Valve Data CD-ROM Contents

The Valve Data CD-ROM contains the following information, publications and articles.

Manufacturers Data

A selection of period data published by device manufacturers.

  • British
    • Brimar 1959 (No. 8)
      Clearly shows the operating conditions for all Brimar valves. More comprehensive data is given on valves that were current types when the book was published. 250 pages.
    • Osram (GEC) 1951
      Detailed data on a vast range of Osram valves. Includes some interesting background information and typical circuits. 250 pages.
    • Osram (GEC) 1928
      A small booklet containing data on early Osram valves. Includes some background information and circuits.  45 pages (poor quality).
    • Mazda 1970
      A pocket book giving operating conditions and pin-outs of later Mazda valves. Also contains tabular data on earlier devices and an equivalents section. TV Tube Data not included. 130 Pages
    • Mazda 1938-42
      Detailed information on pre-war Mazda valves and other devices. Includes suggestions for emergency wartime replacements etc. 280 pages.
    • Mullard Maintenance Manual
      One of the few valve data books aimed specifically at the service engineer rather than the designer. This book contains data on all Mullard radio and television valves and includes equivalent/substitution information. Regular updates were published, which are included here. Also covers a few early transistors. TV Tube data not included. 330 pages.
    • Mullard Master Valve Guide 1933-34
      This interesting booklet gives detailed (by early 1930s standards) data on the Mullard range of radio valves. The booklet appears to have been intended primarily for home constructors (the aim was clearly to sell valves). 88 pages.
    • Mullard Other Valve Data
      A selection of valve data (operating conditions and connections) for devices not included in the other Mullard publications, compiled from various Mullard pocket books and wall-charts. 80 pages.
    • Mullard Semiconductor Data
      Comprehensive data on 20 transistors and diodes, aimed primarily for designers. 147 pages.
    • Mullard Other Semiconductor Data
      A selection of transistor and diode data (operating conditions and connections) for devices not included in the other Mullard publications, compiled from various Mullard pocket books and wall-charts. 127 pages.
    • Mullard Semiconductor Comparables
      From the Mullard 1970 pocket data book. 24 pages.
    • Mullard LP11xx Modules
      Basic data on the range of Mullard modules used in many transistor radios in the early 1960s. Unfortunately most do not include circuit diagrams. 31 pages.
  • Other
    • AWV Radiotron 1940-42
      Detailed data on a range of American-type valves from an Australian manufacturer. 100 pages
    • Chelmer Audio Valves
      Detailed data on six valves that are still manufactured for use in audio equipment.
    • Philco 1938
      Tabular Data. 8 Pages.
    • RCA Radiotron 1930s
      Contains detailed data on 30 valves, together with some interesting background information. 86 pages.
    • RCA 1956
      Contains data on hundreds of American valves. The data given varies from a brief description to a couple of pages of tables and graphs. 248 pages.
    • Svetlana
      Individual data sheets for 23 current valves intended for audio amplifiers etc.
    • Taylor Tubes 1945
      Contains data on 33 Taylor valves, mostly high power devices (>100W). Poor quality. 24 pages.

Third-Party Data

Data and equivalents books and magazine articles from other publishers.

