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Vintage Amateur and Military Radio Amateur/military receivers and transmitters, morse, and any other related vintage comms equipment. |
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13th Sep 2011, 1:48 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
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Transmitter type T1509A
Hello all, is anyone able to provide me further information on the above transmitter? I believe it is a military ground to air radio unit from circa 1947 ish but that is all.
Thanks |
13th Sep 2011, 3:35 pm | #2 |
Nonode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Look for a site called VMARS. There is a comprehensive article on the TX.
Al
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13th Sep 2011, 4:14 pm | #3 |
Nonode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
If you Google for T1509 there is a lot on the web.
I don't know what difference the 'A' makes. There is one restored at the Thorpe Camp Museum by VMARS members led by Colin Guy, G4DDI who also looks after the VMARS manuals archive. Andy |
13th Sep 2011, 5:56 pm | #4 |
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Thanks for the info guys.
We have one of these that looks like it has just been taken out of its box brand new. Is there potentially much value to this? Much demand? |
13th Sep 2011, 8:28 pm | #5 |
Nonode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
I would love it, but couldn't cope with the size and weight! I guess the demand will be small, but definitely there will be people who would want it. Ebay is probably your best bet to sell it. It certainly deserves to be preserved.
Andy |
13th Sep 2011, 8:40 pm | #6 | |
Octode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Quote:
Otherwise, as has been mentioned, there are enthusiasts who restore these to working order and use them on the amateur radio bands. Most of them belong to VMARS. If you want it to go to a good home, VMARS could auction it to their members on your behalf. Selling it on a general auction site is more likely to result in it being broken up by a dealer, as the parts will probably fetch more money than the complete set. Breaking up a such a historic, and potentially usable, piece of equipment would be, in my opinion, a disgrace. (I'd love it too, but like Andy I don't have the space!) Hoping this is helpful. |
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13th Sep 2011, 9:37 pm | #7 |
Nonode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Absolutely agree with the last post
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13th Sep 2011, 10:02 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Oooh, I would love to own one myself - please consider me before you let it go as I would like to tender an offer for it.
Ive sent you an email (well, have sent the unit an email) Sean
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Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished Last edited by Sean Williams; 13th Sep 2011 at 10:14 pm. |
14th Sep 2011, 10:08 am | #9 |
Octode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Sean,
I am quite familiar with these beasts, though I haven't owned one myself. I wrote the original article in the vmars newsletter, which someone quoted above. I have also moved them, fixed them and operated them. They are certainly post-war, though quite when the design work started I am not sure. They are similar to a long line of transmitters with 2 x 813 in the PA, modulated by two similar size bottles in a high-level AM system. Other transmitters of the type would be the RCA ET-4336 (pre-war) and the WS53. The T1509 is a bit of a brute, weighing in at about 800lbs. That may sound bad, but its not too hard to move, because it comes apart into three lumps - the case, the RF deck and the power supply. Provided you have four reasonably fit guys you can move each of these by themselves - two might do it, if really strong. As I recall, its the power unit that's the real killer. The case weighs 200lbs+ but you can sort of manhandle that about - the psu is just a dead weight. Quality of construction and components is extremely good. Its very nice to work on, because the units will slide out of the case on runners, and you can literally lie on the floor under the RF deck, and poke about the components with it all switched on (provided you defeat the safety switches, of course). I scanned the manual years ago, and it should still be on the vmars lists (#141 according to my records). There are a few about. I know of five, including the couple mentioned in other posts. One thing to bear in mind if you acquire this one, is that you need the Control Unit (No.310) to go with it. The Tx has a rather odd remote control system, and you need a microphone pre-amp - the control unit has it all. Richard |
14th Sep 2011, 6:55 pm | #10 |
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Thanks Richard!
I am going to have a look at it on Monday - will report back if I am able to offer them an acceptable price.
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19th Sep 2011, 10:00 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Both Onewatt, and I went to see the transmitter today, an initial offer has been left, hopefully it will be accepted.
The transmitter looks quite forlorn stuck in what appeared to be the "comms" room of the Squadron HQ, however, hopefully it can go onto a new life where it will see some airtime! Sean
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19th Sep 2011, 10:48 pm | #12 |
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Sounds like a good project if you can get it Sean, who's doing the lifting.
Lawrence. |
19th Sep 2011, 11:03 pm | #13 |
Octode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
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20th Sep 2011, 5:24 pm | #14 |
Nonode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Sean,
Does it come with a Control Unit Type 310? I just happen to have one of these, which no doubt could be made available if you need it. Andy |
20th Sep 2011, 6:02 pm | #15 |
Hexode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Hi Andy,
Unfortunately no control unit so if and when, I'm sure it would be very helpful in order to get it powered up Thanks Onewatt
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20th Sep 2011, 7:40 pm | #16 |
Dekatron
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Hi Andy,
As Chris mentions there is no control unit - will have to take you up on your offer! Will let you all know if our offer was accepted. Sean
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21st Sep 2011, 8:29 am | #17 |
Dekatron
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Seems our offer has been accepted......
Looks like there will be another 1509 on the air in the near future!
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21st Sep 2011, 8:33 am | #18 |
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Good result. I wonder if there are any more T1509As sitting around in ATC huts? I have the space for one, but have far too many other projects on the go.
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21st Sep 2011, 5:23 pm | #19 |
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Graham, having the space is enough of a reason to give one a good home.
Mike |
21st Sep 2011, 6:41 pm | #20 | |
Nonode
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Re: Transmitter type T1509A
Quote:
Andy |
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