR DAVEY SETS.
    (As Chap. 6, 1st edition, but see above under Author's Note
    for 1.4-volt valve substitutions.   Author's Note also gives
    correction to Fig 17 as noted above under Chap. 6, 1st edition.)
Metal chassis, plywood front panel, cabinet,
separate box for speaker, batteries in saddlebag;
Wearite PHF7 or homebrew coil (MW, R);
HL2K, PM2HL, PM22A;
output transformer, speaker.
    7: Constructing All-Mains Receivers -
    Indirectly-heated valves, safety, buying components
    for mains sets.
    (As Chap.7, 1st edition.)
-



    8: A Mains HT Unit for AC Mains -
    Mains unit:


    Safety output filter for sets with headphones:
    (As Chap. 8, 1st edition.)
Note: protection as described is inadequate by modern standards.
Wood or metal chassis with partial perforated top cover;
Mains transformer with 120v secondary, smoothing choke 10H;
Brimar SB2 metal rectifier or equiv.; smoothing capacitors.
Baseboard; small LF choke; 2 x 2μF capacitors

    9: A Midget AC Mains Two-Valve Receiver -



    (As Chap. 9, 1st edition.)
Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Plywood front panel, metal chaasis, cabinet;
Teletron D/R (A, MW, R), Teletron RFC4 choke;
EF50, EF50, selenium rectifier;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    10: A Three-Valve Portable Receiver for AC Mains -



    (As Chap. 10, 1st edition.)
Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Chapter 5 chassis (foil-covered) or metal chassis, cabinet;
Teletron HF2 (A, MW), Teletron HF2 or D/R as interstage;
EF41, EF40, EL41, Selenium rectifier 250v/50mA;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    11: A Simple High-Fidelity Amplifier -



    (As Chap. 11, 1st edition.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal inverted tray chassis; LF choke 10-30H;
Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 5v, 6.3v;
6J7G, 6V6G, 5Z4G;
output transformer, speaker
    12: Building Receivers for Home Use -
    buying cabinets for table sets or radiograms,
    options for radio feeders, speaker cabinets,
    sets for use in DC mains areas.
    (As Chap.12, 1st edition.)
-




    13: Five-Valve Supersonic Heterodyne Receiver -





    (As Chap.13, 1st edition.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Wood chassis (foil covered) or metal chassis;
LF choke 10-30H, Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 5v, 6.3v;
Osmor B2 (LW, MW Coilpack c/w switch),
2 x Osmor 465kc/s IFTs (pre-aligned);
6K8, 6K7, 697 (sic - should be 6Q7), 6v6, 5Z4
output transformer, speaker
    14: Transistors and Transistor Receivers -
    Note about development of transistor and its supersession
    of valves for many applications.   Note on polarity for
    (PNP) transistors, and precautions against heat damage.
    Two-Transistor Receiver:
    (Similar to design in BOP, October 1957.)


    Three-Transistor receiver:




Teletron HAX (A, MW, Sec) or
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R used as A);
OA70, OC71, OC71;
deaf-aid type earpiece, or output transoformer, speaker.
2 stages as first stage above, then substitute OC72 in output stage.

1961
Fun with Radio,
3rd edition 		  Not checked - missing from British Library collection.
I have not yet been able to inspect a copy of the third edition, but I can give the Contents list as follows, kindly sent to me by Philip White.   As can be seen, it is identical to that of the second edition, and perhaps therefore few revisions were made.
   
Author's Note to Revised Edition 		 
    1: Introduction to Radio Set Building  
    2: Crystal Sets  
    3: A Beginner's One-Valve Set  
    4: Two Portable Receivers  
    5: A Three-Valve Receiver for Bedside or Camp  
    6: A Portable Cycle Radio Set  
    7: Constructing All-Mains Receivers  
    8: A Mains HT Unit for AC Mains  
    9: A Midget AC Mains Two-Valve Receiver  
    10: A Three-Valve Portable Receiver for AC Mains  
    11: A Simple High Fidelity Amplifier  
    12: Building Receivers for Home Use  
    13: Five-Valve Supersonic Heterodyne Receiver  
    14: Transistors and Transistor Receivers  

1965
Fun with Radio,
4th edition 		  Many of the original layout drawings from the first edition, by R Barnard Way, are still in use, although often now accompanied by explanatory notes regarding substitute components.   The dust-jacket photo-montage includes a small image of the Studio ‘E’ one-valver, although it is the usual Fun with Radio one-valver that is featured in the book.   The Cycle Radio is dropped at last, and a new chapter on amplifiers, record players and high-fidelity appears.

