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Old 24th Jan 2024, 6:35 pm   #1
Tractorfan
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Smile Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB van.

Hi,
Thought you may be interesting channel. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/@MCR-thelifeandtimesofasBBCOBva

Cheers, Pete.
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Old 24th Jan 2024, 7:43 pm   #2
Radio Wrangler
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

Whatever was that glowing thing which looked to be being closed up in an HC-6 Crystal can?

David
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Old 24th Jan 2024, 8:39 pm   #3
dave walsh
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

Great stuff Pete. See also John10b's thread [from 6:57AM today] "Re TV Show David and Jay's Touring Toolshed" featuring the Steve Harris' OB vehicle.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=207488

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Old 25th Jan 2024, 12:27 am   #4
peterpixel
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

Hi David, re post 2, I would guess that the glowing thing would keep the crystal very nice and warm and given the age of the equipment possibly a simple crystal oven. I've never seen one before so I hope one of the dedicated restorers will enlighten us. Great to learn something every day. Lovely piece of restoration history. Peter.
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Old 25th Jan 2024, 9:33 am   #5
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler View Post
Whatever was that glowing thing which looked to be being closed up in an HC-6 Crystal can?
It looks like a Raytheon Raysistor. Operation of the Raysistor is on the principle of controlled light acting on a photoresistive element.
https://www.effectrode.com/wp-conten...eRaysistor.pdf

David
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Old 25th Jan 2024, 12:27 pm   #6
Vintage Engr
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

Agreed, used in some early remote level control of audio systems. Also I have seen these used in electronic organs.

David.
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Old 25th Jan 2024, 5:50 pm   #7
Andrew2
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

I believe the Radiophonic workshop used their own homemade versions of these for electronic control of levels. They called them 'glowpots' IIRC.
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Old 25th Jan 2024, 7:09 pm   #8
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

Great stuff, a pity the BBC didn't think more about its own technical history, glad they were able to find so much of the original equipment.
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Old 25th Jan 2024, 7:34 pm   #9
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

I suppose the rayristor is similar to a vactrol in what it can do, something which is still available from the likes of coolaudio.
https://www.coolaudio.com/features-p...product=VTL5C3
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Old 25th Jan 2024, 8:25 pm   #10
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Default Re: Found this absolutely fascinating! MCR21 - the life and times of a 1960s BBC OB v

It is indeed a Raysistor and it was used so that the contrast control could be located at a remote point. The control signal being DC. The Idea being that if you had a bank of monitors the controls could be located at a central point to ease adjustment.

For those who might want to view this bit it's half way along this item https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NKfrNeHdb4

The handbook for the Pye monitor is here http://mcr21.org.uk/wp-content/uploa...ype-842843.pdf

regards

Brian & the MCR21 team.
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