Uher 4000 Report Monitor Purchase

[David001]

Hello David. Yes, play still worked. I've been very busy but this is a fascinating thread!

[barretter]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

What is the little pin for (first photo in Post # 10), at the base of the cut off shaft ?

The little pin limits the turning of the speed-change shaft inside the brass-sleeve. In your picture you can see it butting up against a stop. You seem to have a little more of the shaft left than is the case with the one I removed but I still don't think you'll be able to attach the appropriate Uher knob to it. Best of luck!

[DMcMahon]

Yes I knew really that it was a challenge too far

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by David001

Hello David. Yes, play still worked. I've been very busy but this is a fascinating thread!

Hello David,

Could you also change speeds ?

David

[DMcMahon]

I may be getting the required speed change parts and knob from SDS.

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by Ted Kendall

Even if the execution left something to be desired, the modification was necessary to ensure that jounalists with minimal training actually came back with usable material. The machinery had to be made as simple as possible. Nagra knew this - their single speed reporting machine was coded IS, standing for "idiot-sicher" (idiot-proof). You wouldn't believe what some operators did...

I have seen the IS advertised before and wondered what it stood for, now I know

The official Nagra description is:-

The Nagra IS offers Nagra’s legendary quality in a yet more compact and ergonomic way, designed with journalists in mind.
In those days, journalists were paired up with a dedicated sound recordists to handle the technicalities.
The IS was a little simpler than its siblings and was supposed to be operated by « non-technical » persons.

[barretter]

To be absolutely accurate it's Idioten-sicher

[barretter]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

I may be getting the required speed change parts and knob from SDS.

Really? I would be interested in the speed change mechanism. Order one for me too!

[DMcMahon]

As I understand it, it is not normally a spares stocked item (the knob is) but for my order the speed selector parts are coming from a salvaged NOS machine.

[DMcMahon]

Grammar wise I think there would be no hyphen, i.e. Idiotensicher

[barretter]

Yes you're right the correct form of the German adjective would be "idiotensicher" but you see the Nagra machine referred to variously on the internet as Idiotensicher, IdiotenSicher, Idioten-sicher, Idioten-Sicher and even Idioten Sicher. It was only available in mono like the majority of Nagras.
I can understand why the BBC "modified" the 4000 Report Monitor [half-track mono] but they also worked their wicked ways with the 4200 [half-track stereo] Report Monitor which is less understandable. They probably didn't bother with the 4400 as quarter-track wouldn't be high enough quality for them.
I thought I couldn't find the speed-change mechanism on SDS's price-list. I hope the one they send you is in good nick.

[DMcMahon]

I hope so to, being from a NOS machine it should be, although why machine has been salvaged ?

[barretter]

Keine Ahnung, as the cops say in German TV police dramas.

[DMcMahon]

After contact cleaner spray the tone control is a lot better, still a slight bit of crackle.

Cleaned up battery box compartment and refitted, tested with batteries and power adapter all OK.

Made a replacement cardboard overlay (that covers the main board) as original badly damaged by the battery leak. Fitted some new foam (that presses up against the batteries) on the bottom panel, original foam dried up/shrunken and turning to dust.

Cannot do any more until new drive belts arrive.

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

Hello David,

Could you also change speeds ?

David

With help from SDS Germany, it looks pretty certain that the broken piece from David001s 4000 is the piece referenced as "widget" in other posts.

From the SDS Price List it is identified as "1 020076 - Zahnstange Schaltgetriebe - Toothed spindle tape speed selector".

SDS advise that it may be possible to glue repair the broken part but not easy to repair/replace as would require quite a bit of work and adjustments.

SDS also advise that this broken part should not affect RWD/FFD operation so still a mystery why RWD/FFD not working.

[DMcMahon]

New drive belt set arrived today and fitted all 3 new belts.

Play and FFD now working fine, RWD somewhat struggling, more work needed to establish why.

[DMcMahon]

Checked out tape transport more and found that FFD also struggles sometimes, problem symptoms are somewhat intermittent and variable.

Same on batteries, power adapter and external PSU. With the PSU (where I can see the current drain) see that the current increases (when it struggles) and limits around 650mA (PSU is rated at 500mA max) and the voltage then decreases.

No obvious mechanical problem. Next will lift away the heads assembly to make sure heads and tape guides do not have any sticky tape deposits.

[barretter]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

With help from SDS Germany, it looks pretty certain that the broken piece from David001s 4000 is the piece referenced as "widget" in other posts.

From the SDS Price List it is identified as "1 020076 - Zahnstange Schaltgetriebe - Toothed spindle tape speed selector".

Even the Germans have difficulty in coining a term for this part which is why I called it a "widget".

[David001]

Hello David. How have you been getting on with this? Is it all working now?

[DMcMahon]

I wish , have been side tracked on many other things, will get back to it soon.

David