Unknown Pye Radio - Help Please. (Identified as a Pye Model International 906).

[philiprbrown1]

Hi all

Newbie to the forum and reigniting a previous interest in old radio.

I've just picked up this Pye multiband radio as a potential refurbishment project but there are no marks identifying the model so i can source schematics, etc.

I wonder whether anyone is able to help me identify this model?

Phil

[Paul_RK]

It's the original Pye International - no further model number.

http://www.r-type.org/timeline/ww1940.htm

Paul

[paulsherwin]

Never seen one of those. Late 30s, side contact valves. It appears to have a tuned RF stage.

If you type all the valve numbers into the Radiomuseum search page you may get a hit.

(Paul beat me to it.)

[Cobaltblue]

Hi Paul

Looks like the model 906 International of 1939.

I have one .........somewhere

Cheers

Mike T

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by Cobaltblue

Looks like the model 906 International of 1939.

Ah, I stand corrected! Couldn't remember ever seeing a model number reported: I used to have one myself, but gave up on it mainly because the cabinet would have fallen apart if the woodworm had stopped holding hands. Service info available right here:

https://www.service-data.com/product...28/6448/m15128

Paul

[Graham G3ZVT]

Gosh. A pre-war radio with a Luxembourg pre-set. Here's me thinking that was a 1960s idea.

[paulsherwin]

Presumably that was for the LW Luxembourg service, not Fabulous 208.

I think the radios were sold with a big sheet of different preset labels that customers could apply as appropriate.

[Herald1360]

It doesn't run to a tuned RF stage, it's just a bog standard 4+R with an awful lot of switching and aerial/oscillator coils.

The third gang on the tuning cap is the oscillator tuning for the bandspread ranges, the aerial tuning for these is preset.

A new tin of contact cleaner might well be a worthwhile investment!

[philiprbrown1]

Gents

Thanks for your time and help identifying this. I've obtained the schematics so now my new adventure starts.

Phil

[Trifocaltrev]

Hi Phil, Do you have the EL6 output valve, these are rather rare and you might find difficulty obtaining one as they were never a popular valve. An EL3 will probably work but with slightly less power. It might be an idea to put a post in the items wanted section if the valve is missing to see if anyone has one for sale.

Regards
Trevor.

[philiprbrown1]

Hi Trevor, Sorry for the delay in replying, I only managed to extract it from its cabinet yesterday.

No the EL6 is missing and there is an EL3 loose in the cabinet so it looks like someone has tried this replacement in the past. I presume it's a like for like replacement?

Phil

[Silicon]

The cathode resistor should be changed if you want to use the EL3.

The suggested value of Rk for the EL6 was 90 Ohms.

The suggested value of Rk for the EL3 was 150 Ohms.

The pin allocation is the same for both valves.

If the EL3 was used in an unmodified radio, it would have put the valve and the output transformer under stress and they may be damaged.

[philiprbrown1]

Thanks Silicon

The cathode is connected straight to the chassis, so i guess i'll just have to check the grid bias is within tolerance.

Interestingly the main transformer is connected up for 200v and the output transformer seems to have got quite hot. The set's nowhere near ready for plugging in yet, most of the insulated wiring has perished and i'll go back to first principles and check all components and replace the wax and electrolytics first.

This is going to be an interesting project!

Phil