Pye 39J/H radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Alf Fisher · 10th Mar 2019, 12:37 am

Hi,
I have one of these radios that I have now repaired after it being totally silent. The fault was due to o/c 100k anode resistors of both EBC33s. It must have been a bad batch of resistors!

My reason for writing is I have a problem with tuning scale diffuser.
Behind the glass tuning scale, a plastic sheet acts as a translucent light diffuser but in my set, this has totally disintegrated into little flakes of plastic. I have a piece of plastic sheet to fit as a replacement but I would like to know where and how it is attached to the scale back plate. Any diagrams or photos would be much appreciated. There are probably some special clips that are no longer there. The only info I can find is from the red Radio & TV servicing books but there are no pictures about this part of the radio. Many thanks in advance.

Alf

music-centre · 10th Mar 2019, 12:00 pm

Hello Alf,
Its almost totally missing on the one that I have but there are fragments showing and it looks as if is riveted to a metal bracket that screws to the backplate with a thicker frosted piece of plastic over it.
Steve.

Hartley118 · 10th Mar 2019, 1:53 pm

In the traditional words of the car mechanic: "They all do that sir"

I have a couple of examples of the excellent 39J/H (my avatar) and the dial lighting diffuser has long since departed from them both. The remaining material reminds me of a type of 1940s lampshade - cellulose acetate maybe?

Naturally, it helps to clean up the white painted dial background and the edges of the dial glass, but otherwise I just put up with the somewhat uneven illumination.

I'll be very interested if someone comes up with a practical work-around for this problem.

Martin

Mr Moose · 10th Mar 2019, 2:33 pm

Hello,
Are you sure it is a complete diffuser and not just two pieces about 1 inch wide on either side to cover and spread the light from the dial bulbs?
Looking at mine there are strips about 1 inch wide on either side and with a straight edge just like the one in music-centre's picture.
Yours, Richard

music-centre · 10th Mar 2019, 3:44 pm

I think they should have the diffuser over the whole area of the dial as well as 2 strips of thicker material close to the bulbs which seems to survive much better, I found this picture of an export version PE41 that looks as if it has the same arrangement.
Steve.

AC/HL · 10th Mar 2019, 3:53 pm

A scrap LCD screen would be a source of diffuser. The fluorescent tubes can be separately disposed of at the council recycling depot, although the odd one is useful for testing inverters.

wd40addict · 10th Mar 2019, 4:38 pm

It's an all over diffuser + the strips mentioned above. I experimented with tracing paper, but in the end just decided it was fine without it.

Mike. Watterson · 10th Mar 2019, 9:42 pm

I have the Irish made version. If the photo here isn't clear I can upload.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_39_jhe.html
About 5th row down on the thumbnails to see diffuser.
Polyester drafting film works. Stiff, translucent.

Alf Fisher · 18th Mar 2019, 10:55 pm

Hi Mike, thank you for message with link to RMorg. I would love to see the detail of the side strips and how they are iattached to the back plate. The thumbnail photo is a bit small and dark but if you would be kind enough to upload a better image maybe from one of your radios , then that would be great.

Cheers, Alf

Mike. Watterson · 19th Mar 2019, 7:42 pm

PM me with your email if you need higher resolution.

Alf Fisher · 21st Mar 2019, 8:56 pm

Hi Mike,
At each side of the scale I have a metal strip held to the edge of the back plate by a couple of 6BA screws. in each strip is clamped a one inch (approx) wide strip of what was previous described as Victorian lampshade material. In this model there is an additional dial lamp fitted top centre instead of your magic eye.

There is also another wider piece of the Victorian lampshade material with 4 little eyelets along it long side that is just floating about at the bottom. No idea what part this has or where it fits. The length of it suggests it is fitted vertically as it isn't long enough to go the full width - maybe there should be two of them - who knows?
This the problem when you get a set that someone else has had a go at!
Any ideas are welcome.

Anyway Mike, I'd love to have the Hi res pics so I've s sent you a PM.

Many thanks.
Alf

Mike. Watterson · 21st Mar 2019, 9:48 pm

Polyester drafting film, it's heavy and translucent. Held off the back plate so it's illuminated from behind.
I have the set sitting here beside me, actually, but I'd have to dismantle it to see exactly how the diffuser is sitting.
It's a fantastic performing set. There was a Radiogram version based on it in Ireland, one of earliest with 45 & 33 as well as 78. One of those had come in that year and the other speed the year before.

One was actually for sale, but too far away and too expensive.
It's the size of a small Church electric organ or harmonium. HUGE! So actually I've no idea where it could have fitted in.

The Pye 39 JH/E was amazingly a private sale only 20 mins drive away. I've bought sets from US, UK & Germany and one 1935 Radiogram in Belfast, a 7 hours each way drive then.

