Redifon GR161B Fishphone - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G8BBZ · 30th Jul 2015, 7:46 pm

Hi All,
I have recently acquired one of these units and intend to get it going on 3615kHz AM. It has suffered some mechanical damage so I will need to partially dismantle to sort things out.
The rig seems to date from the early 60's and uses 2x 807 in the PA modulated by 2x 807. HT is generated by a transistor inverter. The receiver is all valve, except for the audio output which is transistor.
I am hoping someone will have some info on this little rig, even a circuit diagram. Also, Can anybody confirm that it works from 12v DC - it is not completely clear to me if the DC input is 12 or 24v DC.
Cheers
Peter G8BBZ

Herald1360 · 31st Jul 2015, 11:50 am

Stick in 12V and see whether the heaters light up properly?

gm0ekm cecil · 2nd Aug 2015, 10:01 am

Re the Redifon r/t GR161B, the input is 24 volts. I do have circuit diagrams for this set, I'll have to trawl through my library to locate them. I have the GR 161B on display among my museum collection on show to the public.
Cecil. ---GM0EKM.

G8BBZ · 3rd Aug 2015, 1:17 pm

Hi Cecil,
Many thanks for your input. I am keeping my fingers crossed you can find the circuit!
Yet another reason to visit your museum.
cheers
Peter G8BBZ

GW3OQK Andrew · 4th Aug 2015, 11:03 am

Any chance of a picture of it? I cant see in on the internet, or remember it from when I worked for Redifon
Andrew

gm0ekm cecil · 4th Aug 2015, 10:02 pm

The Redifon Type GR161B Radio Telephone.

I've still not unearthed the circuit diagram, bear with me I do have it.

G8BBZ · 5th Aug 2015, 11:11 am

Thanks Cecil - good luck with the circuit diagram.

Hi Andrew,
I worked at Broomhill Road from '68-'71 and don't recall ever seeing this piece of equipment. I am suspicious that it may not have been manufactured at Broomhill Road - there are part numbers on some of the major components that don't look like Redifon part numbers of that era - so it may have been bought in as the later GR377 was (from KW)
It's a nice little rig and doesn't show signs of having had much use so I live in hope of getting it going on 3615kHz.
cheers
Peter G8BBZ.

GW3OQK Andrew · 6th Aug 2015, 1:30 pm

Peter, I think I have tested it on a ship, and there is another example on the museum lightship in Swansea so I'll have a look next time there. I would have expected Redifon name plates screwed on the fronts, but perhaps it was on the cabinet, above the tx.

I joined Redifon marine service in about 1971, was based in South Wales, with occasional visits to Wandsworth. It was a busy time and that red brick building was full of people making I don't know what.

73, Andrew or Andy as I was known in the firm.

30th Jul 2015, 7:46 pm	#1
G8BBZ Pentode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 200	Redifon GR161B Fishphone Hi All, I have recently acquired one of these units and intend to get it going on 3615kHz AM. It has suffered some mechanical damage so I will need to partially dismantle to sort things out. The rig seems to date from the early 60's and uses 2x 807 in the PA modulated by 2x 807. HT is generated by a transistor inverter. The receiver is all valve, except for the audio output which is transistor. I am hoping someone will have some info on this little rig, even a circuit diagram. Also, Can anybody confirm that it works from 12v DC - it is not completely clear to me if the DC input is 12 or 24v DC. Cheers Peter G8BBZ __________________ Peter G8BBZ

31st Jul 2015, 11:50 am	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone Stick in 12V and see whether the heaters light up properly? __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

2nd Aug 2015, 10:01 am	#3
gm0ekm cecil Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shetland, UK. Posts: 79	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone Re the Redifon r/t GR161B, the input is 24 volts. I do have circuit diagrams for this set, I'll have to trawl through my library to locate them. I have the GR 161B on display among my museum collection on show to the public. Cecil. ---GM0EKM.

3rd Aug 2015, 1:17 pm	#4
G8BBZ Pentode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 200	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone Hi Cecil, Many thanks for your input. I am keeping my fingers crossed you can find the circuit! Yet another reason to visit your museum. cheers Peter G8BBZ __________________ Peter G8BBZ

4th Aug 2015, 11:03 am	#5
GW3OQK Andrew Pentode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Swansea, Wales, UK. Posts: 144	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone Any chance of a picture of it? I cant see in on the internet, or remember it from when I worked for Redifon Andrew

4th Aug 2015, 10:02 pm	#6
gm0ekm cecil Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shetland, UK. Posts: 79	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone The Redifon Type GR161B Radio Telephone. I've still not unearthed the circuit diagram, bear with me I do have it. Attached Thumbnails

5th Aug 2015, 11:11 am	#7
G8BBZ Pentode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 200	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone Thanks Cecil - good luck with the circuit diagram. Hi Andrew, I worked at Broomhill Road from '68-'71 and don't recall ever seeing this piece of equipment. I am suspicious that it may not have been manufactured at Broomhill Road - there are part numbers on some of the major components that don't look like Redifon part numbers of that era - so it may have been bought in as the later GR377 was (from KW) It's a nice little rig and doesn't show signs of having had much use so I live in hope of getting it going on 3615kHz. cheers Peter G8BBZ. __________________ Peter G8BBZ

6th Aug 2015, 1:30 pm	#8
GW3OQK Andrew Pentode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Swansea, Wales, UK. Posts: 144	Re: Redifon GR161B Fishphone Peter, I think I have tested it on a ship, and there is another example on the museum lightship in Swansea so I'll have a look next time there. I would have expected Redifon name plates screwed on the fronts, but perhaps it was on the cabinet, above the tx. I joined Redifon marine service in about 1971, was based in South Wales, with occasional visits to Wandsworth. It was a busy time and that red brick building was full of people making I don't know what. 73, Andrew or Andy as I was known in the firm.