Maidenhead, Hacker Radio Ltd

[Carol Anne]

does anyone have any information /reminicinces about this company. When did they go out of business ?

[Man in Black]

Sorry to be vague about this but it may give you a lead. I was reading recently, (but cannot remember where) about the many disputes that arise because of companies using very similar names, sometimes in the same line of business. Several instances were quoted but I do seem to remember that one was the fact that HACKER is a global American firm (I have not heard of them) who is known as Hacker in dozens of countries but not now in U.K. They have to operate here as TANDY.

[ajmmac]

can't give u any up to date information but i have a hacker hunter radio bought around 1970--it runs only on 2 what were called PP9 batteries which i guess u can still buy--hyaven't tried it in around 20 yrs but although the aerial is broken i have no reason to believe it wouldn't work--i also had a hacker record player bought around the same time--can't remember the model--but u could also buy an extension amp to get stereo--i could never afford that at the time--it has long gone--in a fit of altruism gave it to someone who was poorer than me--can't even remember who--anyway ur question brought back many memories and prompted me to try out the radio--will let u know how it goes--will also try and find out more about hacker as ur question asked--cheers

[ajmmac]

hi carol anne--found these 2 sites
http://www.vintage-radio.com/manufacturers-and -sets/hacker.html

http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/hacker.htm
the sovereign was a kinda deluxe version of the hunter i had with a few more features and cost more--the hunter pictured on the vintage-radio.com site was 1 of 2 versions--mine did not have the wooden (fake wood?) sides--haven't found anything about the co yet--will keep searching

[terebinth]

The company was set up by two brothers, R.H. and A.G. Hacker, who had previously founded Dynatron Radio Ltd. which they sold to Ekco in 1955. Hacker production began in 1960 and went on until the end of the 1970s, but from 1976 the company changed hands more than once and the very last Hacker sets were made after relocation to a factory in Bournemouth. Radiograms abd audio equipment were made as well, but Hacker were best known for their portable sets, widely thought to be the finest made in the UK.

I started a Hacker Radio group a couple of years ago for the exchange of information among enthusiasts: membership stands currently at 76 and anyone is welcome to join,

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hackerradiogroup /

Photos of and sales leaflets for quite a few Hacker products are available there, in an archive which I hope will continue to grow.

Oh, and the sides of all Hacker radios when not covered by leathercloth were definitely real wood... and there was no connection with the American Hacker company.