Technology & Machines

Radios & Audio Equipment: What to Record

Radios, gramophones and record players, tape recorders, hi-fi components, portable players and jukeboxes.

The Data Sheet for Radios & Audio Equipment

The 29 fields worth recording for radios & audio equipment, grouped as in the ordicio app. Fields marked with a broader category come from it; the others are specific to radios & audio equipment.

Identification

Brand Text Technology & machines
Brand or manufacturer under which the object was sold.
Model Text Technology & machines
Model or product name given by the manufacturer.
Reference number Text Technology & machines
Manufacturer's model, reference or article number.
Serial number Text Technology & machines
Individual serial number of this object, as marked on it.
Year Year Technology & machines
Year of making, issue or publication when known exactly.
Date / period Text Technology & machines
When the object was made, as precise as known, e.g. 1876, c. 1890, 1920s, 2nd century AD.
Country Text Technology & machines
Country of origin or issue, by its usual English name (historic states as named at the time, e.g. Kingdom of Bavaria).
Reference link Link Technology & machines
Web page about this object or its reference entry (catalogue, database, sale).
Audio device type Choice, or your own
Kind of radio or audio device.
12 choices
  • Tube radio
  • Transistor radio
  • Crystal set
  • Gramophone / phonograph
  • Record player / turntable
  • Reel-to-reel tape recorder
  • Cassette deck / recorder
  • Portable player (Walkman, Discman)
  • Amplifier / receiver
  • Loudspeaker
  • Radiogram / music centre
  • Jukebox
Power source Choice, or your own
How the device is powered.
  • Mains
  • Battery
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Solar
  • Hand-cranked / mechanical
Wave bands Text
Wave bands received, e.g. LW, MW, SW, FM.
Tubes / valves Text
Tubes (valves) fitted, e.g. ECH81, EF89, EABC80, EL84, EZ80; or transistor count.

Condition

Function and appearance, described separately.

Working order Choice Technology & machines
Whether the mechanism or device works.
  • Working
  • Working with faults
  • Not tested
  • Not working
  • Restored to working order
Condition Choice Technology & machines
Overall condition in plain terms; domains with an established grading scale use that scale instead.
  • Mint / as new
  • Excellent
  • Very good
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor
Condition notes Text Technology & machines
Faults, wear and damage in detail.
Restoration & repairs Text Technology & machines
Restorations, repairs, replaced parts and cleaning, with who did them and when if known.

Completeness

Completeness Text Technology & machines
Parts, accessories, inserts and instructions present or missing.
Original packaging Choice Technology & machines
Original box, case, manual, certificate or warranty card that came with the object.
  • Original box and documents
  • Original box only
  • Documents only
  • None

Acquisition

How and when the object came into the collection.

Acquisition date Date Technology & machines
Date the object came into the collection.
Acquisition method Choice, or your own Technology & machines
How the object came into the collection.
  • Purchase
  • Auction
  • Gift
  • Inheritance
  • Exchange / trade
  • Self-collected / found
  • Commission
Acquired from Text Technology & machines
Seller, auction house (with sale and lot number), donor or place where it was found.
Purchase price Amount Technology & machines
Price paid including fees and premiums.
Provenance Text Technology & machines
Earlier owners and the object's history, oldest first, with sources (labels, invoices, sale catalogues).

Value

Estimated and insured value.

Estimated value Amount Technology & machines
Current market value as estimated.
Valuation date Date Technology & machines
Date of the current value estimate.
Valuation basis Choice Technology & machines
What the estimated value is based on.
  • Own estimate
  • Recent sales / auction results
  • Dealer offer
  • Catalogue value
  • Professional appraisal
  • Insurance valuation
Insured value Amount Technology & machines
Sum the object is insured for.

Collection record

Your own inventory data.

Inventory number Text Technology & machines
Your own number or label for the object, e.g. C-0042, as written on its label or album page.
Storage location Text Technology & machines
Where the object is kept, e.g. room, cabinet, drawer, album and page, box.

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Updated October 24, 2026