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Vintage Television and Video Vintage television and video equipment, programmes, VCRs etc.

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Old 13th May 2012, 11:53 am   #1
Gcross138
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Default TV detector Van - Information required

I have volunteered to get the electronics in a 1980 U.H.F TV Detector
Van back to operational condition. The electronics being produced by Vosper Thorneycroft Controls of Portsmouth in the late 1970's.

The van is a 1980 Dodge which is owned and has been fully restored by Martin Maltas (Photo at www.lightstraw.co.uk/ate/tec/tvdv1.html), and has been exhibited at several Car Rallies. It is believed to be the only one of this type in existence.

The electronics are in a bad shape and will need extensive work to get them operational. The winding's of Helical Aerials for example have corroded away. Since I have no documentation, it will require lots of wire tracing so I can understand how exactly the system works before I try to fix
it!

I know so far that it detects the Local Oscillator in the TV with Two Double wound, Tapered Helical Aerials and a central Bow Tie Antenna. The spacing between the Helical Aerials being linked to the tuning system via a Servo, this is I have been told was to enable it to give range information when used in conjunction with a Road pulse?

Any information about the operation or the system would be appreciated, so it can be exhibited as a full working system.

Thanks,

Geoff
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Old 13th May 2012, 1:11 pm   #2
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

I think if you do a search on these forums you'll find several threads relating to TV detector vans. I believe one of them contains links to articles in the IPOEE Journal describing the on board equipment.
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Old 13th May 2012, 3:12 pm   #3
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

That sounds like the real thing.
I think there were quite a few decoys out there too.
I once walked past one that was just a minibus with the antenna on the roof and open space in the back not even seats. It was in a country village.
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Old 13th May 2012, 3:34 pm   #4
Gcross138
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Yes it is the real thing, I have repaired the receiver (Duff 14MHZ XTAL) and it now actually works!

Using a modern oscilloscope instead of the fitted display (which needs fixing yet ) I have successfully detected a TV at 60 ft using a standard TV aerial with masthead amp to feed the receiver, instead of the broken Helical ones!
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Old 13th May 2012, 6:06 pm   #5
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

I recognise that van, its the same as the Commer I used to run in the '60s - without the high roof.

Peter
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Old 13th May 2012, 9:25 pm   #6
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Martin himself was on here with his van not too long ago, hope you manage to get the gear working, I'm not too far from his if you need a second head, I daresay I may be more of a hindrance tho..

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ht=tv+detector
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Old 13th May 2012, 9:30 pm   #7
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

I am pretty sure that a camper van based on the same vehicle was produced.
That would explain the memory of a high roof model.
The decoy i spotted had the dual antenna units replaced with chicken wire mesh over roofing felt with a core that allowed them to look like the genuine cone shaped windings that you are now tracing out for the restoration of the roof mounted unit.
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Old 13th May 2012, 9:54 pm   #8
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

I don't think I'd like to drive around in anything that looked like a TV detector van. I suspect the probability of finding it vandalised when you leave it parked anywhere is rather high. Probably only a speed camera van is in the same league

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Old 14th May 2012, 7:04 am   #9
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Considering 405 was still going at the time, I'm surprised it can't pick up VHF TV receivers.
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Old 14th May 2012, 9:56 am   #10
Gcross138
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Graham, G8VAT

Thanks for the offer of help, but Martin has transported the van over the border via the M62 and it is now sitting in my driveway, undergoing Dissection and hopefully, Resurrection !

It has certainly caused a lot of local interest !
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Old 17th Jul 2012, 1:03 pm   #11
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Just to let you know that the Detector Van is now operational and Martin Maltas is intending to demonstrate it at various rallys. One already booked is the Classic Car show at Tatton Park on the 18th/19th Aug.

I will be doing a write up on the electronic systems and will put it on line at some stage.

Geoff
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Old 24th Jan 2013, 9:08 pm   #12
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

If anyone is interested, the Van was shown in operation on the "One Show" on 24th Jan.
Unfortunately the technical details were omitted!

Geoff
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Old 25th Jan 2013, 1:54 am   #13
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

It did seem to detect a TV, albeit one outside on the drive.
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Old 25th Jan 2013, 9:45 am   #14
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

The TV was originally placed near the house in the house owners absence , but when he returned in his car and nearly ran over it !! it was moved behind his car.
The system will detect a good signal at >70ft
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Old 25th Jan 2013, 10:16 pm   #15
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Well I watched the programme, and thought it was quite interesting, as i also like classic vehicles. They showed the equipment with a signal on the scope screen detecting the tv was in use. In practise they would also have had a list of addresses without licences to back this up.
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Old 25th Jan 2013, 11:30 pm   #16
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Saw the One Show report, was very interesting and jolly well done on getting the last part of Martins resto up and running for him, it's an absolute Gem now, I keep promising myself to pay him a visit sometime.. it's only a coupla miles fer gawds sake..
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Old 26th Jan 2013, 12:17 am   #17
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

When these were originally in operation, ironically I saw a demo at Tatton Park Classic Car show in the 80's.

PS I think it was a sherpa.
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Last edited by McMurdo; 26th Jan 2013 at 12:17 am. Reason: added the sherpa bit
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Old 26th Jan 2013, 12:49 am   #18
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

All the ones i have ever seen were the rounded shaped Comma vans with a black thing on the roof that looked quite odd, however when they were kitted a small yagi antenna was plugged into the corner of the roof.
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Old 4th Jul 2013, 5:27 pm   #19
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Anything like the detector van in this episode of Thames Television's sit-com "And Mother Makes Five"? It's about 15 minutes into the programme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE9GcJuoTnw
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Old 5th Jul 2013, 9:55 am   #20
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Default Re: TV detector Van - Information required

Hi Tas, That is the type of van, the one in the film is older than Martin's restored example. Pre fix J - T older.
John.
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