Mykit System 5

Mykit System 5 Electronic Project Kit was an electronics lab console manufactured by the Gakken Corporation of Japan and marketed in the UK by the Bristol based Radionic Products Company in approximately 1977. This is the Gakken kit number 81545, which consists of a plastic console and mounted components with spring terminals. There are 50 projects in total and the minimum age requirement for this kit is 11.

The semiconductors in this kit are 2SA52, 2SB56, and a germanium diode. The 2SA52 is a germanium PNP alloy junction transistor, which is ideal for AM radio frequency conversion applications. The 2SB56 is a germanium PNP transistor for audio frequency (AF) amplifier applications. Both come in a metal tube package and the Toshiba Corporation manufactured them.

If you are into building crystal radios then this kit has a number of radio circuits that may be of interest. It has a one transistor radio, two transistor radio, and variations on transistor coupling. There is also a wireless record player circuit and an AM broadcast transmitter circuit, which works extremely well.

Review

Unfortunately, my reference kit did not come with the pre-cut wires or the crystal earpiece, as the seller had mistakenly placed them in another kit. However, I was able to use my own replacements. This is an extremely old product and usually it develops corrosion on the spring coils resulting in intermittent connections. However, a good clean with some android aftershave (WD40) usually sorts it out. Overall, it is a nice Japanese kit, and the circuits work extremely well. If you are a collector, then this kit is rare and worth collecting.

Transistors

Relay

Solar Cell

Pilot Lamps

Cost / eBay

This kit is a rare one imported to UK from Japan by Radionic Products Limited in the 70s. Usually, kits this old will have springs missing, corrosion, missing wires, missing earpiece, and damaged transistors. However, to a collector, all of this could be a good restoration project. Many professionals will remember having one of these and consequently it has great sentimental value. On a good day and depending upon the number of interested buyers, it can fetch a tidy sum on eBay.

Variable Capacitor

Volume Control

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