Listener’s Library, September 1995
Last Updated on October 13, 2005 by Ralph Brandi
Well here we are again. Summer is almost over and it’s time to get things rolling for another DX season. Rather then dropping any books on your lap this month, I’d like to point you to some popular catalogs that you may want to peruse. You may need some new goodies for your listening post. And of course it is never too early to start that holiday gift list. Jut by virtue of being in the hobby for more then about five minutes, you are probably already on a few of these companies’ mailing lists. But just in case you’ve been missed by a few, let me bring you up to speed on my favorites in alphabetical order.
ALL ELECTRONICS CORP.
P.O. Box 567
Van Nuys, CA 91408-0567
1(800) 826 5432
FAX (818) 781-2653
Every radio hobbyist should be getting at least one surplus catalog in their mailbox. These folks have all sorts of stuff that you will want to buy, even if you don’t have a use for it. Yet!!!
AMATEUR ELECTRONIC SUPPLY, INC
5710 W. Good Hope Road
Milwaukee, WI 53223
1(800) 558-0411
FAX 414-358-3337
This is a large amateur radio organization with shops in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and Nevada. Their catalog is quite comprehensive including many items oriented toward the shortwave hobbyist. They also are an excellent source for used receivers.
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT BANK
323 Mill Street, N.E.
Vienna, VA 22180
1(800) 368-3270
FAX (703) 938-6911
EEB has been around for a while now with a complete line of shortwave and scanning supplies including some of their own goodies. They sell the complete AOR line including computer interfacing.
GILFER SHORTWAVE
52 Park Avenue
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
1(800)-GILFER-1
in N.J. (201) 391-7887
Fax (201) 391-7433
Since Paul Lannuier picked up the reigns, Gilfer has continued its traditional service with the addition of some new products. Among these are our own Tom Sundstrom’s TRS Consultants Software.
GROVE ENTERPRISES, INC.
P.O. Box 98
300 S. Highway 64 West
Brasstown, NC 28902-0098
1(800) 438-8155
Fax (704)-837-2216
Bob and Judy Grove continue to offer a great shortwave and scanning oriented catalog including many Grove products. If you are a dedicated DC to Daylight DXer you need to be on their mailing list.
HEATHKIT
HEATH COMPANY
BENTON HARBOR, MI 49022
1(800) 253-0570
Yes believe it or not they are still around. They just ain’t the company we once knew and loved. Heath has decided to make its future with educational and training systems. Still they sell their “Worlds Most Accurate Clock” and their “Advanced Weather Computer”. It’s a hard reach for nostalgia but worth a look just to see how much the world has changed.
JDR MICRODEVICES
1850 South 10th Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4108
Sales (800) 538-5000
Tech support (800) 538-5002
Most folks have seen JDR’s Computer catalog. They also have an electronic component catalog chock full of goodies. What sets these folks apart is their Technical Service department. You can call them up and brainstorm an idea, they will help you pick the appropriate components. They also stock a small line of kits that are of interest to the radio hobbyist. The have no minimum order restrictions.
MCM ELECTRONICS
650 Congress Park Drive
Centerville, Ohio 45459-4072
(800) 543-4330
MCM has a full component line, they stock everything you need to keep all your consumer electronics up and running. They have an incomparable line of tools. They do have a $20.00 minimum order policy.
MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC.
P.O. Box 494
Mississippi State, MS 39762
1 (800) 647-1800
MFJ has a long history of reasonably priced radio hobbyist accessories. While their equipment leans toward the amateur radio operator, they do have several accessories that will serve the shortwave monitor as well.
MOUSER ELECTRONICS
2401 Hwy 287 N.
Mansfield, TX 76063-4827
(800) 346-6873
The Mouser book is just page after page of components. I have yet to run across a project that Mouser couldn’t support. If it’s not in their catalog, call them, they can probably find it. They have no minimum order restrictions.
NATIONAL RADIO CLUB PRODUCT CATALOG
NRC Publications Center
P.O. Box 164
Mannsville, NY 13662-0164
Our fellow ANARC club has an extensive list of reprints of technical articles from their DX NEWS bulletin. While they are obviously weighted toward the medium wave monitor, many of these articles are of interest to all radio hobbyists including shortwave folks. Please send 1 unit of first class postage with your request for this catalog.
PASTERNACK ENTERPRISES
P.O. Box 16759
Irvine, CA 92713
(714) 261-1920
Fax (714) 261-7451
Every radio hobbyist needs a source for coaxial cable and the multitude of connectors that we need to make the coax happy with our antennas and receivers. Their catalog is exhaustive on this subject. They cover all RF cable and connector needs up through the microwave region.
POLYPHASER CORPORATION
P.O. Box 9000
Minden, NV 89423-9000
(702) 782-2511
Fax (702) 782-4476
The folks at Polyphaser have taken on a single task. Helping folks keep the effects of lightning away from their radio equipment. There catalog not only includes commercial quality solutions to lightning protection, they also include educational information and ideas for folks to make the best decisions about EMP protection for their situation. They also publish a newsletter for radio hobbyists called Striking News.
TEXAS TOWERS
1108 Summit Avenue
Suite #4
Plano, Texas 75074
1(800) 272-3467
While Texas Towers’ catalog is amateur radio oriented. I bring them into the mix because of their strong antenna orientation. In their catalog you will find the supplies to develop the most sophisticated antenna system that your bank account will allow.
UNIVERSAL RADIO, INC.
6830 Americana Parkway
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
1(800) 431-3939
Last but not least, Fred Osterman’s organization always has a catalog by which others are judged. He carries a comprehensive line of shortwave, amateur and scanning goodies including Universal’s own line of radio data demodulators. If you are looking to leave a catalog around for your spouse to find before the holidays, this one probably has the item you are looking for no matter what aspect of the hobby you enjoy.