BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ben · 16th Dec 2011, 1:21 pm

I am working on a battered version of this - any idea who made it? (I doubt BASF had any electronics production lines). It is quite an original design, all metal and rather convoluted - to replace the belts you have to remove a plate which holds both spool tables, the hubs of which protrude through two holes cut into the upper chassis. Motion sensing is done via a sort of wiper/wafer switch affair. It might be ITT or similar, I suppose.

I'm also after a schematic. Someone has been inside this and 'had a stab'. I've replaced the belts and revived the radio, but the problem now is some short in the cassette area, possibly the switching/stop circuit etc. This does seem to function in that when you press the transport buttons you get a loud low hum and it stops prematurely and flips the cassette door open! This thing is full of germanium transistors, which does not help.

paulsherwin · 16th Dec 2011, 2:11 pm

It does have an ITT look to it.

radioman · 16th Dec 2011, 2:29 pm

It could be an ITT but I have a Sharp radio with similar styling, particularly the tuning knob with the recessed front.

Hope that helps.

Andy

brenellic2000 · 16th Dec 2011, 2:44 pm

I had one of these when the first came out, circa 1971, to exploit BASF's new Cr02 tape. A really lovely radio and cassette player. They were made in Japan as far as I can remember; I was told the cassette unit was made by Sony, but how accurate that was is another matter! My cassette eventually failed (the broken belt didn't help) and it ended up on a skip... alas.

I think I still have the manual, but don't recall seeing a circuit diagram with it. If you do get it working properly, you won't be disappointed.

Merry Chrimbo!
Barry

Andrew2 · 16th Dec 2011, 7:18 pm

Could the deck be Philips? I think they used the wiper/pcb wheel stop detector.

ben · 17th Dec 2011, 12:58 am

I'd say it definitely isn't a Philips. Quirky yes - like Philips, but in a different way (if that makes sense!)

Can't say I blame you for skipping it back then Barry - this deck is the most absurd repair-unfriendly design I've seen, and I've seen a few. A simple belt change took me over an hour! And even then I 'cheated' by not fully removing the motion circuit as access was just possible with it in situ.

Anyway, will keep probing.

brenellic2000 · 17th Dec 2011, 12:00 pm

Hi Ben,

Yes, I remember well by that sinking feeling when I came to change the belt. You'll be pleased to know then that I haven't found the manual or circuit diagram - pity really, as they were a very nice unit.

Merry Chrimbo!
Barry

S499.1023 · 8th Feb 2012, 3:46 pm

It is AIWA TPR-210. Most BASF products came from AIWA. The biggest problem is the textile belt for autostop :-(. I have threw the thing away 20 years ago, but I still remember it, as it was my first radio-recorder for chrome tapes.

Darren-UK · 8th Feb 2012, 4:44 pm

It's vaguely similar to the TPR-210 but significantly different in detail, not least with the tuning scale orientation and layout of controls.

S499.1023 · 8th Feb 2012, 5:14 pm

Yes, but these are just details. It is a slightly modified AIWA TPR-210 manufactured by AIWA for BASF. Check the top panel or the left side panel with connectors. These are exactly the same.

Maarten · 13th Feb 2012, 4:00 am

Hmmm... Did other brands use textile belts as well? I remember an old Crown deck using a textile belt. It could have been made by Aiwa, of course.

ben · 13th Feb 2012, 2:15 pm

Thanks for the info! So, it seems it is an AIWA.
I've put this one on the back burner for now, but will update with progress as and when.

16th Dec 2011, 1:21 pm	#1
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 I am working on a battered version of this - any idea who made it? (I doubt BASF had any electronics production lines). It is quite an original design, all metal and rather convoluted - to replace the belts you have to remove a plate which holds both spool tables, the hubs of which protrude through two holes cut into the upper chassis. Motion sensing is done via a sort of wiper/wafer switch affair. It might be ITT or similar, I suppose. I'm also after a schematic. Someone has been inside this and 'had a stab'. I've replaced the belts and revived the radio, but the problem now is some short in the cassette area, possibly the switching/stop circuit etc. This does seem to function in that when you press the transport buttons you get a loud low hum and it stops prematurely and flips the cassette door open! This thing is full of germanium transistors, which does not help. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ben. Last edited by ben; 16th Dec 2011 at 1:26 pm.

16th Dec 2011, 2:11 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 It does have an ITT look to it.

16th Dec 2011, 2:29 pm	#3
radioman Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ayr, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 631	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 It could be an ITT but I have a Sharp radio with similar styling, particularly the tuning knob with the recessed front. Hope that helps. Andy __________________ G-QRP #12697

16th Dec 2011, 2:44 pm	#4
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 I had one of these when the first came out, circa 1971, to exploit BASF's new Cr02 tape. A really lovely radio and cassette player. They were made in Japan as far as I can remember; I was told the cassette unit was made by Sony, but how accurate that was is another matter! My cassette eventually failed (the broken belt didn't help) and it ended up on a skip... alas. I think I still have the manual, but don't recall seeing a circuit diagram with it. If you do get it working properly, you won't be disappointed. Merry Chrimbo! Barry

16th Dec 2011, 7:18 pm	#5
Andrew2 Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 2,038	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 Could the deck be Philips? I think they used the wiper/pcb wheel stop detector. __________________ Andy G1HBE.

17th Dec 2011, 12:58 am	#6
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 I'd say it definitely isn't a Philips. Quirky yes - like Philips, but in a different way (if that makes sense!) Can't say I blame you for skipping it back then Barry - this deck is the most absurd repair-unfriendly design I've seen, and I've seen a few. A simple belt change took me over an hour! And even then I 'cheated' by not fully removing the motion circuit as access was just possible with it in situ. Anyway, will keep probing. __________________ Regards, Ben.

17th Dec 2011, 12:00 pm	#7
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 Hi Ben, Yes, I remember well by that sinking feeling when I came to change the belt. You'll be pleased to know then that I haven't found the manual or circuit diagram - pity really, as they were a very nice unit. Merry Chrimbo! Barry

8th Feb 2012, 3:46 pm	#8
S499.1023 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 2	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 It is AIWA TPR-210. Most BASF products came from AIWA. The biggest problem is the textile belt for autostop :-(. I have threw the thing away 20 years ago, but I still remember it, as it was my first radio-recorder for chrome tapes.

8th Feb 2012, 4:44 pm	#9
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 It's vaguely similar to the TPR-210 but significantly different in detail, not least with the tuning scale orientation and layout of controls.

8th Feb 2012, 5:14 pm	#10
S499.1023 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 2	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 Yes, but these are just details. It is a slightly modified AIWA TPR-210 manufactured by AIWA for BASF. Check the top panel or the left side panel with connectors. These are exactly the same.

13th Feb 2012, 4:00 am	#11
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,203	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 Hmmm... Did other brands use textile belts as well? I remember an old Crown deck using a textile belt. It could have been made by Aiwa, of course.

13th Feb 2012, 2:15 pm	#12
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: BASF 9301 radio cassette 1973 Thanks for the info! So, it seems it is an AIWA. I've put this one on the back burner for now, but will update with progress as and when. __________________ Regards, Ben.