    Foreword -
    Jack Cox summarises Davey's career as the Boy's
    Own Paper's radio expert and as a broadcaster.
    Mention of other Fun with . . . titles published.
-



    1: Introduction to Radio Set Building -
    Davey gratified that his articles and books had helped
    foster interest in hobby, and thanks thousands who had
    written expressing pleasure from them.
    Development of radio, circuit symbols, theory books,
    finding components more difficult, resistor colour code,
    rise of FM broadcasting, difficulties for home constructor
    (especially alignment), tools, soldering.
    (Revised.)
-








    2: Crystal sets -
    Basic crystal receiver:

    Second crystal receiver:

    (Revised.)

Plywood panel; GEX35 or OA81;
Repanco DRR2 (MW, LW, R used as A).
Any suitable box;
Homebrew coil (MW tapped) on ferrite, as BOP Nov 1963;
OA81?
    3: A Beginner's One-Valve Set -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.


    (Text revised for Repanco coil.)
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel;
Repanco DRR2 coil (LW, MW, R) - circuit shows
Teletron D/R connections;
DAF91 or DAF96, or
DF91 (1T4) or DF96 (1F1) - different base connections.
    4: A Battery Two-Valve Receiver -


    (Revision of earlier design; 4-valve s/het dropped.)
Ply base on side-to-side runners; ply front panel;
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R);
DF91 or DF96, DL94 or DL96;
phones or output transformer and speaker.
    5: A Three-Valve Receiver for Bedside or Camp -



    (Circuit revised for Repanco coils and B7G valves.)
Practical layout shows connections for
Teletron HF2 and D/R, and W21, W21, PM22A.
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel, cabinet
2 x Repanco DRM3 (A, MW) and (Pri, Sec, R);
DL91, DL91, DL94; output transformer, speaker.
    6: Constructing All-Mains Receivers -
    Indirectly-heated valves, safety, cabinets essential,
    useful valve connections diagram.
    (Revised.)
-



    7: A Mains HT Unit for AC Mains -
    Mains unit:


    Safety output filter for sets with headphones:
    (As Chap. 8, 2nd edition.)
Note: protection as described is inadequate by modern standards.
Wood or metal chassis with partial perforated top cover;
Mains transformer with 120v secondary, smoothing choke 10H;
Brimar SB2 metal rectifier or equiv.; smoothing capacitors.
Baseboard; small LF choke; 2 x 2μF capacitors

    8: A Midget AC Mains Two-Valve Receiver -





    (Revised for new coil and alternative valves.)
Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Circuit and layouts show connections for Teletron D/R,
but Repanco connections given.
Plywood front panel, metal chaasis, cabinet;
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R);
EF50 or VR91, EF50 or VR91, selenium rectifier;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    9: A Three-Valve TRF Receiver for AC Mains -





    (As Chap. 10, 2nd edition, but revised for
    new coils and alternative valves.)
Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Chapter 5 chassis (foil-covered) or metal chassis, cabinet;
Repanco DRM3 (A, MW, LW); Repanco DRM3 as interstage;
EF41, EF40, EL41 (B9A), or
6K7, 6J7, 6V6 (Octal), or
EF89, EF86, EL84 (B9A);
Selenium rectifier 250v/50mA;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    10: Amplifiers, Record Players and High Fidelity -
    Speakers mentioned - Wharfedale 10", WB Stentorian.
    Amplifiers mentioned - Mullard 3-3 and 5-10.
    2-valve Mullard amplifier design with neg. feedback:




    3-valve amplifier:






    Advice to keep one good setup for listening,
    not to be used for experimenting.
    Radio feeders - Jason FMT1 for FM; superhet for AM.
    General advice on record decks and styli.



Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Circuit given, but no layout and few component values;
ECL86, rectifier (EZ80?);
mains transformer 275-0-275v, 6.3v, 6.3v;
output transformer, speaker.
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Circuit given, but no layout and few component values;
EF86, EL84, rectifier (EZ80?), or
EF40, EL41, rectifier, or
6J7, 6V6, rectifier;
mains transformer 250-0-250v, 6.3v, 6.3v;
output transformer, speaker.




