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Vintage Television and Video Vintage television and video equipment, programmes, VCRs etc. |
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13th May 2012, 11:53 am | #1 |
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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 |
13th May 2012, 1:11 pm | #2 |
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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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13th May 2012, 3:12 pm | #3 |
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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. |
13th May 2012, 3:34 pm | #4 |
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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! |
13th May 2012, 6:06 pm | #5 |
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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 |
13th May 2012, 9:25 pm | #6 |
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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 |
13th May 2012, 9:30 pm | #7 |
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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. |
13th May 2012, 9:54 pm | #8 |
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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
David
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14th May 2012, 7:04 am | #9 |
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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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14th May 2012, 9:56 am | #10 |
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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 ! |
17th Jul 2012, 1:03 pm | #11 |
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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 |
24th Jan 2013, 9:08 pm | #12 |
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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 |
25th Jan 2013, 1:54 am | #13 |
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Re: TV detector Van - Information required
It did seem to detect a TV, albeit one outside on the drive.
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25th Jan 2013, 9:45 am | #14 |
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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 |
25th Jan 2013, 10:16 pm | #15 |
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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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25th Jan 2013, 11:30 pm | #16 |
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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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26th Jan 2013, 12:17 am | #17 |
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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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Kevin Last edited by McMurdo; 26th Jan 2013 at 12:17 am. Reason: added the sherpa bit |
26th Jan 2013, 12:49 am | #18 |
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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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4th Jul 2013, 5:27 pm | #19 |
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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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5th Jul 2013, 9:55 am | #20 |
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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. |