  • Data Books
    • Bernard Radio Valve Data Books 1, 2 and 3
      Tabular data with base diagrams on the same page. Book 3 contains an index of devices in all three books. Approx 50 pages each.
    • British Transistor Directory 1963
      This book contains data on a couple of hundred devices that were readily available in the UK in 1963. Includes many of the devices likely to be encountered in early transistor radios. 89 pages.
    • DATA Transistors 1966
      Tabular data covering thousands of transistors. Includes connections and case diagrams. 320 pages.
    • Wireless World Radio Valve Data 1963
      One of the more popular books of valve data tables. Also contains data on early transistors. 150 pages.
    • Wireless World Valve Data Supplement 1938
      A 25-page valve data supplement published in Wireless World magazine in November 1938. Clearly the forerunner to the data book above
    • Wireless World Valve Data Supplement 1940
      Similar to the 1938 publication above, but this time the data is in the form of manufacturers adverts rather than compiled by the publishers. 29 pages.
  • Equivalents Books
    • Bernard Valve and TV Tube Equivalents
      Equivalents to domestic and military valves. 65 pages.
    • Bernard Miscellaneous Info
      Compiled from an earlier Bernard equivalents book. The equivalent data is not included (because it merely repeats that in the book above), but the American valve substitution and equivalents lists and details of American Ballast Tubes are provided.  21 pages.
    • RSGB Service Equivalents 1967
      Commercial equivalents for CV, Army Navy, RAF, GPO etc.valves and transistors. 60 pages.
    • BRC Classified Semiconductors 1972
      A cross-reference chart giving commercial equivalents to the coded transistors fitted in BRC (Thorn) equipment (HMV, Marconiphone, Ferguson and Ultra). 4 pages.
    • SIMA List of Preferred Valves 1949
      Published by the Scientific Instrument Manufacturers Association. Basic data for suggested devices. 24 pages.
  • Magazine Articles
    • ERT - Transistors 1955
      ERT Service Chart published shortly after transistors became available, giving a description of their operation and data on several early types. 3 pages.
    • PW - Selecting Transistors 1959
      A two-page article published in Practical Wireless, which includes suggested devices for specific applications.
    • Trader - American Ballast Tubes
      Trader sheet giving base connections and codes.
    • Trader - Dry Batteries
      Trader sheet showing equivalents and substitutes.
    • Trader - Cossor Valve Replacement Guide
      Wartime guide to valve replacement in Cossor sets.
    • Trader - GEC Valve Replacement Guide
      Wartime guide to valve replacement in GEC sets.
    • Trader - Ferranti Components
      Chart of valves and other main components used in Ferranti pre-war receivers.
    • Trader - Mullard Valve Replacement Guide
      Wartime guide to replacing unavailable Mullard valves.
    • Trader - Standard Component Marking
      Component and wire colour codes, 1937.
    • Trader - Telefunken Valve Data
      Data and base connections for 91 Telefunken valves.
    • Trader - Valve Equivalents
      Convenient 8-page Trader chart of equivalents for common radio types.

Valve Testers

Operating instructions and valve data tables for popular valve testers.

  • Avo Valve Testers
    • Valve Data Manual
      11th edition, 1958. Gives setting data for all Avo Valve Testers and Valve Characteristic Meters.  Includes brief operating instructions for several models and equivalents tables. 210 pages.
    • Characteristic Meter Mk IV Instructions
      1st edition. Includes circuit diagram and parts list. Poor quality. 41 pages.
  • Mullard High Speed Valve Tester
    • Operating Manual
      Issue 5, 1960. Includes background information, operation instructions, diagrams of adaptors, servicing information (including internal photographs) and parts list. 30 pages.
    • Circuit Diagram
      Large sheet scanned in 4 overlapping sections.
    • Test Card Index
      The valve to test-card index that should be in the tray at the back of the tester. 7 pages.
    • Numerical List of Test Cards
      Test-card to valve index.
    • How to Adjust Preset 'A'
      The Operating Manual says this adjuster is sealed during manufacture. I have worked out what it does and how to set it.
    • Mains, HT and Reject Cards
      Scans of the three essential test cards.
  • Taylor Valve Testers
    • 45 and 47 Instructions
      Poor quality. 28 pages.
    • 45 and 47 Valve Chart
      Poor quality. 40 pages.
    • 45C Instructions
      13 pages.
    • 45C Valve Chart
      Poor quality. 60 pages.

Servicing Information

A collection of general servicing information, including books and magazine articles etc.