    11: A Simple High-Fidelity Amplifier -



    (As Chap. 11, 2nd edition.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal inverted tray chassis; LF choke 10-30H;
Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 5v, 6.3v;
6J7G, 6V6G, 5Z4G;
output transformer, speaker.
    12: Building Receivers for Home Use -
    buying cabinets for table sets or radiograms,
    options for radio feeders, speaker cabinets,
    sets for use in DC mains areas.
    (Substantially as Chap. 12, 2nd edition.)
-




    13: Five-Valve Supersonic Heterodyne Receiver -









    (Revised for availability of coils.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Wood chassis (foil covered) or metal chassis;
LF choke 10-30H, Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 5v, 6.3v;
Advice to send for Osmor leaflet with details for
making up substitute coilpack for Osmor B2, or
Repanco R or Weyrad H coils as alternatives;
2 x Osmor 465kc/s IFTs (pre-aligned), or
Weymouth IFTs;
6K8, 6K7, 6Q7, 6v6, 5Z4, or
ECH81, EF89, EBC81, EL84, EZ80;
output transformer, speaker.
    14: Transistors and Transistor Receivers -
    Note about first appearance of this chapter in previous
    edition (actually first appeared in 2nd edition).
    Coils for home constructors in short supply.
    Note about development of transistor and its supersession
    of valves for many applications.   Note on polarity for
    (PNP) transistors, and precautions against heat damage.
    Two-Transistor Receiver:
    (As Chap. 14, 2nd edition.)


    Three-Transistor receiver:







Teletron HAX (A, MW, Sec) or
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R used as A);
OA70, OC71, OC71;
deaf-aid type earpiece, or output transoformer, speaker.
2 stages as first stage above, then substitute OC72 in output stage.
    Appendix -
    Recommended books and periodicals;
    Addresses of suppliers (now obsolete). 		-

1969
Fun with Radio,
5th edition 		  The fifth edition was the last to be published in the larger format.   Valve designs still predominate, but the declining availability of components, especially coils, entails many revisions to them.
    Foreword -
    Jack Cox summarises Davey's career as the Boy's
    Own Paper's radio expert and as a broadcaster.
    Mention of other Fun with . . . titles published.
-



    1: Introduction to Radio Set Building -
    Davey expresses pride in association with Boy's Own Paper
    (now ceased).   Defends continued inclusion of valve designs,
    but insists that little remains unaltered since first edition.
    Development of radio, circuit symbols, theory books, finding
    components more difficult, resistor colour code, rise of FM
    broadcasting, kit-sets ease difficulties for home constructor,
    tools, soldering.
    (Revised.)
-








    2: Crystal sets -
    Basic crystal receiver:

    Second crystal receiver:

    (As Chap. 2, 4th edition.)

Plywood panel; GEX35 or OA81;
Repanco DRR2 (MW, LW, R used as A).
Any suitable box;
Homebrew coil (MW tapped) on ferrite, as BOP Nov 1963;
OA81?
    3: A Beginner's One-Valve Set -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.


    (As Chap. 3, 4th edition.)
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel;
Repanco DRR2 coil (LW, MW, R) - circuit shows
Teletron D/R connections;
DAF91 or DAF96, or
DF91 (1T4) or DF96 (1F1) - different base connections.
    4: A Battery Two-Valve Receiver -


    (As Chap. 4, 4th edition.)
Ply base on side-to-side runners; ply front panel;
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R);
DF91 or DF96, DL94 or DL96;
phones or output transformer and speaker.
    5: Transistors and Transistor Receivers -
    Note concerning shortage of coils for home constructors.
    Two-Transistor Receiver:



    Three-Transistor receiver:
    Reader referred to Fun with Transistors and Fun
    with Short Wave Radio for other transistor designs.
    (Revision of Chap. 14, 4th edition.)


Teletron HAX (A, MW, Sec) or
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R used as A);
OA70, OC71, OC71;
deaf-aid type earpiece, or output transoformer, speaker.
2 stages as first stage above, then substitute OC72 in output stage.



    6: High-Fidelity Transistor Receiver for FM Reception -
    Features Audiokits from Martin Electronics Ltd:




    (A Hi-Fi Amplifier using these modules was
    featured by Davey in Boy's Own Annual
    No. 5 - copyright date 1968).

Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Unit No.15 - FM Tuner Head;
Unit No 16 - IF Amplifier;
Unit No. 1 - Input Selector;
Unit No. 4 - Pre-amp/tone control;
Unit No. 5 - Main amp, transformerless output to 3Ω, or
Unit No. 7 - Main amp, transformerless output to 15Omega;;
Unit Nos. 6 or 8 - Mains power supplies.
    7: Constructing All-Mains Receivers -
    Indirectly-heated valves, safety, cabinets essential,
    useful valve connections diagram.
    (As Chap. 6, 4th edition.)
-



    8: Mains HT Units for AC Mains -
    Mains HT Unit (for battery valve sets):


    Newmarket PC106 Transistor Power Unit:
    (Revised to include transistor power supply.)
Note: protection as described is inadequate by modern standards.
Wood or metal chassis with partial perforated top cover;
Mains transformer with 120v secondary, smoothing choke 10H;
Brimar SB2 metal rectifier or equiv.; smoothing capacitors.
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.

