Murphy (What is it?)
 

Recently picked this Murphy unit up at a sale but have no idea what it is.
There are no model numbers on the back of the unit and ive tried researching online and the only thing i can come up with is a picture of it being advertised on a prop company website but even they only list it as retro technology or something similar.

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

VHF 2 way radio. AM most probably. Made in a factory about a mile from me.
I have never seen one up close. It might be transistor receiver (REC switch position) where TX valve heaters are switched off.
The SB (Standby) position will light the valves and allow an inverter to provide HT when mic PTT is pressed.
In a stationary vehicle listening for long periods with the set on SB might mean you can't start the engine.
The toggle switch opens the receiver mute or squelch - assume there is a preset pot inside for adjusting that.

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

Possibly just a remote control unit to control a TX/RX at a remote location? Difficult to tell with the covers on.

The only visible external connection is at top left of both pictures.

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

There's another one here:

https://www.electroprops.co.uk/91/Co...dio-P2548.html

And another unit that looks similar in here:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=126440

Lawrence.

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

It has REC SB PA on the big switch at the front , i suspect its some kind of radio unit.
I can see Valves through the top but i cant get the cover off as its seized solid so ive put some WD40 on it to loosen up the screw units.
Ooops others have posted as i was typing this , looks like i have my answer.

Does it have any use ????? can it be converted to amateur?

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

I had a thread out some years ago about acquiring two old Murphy base stations, and several similar mobile units. They had been used by the Hydro-Board back in the 50's & 60's for Landrovers, Bedford 3 toners, Sub-Stations, etc.
Couldn't find anyone interested in them, even bucksheesh, & I neither had the storage nor the inclination to keep them. So, stripped of all reusable bits & bobs, valves, etc., and off to the skip they went. They were replaced by the likes of the Pye AM10B's for Electricity Boards, the Fire Brigade, and Military use.

Regards, David

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

SB possibly Stand By?

Re: Murphy (What is it)
 

It will make a nice case for a retro project if the worst comes to the worst. Bung a Bluetooth module and LM386 inside it and it'll probably sell for 3 figures :)

Re: Murphy (What is it?)
 

I must congratulate Lawrence ms660 for having a much better memory than me.
The 2nd thread linked I had completely forgotten! Sorry David since I see you were in it too!

Please don't wreck it. If you are wondering what to do with it put in the for sale section or send me a PM. I don't need it but perhaps it should come home.

As I see from the earlier thread, as I was learning "the morse", there was one on the shelf.
Thats why I know it but I was mentally a bit busy at the time.

Re: Murphy (What is it?)
 

I bought one of these just before being licenced in 1979. Mine had "Base - 86.875" scrawled on the front panel, so was lowband and AM. I did get RF out of it as I recall. All valve mobile transceiver. It had a plastic fist mic attached to it. SB = standby