  • Books
    • Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
      This 44-page booklet explains how an oscilloscope works and how to use it for radio repairs. Published in 1944 by Wireless and Electrical Trader.
    • Radio and TV Pocket Book
      Contains useful data including colour codes, formulae, conversion tables etc. 52 pages.
    • Radio Inside Out
      A fascinating pocket book for the radio service engineer of 1944. Contains lots of repair information and tips. 60 pages.
    • Radio Simply Explained
      Published by the RSGB towards the end of World War 2, this booklet explains how radio works in layman's terms. 44 pages.
    • Radio, Television and Electrical Repairs
      A superb book for the service engineer. Everything is clearly explained with the minimum of maths. Very readable and nicely illustrated. The sections on electrical have not been included. 1957. 300 pages.
    • Transistor Radios - Circuitry and Servicing
      Published by Mullard in 1962. Starts with detailed descriptions of transistor operation manufacture, and continues with radio circuit operation. Also contains some servicing hints and likely faults. 75 pages.
  • Magazine Articles
    • ERT - Servicing Stereo Decoders
      A 3-page magazine article from 1970.
    • Trader - American Midgets
      Two Trader sheets covering general construction and servicing of American midget sets.
    • Trader - Automatic Tuning and AFC
      A Trader series on automatic tuning, together with related articles on AFC and AVC.
    • Trader - Fault Finding in Receivers
      5-part series.
    • Trader - Faults in Valves and Components
      A 7-part series on component faults, plus articles on valve faults and manufacturer's responses.
    • Trader - Frequency/Wavelength Conversion Chart
      With theory and calculations.
    • Trader - IF Values for Superhet Alignment
      3 Trader sheets giving the IF values of sets made up to 1940.
    • Trader - Interference Suppression
      4 Trader sheets.
    • Trader - Modern Fixed Condensers, Resistors & Components
      3 articles from 1940.
    • Trader - Noise Tracing and Cure
      Single page article.
    • Trader - Ohm's Law and it's Uses
      Single page article.
  • Set Manufacturers' Information
    • Cossor CRT Booklet
      Explains how CRTs are made, how they work & how to use them. Also describes different types available.  Date unknown. 28 pages.
    • Cossor PCBs
      4-page information sheet discussing component replacement and repairs to PCBs.
    • GEC Colour Codes
      Wiring and resistor colour codes.
    • KB Servicing Notes
      General servicing information. 11 pages.
    • Pye PCBs
      4-page information sheet discussing component replacement and repairs to PCBs.
  • "Radio and TV Servicing" Book Introductions
    • The introductory sections of these books give good general servicing information and details of recent developments.  Information from 1953-68 is included on this CD-ROM. The Pre-1953 sections give good general servicing information. Later sections cover VHF, transistors and stereo broadcasting in detail. Also included is information on car radios, communications receivers, stereo records, tape recorders etc.

General Information

A collection of interesting books and magazine articles.

  • History and Collecting
    • 50 Years of Progress - 1911 to 1961
      From the Golden Jubilee edition of Wireless World, April 1961. An interesting history of radio from a 1960s perspective.  30 pages.
    • Colossus - The Valve-Based Codebreaker
      A 3-page article from "New Electronics" magazine, January 2001, describing the recreation of Colossus at Bletchley Park.
    • Diary of a Service Engineer
      A Trader feature describing three typical days work for the service engineer in 1937.
    • The Fascination of Vintage Radio
      A 4-part article written by Geoff Arnold for "The Maplin Magazine" in 1993. Gives a good over-view of vintage radio collecting.
    • The Story of Radio (BBC)
      A history of radio broadcasting from the programme of the "BBC Radio Show", marking 21 years of Radio's 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Earls Court in October 1988. 28 pages.
    • The Story of Radio (Maplin)
      A history of radio broadcasting and equipment, published by Maplin Electronics as a reprint of a series of articles in "The Maplin Magazine". Exact date unknown (1990s). 28 pages.
  • Circuits and Design
    • 77 Selected Circuits
      A booklet of radio circuits for the home constructor, published in the early 1930s. Original in tatty condition. 36 pages.
    • Mullard Circuits for Audio Amplifiers
      This book contains 11 amplifier designs published as full constructional projects, together with 4 chapters of background information. 1965. 140 pages.
    • Mullard Miscellaneous Circuits
      11 typical circuits from a Mullard data book. 21 pages.
    • The Evolution of Audio Amplifier Design
      A 5-part series of articles by John Linsley-Hood, published in "Electronics in Action" magazine in 1994. 24 pages.
    • The Magic Lamp
      A 4-page article describing valve operation, published in "Everyday Electronics" magazine in 1989.
    • Valve Technology - A Practical Guide
      A seven-part series of articles published in "The Maplin Magazine" in 1993-94. Describes valve operation and circuit design in great detail. 40 pages.
  • Valve Development and Materials.
    • Development & Production of Miniature Battery Tubes
      Detailed technical magazine article, RCA, 7 pages.
    • Developments in Trustworthy Valve Techniques
      Detailed technical magazine article, Brimar, 17 pages.
    • Getter Materials for Electron Tubes
      Detailed technical magazine article, 7 pages.
    • Materials and Shapes of Vacuum Tube Heaters
      Detailed technical magazine article, 5 pages.
    • Recent Developments in Miniature Tubes
      Detailed technical magazine article, RCA, 16 pages.
    • Which Cathode is Best for the Job?
      Detailed technical magazine article, 6 pages.