[Argus25]

Now there is a blast from the past. I know this Philco model very very well. I restored one in NZ in the late 1970's. It was given to me by the late John Stokes. A complete strip down and re-build with a re-electroplated chassis (it had a mouse nest in it and extensive rusting) also I re-veneered the cabinet.

The set has an MW31-74 CRT and a self oscillating line output stage based on a PL38. The RF sections are based on EF80's. I have a hand documented schematic for it. It was easily converted to run on 625 line by opening the gap a little in the line output transformer. The transformer has a paxolin top and an aluminium case and is in oil or low MP wax. I developed a method to remove the paxolin top by machining it near the lip, and then fitting a broad snap ring into the groove of the canister and re-fixing the top to that, so the aluminium canister was not damaged in any way by the process. Also I have a documented mod to alter the sound detector to FM and reverse the video detector. The set worked very well with an external Philips tuner added to receive local 625 line TV in NZ. Also John asked me to present it to the local radio club in Auckland at the time, which he was president of, it was quite an honor. I still have a handout of the talk that night. My brother still has the TV in NZ.