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Old 7th Jun 2015, 8:21 pm   #1
Heatercathodeshort
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Default 1946 HMV 1901 Teleradiogram.

I was directed to this MASSIVE 1946 HMV model 1901 Television Radiogram by another Forum member.

It was going to the dump if not rescued and had been in the same house from 1946 untill this afternoon. It had spent it's final years in the Cotswolds stored in a dry stable block and covered in plastic sheeting.

As can be seen from the pictures the back has a 'RAINBOW' pre amplifier and an EMI Band 3 converter. The location was around 100 miles from AP but very high up as the picture shows. Extreme fringe all the same but it must have given a good picture.

The converter is still tuned to channel 9 and I can only think that the location was very favoured with television signals from the London transmitters.

The television chassis is the more familiar 1946 1803/4 series that is all but pre war with a few modifications. The original side wire based pre war 15" tube [3/6A] has been replaced with the later TA15 together with the EMI modification kit, probably in the mid 50's.

The original 78 only record changer has been replaced by the EMI 3 speed type dating fom 1954.

The interesting bit is that this receiver was used on a regular basis until around 1978 when a Hitachi colour receiver was installed. The LP records discovered in the side locker, complete with the customer hand book, were from a similar period.

Don't get too excited. I'm not going to tackle this one for a while. It took three big guys just to lift it into the back of my Ranger. It is 40'' wide 24'' deep plus 6" for the 'bowler hat' and 43" high.

This is a MASSIVE unit and must have cost a fortune back in 1946.

John.
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Old 7th Jun 2015, 8:23 pm   #2
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

The remaining pictures. The paper had been converted into mouse nests but no damage appears to have occured to the electronics.
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Old 7th Jun 2015, 8:35 pm   #3
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

That looks like it will keep you busy this winter John!
I have the radio chassis for it, just ask if you would like it.

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Old 7th Jun 2015, 9:14 pm   #4
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

It looks surprisingly modern [almost Scandanavian] for 1946 especially if compared with say my Mirror Lid TS48 of the same year!

As for the Retrofitted TV cabinet re-cycle, if I can't get my LEG massive-heavy w/s set from 1996 fixed in the end, I've toyed with the idea of inserting a flat screen to create[with the stand] a contemporary "teleradiogram". Even with a hefty audio amp added to take advantage of the cabinet sound it wouldn't be a three man job 8-.

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Old 7th Jun 2015, 9:54 pm   #5
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Hi John,
I once owned the next model, the HMV 1902, which believe or not was even bigger than the 1901. The 1902 employed chassis units which are similar to those in the model 1806, that is the model which had a separate RF chassis.
Your set has heritage, being essentially a pre-war design. The main difference being the RF valves, 6.3 volt Z66 pentodes instead of the 4 volt KTZ41.
The other valve types are same as the pre-war models.
The pre-war 15" CRT was replaced by the TA15. An EHT booster unit was available to raise the EHT from 4.5KV to the 6KV required by the later tube. The flyback pulse present at the anode of the KT44 line output valve is rectified and added to the existing EHT supply. So in a sense a modified set will have both flyback and mains EHT.

DFWB.

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Old 7th Jun 2015, 10:34 pm   #6
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

It's fantastic you managed to save this set. Sets of that period are rare and I wouldn't be surprised if this is the only surviving example of this model. They didn't even mention the price in the advert ... presumably if one needed to ask then one couldn't possibly afford !

TTFN,
Jon
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Old 7th Jun 2015, 10:45 pm   #7
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Fascinating!

Do you think it was originally as "blonde" as it appears in your photos, or has a few decades in a sunny room changed its colour?

Well done indeed for saving it.

