Help identifying radiogram [Radio Rentals RG5] - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Trev ttp · 10th Aug 2020, 4:15 pm

Hi,
I'm looking for some help with identifying my radiogram. It has no identifying features of any sort on the cabinet or the chassis. The only details on the cabinet is a number stamped into the back of the wood on the record deck lid and the same number on the back. The panels have the number in chalk inside.
I've looked through all of the other posts but I'm not any nearer! I did see somewhere that cabinets were often bought in by the manufacturer and the number may be the cabinet maker?
The only clues I've got is the dial facia has the letters BME in the bottom left, looks like the old BBC logo, and the number 89750 in the opposite corner.
It's a 7 valve chassis with all the main valves being Brimar and the one mounted on the horizontal being Mullard. It's a 3 band and gram function with a Garrard record deck which is mid 30's I believe.
It would be good to find some servicing information for it so I know what I'm up against.
Any help gratefully appreciated.

paulsherwin · 10th Aug 2020, 4:35 pm

It would help if you could list the valve types.

The chassis and tuning scale suggest late 30s.

Trev ttp · 10th Aug 2020, 4:54 pm

Hi Paul,

Yes, late 30's would definitely fit with when I think it was bought.
I'll try and list the valves but some of the numbers are barely legible.
Brimar: 6V8G, Unknown R2 base, 10DI or 1, 9D2, 15D2. Mullard: TV4.
Thanks.

electrogram · 10th Aug 2020, 6:23 pm

Radio Rentals ?

Trev ttp · 10th Aug 2020, 6:48 pm

I missed a valve off the list. A Brimar 4DA I think as it's barely legible.
I also forgot to mention the number 92394 is stamped into the chassis.
Thanks.

G6Tanuki · 10th Aug 2020, 6:52 pm

The horizontally-mounted 'magic eye' appears to have a side-contact base; side-contact valves were all-but-obsolete by the late-30s.

Trev ttp · 10th Aug 2020, 7:00 pm

Thanks. It probably wasn't very clear from my photo.
The horizontal one is only held around the centre by the spring clip.
It's got what would have been a chassis mounted base at the bottom which is suspended in the air in the fitted position.

Trifocaltrev · 10th Aug 2020, 7:03 pm

Hi It is a Radio Rentals RG5 which uses the same chassis as the Radio rentals 897 Table Set.

The magic eye is a TV4.

I have the table set.

My grandfather bought this set from Radio Rentals after renting it for two years.

Service information available above.

Regards
Trevor.

Trev ttp · 10th Aug 2020, 8:08 pm

Brilliant! Many thanks Trevor and everyone!
Regards

paulsherwin · 10th Aug 2020, 8:34 pm

Yes, thanks Trevor. Rental sets are always a bit tricky as there was rarely any public service info and many were scrapped when they came off rental.

10th Aug 2020, 4:15 pm	#1
Trev ttp Diode Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 7	Help identifying radiogram [Radio Rentals RG5] Hi, I'm looking for some help with identifying my radiogram. It has no identifying features of any sort on the cabinet or the chassis. The only details on the cabinet is a number stamped into the back of the wood on the record deck lid and the same number on the back. The panels have the number in chalk inside. I've looked through all of the other posts but I'm not any nearer! I did see somewhere that cabinets were often bought in by the manufacturer and the number may be the cabinet maker? The only clues I've got is the dial facia has the letters BME in the bottom left, looks like the old BBC logo, and the number 89750 in the opposite corner. It's a 7 valve chassis with all the main valves being Brimar and the one mounted on the horizontal being Mullard. It's a 3 band and gram function with a Garrard record deck which is mid 30's I believe. It would be good to find some servicing information for it so I know what I'm up against. Any help gratefully appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

10th Aug 2020, 4:35 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,937	Re: Help identifying radiogram It would help if you could list the valve types. The chassis and tuning scale suggest late 30s.

10th Aug 2020, 4:54 pm	#3
Trev ttp Diode Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Help identifying radiogram Hi Paul, Yes, late 30's would definitely fit with when I think it was bought. I'll try and list the valves but some of the numbers are barely legible. Brimar: 6V8G, Unknown R2 base, 10DI or 1, 9D2, 15D2. Mullard: TV4. Thanks.

10th Aug 2020, 6:23 pm	#4
electrogram Heptode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hereford, UK. Posts: 719	Re: Help identifying radiogram Radio Rentals ?

10th Aug 2020, 6:48 pm	#5
Trev ttp Diode Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Help identifying radiogram I missed a valve off the list. A Brimar 4DA I think as it's barely legible. I also forgot to mention the number 92394 is stamped into the chassis. Thanks.

10th Aug 2020, 6:52 pm	#6
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Help identifying radiogram The horizontally-mounted 'magic eye' appears to have a side-contact base; side-contact valves were all-but-obsolete by the late-30s.

10th Aug 2020, 7:00 pm	#7
Trev ttp Diode Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Help identifying radiogram Thanks. It probably wasn't very clear from my photo. The horizontal one is only held around the centre by the spring clip. It's got what would have been a chassis mounted base at the bottom which is suspended in the air in the fitted position.

10th Aug 2020, 7:03 pm	#8
Trifocaltrev Hexode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Lancing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 285	Re: Help identifying radiogram Hi It is a Radio Rentals RG5 which uses the same chassis as the Radio rentals 897 Table Set. The magic eye is a TV4. I have the table set. My grandfather bought this set from Radio Rentals after renting it for two years. Service information available above. Regards Trevor.

10th Aug 2020, 8:08 pm	#9
Trev ttp Diode Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Help identifying radiogram [Radio Rentals RG5] Brilliant! Many thanks Trevor and everyone! Regards

10th Aug 2020, 8:34 pm	#10
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,937	Re: Help identifying radiogram [Radio Rentals RG5] Yes, thanks Trevor. Rental sets are always a bit tricky as there was rarely any public service info and many were scrapped when they came off rental.