Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

bart846 · 23rd Jan 2023, 10:28 am

Hello,
I've obtained lately a Plessey antenna splitter/amplifier ( I think)..... Model PV.14E Aerial amplifier. However no documentation to be found and the valves are missing.
Anyone out there who is familiar with this unit? Thanks for any reaction.
73 Bart

Robert Gribnau · 25th Jan 2023, 11:53 am

You could try contacting the people of the 3 Telecommunications Unit (3TU) since they seem to have used a lot of these aerial amplifiers:

https://www.asd.gov.au/sites/default...-splitters.pdf

https://www.asd.gov.au/about/history...ation-unit-3tu

https://web.facebook.com/people/3-Te...0807/?sk=about

Jon_G4MDC · 26th Jan 2023, 11:34 am

Hello Bart. I was hoping someone would have some answers for you about this.
It's not looking too promising.. so far.

Have you been inside for any further pictures? I was hoping to guess the frequency range.
I can't read anything useful from the ID plate. Curious to know more.

Cobaltblue · 26th Jan 2023, 4:02 pm

Any chance of a nice clear image of the label?

Cheers

Mike T

G6Tanuki · 26th Jan 2023, 4:27 pm

The style of the label and the antenna sockets both look distinctly 'military'.

Jon_G4MDC · 26th Jan 2023, 5:51 pm

Back when I was an SWL I'm pretty sure I was given some cables having suitable co-axial male connectors fitted on the ends. I forget now what they were. Not Pye plugs...

They resembled a scaled up version of a car radio plug, with a protruding centre pin. About 1/2" across but the outer spring ring was replaced by a shoulder and knurled lock ring for the ground connection.

They might have been a Plessey invention I suppose. I don't think I have seen them on anything else and they are long gone now.

Synchrodyne · 26th Jan 2023, 9:05 pm

The Plessey PV14 was mentioned briefly in WW 1951 November.

WW 195111 p.449 Plessey PV14 Multicoupler.pdf

It was an HF (2 to 25 MHz) aerial multicoupler with 10 outputs. It used EF91 and ECC91 valves.

The PV14B had an even briefer mention in WW 1954 October.

WW 195410 p.472 Plessey PV14B Multicoupler.pdf

This suggests, but does not confirm, that the suffix letters applied to successive iterations rather contemporaneous variants.

An advertisement in WW 1962 April suggests that aerial multicouplers were a significant product type for Plessey at the time.

WW 196204 p.80 Plessey Aerial Exchange.pdf

Cheers,

Radio Wrangler · 26th Jan 2023, 9:23 pm

OK, it's an HF multicoupler, thanks. Looks like 2x5-way.

An antenna distribution amp for a shortwave listening station.

Moving to amateur/military section.

David

Jon_G4MDC · 31st Jan 2023, 10:32 pm

I wonder why Bart didn't come back? I would still like to know what those connectors were. Does anyone know?

Andrew Sinclair · 1st Feb 2023, 9:16 am

There are 3 of them at the back of the Murphy B40 series receivers used by the RN. The chassis socket is listed as "Admiralty Pattern 60451" in the manual. The prototype B40 from 1945 has one of these connectors on the back panel, so they must date back at least that far.
Some of the plugs I have are marked "F&E LTD" I believe for "Film and Equipment" so I have always known them as Film and Equipment connectors. In Radio Bygones magazine, issue 103 (October 2006), Michael O'Beirne also calls them F&E connectors. I don't know if this is the manufacturers name for them.
(Removes deerstalker hat.)

Jon_G4MDC · 1st Feb 2023, 10:55 am

Well done Andrew! Yes F&E does jog a memory now. Thanks!
Marvellous this forum.

bart846 · 2nd Feb 2023, 4:52 pm

Thank you everyone for your reply. Sorry not having answered earlier, but the older I get the busier I am....
Added some more pictures. I will change the coax connectors to 75 ohms BNC, as I have only a very limited number of the original male connectors ( btw same as on back of B40)

bart846 · 2nd Feb 2023, 5:20 pm

Just noticed that sharp pictures lose some quality when uploaded. Herewith the data plate. The female connectors are marked Cannon.

2000 type · 6th Feb 2023, 12:05 pm

The co-ax connectors described and used on the B40 series receivers are Jones plugs (not to be confused with the flat-pinned multiway connectors used on T1154/R1155 etc).

Jones was a US firm, Films & Equipment Ltd was one of the UK licenced manufacturers of their products. They were also made by Cannon.

2000 type · 6th Feb 2023, 12:23 pm

Added page clip from a Cannon catalogue.

Rileyman · 6th Feb 2023, 10:02 pm

Have a look at item (2) in my "offered" post of Aug. 8th. 2022 .

I've always known them as "Small F&Es"

Laurie.

bart846 · 20th Feb 2023, 12:53 pm

They are rather discrete about frequency and impedance.......

