 Allied Radio introduced the "Knight" electronic kits in their 1935 catalog. Initially, these kits were primarily purchased by young, aspiring amateur radio operators who could not afford the higher priced, brand-name professional radios but still wanted to be involved in the amateur radio hobby.
Later, Allied's line of kits expanded to include receivers, radios, amplifiers, intercoms, walkie-talkies, CB radios, electronic & automotive test equipment, and electronic lab kits.
These kits were noted for their up-to-date design and outstanding performance and reflected the experience of leading kit design specialist. Circuits had been carefully enginerered and laboratory tested for high-operating efficiency. Quality components - all brand new - were used throughout. Design principles applied by experts assured ideal mechanical layout and ease of construction.
The kits were easy to assembly. Anyone could build a kit. All panels were pre-drilled, screen-printed and calibrated; chassis were formed and punched. No holes to drill, no dials to mark. Every part was included - from tubes to hardware. Every kit was also supplied with full instructions. Easy-to-follow booklets included a pictoral and schematic diagram, detailed assembly instructions, parts list, etc. Kits could be built from the pictoral diagram alones. No wiring experience or knowledge of schematic symbols was necessary. The only tools required of the assembler was a screwdriver, a pair of pliers and a soldering iron.
Not only were the Knight kits a functional, educational project, but they were economically priced for the time.
In reviewing the Allied Radio catalogs, it appears that in 1955, Allied began to offer their "Knight-Kit" line of electronic kits. Popular Knight-Kits included the "Star Roamer" 5-band shortwave receiver, the "Span Master" 4-band receiver with world-wide range, the "Ocean Hopper" radio receiver with broadcast, long wave and short wave coverage, the "Safari" citizens band, crystal controlled transcievers, and the "Ranger" line of clock radios and intercom systems.
 Allied sold their electronic kits for almost 40 years - giving countless people an education in electronics and the gratification of building an electronic device by themselves. When Allied Electronics was aquired by Radio Shack in 1970, so did the end of the "Knight-Kit" line of electronic kits. Unfortunately, Allied's 1971 catalog (then Allied/RadioShack) was the last to displays this line of kits. "Knight-Kit" did not appear in the 1972 or later catalogs. Instead, Allied shifted to Radio Shack's brand of "Science-Fair and "Realistic" electronic kits. |