Alf Fisher · 21st Mar 2019, 9:48 pm

Hi Mike,
I think I have now worked it out thanks to your better resolution photos.
It appears that I am one wide diffuser missing and these must have been riveted to the large diffuser sheet that has disintegrated. So I need a wide side diffuser or else make a pair out of something else. I'll have to test the sheet I have to see if it can withstand the heat of a dial lamp without going brown.

Its funny how the thicker frosted diffusers have survived yet the large one is no more.

On the picture I have marked where the edges of the wider diffusers are.
I guess the positions of the rivets will have been carefully chosen so as not to be visible through the glass scale.

Best wishes,
Alf

Alf Fisher · 21st Mar 2019, 9:54 pm

Mike,
Wow that is massive. I bet its got more than one speaker it!

I'll get some drafting film and give that a try.

Many thanks for your help.
Alf

dave walsh · 21st Mar 2019, 11:03 pm

I have one of these sets ["Tabletop" Model] although that's big enough

. A very sophisticated radio in it's day. I bought mine from a chap in Seaford [Nr Brighton] about a decade ago. He told me that his family ran a Radio Dealership locally and remembered that it was a very expensive item [they bought it for themselves]. Re the problems with the dial, they'd obtained a spare one on purchase, not because of the print [maybe a problem later on] but so there would be a spare if it got broken! That came with the set and both of them are still intact! I didn't know there was a Radiogram Version but the photo does it more justice than the advert or is that yet another variation with sloping sides?

Dave W

Mike. Watterson · 22nd Mar 2019, 9:18 pm

Advert and real item are the same model. The PE80 RG looks bigger...

Alf Fisher · 22nd Mar 2019, 11:29 pm

Mike,
The picture of the PE80RG looks like an electronic organ of some sort!
They really went to town with its 13 dial lamps!

Alf Fisher · 24th Mar 2019, 10:15 pm

After making up a replacement diffuser, the tricky bit will be fitting it.

I think the waveband indicator bar at the bottom will have to come off to enable the diffuser to be slotted in place.

Maybe some has done it but maybe not!

Mike. Watterson · 2nd Apr 2019, 8:06 pm

See http://radioshop.co.uk/vintage.radioshop/PE41/index.htm
He has fitted a mylar drawing sheet.

10th Mar 2019, 12:37 am	#1
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Pye 39J/H radio Hi, I have one of these radios that I have now repaired after it being totally silent. The fault was due to o/c 100k anode resistors of both EBC33s. It must have been a bad batch of resistors! My reason for writing is I have a problem with tuning scale diffuser. Behind the glass tuning scale, a plastic sheet acts as a translucent light diffuser but in my set, this has totally disintegrated into little flakes of plastic. I have a piece of plastic sheet to fit as a replacement but I would like to know where and how it is attached to the scale back plate. Any diagrams or photos would be much appreciated. There are probably some special clips that are no longer there. The only info I can find is from the red Radio & TV servicing books but there are no pictures about this part of the radio. Many thanks in advance. Alf

10th Mar 2019, 12:00 pm	#2
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Hello Alf, Its almost totally missing on the one that I have but there are fragments showing and it looks as if is riveted to a metal bracket that screws to the backplate with a thicker frosted piece of plastic over it. Steve. Attached Thumbnails

10th Mar 2019, 1:53 pm	#3
Hartley118 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 2,198	Re: Pye 39J/H radio In the traditional words of the car mechanic: "They all do that sir" I have a couple of examples of the excellent 39J/H (my avatar) and the dial lighting diffuser has long since departed from them both. The remaining material reminds me of a type of 1940s lampshade - cellulose acetate maybe? Naturally, it helps to clean up the white painted dial background and the edges of the dial glass, but otherwise I just put up with the somewhat uneven illumination. I'll be very interested if someone comes up with a practical work-around for this problem. Martin __________________ BVWS Member

10th Mar 2019, 2:33 pm	#4
Mr Moose Octode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 1,043	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Hello, Are you sure it is a complete diffuser and not just two pieces about 1 inch wide on either side to cover and spread the light from the dial bulbs? Looking at mine there are strips about 1 inch wide on either side and with a straight edge just like the one in music-centre's picture. Yours, Richard

10th Mar 2019, 3:44 pm	#5
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Pye 39J/H radio I think they should have the diffuser over the whole area of the dial as well as 2 strips of thicker material close to the bulbs which seems to survive much better, I found this picture of an export version PE41 that looks as if it has the same arrangement. Steve. Attached Thumbnails

10th Mar 2019, 3:53 pm	#6
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Pye 39J/H radio A scrap LCD screen would be a source of diffuser. The fluorescent tubes can be separately disposed of at the council recycling depot, although the odd one is useful for testing inverters.