23rd Jan 2023, 10:28 am	#1
bart846 Triode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: The Hague, Netherlands. Posts: 12	Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Hello, I've obtained lately a Plessey antenna splitter/amplifier ( I think)..... Model PV.14E Aerial amplifier. However no documentation to be found and the valves are missing. Anyone out there who is familiar with this unit? Thanks for any reaction. 73 Bart Attached Thumbnails

25th Jan 2023, 11:53 am	#2
Robert Gribnau Hexode Join Date: May 2017 Location: Konongo, Ghana Posts: 404	Re: PLessey PV.14E amplifier You could try contacting the people of the 3 Telecommunications Unit (3TU) since they seem to have used a lot of these aerial amplifiers: https://www.asd.gov.au/sites/default...-splitters.pdf https://www.asd.gov.au/about/history...ation-unit-3tu https://web.facebook.com/people/3-Te...0807/?sk=about __________________ Robert

26th Jan 2023, 11:34 am	#3
Jon_G4MDC Octode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,780	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Hello Bart. I was hoping someone would have some answers for you about this. It's not looking too promising.. so far. Have you been inside for any further pictures? I was hoping to guess the frequency range. I can't read anything useful from the ID plate. Curious to know more.

26th Jan 2023, 4:02 pm	#4
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,245	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Any chance of a nice clear image of the label? Cheers Mike T __________________ Don't care if it was a bargain why's it in my kitchen Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

26th Jan 2023, 4:27 pm	#5
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 12,410	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp The style of the label and the antenna sockets both look distinctly 'military'. __________________ "Acht Nul Noyyun Zwo Funnuf" -Magdeburg Annie.

26th Jan 2023, 5:51 pm	#6
Jon_G4MDC Octode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,780	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Back when I was an SWL I'm pretty sure I was given some cables having suitable co-axial male connectors fitted on the ends. I forget now what they were. Not Pye plugs... They resembled a scaled up version of a car radio plug, with a protruding centre pin. About 1/2" across but the outer spring ring was replaced by a shoulder and knurled lock ring for the ground connection. They might have been a Plessey invention I suppose. I don't think I have seen them on anything else and they are long gone now.

26th Jan 2023, 9:05 pm	#7
Synchrodyne Nonode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Posts: 2,852	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp The Plessey PV14 was mentioned briefly in WW 1951 November. WW 195111 p.449 Plessey PV14 Multicoupler.pdf It was an HF (2 to 25 MHz) aerial multicoupler with 10 outputs. It used EF91 and ECC91 valves. The PV14B had an even briefer mention in WW 1954 October. WW 195410 p.472 Plessey PV14B Multicoupler.pdf This suggests, but does not confirm, that the suffix letters applied to successive iterations rather contemporaneous variants. An advertisement in WW 1962 April suggests that aerial multicouplers were a significant product type for Plessey at the time. WW 196204 p.80 Plessey Aerial Exchange.pdf Cheers,

26th Jan 2023, 9:23 pm	#8
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 21,117	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp OK, it's an HF multicoupler, thanks. Looks like 2x5-way. An antenna distribution amp for a shortwave listening station. Moving to amateur/military section. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

31st Jan 2023, 10:32 pm	#9
Jon_G4MDC Octode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,780	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp I wonder why Bart didn't come back? I would still like to know what those connectors were. Does anyone know?

1st Feb 2023, 9:16 am	#10
Andrew Sinclair Tetrode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fareham, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 83	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp There are 3 of them at the back of the Murphy B40 series receivers used by the RN. The chassis socket is listed as "Admiralty Pattern 60451" in the manual. The prototype B40 from 1945 has one of these connectors on the back panel, so they must date back at least that far. Some of the plugs I have are marked "F&E LTD" I believe for "Film and Equipment" so I have always known them as Film and Equipment connectors. In Radio Bygones magazine, issue 103 (October 2006), Michael O'Beirne also calls them F&E connectors. I don't know if this is the manufacturers name for them. (Removes deerstalker hat.)

1st Feb 2023, 10:55 am	#11
Jon_G4MDC Octode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,780	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Well done Andrew! Yes F&E does jog a memory now. Thanks! Marvellous this forum.

2nd Feb 2023, 4:52 pm	#12
bart846 Triode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: The Hague, Netherlands. Posts: 12	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Thank you everyone for your reply. Sorry not having answered earlier, but the older I get the busier I am.... Added some more pictures. I will change the coax connectors to 75 ohms BNC, as I have only a very limited number of the original male connectors ( btw same as on back of B40) Attached Thumbnails

2nd Feb 2023, 5:20 pm	#13
bart846 Triode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: The Hague, Netherlands. Posts: 12	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Just noticed that sharp pictures lose some quality when uploaded. Herewith the data plate. The female connectors are marked Cannon. Attached Thumbnails

6th Feb 2023, 12:05 pm	#14
2000 type Triode Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: North Surrey, UK. Posts: 44	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp The co-ax connectors described and used on the B40 series receivers are Jones plugs (not to be confused with the flat-pinned multiway connectors used on T1154/R1155 etc). Jones was a US firm, Films & Equipment Ltd was one of the UK licenced manufacturers of their products. They were also made by Cannon.

6th Feb 2023, 10:02 pm	#16
Rileyman Pentode Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Maldon, Essex, UK. Posts: 195	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp Have a look at item (2) in my "offered" post of Aug. 8th. 2022 . I've always known them as "Small F&Es" Laurie.

20th Feb 2023, 12:53 pm	#17
bart846 Triode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: The Hague, Netherlands. Posts: 12	Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp They are rather discrete about frequency and impedance.......