ALL ABOUT GAREX

FOUNDED IN 1963. Now, we think this makes GAREX one of the, if not THE, oldest established Amateur Radio trader in the UK. If anyone would like to dispute this claim, then please let us know!

Anyway, GAREX originated in the Birmingham area owned by Rex G3MMJ. There was a subsequent move to Chinnor in Oxfordshire, which is where Peter G3ZVI, met Rex, because Peter, being in the PMR business, needed spare parts. Due to Rex’s previous association with Pye Telecom, he had a buying concession for surplus materials from Pye. At that time, GAREX specialised in re-cycling the surplus Pye modules into products for Amateur Radio, e.g. transmitter strips, modulators, power supplies. Many, many Amateurs of the day went on the air using GAREX modules.

In the early 70’s, Peter took over the business from Rex, who moved to South Africa, where he still trades as GAREX ANTENNAS. Like many small Amateur Radio businesses, GAREX was not a full-time occupation, both Rex and Peter had "day jobs". However, the boom times of the late 70’s and early 80’s meant that such was the growth of the GAREX business that it became part of a full-time occupation, and from 1980 was managed by STARTOP COMMUNICATIONS LTD. There was also a very close association with REVCO ELECTRONICS LTD, a leading aerial manufacturer and importer of products from the Far East, especially Scanning Receivers. For several years, GAREX dominated the Scanner market in the UK and also continued the traditional PMR spares and equipment business.

Due to the sharp down-turn in the Telecom market in the 90’s, Startop Communications Ltd. ceased trading in 1999 and GAREX reverted to private hands.

GAREX is now revitalised and looks forward to being of service to you. Thank you for your interest in our goods and services.

GAREX PO BOX 52 EXETER EX4 8WX

Telephone 07714 198374

(Yes, I know its a mobile number, but it makes sense because it finds me wherever I may be. If it doesn’t ring, either I’m asleep or out of the country)

73’s Pete G3ZVI