Mystery Portable (Monarch BKQ) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G0HFCFrank · 17th Jul 2018, 5:27 pm

Hi Folks,
An elderly friend, having a tidy, found an old radio in a cupboard and showed it to me. The separate power supply (not pictured) looked familiar and underneath I found a circuit diagram which I signed in 1992. I had completely forgotten making this for him (back in the days when I was still working and hence had time). My question relates to the set itself, what is it? The power switches on as the lid is raised the left hand control is for volume and the right hand tuning. This latter has a concentric slow-motion disc which may originally have been calibrated but I can't see anything on it now. There is no wave-change switch. The only identification is the word "MONARCH" impressed in the metal trim to the front panel. Any ideas please?
Frank C.

ms660 · 17th Jul 2018, 5:43 pm

So far as I can find out it's a Monarch BKQ made by Eclipse Radio:

https://museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Radio2MW

The Ducon capacitor is what set me on the trail for Aussie.

Manual available here if the link works:

https://www.kevinchant.com/uploads/7...108231/bkq.pdf

Lawrence.

Herald1360 · 17th Jul 2018, 5:45 pm

The speaker has Australia on it and the label mentions SELEX DECAL PTY which also sounds Australian. It could be a long way from home.......

Edit 1: looks like Selex Decal is just the name of the label maker.

Edit 2: (After Lawrence) RM has a bit on it:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/eclipse_monarch_bkq.html

Cobaltblue · 17th Jul 2018, 5:45 pm

Radiomuseum lists Monarch as being a brand of Eclipse Radio Pty Ltd.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hers...ompany_id=7568

Could it be Australian ?

Nice looking set

Crossed with Chris and Lawrence

Cheers

Mike T

ms660 · 17th Jul 2018, 6:46 pm

I like the output valve grid bias arrangement using the -ve grid voltage from the oscillator, not come across that before.

Lawrence.

G0HFCFrank · 17th Jul 2018, 8:44 pm

Chris, Lawrence, Mike,
Fantastic quick response and thanks, guys. I've downloaded enough info to tell him what it is and possibly service it if required.
Thanks again,
Frank C.

Trifocaltrev · 17th Jul 2018, 9:30 pm

Hi Frank,
I have the service data for this set, if you like to pm me with your email address I will send it to you as a pdf.

Trevor.

17th Jul 2018, 5:27 pm	#1
G0HFCFrank Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 167	Mystery Portable (Monarch BKQ) Hi Folks, An elderly friend, having a tidy, found an old radio in a cupboard and showed it to me. The separate power supply (not pictured) looked familiar and underneath I found a circuit diagram which I signed in 1992. I had completely forgotten making this for him (back in the days when I was still working and hence had time). My question relates to the set itself, what is it? The power switches on as the lid is raised the left hand control is for volume and the right hand tuning. This latter has a concentric slow-motion disc which may originally have been calibrated but I can't see anything on it now. There is no wave-change switch. The only identification is the word "MONARCH" impressed in the metal trim to the front panel. Any ideas please? Frank C. Attached Thumbnails

17th Jul 2018, 5:43 pm	#2
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Mystery Portable So far as I can find out it's a Monarch BKQ made by Eclipse Radio: https://museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Radio2MW The Ducon capacitor is what set me on the trail for Aussie. Manual available here if the link works: https://www.kevinchant.com/uploads/7...108231/bkq.pdf Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 17th Jul 2018 at 5:50 pm.

17th Jul 2018, 5:45 pm	#3
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Mystery Portable The speaker has Australia on it and the label mentions SELEX DECAL PTY which also sounds Australian. It could be a long way from home....... Edit 1: looks like Selex Decal is just the name of the label maker. Edit 2: (After Lawrence) RM has a bit on it: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/eclipse_monarch_bkq.html __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O Last edited by Herald1360; 17th Jul 2018 at 5:54 pm.

17th Jul 2018, 5:45 pm	#4
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,863	Re: Mystery Portable Radiomuseum lists Monarch as being a brand of Eclipse Radio Pty Ltd. https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hers...ompany_id=7568 Could it be Australian ? Nice looking set Crossed with Chris and Lawrence Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk Last edited by Cobaltblue; 17th Jul 2018 at 5:46 pm. Reason: Crossed :)

17th Jul 2018, 6:46 pm	#5
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Mystery Portable I like the output valve grid bias arrangement using the -ve grid voltage from the oscillator, not come across that before. Lawrence.

17th Jul 2018, 8:44 pm	#6
G0HFCFrank Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 167	Re: Mystery Portable Chris, Lawrence, Mike, Fantastic quick response and thanks, guys. I've downloaded enough info to tell him what it is and possibly service it if required. Thanks again, Frank C.

17th Jul 2018, 9:30 pm	#7
Trifocaltrev Hexode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Lancing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 285	Re: Mystery Portable Hi Frank, I have the service data for this set, if you like to pm me with your email address I will send it to you as a pdf. Trevor.