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Old 10th Jan 2013, 2:15 pm   #1
bhamham
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Default Armstrong FM stereo decoder?

I purchased an Armstrong 227 tuner-amp and when I opened it up there was a PCB lying on the chasis with a 7-pin miniature male plug. At first I thought it was the FM decoder but the 227 has a B9A mount. It looks as though it's not been used.

On the board there are two electrolytics - 150uF/25v & 10uF/63v with four TOKO RCL tuning cans. It has a lamp that I thought could possibly be the stereo beacon light. It is stamped 'PC619A' on the front side and 619A on the back side.

Anyone recognize it?
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Old 10th Jan 2013, 2:17 pm   #2
Nickthedentist
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Default Re: Armstrong FM stereo decoder?

Hi Bruce,

That is definitely a decoder, but not an Armstrong one. The component style and layout is very reminiscent of my Goodmans Module 80 stereo receiver which dated from about 1974.

PC619A also has a very Goodmans ring to it.

Sadly, I don't have the unit or the manual any more, but the stereo beacon was certainly an LES lamp just like that. There were a further two which formed a crude but effective tuning indicator (tune for equal brightness).

Some pics here but I can't work out how to enlarge them, even though I am (was?) a member: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/goodmans_module_80.html

Goodmans by then were part of BRC so it may have been used in Ferguson equipment too.

N.

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Old 10th Jan 2013, 2:45 pm   #3
bhamham
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Default Re: Armstrong FM stereo decoder?

Thanks Nick.

Certainly could be one of those PCBs in that Goodmans. You can enlarge those pics but not enough to discern whether it's the same decoder. I too am a member of that site but they sure make it hard to remember your password.

Guess the former owner of my 227 thought about converting this decoder.
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Old 10th Jan 2013, 3:57 pm   #4
dazzlevision
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Default Re: Armstrong FM stereo decoder?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bhamham View Post
There was a PCB lying on the chasis with a 7-pin miniature male plug. At first I thought it was the FM decoder but the 227 has a B9A mount. It looks as though it's not been used. It is stamped 'PC619A' on the front side and 619A on the back side. Anyone recognize it?
Hello,

Yes, I recognise it. It is actually made by Thorn/Ferguson and was used to convert their early stereo capable radiograms and unit audio to stereo VHF/FM radio operation (where not factory equipped). It's a Thorn stereo decoder type SD1.

I have an HMV Stereomaster model 2401 that uses the unit. The PC619 was also used in the Goodmans Module 80 tuner/amp (as by then, Thorn had acquired Goodmans through their takeover of Radio Rentals).

I have sent you a PM.

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