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Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:34 pm
by Hi-Fi-Mogul
I thought I would post this topic here, as it seemed most logical
from a reference standpoint.
The person who quality-scanned these must have the patience of
a Saint (if there are still Saints around).
I have used the catalogs to find original specs for
Realistic speakers that I sold. Lots of high-end
products there, also.
It's also fun to imagine taking a few hundred bucks into
a time machine, to go shopping at RS in 1960 !
Then bringing back those "vintage" items NIB. [ : )
Enjoy.
https://radioshackcatalogs.com/index.htm
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:03 pm
by William
That is totally awesome, Mr. Mogul. That is going to bring a lot of enjoyment too me and hopefully others here on the forum. Thank you so much for sharing.
Bill
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 2:03 am
by electra225
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing, Mr. Mogul....
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 2:55 pm
by Firedome
Thanks for this post!
I have about 6 or 7 Allied Radio and Heathkit catalogs from 1958 to 1964, a great resource, these Radio Shack
will also be great to check out for information!
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:08 pm
by Motorola minion
I literally had those catalogs memorized from 1973 on. I was especially interested in TV and FM reception equipment along with their tubes
of course, batteries and all manner of parts. I built a crystal radio kit that used a tiny photocell for earphone power.
I also built the AM broadcaster which I still have, though never had the multi-project kit (100 in 1 experimenter sets).
The earlier Antennas were made by Jerrold until then, an excellent manufacturer of MATV systems distribution equipment but RS sold only their tamer designs. The TV antennas were later made by Antennacraft, the budget brand of Winegard.
The electronics selection was fairly extensive in scope but you only got what you paid for...
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:32 am
by TC Chris
Motorola minion wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:08 pm
The earlier Antennas were made by Jerrold until then, an excellent manufacturer of MATV systems distribution equipment but RS sold only their tamer designs. The TV antennas were later made by Antennacraft, the budget brand of Winegard.
I've got several of their little Yagi FM antennas; they solve many problems.
Chris Campbell
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:53 am
by 19&41
Another path to the youth of this 65 year old! Thanks!
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:44 pm
by Motorola minion
TC Chris wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:32 am
Motorola minion wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:08 pm
The earlier Antennas were made by Jerrold until then, an excellent manufacturer of MATV systems distribution equipment but RS sold only their tamer designs. The TV antennas were later made by Antennacraft, the budget brand of Winegard.
I've got several of their little Yagi FM antennas; they solve many problems.
Chris Campbell
Yes, they do. I started seeing those 5-element FM antennas a lot in the 80s. The omnidirectional types (turnstile folded dipole OR sigma S-shaped) made sense in most areas before the FM dial got crowded but I see the circular one being sold online. Nothing beats a directional FM antenna outside
.
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:46 pm
by Motorola minion
Motorola minion wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:08 pm
I literally had those catalogs memorized from 1973 on. I was especially interested in TV and FM reception equipment along with their tubes
of course, batteries and all manner of parts. I built a crystal radio kit that used a tiny photocell for earphone power.
I also built the AM broadcaster which I still have, though never had the multi-project kit (100 in 1 experimenter sets).
The earlier Antennas were made by Jerrold until then, an excellent manufacturer of MATV systems distribution equipment but RS sold only their tamer designs. The TV antennas were later made by Antennacraft, the budget brand of Winegard.
The electronics selection was fairly extensive in scope but you only got what you paid for...
Correction: JFD and Finco antennas were sold mostly through the 60s, along with RS's own designs like "golden glory"
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2022 3:05 pm
by hermitcrab
I love those catalogs brings back memories ....as a kid I would ride my bike over to the local RS just to look around ...they had just about everything electronic back in the day, just like the local Lafayette electronics store did ... now to even come close , you gotta be near a micro center if your lucky...
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 1:02 pm
by William
Back when I was a lad, the catalogs that I would see that pertained to electronics were Heathkit and Knight. I have no idea why I lacked Radio Shack, wasn't around I guess. So, looking at the catalogs in the link I found it very interesting at the brands Radio Shack carried back then. Huge, high end stuff. Harmon-Kardon, Scott, Bell, Fisher, Sherwood, Stromberg-Carlson, Eico, EV, KLH, Altec, Warfedale, Thorens, Garrard, Rekokut, Dynaco. How could one company offer so many different manufactures? And, they had their own band as well. Very impressive, and I really enjoyed looking at al the photos and reading about the different products. I guess I really had a sheltered life back in those days.
Bill
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 2:25 pm
by 19&41
When I was little and postage was cheap, I'd send for just about every catalog that had an ad in the back of the mechanical, science and DIY magazines that I would read to bits. I would buy what I could afford. off the shelf toys had nowhere near the excitement of a piece of surplus material that could be put to use as dictated by my imagination. It was fun to shop as folks now do on the internet.
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 3:02 pm
by Hi-Fi-Mogul
I'm glad you all are enjoying the RS catalogs.
I also enjoy the memories reading through
the "Monkey Wards" and Sears catalogs' Christmas editions.
My dad used to call MW that humorous name,
and apparently so did a lot of folks.
At times I've used those 1950's catalogs online
to find out information about a neato Airline or Silvertone
record player I came across.
Those stores also stocked products you would not
think of, such as RCA record players.
I enjoy doing that kind of research.
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 3:23 pm
by Firedome
Allied and Knight carried all those high end brands, I have a bunch of Allied and Heathkit catalogs from 1958 to 1965. Even McIntosh stuff was sold by Allied, along with all the brands Bill listed, and every turntable and speaker brand under the sun. I wish we could still buy RCA 6L6GC tubes for $1.17 like we could have back then!
Re: Radio Shack Catalog Database
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 2:28 pm
by Motorola minion
I rescued a 1938 and 1974 Sears full catalog from a late friend's collection. I would like to find one for Montgomery Ward, since my parents also shopped there when we lived in Texas. I still have some M-W branded items from there.
In the Mid-Atlantic area ,Montgomery Ward was all but gone by the time I was spending, so it was Sears and non-catalog discount stores: Kresge/Kmart, Nichols discount City, WT Grant, Two Guys, Woolworth, etc.
While most Sears-Roebuck merchandise rarely gave a clue to the original manufacturer, R-S catalogs are even more surprising on the sheer variety of name brands and parts they could get