    9: A Three-Valve TRF Receiver for AC Mains -








    (As Chap. 9, 4th edition, but see opposite.)
Note: non-isolated HT supply.   Suitable enclosure required.
Wood (foil-covered) or metal chassis, cabinet;
Coill details omitted - layout is as 1st edition, and shows HF2
coil connections - for alternatives see listings above for
1st or 2nd editions, Chap. 10, or 4th edition, Chap. 9;
EF41, EF40, EL41 (B9A), or
6K7, 6J7, 6V6 (Octal), or
EF89, EF86, EL84 (B9A);
Selenium rectifier 250v/50mA;
output transformer, speaker, heater transformer.
    10: Amplifiers, Record Players and High Fidelity -
    Speakers mentioned - Wharfedale 10", WB Stentorian.
    Amplifiers mentioned - Mullard 3-3 and 5-10.
    2-valve Mullard amplifier design with neg. feedback:




    3-valve amplifier:






    Advice to keep one good setup for listening,
    not to be used for experimenting.
    General advice on record decks and styli.
    (Substantially as Chap. 10, 4th edition.)



Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Circuit given, but no layout and few component values;
ECL86, rectifier (EZ80?);
mains transformer 275-0-275v, 6.3v, 6.3v;
output transformer, speaker.
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Circuit given, but no layout and few component values;
EF86, EL84, rectifier (EZ80?), or
EF40, EL41, rectifier, or
6J7, 6V6, rectifier;
mains transformer 250-0-250v, 6.3v, 6.3v;
output transformer, speaker.




    11: A Simple High-Fidelity Amplifier -



    (Revised for B9A valves and RC smoothing.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal inverted tray chassis;
Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 6.3v;
EF86, EL84, EZ80;
output transformer, speaker.
    12: Five-Valve Supersonic Heterodyne Receiver -






    (Revised again for availability of coils.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Wood chassis (foil covered) or metal chassis;
LF choke 10-30H, Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 6.3v;
Coilpack made up from Repanco R coils (digram given), or
Weyrad H coils;
2 x IFT 465kc/s (pre-aligned);
ECH81, EF89, EBC81, EL84, EZ80;
output transformer, speaker.
    13: Kit-Sets, Kits and Other Designs -
    Davey recalls kits available during infancy of radio;
    kits once again coming into their own.
    Mention of kits by Heathkit, Radionic, Radio Exchange Co,
    Sinclair, Wharfedale.
-




    Appendix -
    Recommended books and periodicals;
    Addresses of suppliers (now obsolete). 		-

1978
Fun with Radio,
6th edition 		  The final edition is in the smaller format.   Apart from the Beginner's One-Valver and the Simple High-Fidelity Valve Amplifier, this edition is all semiconductor-based.
    Foreword -
    Jack Cox summarises Davey's career as the Boy's
    Own Paper's radio expert and as a broadcaster.
    He notes rise in interest in hobby from girls, and
    inclusion of radio in Scout training programme as
    exemplified in Jamboree of 1975.
-





    1: Introduction to Radio Set Building -
    Davey expresses pride in association with Boy's Own Paper
    (now ceased).   Defends continued inclusion of valve designs,
    but insists that little remains unaltered since first edition.
    Development of radio, circuit symbols, theory books,
    Notes that content of this edition reflects rise of
    solid-state technology.   Advice on tools, soldering.
    (Substantially as 5th edition.)
-







    2: Tuning Coils -
    AM coils in very short supply.   Repanco DRR2
    (LW, MW tapped, R) still in production - tags now
    munbered rather than colour-coded.
    Ferrite Rod Aerial Coil:
    Home-made coil as January 1961 BOP:




(MW tapped, R).   For use in reflex transistor receivers (Chap. 6).
(A, MW, LW, R)
    3: Crystal sets -
    Basic crystal receiver:
    (As Chap. 2, 5th edition.)
    Second crystal receiver:
    (As Chap. 2, 5th edition.)

