Buccaneer TR 100
 

Hello, newbie here!
I finally tracked down a nice childhood memory, a little Buccaneer TR 100 cassette recorder, as bought by my parents for me one 1970's Christmas.
I've searched for one for several years but to no avail until now. The reason for my post is this - during a googling session, I came across a post on here from a chap saying he had the machine but no circuit diagram.
The thread is now closed so I can't reply on there. So, I now have a diagram if he (or anyone else) needs it.

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

This may be the one you saw: http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/s...3&postcount=42

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Big Dog,

That "chap" was me and if you would be able to upload the circuit on here, I'd be most grateful.

I like the classic 70's orange colour of your machine, mine is more a mustard yellow. Both colours adorned our kitchen in 1974 !

Cheers,

Tony

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

AC/HL,

Thanks for finding the original post and puting in on here.

Tony

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Hi Tony, pleased to "meet" you!
It's actually red, looks a bit more faded in the photo than it really is. My original one was black, my little bro had the red one.
Just need a 70's mic-in-in-front-of-the-radio Top 40 tape now for some proper nostalgia!
Hope the attachment is ok, if not PM me an email address and I'll do my best.
TTFN
Andy

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Somewhere, I have a "Buccaneer" C-60 blank cassette tape, which I presume was supplied with one of these machines, just like the insert pictured top right here: http://farm8.static.***********/7346/...f93a0b8139.jpg

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Does it use the Philips transport? It seems to have the same 'push & slide' control and the record button in the same place.

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

BigDogSkye64

Andy, thanks for the circuit it came out well.

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Andrew2,

The control knob works externally as the Philips does but the internal operation is simplified (presumably to reduce costs)

Unfortunately I can't put my hands on my machine as it's in storage at the moment but in the next few days I'll get it and post the difference to the Philips on here.

Tony

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

You're welcome Tony :)

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Andrew2,

Just dug out the machine and first of all, I was wrong about the internal mec. It follows the Philips design quite well.

The date of manufacturer was:15th April 1972 and has the look of being made by Aiwa.

See pics below:

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Yes, just looking at the arrangement of the main belt I would have guessed Philips for want of better knowledge. Also the appearance of the flywheel.

Looking at the schematics, the electrical design seems very basic. DC bias and erase, and for recording a permanent little AGC circuit based around the diode in the middle of the schematics forming a leaky peak detector apparently controlling the operating point of the first transistor.

The equalization seems fairly simple too, with a series RC circuit from the output to the driver transistor, and a parallel one in the connection to the head in record mode.

This of course does not deter from its nostalgic factor, and I'm sure it suited its purpose excellently in its day.

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

I picked up a near mint example in the 80s at a jumble sale and always liked it. Far from the best "shoebox" cassette recorder I ever used but the mechanism and operation reminded me of the first Philips one I used as a very young child in the mid to late 70s. It did what it needed to do quite admirably, indeed playback via an external amp suggested the head and pre-amp were quite good. It was limited by the internal speaker and DC bias. But nonetheless an attractive little machine. I hope it's one of the items my mother consigned to the attic (rather than landfill) when I temporarily moved to the USA. Still going through the stuff up there 20 years on...

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Quote:

I hope it's one of the items my mother consigned to the attic (rather than landfill) when I temporarily moved to the USA. Still going through the stuff up there 20 years on...

Keep your fingers crossed !

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Thanks for the info, Tony. With that kind of operation it just had to be Philips or a copy!

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Andy,

When Philips first launched the EL 3300 at the 1963 Berlin Radio Show they did an astonishing thing that surprised other main manufacturers, they signed agreements that allowed the chosen companies to manufacture the design "Licence Free", so long as they strictly followed the specs of the Philips.

Utter madness by Philips ??.....No, Philips had an Ace card up their sleeve !
They introduced pre-recorded cassettes from the record companies they already owned.

These were designated: "Musicassettes" but this time, if anyone wanted to produce music recordings of their own, Philips held the copyright and charged them a sufficient fee!!

The Musicassette was a great success and Philips raked it in for several years!

One of the largest seller of Musicassettes was Woolworths

Besides cassette machines I also collect Musicassettes too & I have over 2000!

My most valuable one is Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band !!!!

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

In some way akin to printer manufacturers selling their printers cheap, because they know people will need to buy supplies for many years to come.

Re: Buccaneer TR 100
 

Ricard,

Spot On !