Analogue TV tuning? - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Stuart R · 12th Dec 2020, 11:32 am

I'm glad that is sorted, I had to go and do some work so couldn't keep up with the thread.

Like Derrick, I was thinking there was confusion between UHF frequency known as 'Channel' (21-68) and the preset position, now I remember, known as 'Program' (00-40).

Just to be sure I wasn't making it up, I had a look on the web. I can't find the image I found yesterday, but here are the 'hidden' controls on someone else's Philips panel. I'll put it up here in case anyone else is struggling with an old Philips/Pye TV in future, but this clearly doesn't fully apply to thee Space Helmet.

You can just about make out the open/close (store) memory diamond buttons.

The other tuning button symbols related to the fact that some of these Philips TVs presented a coloured tuning cursor that moved up a screen of 'snow' as you tuned, like a radio tuning dial. The symbols representing the movement of the cursor in the screen.

(I've got a 12" Pye Rambler portable somewhere where the UHF channel numbers are marked along the bezel around the lower edge of the CRT. The black cursor moves along the screen as you twiddle the tuner.)

The search button was 2 arrows pushing against a line, it moves the tuning cursor quickly along the screen indicating a fast search across the UHF Channels. Once a signal was found the tuner would pause there.

You could then choose the Program (Preset) number in which you wanted to store that to, with the regular Program +/- buttons on the front panel.

Then push store to keep that program and repeat the process for the next three channels, and maybe, if lucky, your VCR.

For things that sounded a bit buzzy or off-tune, like the Vic-20 home computer, there were fine tuning controls. Top left, with the line and a plus or minus symbol. This would nudge the tuning slightly one way or the other before you pushed Store

I think some of the better Philips sets then had a 'C/P' button that would allow you to use the 'Program' up/down buttons as UHF 'Channel' up/down selection.

Sorry, that's a bit long and irrelevant but maybe useful to others....

Regards,

SR (Co-Op TV Delivery boy in the late 80s)

Maarten · 12th Dec 2020, 9:25 pm

This set doesn't have a C/P function but the other controls work roughly the same as they did in earlier 1980's models.

12th Dec 2020, 11:32 am	#21
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Analogue TV tuning? I'm glad that is sorted, I had to go and do some work so couldn't keep up with the thread. Like Derrick, I was thinking there was confusion between UHF frequency known as 'Channel' (21-68) and the preset position, now I remember, known as 'Program' (00-40). Just to be sure I wasn't making it up, I had a look on the web. I can't find the image I found yesterday, but here are the 'hidden' controls on someone else's Philips panel. I'll put it up here in case anyone else is struggling with an old Philips/Pye TV in future, but this clearly doesn't fully apply to thee Space Helmet. You can just about make out the open/close (store) memory diamond buttons. The other tuning button symbols related to the fact that some of these Philips TVs presented a coloured tuning cursor that moved up a screen of 'snow' as you tuned, like a radio tuning dial. The symbols representing the movement of the cursor in the screen. (I've got a 12" Pye Rambler portable somewhere where the UHF channel numbers are marked along the bezel around the lower edge of the CRT. The black cursor moves along the screen as you twiddle the tuner.) The search button was 2 arrows pushing against a line, it moves the tuning cursor quickly along the screen indicating a fast search across the UHF Channels. Once a signal was found the tuner would pause there. You could then choose the Program (Preset) number in which you wanted to store that to, with the regular Program +/- buttons on the front panel. Then push store to keep that program and repeat the process for the next three channels, and maybe, if lucky, your VCR. For things that sounded a bit buzzy or off-tune, like the Vic-20 home computer, there were fine tuning controls. Top left, with the line and a plus or minus symbol. This would nudge the tuning slightly one way or the other before you pushed Store I think some of the better Philips sets then had a 'C/P' button that would allow you to use the 'Program' up/down buttons as UHF 'Channel' up/down selection. Sorry, that's a bit long and irrelevant but maybe useful to others.... Regards, SR (Co-Op TV Delivery boy in the late 80s) Attached Thumbnails

12th Dec 2020, 9:25 pm	#22
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,199	Re: Analogue TV tuning? This set doesn't have a C/P function but the other controls work roughly the same as they did in earlier 1980's models.