Fidelity Kit radio Portable six transistor superhet radio housed in red and white plastic with imitation leather carrying pouch. covers medium waveband and one preset long wave station at 1500 metres. Although there is no indication of the model on the outside of the case the inside reveals what the set would have been called had it been factory assembled. It is not very easy to use, because the two small knobs on the front have to be operated by pressing down on them and turning.The transistors marked JB2 JB4 and JB6, The factory produced models incorporated GET874 GET873 GET873 GET114 GET114 GET114. A 9 volt PP9 or equivalent battery is required for operation. Fidelity Radio Ltd.; London UK
This model when introduced in 1961 was the first transistor radio produced to sell for just under � 10 in the UK. As can be seen this one has been home assembled and the earphone jack is missing. The Plessey tuning capacitor is an unusual item as it also incorporates two single pole switches which take the form of two fixed contacts which only make connection when the capacitor is in the LW position.
The radio is now working after a loose joint was repaired and the broken capacitor [top right] which feeds the loudspeaker was replaced. I think kits of parts were put together at a later date and advertised in "Practical Wireless" magazine.
Fidelity Radio started just after WW2 and fuelled by post war demand for radio and television produced items which in the trade were often referred to as "all fur but no knickers." In the end cheap imports from China and Hong Kong meant that their products were uncompetitive and the factory closed in 1988 when Alan Sugar of 'Amstrad' fame bought the brand name and trademark.
In the early 1960's there was a phenomenal growth in the pop music industry and manufacturers quickly moved to make record players and cheap radios to satisfy a new market fuelled by record producers and pirate radio stations. Towards the end of the little clip about Radio Caroline on this site you will see a red and white Coronet.http://www.britishpathe.com/video/radio-caroline
This is one of two radios given to me by Tania Herniman in 2013 she says: "My mother and I each had one, although hers has gone to the big radio home in the sky. There is no model name or number on it, just "Fidelity" I have a vague memory of of my father making it from a kit although I maybe wrong (his hobby was making wirelesses and we had one in each room!)"
