A fantastic collection

In 1934, Theodor Antonius Nyholm Ommen, who was only 9 years old, received a radio from his parents.

This happens only a few years after the newly launched transmitter "Danmarks Radio" was listened to with crystal devices, so we are truly in the infancy of radio.

For Theodor Antonius, the radio was almost magical, which gave rise to a burning interest in these fantastic devices that were capable of receiving radio waves. At the same time, it must have also had an influence on his choice of career, because in 1940 he was employed in Aarhus at P & T – the Danish Post and Telegraph Service – an employment that lasted until he retired from the workforce at the age of 60.

The great interest in old radio receivers meant that Theodor Antonius began buying and collecting the old devices around 1970.

Once a device was acquired, it was restored and a description attached, after which it was placed under conditions that ensured preservation for posterity.

Over the years, Theodor Antonius has amassed a significant and beautiful collection, but - as is almost inevitable - age is catching up with Theodor Antonius, and a need for care means that Theodor Antonius must move his home from Fjordvejen at Rønshoved to a care center in South Jutland, which will hopefully show just as much care for Theodor Antonius as he has shown for the old radios.

Just as Theodor Antonius had to find a new home, a new “home” had to be found for the old radios. With the help of Theodor Antonius’ wife, the Southern Jutland Radio Museum was chosen as the place where the devices would be preserved for posterity, and where the same “love” for the old devices would be shown as Theodor Antonius.

The old radios are now on display at the Southern Jutland Radio Museum, where the many visitors can enjoy this beautiful collection.

The Southern Jutland Radio Museum is working to give Theodor Antonius the opportunity to visit the Radio Museum and its beautiful collection. Such a visit will of course be documented for the many users/visitors of this website with a mention.

Visit of Theodor Antonius

On Wednesday, January 29, 2015, the Radio Museum was visited by Theodor Antonius (see picture of the visit in the photo series), who thus had the opportunity to revisit his old collection, which has come to honor and dignity as a treasured part of the exhibition at the Southern Jutland Radio Museum.

For Theodor Antonius, it was a moving reunion with the old devices, and the emotions were truly expressed when the Radio Museum members were told some of the stories associated with the old radio receivers.

It was impressive to see that Theodor Antonius, despite his approximately 90 years of age, was still able to muster a high degree of enthusiasm.

A big thank you from the Southern Jutland Radio Museum to Theodor Antonius for the opportunity he has given us to share the experience of the many old radios with the Radio Museum's visitors.

Excerpt from the collection
Excerpt from the collection
VE301 and Der Deutsche Kleinempfänger DKE1938 - "Göbbels Schnauze"
Recipient from the collection

Recipient from the collection
A look at the electronics
An old receiver with and without "clothes"
A recipient from the collection
Recipients from the collection
Recipient from the collection
Receiver and speaker from the collection
Same receiver from the collection, but in different "wrapping"

Recipients from the collection
An old receiver from the collection needs to be brought into usable condition.
Same receiver from the front
Recipient from the collection
An old "towable" receiver from the collection
An old receiver with the open lockable front
The key to the front of the old radio. Sven has carefully carved the key out of a piece of raw iron.
A few reminders from the manufacturer

Schematic representation of the device
The schedule from a slightly different angle
Theodor Antonius - an elderly, stolid gentleman - talks with Tommy in Stikoni's workshop