Identify these items? Possible wired relay parts? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Martin G7MRV · 3rd Feb 2024, 11:09 am

One of our museum volunteers forwarded me this link

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-c5026a6193eb

knowing im on the lookout for radio related stuff for the museum. But I cant work out exactly what it is! Im thinking consumer end terminals from an early cable relay network?

Can anyone enlighten me?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-c5026a6193eb

Cobaltblue · 3rd Feb 2024, 11:21 am

They look like Band 3 converters for band 1 only TV's very popular at one time.

There's an CRT mu metal shield on the right probably gov surplus.

The larger unit in the middle looks to have discrete Band 3 Channels as opposed to continuous tuning so may be a more sophisticated unit than the other 2.

Cheers

Mike T

Tractorfan · 3rd Feb 2024, 2:30 pm

Hi,
Those are two 'Sterling' band III converters near the centre of the picture. In my youth I used to use the cases & PSUs for small single valve projects. I think they used an ECC81.
I now have one with its original box and instruction leaflet. Mine must be a later model as it has a triode-RF pentode valve, IIRC.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Pete.

dazzlevision · 3rd Feb 2024, 2:55 pm

The big one in the centre of the picture with the small blue box atop, branded "Channel" is a band three converter which can operate on more than one Band 3 input frequency.

I have a different Channel model, with a single Band 3 channel put, more suited to domestic use.

Channel Electronic Industries Ltd, of Dunstan Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset (in 1956). Princess Street (same town), in 1954.

Manufacturer of Band 3 converters, sub-miniature IF transformers and TV test equipment.
In 1958, they introduced a transistor portable radio the “Magpie”.

In 1961, the company went into voluntary liquidation.

Martin G7MRV · 3rd Feb 2024, 6:05 pm

Thanks for the info, much appreciated,

Interesting, but not quite right for our museum (too late a date)

3rd Feb 2024, 11:09 am	#1
Martin G7MRV Heptode Join Date: May 2008 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 954	Identify these items? Possible wired relay parts? One of our museum volunteers forwarded me this link https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-c5026a6193eb knowing im on the lookout for radio related stuff for the museum. But I cant work out exactly what it is! Im thinking consumer end terminals from an early cable relay network? Can anyone enlighten me? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...e-c5026a6193eb __________________ I got food in ma belly and a license for ma telly My Blog - http://g7mrv.blogspot.com

3rd Feb 2024, 11:21 am	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,882	Re: Identify these items? Possible wired relay parts? They look like Band 3 converters for band 1 only TV's very popular at one time. There's an CRT mu metal shield on the right probably gov surplus. The larger unit in the middle looks to have discrete Band 3 Channels as opposed to continuous tuning so may be a more sophisticated unit than the other 2. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

3rd Feb 2024, 2:30 pm	#3
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,184	Re: Identify these items? Possible wired relay parts? Hi, Those are two 'Sterling' band III converters near the centre of the picture. In my youth I used to use the cases & PSUs for small single valve projects. I think they used an ECC81. I now have one with its original box and instruction leaflet. Mine must be a later model as it has a triode-RF pentode valve, IIRC. Hope this helps. Cheers, Pete. __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

3rd Feb 2024, 2:55 pm	#4
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,629	Re: Identify these items? Possible wired relay parts? The big one in the centre of the picture with the small blue box atop, branded "Channel" is a band three converter which can operate on more than one Band 3 input frequency. I have a different Channel model, with a single Band 3 channel put, more suited to domestic use. Channel Electronic Industries Ltd, of Dunstan Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset (in 1956). Princess Street (same town), in 1954. Manufacturer of Band 3 converters, sub-miniature IF transformers and TV test equipment. In 1958, they introduced a transistor portable radio the “Magpie”. In 1961, the company went into voluntary liquidation.

3rd Feb 2024, 6:05 pm	#5
Martin G7MRV Heptode Join Date: May 2008 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 954	Re: Identify these items? Possible wired relay parts? Thanks for the info, much appreciated, Interesting, but not quite right for our museum (too late a date) __________________ I got food in ma belly and a license for ma telly My Blog - http://g7mrv.blogspot.com