Radio Italiane CD-ROM Review

Since I have been selling my service data CD-ROMs, several people have contacted me to ask about similar CD-ROMs containing information about equipment manufactured or sold in other countries.

I have recently received copies of Radio Italiane (1933-1953) and Radio Italiane (1953-1970), published by Leonardo Mureddu and Stefania Atzeri.

These CD-ROMs each contain details of around 2000 sets manufactured or sold in Italy. Not knowing the Italian radio situation, I obviously cannot comment on how comprehensive the selection is, but there are certainly a large range of makes and models included, many of which I have never even heard of!

For many of the sets the data consists of an introductory page containing the model number, release date, valve types, brief description, IF frequency etc. This is followed by a circuit diagram with component values. In some cases this is followed by alignment instructions or any other information that was available.

I understand that in Italy, most service data was supplied in the form of books containing relatively limited information (similar to the Radio and Television Servicing books here in the UK) rather than the more comprehensive Trader and ERT sheets which we are used to here in the UK.

Although more comprehensive information is always welcome, many repairers can manage fine with just a circuit diagram and component values. The circuit diagram is by far the most important piece of information. The scanned diagrams on this CD-ROM are generally good quality (bearing in mind the age and the quality of the original book reproduction).

The CD-ROMs also contains some valve data and a component identification chart, so the one package contains just about all the technical information required to service Italian equipment.

The CD-ROMs are, of course, in Italian, and there are no plans to produce a English translated version. However it does not take non-Italian-speakers long to work out how to operate the CD-ROMs, because the buttons used for the navigation system are consistently labelled. Once you realise, for example, that "Indice Marche" is "Main Index", you will be able to find your way around easily.

The CD-ROMs use Adobe Acrobat, so they can be used on a wide range of computers and operating systems. The Windows version of Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 (Italian version) is included on the CD-ROMs.

The CD-ROMs are very well presented - it is a good example of what can be done with Adobe Acrobat and some effort. A lot of care and attention to detail has gone into the production of the CD-ROMs. A nice touch is that for some manufacturers a period advertisement is included on the index page.

In theory the Search function in Adobe Acrobat should allow users to search for specific manufacturers, models or valve line-ups, using the indexes provided on the CD-ROMs. I could not get this to work, but this may have been because I am using an English version of Adobe Acrobat, while the CD-ROMs would have been designed using the Italian version.

The CD-ROMs are very good value for money. If you are interested in repairing Italian radios, I can highly recommend them.

The CD-ROMs is priced at 23 Euros (about £15) each, plus postage charges. For more information about ordering and payment please email Leonardo Mureddu webmaster (at) leradiodisophie.it or visit his website at http://www.leradiodisophie.it.


If you produce a CD-ROM containing service data for radios from other countries, please contact me. If you would care to send me a copy I will be happy to review it here.




This website, including all text and images not otherwise credited, is copyright © 1997 - 2006 Paul Stenning.
No part of this website may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from Paul Stenning.
All details are believed to be accurate, but no liability can be accepted for any errors.
The types of equipment discussed on this website may contain high voltages and/or operate at high temperatures.
Appropriate precautions must always be taken to minimise the risk of accidents.

Last updated 14th April 2006.