Sutton Coldfield's standards converter - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Panrock · 6th May 2007, 1:53 pm

Jeffrey's mention elsewhere of the very few ex-BBC standards converters which had found their way into lucky private hands by the mid 1980s prompts me to mention 'mine' - a digital converter from Sutton Coldfield obtained with the kind help of Phil Marrison and later serviced by him.

This lived in my bedroom airing cupboard for twenty years, and was then passed on to the care of the BVWS when I changed it for a Domino, obtained of course from Malcolm Everiss.

Anyone know what has become of it now ?

Steve

Paul Stenning · 6th May 2007, 2:34 pm

I know Malcolm has a standards converter rack, but I don't know whether it's that one or not.

Steve_P · 6th May 2007, 3:10 pm

Hmm... I want one at some point. A thing a few inches square is all very well, but it does not have the same charm does it?

And you can't put a cup of tea on it either!

Cheers,

Steve P

ALANS ANITAS · 6th May 2007, 4:01 pm

Steve

You could place it IN a cup or mug of tea.!!!

ALAn

taipai_royal · 6th May 2007, 9:30 pm

Better without sugar.

Ray Cooper · 6th May 2007, 10:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P

Hmm... I want one at some point...

You want one? You have been remembering to take your medication, haven't you

I'm not at all sure that the digital converter was ever actually used at Sutton, though I remember seeing one there - ex-Llanddona, I believe. Sutton mostly ran on the analogue versions.

Sutton, of course, had two of those beasties. Just about essential: one would probably be being worked on at any given time, whilst the other limped on carrying the service. Occasionally their roles would be interchanged at very short notice.

As far as I can remember, one of these went to the Birmingham Science Museum, along with one of the old Band I CG1 TXs. I don't know if either of these items is still extant.

beery · 8th May 2007, 4:20 pm

Hi All,
I've got an Ex BBC digital converter.
I'm not sure where it is from, but it has a torn lable on the side which says "Crystal P", the bit after the "P" is missing. We could assume Crystal Palace, but then again it can't be the one that Jeffrey rescude from there.
Maybe it is the sister one from the site or maybe it was there once, went for maintenance and ended up on another site.
Hmm.

Cheers
Andy

ppppenguin · 8th May 2007, 4:35 pm

I collected another CO6/509 from CP for use at the museum at Thorn-EMI Central Research. SInce that museum is now disbanded (what hapenned to the HMV900, Emitron camera etc?) the converter may have found its way out to a 3rd party.

6th May 2007, 1:53 pm	#1
Panrock Nonode Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 2,504	Sutton Coldfield's standards converter Jeffrey's mention elsewhere of the very few ex-BBC standards converters which had found their way into lucky private hands by the mid 1980s prompts me to mention 'mine' - a digital converter from Sutton Coldfield obtained with the kind help of Phil Marrison and later serviced by him. This lived in my bedroom airing cupboard for twenty years, and was then passed on to the care of the BVWS when I changed it for a Domino, obtained of course from Malcolm Everiss. Anyone know what has become of it now ? Steve __________________ https://www.radiocraft.co.uk

6th May 2007, 2:34 pm	#2
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,966	Re: Sutton Coldfield's standards converter I know Malcolm has a standards converter rack, but I don't know whether it's that one or not. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

6th May 2007, 3:10 pm	#3
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,639	Re: Sutton Coldfield's standards converter Hmm... I want one at some point. A thing a few inches square is all very well, but it does not have the same charm does it? And you can't put a cup of tea on it either! Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

6th May 2007, 4:01 pm	#4
ALANS ANITAS Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North West Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 346	Re: Sutton Coldfield's standards converter Steve You could place it IN a cup or mug of tea.!!! ALAn

6th May 2007, 9:30 pm	#5
taipai_royal Pentode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Didcot UK Posts: 121	Re: Sutton Coldfield's standards converter Better without sugar.

8th May 2007, 4:20 pm	#7
beery Heptode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 984	Re: Sutton Coldfield's standards converter Hi All, I've got an Ex BBC digital converter. I'm not sure where it is from, but it has a torn lable on the side which says "Crystal P", the bit after the "P" is missing. We could assume Crystal Palace, but then again it can't be the one that Jeffrey rescude from there. Maybe it is the sister one from the site or maybe it was there once, went for maintenance and ended up on another site. Hmm. Cheers Andy

8th May 2007, 4:35 pm	#8
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Sutton Coldfield's standards converter I collected another CO6/509 from CP for use at the museum at Thorn-EMI Central Research. SInce that museum is now disbanded (what hapenned to the HMV900, Emitron camera etc?) the converter may have found its way out to a 3rd party.