10th Mar 2019, 4:38 pm	#7
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: Pye 39J/H radio It's an all over diffuser + the strips mentioned above. I experimented with tracing paper, but in the end just decided it was fine without it.

10th Mar 2019, 9:42 pm	#8
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Pye 39J/H radio I have the Irish made version. If the photo here isn't clear I can upload. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_39_jhe.html About 5th row down on the thumbnails to see diffuser. Polyester drafting film works. Stiff, translucent.

18th Mar 2019, 10:55 pm	#9
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Hi Mike, thank you for message with link to RMorg. I would love to see the detail of the side strips and how they are iattached to the back plate. The thumbnail photo is a bit small and dark but if you would be kind enough to upload a better image maybe from one of your radios , then that would be great. Cheers, Alf

19th Mar 2019, 7:42 pm	#10
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Pye 39J/H radio PM me with your email if you need higher resolution. Attached Thumbnails

21st Mar 2019, 8:56 pm	#11
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Hi Mike, At each side of the scale I have a metal strip held to the edge of the back plate by a couple of 6BA screws. in each strip is clamped a one inch (approx) wide strip of what was previous described as Victorian lampshade material. In this model there is an additional dial lamp fitted top centre instead of your magic eye. There is also another wider piece of the Victorian lampshade material with 4 little eyelets along it long side that is just floating about at the bottom. No idea what part this has or where it fits. The length of it suggests it is fitted vertically as it isn't long enough to go the full width - maybe there should be two of them - who knows? This the problem when you get a set that someone else has had a go at! Any ideas are welcome. Anyway Mike, I'd love to have the Hi res pics so I've s sent you a PM. Many thanks. Alf

21st Mar 2019, 9:48 pm	#12
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Polyester drafting film, it's heavy and translucent. Held off the back plate so it's illuminated from behind. I have the set sitting here beside me, actually, but I'd have to dismantle it to see exactly how the diffuser is sitting. It's a fantastic performing set. There was a Radiogram version based on it in Ireland, one of earliest with 45 & 33 as well as 78. One of those had come in that year and the other speed the year before. One was actually for sale, but too far away and too expensive. It's the size of a small Church electric organ or harmonium. HUGE! So actually I've no idea where it could have fitted in. The Pye 39 JH/E was amazingly a private sale only 20 mins drive away. I've bought sets from US, UK & Germany and one 1935 Radiogram in Belfast, a 7 hours each way drive then. Attached Thumbnails

21st Mar 2019, 9:48 pm	#13
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Hi Mike, I think I have now worked it out thanks to your better resolution photos. It appears that I am one wide diffuser missing and these must have been riveted to the large diffuser sheet that has disintegrated. So I need a wide side diffuser or else make a pair out of something else. I'll have to test the sheet I have to see if it can withstand the heat of a dial lamp without going brown. Its funny how the thicker frosted diffusers have survived yet the large one is no more. On the picture I have marked where the edges of the wider diffusers are. I guess the positions of the rivets will have been carefully chosen so as not to be visible through the glass scale. Best wishes, Alf Attached Thumbnails

21st Mar 2019, 9:54 pm	#14
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Mike, Wow that is massive. I bet its got more than one speaker it! I'll get some drafting film and give that a try. Many thanks for your help. Alf

21st Mar 2019, 11:03 pm	#15
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Pye 39J/H radio I have one of these sets ["Tabletop" Model] although that's big enough. A very sophisticated radio in it's day. I bought mine from a chap in Seaford [Nr Brighton] about a decade ago. He told me that his family ran a Radio Dealership locally and remembered that it was a very expensive item [they bought it for themselves]. Re the problems with the dial, they'd obtained a spare one on purchase, not because of the print [maybe a problem later on] but so there would be a spare if it got broken! That came with the set and both of them are still intact! I didn't know there was a Radiogram Version but the photo does it more justice than the advert or is that yet another variation with sloping sides? Dave W

22nd Mar 2019, 9:18 pm	#16
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Advert and real item are the same model. The PE80 RG looks bigger...

22nd Mar 2019, 11:29 pm	#17
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: Pye 39J/H radio Mike, The picture of the PE80RG looks like an electronic organ of some sort! They really went to town with its 13 dial lamps!

24th Mar 2019, 10:15 pm	#18
Alf Fisher Hexode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Potton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 293	Re: Pye 39J/H radio After making up a replacement diffuser, the tricky bit will be fitting it. I think the waveband indicator bar at the bottom will have to come off to enable the diffuser to be slotted in place. Maybe some has done it but maybe not!

2nd Apr 2019, 8:06 pm	#19
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Pye 39J/H radio See http://radioshop.co.uk/vintage.radioshop/PE41/index.htm He has fitted a mylar drawing sheet.