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Old 29th May 2018, 8:08 pm   #1
FERNSEH
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Default Decca DR101 dual standard TV

I'm looking forward to taking delivery of this Decca DR101 dual standard TV.
This is the first dual standard set to be made by Decca Radio and Television Ltd. Like the STC VC1 series the chassis is handmade, no printed circuit boards.
I've been on the lookout for one of these sets for many years now.
As soon as the set arrives restoration work will commence without delay.

DFWB.
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Old 29th May 2018, 8:16 pm   #2
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

It certainly looks the part, nice acquisition David

Marc.
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Old 29th May 2018, 8:16 pm   #3
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

That's excellent news David, well done! Quite a few of these console versions have surfaced in recent years, but never (to my knowledge) any of the table models. Where are they all?

Decca dual standard black & white sets seem to be very rare considering they were a mainstream brand. Maybe there were less Decca dealerships than those for BRC, RBM etc.

I've never got the hang of the Decca model numbers- I'm sure the basic dual standard was a DR1, then you have all the DR101, DR121 etc variants, presumably indicating screen sizes, consoles, doors etc.

Yours looks like a 19" console, so nice and compact. Let's hope you don't need to do another LOPT transplant, like you did in your other b&w console Decca.

Good luck with it!

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Old 29th May 2018, 8:45 pm   #4
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

Colourstar wrote: "I've never got the hang of the Decca model numbers- I'm sure the basic dual standard was a DR1, then you have all the DR101, DR121 etc variants, presumably indicating screen sizes, consoles, doors etc."

Hi Steve,
The 1965 DR1 employs a chassis that resembles the BRC 850.
I still have the console DR123, that's the set that received the jelly pot transformer modification.
The DR1 series perform very well but in 1969 a "cost improved" version was introduced in the guise of the DR20. The two stage sound IF and 6Mhz FM amplifier was replaced by a single stage amplifier. The DR20 was OK on 405 but there was always an intercarrier buzz present on 625.

I'll do some swotting up on the DR101 series chassis. I kinda remember there was some sort of strange standards switch mechanism.

DFWB.
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Old 29th May 2018, 8:48 pm   #5
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

Long overdue a visit to David's. Can't wait to see the set!

Cheers
Brian
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Old 29th May 2018, 8:51 pm   #6
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

"It certainly looks the part, nice acquisition David"
Hi Marc,
All Decca TVs certainly always had a style of their own.

DFWB.
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Old 30th May 2018, 7:32 am   #7
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

Yes David. Two solenoids are used as smoothing chokes and are switched to pull the system switch between 405/625. I had a Decca DR404 in the house for a while. Good performer even with the valve UHF tuner.

Unfortunately the LOPT in the large can was a weak link. The system switch could stick causing arcing to the solenoid change over switch. Other than that, a quality receiver.

John.
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Old 30th May 2018, 9:26 am   #8
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

Decca always could be counted on for good sound. What size is the loudspeaker in this?
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Old 30th May 2018, 3:03 pm   #9
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

I seem to recall that these had a Goodmans 10x6 speaker.

A friend at primary school had one in the early 1980s but his dad gutted it to turn it into a display cabinet for sea shells! I was given the valves and knobs but he kept the speaker, sadly.

N.
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Old 8th Jun 2018, 12:57 pm   #10
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

News Flash! The Decca DR101 arrived this morning and is now in the workshop. Let's find out if it is any good.

DFWB.
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Old 8th Jun 2018, 5:47 pm   #11
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

I can honestly say it is very good, cabinet clean, the back cover good as new. It's well taken care of. No idea when it was last used but the PL36 was noted to be a foreign made replacement.

When gently woken up the set worked! Obvious issues with the vertical linearity but the Lopt is ok and the CRT excellent.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more. It's certainly a cracker.

Some photos taken earlier and uploaded with David's kind permission. The dim raster was the first light.
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Old 8th Jun 2018, 8:30 pm   #12
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

The set was switched off so that a replacement PCL85 frame output valve could be fitted in an attempt to solve the cramping at the bottom of the picture.
Upon switching the set on again the was a loud bang along with sparks and a burning smell.
One of the two B9A front control panel connector plugs has the insulation problem that is well known in Decca TVs.
The Mullard AW47-91 CRT is dated B3L: Blackburn works, 1963, December.
The contrast control doesn't have any effect, the picture is always at max contrast.

DFWB.
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Old 8th Jun 2018, 10:52 pm   #13
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

That's a good substantial chassis, almost like an American set. No skimping on metalwork there!

Steve
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Old 8th Jun 2018, 11:20 pm   #14
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

It looks like you can remove the chassis together with the CRT attached. Not many sets from that era that you can do that with
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Old 9th Jun 2018, 1:20 am   #15
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

From the mechanical point of view it's a very over-engineered TV receiver In 1962 Decca manufactured a 405 only TV receiver which was constructed on a similar metal chassis, the model was if my memory serves me well the DR29. Having the CRT is attached to the chassis is a very unusual feature. By 1963 almost all TVs had the CRT mounted on the cabinet front panel.

DFWB.
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Old 9th Jun 2018, 12:41 pm   #16
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

One of the two B9A front control panel connector plugs has the insulation problem that is well known in Decca TVs.

In fact it's a B7G plug and socket. That makes things a bit ore difficult, try finding one of those?
It might be a better plan to fit an octal plug and socket, if that can be done, of course.

DFWB.
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Old 9th Jun 2018, 3:35 pm   #17
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

Hacksawed the bad part out between the pins of the B7G plug. That'll be OK until a new B7G plug is found. Plug reinserted into the socket, set switched on and then the other plug started to burn. Fortunately, a good quality B9A plug was at hand and duly fitted.
Set switched on again, no bangs this time. The replacement PCL85 hasn't solved the frame timebase fault, wasn't expecting it to do so.
It's likely the frame OP valve bias capacitor is OC, perhaps there is some waxies to replace? Manufactures were still using waxies in 1963.
Time to remove the chassis.

DFWB.
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Old 9th Jun 2018, 6:00 pm   #18
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

Another 2 BANGS! Now that Nastyradio Masteradio T851 is spreading it's evil around your collection David.
Would you like me to come up and exorcise it for you. It involves a 45 gallon drum, paraffin and some kindling from busted up AVS cabinets. I can add a few candles and some chanting if that makes you feel less upset.

You know it makes sense and it must be done. John.
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Old 9th Jun 2018, 6:03 pm   #19
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

That's incredibly well made when it seems most manufactures were counting every washer on d/s sets Decca really pushed the boat out with this set.
I wonder how it compared price wise to other sets of a similar size?
I suppose the introduction of twin panel and rimband protected CRTs made the installation to the front of the cabinet essential.
It's incredible that the set has survived all these years in such good condition!
I am following it's restoration with great interest!

Rich.
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Old 9th Jun 2018, 8:07 pm   #20
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Default Re: Decca DR101 dual standard TV

I discovered a new Radiospares B7G plug in a box of junk David. It's yours if you want it.

They used to explode in the GEC BT302. Frighten the customer to death! A clue to it's failure was a rumbling crackle on the sound, then BANG! John.
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