Useful books (continued)

My selection

Here are gathered the books that allowed me to better understand the operation of vintage radios. You will find theoretical and technical works dating from the era of tubes, but also more recent works on electronics, physics, or mathematics that allow the design of test equipment or the development of calculation programs whose primary use is not related to vintage radios. Some of them are still published and therefore available. For the others, you need to visit vintage radio fairs or make requests on specialized forums: forum.retrotechnique.org, archives.doctsf.com, annonces.retrotechnique.org, tubebooks.org, etc...

S. LOGEZ and D. MAIGNAN - The practical encyclopedia of Radio.(2006)

Contents:

PART I: THE FIRST STEPS OF RADIO
PART II: FUNDAMENTAL RADIOELECTRICITY CONCEPTS
PART III: STUDY AND RESTORATION OF 1920s RADIO SETS
PART IV: STUDY AND RESTORATION OF MAINS-POWERED SETS
PART V: PRACTICAL REALIZATIONS
PART VI: TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS
PART VII: THE SCHEMATIC LIBRARY OF THE 1920s

Very comprehensive encyclopedia dedicated to old radios. Written by two enthusiasts of vintage radio and facilitators of the Radiofil association. The practical encyclopedia of Radio is available on the Radiofil website.

A unique and exhaustive work dedicated to vintage radio in all its forms, divided into 7 main sections: The first steps of radio, Fundamental radioelectricity concepts. Study and restoration of 1920s sets. Study and restoration of mains-powered sets. Practical realizations. Technical data sheets. Schematic library of the 1920s.

To learn the basics of vintage radio or to improve your skills, to benefit from a simple and clever troubleshooting method allowing you to tackle any type of failure without complex instrumentation or specialist expertise, this work successfully manages to address both the passionate novice restorer of vintage radio receivers and the technician concerned with knowing exactly the why and how of what they undertake…

Numerous plates of schematics and technical and technological data sheets. The EPR is accompanied by a CDRom offering all the realizations, schematics and data sheets + a bonus allowing printing and manipulation in the workshop, without risking damage to the book.
The book comprises approximately 600 pages entirely in color, hardcover and a "beautiful book" type binding. Format 24.5 x 17.5 cm It is delivered with the CD-rom inserted on the second page of the book.

J.M. BOURQUE - The great book of Vintage Radio.(2002, 2007)

Impressive compilation! To identify vintage radios. The great book of Vintage Radio is available on the Radiofil website. An electronic version is available on its website.

With more than 15,000 models of receiver sets and approximately 9,000 illustrations and photos, The Great Book of Vintage Radio by Jean-Michel Bourque lists old radio receivers distributed on the French market.
More than 600 color pages, quality paper, a sturdy cover and a binding that withstands readings and rereads… All in A4 format (21 x 29.7 cm).
The first pages are dedicated to the general knowledge of vintage radio. A synthesis to identify a model, date it, estimate it and qualify it. Thus, the size, shape, external appearance, type of chassis, material of the cabinet, shape of the tubes or their base type are all valuable indications for determining the origin and age of an unknown vintage radio set.
A glossary informs the beginner about the jargon of vintage radio and, thanks to the numerous illustrations, makes it possible to name the main components used in the manufacture of a receiver.
After this practical preamble, from AAA-Radio to Zodiac Radio, nearly 60 years of production by manufacturers French (or distributed in France) are covered. Transistor receivers stand alongside their tube predecessors.
Each model is presented according to a rigorous and identical format for all types: Manufacturer reference / Name or nickname / Date of factory release, constitute the classification criteria within each listed brand. In most cases, a photo or illustration shows the set.
Then in 3 or 4 lines of information, at a glance, it is possible to know the essential characteristics : cabinet material, variants manufactured (e.g.: colors), tube references, presence or absence of a magic eye, additional info (telescopic antenna, speaker size, inputs/outputs, etc.).
The book ends with a table of brands quickly referring to the desired page and a coding of Philips sets, which remains the most productive manufacturer of these vintage radio years.

J. Quinet - Theory & practice of electronic circuits.(1968)

Théorie & pratique des circuits électoniques cover

Contents:

Volume 1: Theory & applications of imaginary number calculation to the study of circuits.
Volume 2: LF and HF amplifiers. Oscillators and modulation. Filters and measuring bridges.
Volume 3: Propagation of HF current along lines. Smith chart - Antennas. Maxwell's equations and applications.

A reference in its time. A BTS or DUT level allows its reading.

Roger RAFFIN - Amateur transmission and reception.(1974)

L'émission et la réception d'amateur cover

Contents:

Short waves and amateurs
Review of some fundamental concepts
Classification of SW receivers
Study of the elements of an SW receiver
Study of the elements of a transmitter
Tuned circuits Variable capacitors. Determination of windings
Practice of special SW receivers
Radiotelegraphy
Radiotelephony
LF Amplification - Modulators
Radiotelephone transmitter circuits
Antennas
Radioteletype (RTTY)
VHF - Metric Waves
UHF Technique (continued) Decimetric and Centimetric Waves
Radiotelephones "Amateur" Mobile Equipment
Frequency Modulation (N.B.F.M.)
Single Sideband Radiotelephony Transceivers for HF bands
Advice for the construction, tuning and operation of an amateur station (receiver and transmitter)
Measurements and measuring devices
Traffic and regulations

To learn more about the principles and practice of amateur radio.

A. P. Malvino - Electronic Principles.(2002)

Contents:

Introduction.
Semiconductors.
Diode Theory.
Diode Circuits.
Special-Purpose Diodes.
The Bipolar Transistor.
Transistors: Basic Ideas.
Transistor Bias Circuits.
AC Models.
The Emitter Follower.
Power Amplifiers.
The Common-Base Amplifier.
JFETs.
MOSFETs.
Thyristors.
Frequency Effects.
Differential Amplifiers.
Operational Amplifiers.
Negative Feedback.
Linear Op-Amp Circuits.
Active Filters.
Nonlinear Op-Amp Circuits.
Oscillators.
Regulated Power Supplies.

Very clear electronics course, easy to read.

Marcel Mounic - Semiconductors.(1967)

Contents:

Volume 1

Semiconductors.
Semiconductor devices.
Junction transistor.
Transistors: temperature limitations. Thermal stabilization.
Other semiconductor devices.

Volume 2

Transistor: small signals. Calculation methods (audio frequencies).
Variations of Av, Ai, Ap, Re, Rs and comparison of the three basic configurations.
Transistor: radio frequencies.
Transistor: switching.

My first technical books — I was 13/14 years old. My mother offered me Volume 1 after observing my enthusiasm for technical things and especially after having seen me glued to the TV screen (B & W) following a CNAM course on transistors It talks about germanium ...".
Very happy to have found these 2 volumes recently.