    Crystal set using large homebrew coil:

    Repanco Self-biasing Crystal Receiver:

    Repanco Bandpass Feeder Unit:




Plywood panel; GEX35 or OA81;
Repanco DRR2 (MW, LW, R used as A).
Any suitable box;
Homebrew coil (MW tapped) on ferrite, as BOP Nov 1963;
OA81?
Plywood panel; any suitable diode;
Homebrew coil b) as Chap. 2 (A, MW, LW, R used as alt. A).
Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW tapped, R used as crystal feed);
2 x OA90; 1.5v cell.
2 x Repanco DRR2 coils, (LW, MW tapped, R not used), and
(LW, MW tapped, R used as crystal feed);
2 x OA90, 1.5v cell; also requires ganged tuning capacitor
and ganged wavechange.
    4: A Beginner's One-Valve Set -
    See THE BEGINNER'S 1-VALVER page.


    (Revision of Chap. 3, 5th edition.)
Ply baseboard on battens 4 sides, ply front panel;
Repanco DRR2 coil (LW, MW, R) - circuit revised to show
Repanco DRR2 connections;
DAF91 or DAF96, or
DF91 (1T4) or DF96 (1F1) - different base connections.
    5: A Simple Transistor Receiver -
    Note concerning shortage of coils for home constructors.
    Two-Transistor Receiver:


    Three-Transistor receiver:
    Reader referred to Fun with Transistors and Fun
    with Short Wave Radio for other transistor designs.
    Note on continued rise of transistors, and appearance of
    the integrated circuit.
    (Revision of Chap. 5, 5th edition.)


Repanco DRR2 (LW, MW, R used as crystal feed);
OA91, OC71, OC71;
deaf-aid type earpiece, or output transoformer, speaker.
2 stages as first stage above, then substitute OC72 in output stage.





    6: Reflex Pocket Transistor Receivers -
    Reflex Transistor Receiver:
    (First published in BOP Dec 1963.)


    Transistor Receiver for NPN Transistors:




Hardboard panel; enclosure;
Ferrite Rod Aerial coil, design a) from Chap. 2; RF choke;
OC44 or AF117, OC71 or AC127; 2 x OA91;
crystal earpiece.
Hardboard panel, enclosure;
Ferrite Rod Aerial coil, design a) from Chap. 2, reflex winding
not used - reflex signal to MW winding;
BC108, BC109, earpiece.
    7: A Transistor Amplifier -
    4-transistor design by Denco Ltd:




Group-board;
AC127, AC128, AC128*, AC127* (* = matched pair);
130Ω thermistor (-ve temp. coeff., Mullard VA1040);
transformerless output to speaker 8Ω.
    8: A Stereo Amplifier -
    Sinclair IC20 amplifier kit:
    Tone control, volume/balance and
    power supplies:

Circuit diagram and notes.

Circuit diagrams and notes.
    9: Mains HT Units for AC Mains -
    Mains HT Unit (for battery valve sets):


    Newmarket PC106 Transistor Power Unit:
    Alternative units mentioned - RSC Type BM1;
    Sinclair; Stirling Sound.
    (Revision of Chap. 8, 5th edition.)
Note: protection as described is inadequate by modern standards.
Wood or metal chassis with partial perforated top cover;
Mains transformer with 120v secondary, smoothing choke 10H;
Brimar SB2 metal rectifier or equiv.; smoothing capacitors.
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.



    10: A VHF FM Receiver: -
    Stirling Sound/Bi-Pre-Pak modules:




Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Tuner Unit SS201; IF Amplifier Unit SS202;
Audio Amplifier Unit SS110; Mains Unit SS324;
speaker 4Ω.
    11: Amplifiers, Record Players and High Fidelity -
    Speakers mentioned - Wharfedale 10", WB Stentorian.
    Enclosure for 8" speaker unit:
    Advice to keep one good setup for listening,
    not to be used for experimenting.
    General advice on record decks and styli.
    (Abridgement of Chap. 10, 5th edition.)


Diagram given.




    12: A Simple High-Fidelity Amplifier -



    (As Chap. 11, 5th edition.)
Suitable enclosure required for protection from mains.
Metal inverted tray chassis;
Mains transformer, 250-0-250v, 6.3v;
EF86, EL84, EZ80;
output transformer, speaker.
    13: Kit-Sets, Kits and Other Designs -
    Davey recalls kits available during infancy of radio;
    kits once again coming into their own.
    Mention of kits by Heathkit, Radionic, Radio Exchange
    Co, Sinclair, Bi-Pre-Pak.
-




    Appendix -
    Recommended books and periodicals;
    Addresses of suppliers (now obsolete). 		-

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CONTACT ME 		As noted above, I have not yet been able to examine the third edition of Fun with Radio, but continue to search for it.   Meanwhile, chapter titles are listed above.