N.
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Old 7th Jun 2015, 10:54 pm   #8
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

What a fabulous find, John. It looks in very good condition with very little rust. I have an 1804 plus 2 spare chassis but they're covered in rust - I hope to make one decent chassis out of the three but it does mean that I do have some spares should you require anything.
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Old 7th Jun 2015, 11:05 pm   #9
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

I think you might need strong sunshine to get it that blonde Nick but the ad put up by Jon certainly does look more post war authentic in dark brown!
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Old 7th Jun 2015, 11:18 pm   #10
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Now that is quite something and I can imagine how proud the owners were when they purchased it.
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Old 8th Jun 2015, 1:50 am   #11
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

That's awesome.
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Old 8th Jun 2015, 9:29 am   #12
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Thanks for your interest. There is a lot more connected with this unit than I can put on a public Forum so have to take care what I upload.

The cabinet is the original colour as can be seen when the doors and covers are opened. It does look grand and of course the HMV transfer is still on the top and original.

EMI offered [at extra cost] to finish their cabinets in any colour you wished. They would even cover the case with mirror glass if that is what the customer wished.

This massive 'instrument' as EMI called it was installed in a truly magnificent farm house in the Cotswolds. As mentioned it was situated very high up with panoramic views to all directions. I don't think there would have been much chance of a signal if this had not been the case.

I guess it must have been one of the very first television receivers installed in the area, actually presented to the owner for his services during WW2.

The receiver will be overhauled but not for a while. The only rust is on the back of the chassis and the underneath looks almost new giving some encouragement. Regards, John.
PS A couple of pages from the instruction book. I have a massive bruise on my arm just unloading it and my mate Paul from London that helped me with it looks a bit worse for wear when he left yesterday evening..!
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Old 8th Jun 2015, 11:59 am   #13
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

John, why the two head shells for the record deck? Is it a replacement deck which plays 45/33 1/3 discs?
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Old 8th Jun 2015, 12:24 pm   #14
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Hi John,

A truly brilliant find, well saved sir!
I will look forward to reading the write up when the dark cold drizzly nights arrive!

Cheers
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Old 8th Jun 2015, 12:37 pm   #15
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Quote:
Originally Posted by brianc View Post
John, why the two head shells for the record deck? Is it a replacement deck which plays 45/33 1/3 discs?
Yes, see post 1, para. 6
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Old 8th Jun 2015, 7:24 pm   #16
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Hello Brian,
Another page of the instruction book that shows the original 78 changer. The pick up had a 2 ohm coil and employed 'HMV Silent Stylus needles' or 'Columbia 99' miniature steel needles for 78 only. The later deck fitted, has what looks like crystal interchangeable heads for 45/33 or 78.
Tremendous fun! Regards, John.
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Old 9th Jun 2015, 10:02 am   #17
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

At that distance from AP I can just imagine the wavering pictures on Channel 1 !
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Old 9th Jun 2015, 12:47 pm   #18
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

Well Done John.

I am glad you managed to get it and can now save it for posterity. It looks in very nice condition.

So the burning questions are:

Will you keep the current record deck or re-install an original (pretty easy to find)?

Will you leave the TA15 in or put back the original 3/6A (I know where there is a new one)?

Decisions Decisions.....


Mike...
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Old 9th Jun 2015, 4:56 pm   #19
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

We had an HMV 1119 radio bought in 1947 (sadly long since gone) and it is striking how similar the appearance of the radio section of this HMV 1901 is to that radio. I know that HMV also produced a bakelite case version the model 1114 and also a radiogram version the model 1605. I see from the brochure the model 2901 also has a similar radio section.

All very fascinating! I look forward to this restoration with interest.

Peter
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Old 9th Jun 2015, 7:15 pm   #20
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Default Re: 1946 HMV 1901 teleradiogram.

When my father was demobbed from the RAF in 1946 he purchased an HMV 1114 Bakelite model with an identical front appearance. The radio chassis appears to be very similar with some complicated mains and AF switching due to the amplifier [DH63 + KT61] being used for both TV and record reproduction in the 1901.

Hello Steve, I think the pictures would have been good due to the height of the location. The property had a 360 degree vista, just spectacular. There was nothing in the way and no ignition interference!

Ignition interference was the main disaster when it came to fringe reception. The AP signal would have been very weak and a passing unsuppressed vehicle would have completely blotted out the picture. Happy pioneering days!
The RTRA interference film portrays the problem exactly as it would have been. Regards, John.
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