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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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6th May 2020, 8:12 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
I hope you can help me, I have just bought a GEC radio. Initially I wanted to Place a Bluetooth receiver and Amp in it, But i am having second thoughts and think I might like to have a go at restoring. I have been surfing the internet trying to get a manual but I'm failing, the Model number is BRT 165, any ideas where to look??
it is in appearance like a BC6144, BC5244, BC5243 but this one seems to have a lot more parts in it. |
6th May 2020, 8:50 pm | #2 |
Triode
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 42
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
I've been trying to help Gotechsys with this but am drawing a blank with Google also. It's a very interesting set, VHF only. The only other BRT number I know of is the BRT 400 communications receiver.
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7th May 2020, 8:19 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,194
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Hi Folks, looks like a standard GEC case from the 50's but with only a single (SW) waveband ?
Let us have a pic of the internals and a list of the valves used Ed |
7th May 2020, 8:52 pm | #4 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
The radio is in transit to me so maybe a week before I will have the valve info
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7th May 2020, 11:19 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,535
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
You can find clearer pictures on the original listing here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bakelite-...p2047675.l2557 The separate PSU chassis is pretty unusual for a small(ish) set!
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8th May 2020, 12:19 pm | #6 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Thanks to everyone who has helped so far I’m an electrical engineer specialising in control systems so the last time attempted anything remotely like this was as an apprentice over 40 years ago YouTube is getting a hammering at the moment trying to get some knowledge thanks again Glynn
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10th May 2020, 9:17 am | #7 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Looking at the Dating sets section I believe the set was made in 1955 for two reasons 1) VHF was launched in May1955 and many VHF only radios were made, and secondly the Light programme was moved to 89.1. investigation continues. I still need to know where to get service information, specifically a diagram, I could make one, but I'm sure there will be some devices that are not labelled plus I would need test voltages information
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10th May 2020, 11:20 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,535
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Judging by the overwhelming response so far, I'd say that this set is a rare beast! It certainly looks a bit "cobbled up in a hurry" albeit professionally.
If you're up for the reverse engineering to draw your own circuit I'm sure that nailing down the unmarked or unidentifiable components will keep a few of us on our toes It may turn out just to use a "standard" circuit of the period. Even without any service info as such it should be possible to get it working within it's original (insensitive by modern standards) specs.
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11th May 2020, 7:29 pm | #9 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Ed_Dinning details for valve information as follows
:https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...1&d=1589221729 |
11th May 2020, 10:40 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,535
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Interesting.... a chassis full of EF91s (Z77) and a push pull(?) output from a pair of EL91s (N77). No problem sourcing spare EF91s if needed
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11th May 2020, 11:18 pm | #11 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,936
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
A very odd design. I wonder if it was some sort of prototype.
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12th May 2020, 5:48 am | #12 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Paul I think you may be right, it looks like the chassis was produced and some designer was trying to fit it in the case 3 reasons
1) The original on off switch was on the back because the band selection switch wasn’t there it’s been moved to the front an extension shaft has had to used. 2) The original speaker Mount has a piece of wood fitted over it and a larger speaker has been glued to the far side of the front, guessing to stop interference? 3) The original chassis for this box didn’t have a separate power supply unit making the chassis higher and band indicator modifications Has been manufactured from apiece of an old BP oil can. |
12th May 2020, 8:03 am | #13 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,861
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
The chassis is punched for three more valves and a set of IFTs, so it looks like the goal was a VHF/MW/LW set, but only the parts needed for VHF are populated. The variable capacitor looks to only have the VHF sections.
This thing screams prototype. It would be interesting to see if any chassis earth lugs carry solder in the unpopulated areas. If there was none, it would suggest the chassis was never fully populated and was done within GEC. If soldered, it would suggest the LW/MW stuff was once installed and later removed so that it might have been a private effort. Another question would be whether it is FM, or AM or both. It might be a test receiver from when decisions were being made about which way to go. This one may have some historic significance. David
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12th May 2020, 8:34 am | #14 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
So next question in GEC world what does BRT stand for??
the only other BRT I've come across is BRT 400 communication receiver?? |
12th May 2020, 8:52 am | #15 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 3,755
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
It looks like VHF only, one tuning capacitor ,and two coax sockets on the rear , there are two valve sockets at the front end , this would make the valve count 11 ,very interesting Mick.
Last edited by vinrads; 12th May 2020 at 8:58 am. |
13th May 2020, 8:27 am | #16 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Radio Wrangler - the two bases have wires cut off them. there have been loads of modifications made to this set, whether originally or since it left the factory who knows, This project has got a lot bigger and when you say prototype and possible historical significance the restoration takes on a different meaning, I am a novice at this I wouldn't want to blindly plow in to this and remove that significance. I am still up for this project but i think I could do with a mentor. Does any one know of anyone in the Sheffield / South Yorkshire area that can possible mentor me and keep me on the straight and narrow. willing to pay for the odd hour here and there consultation. (obviously after lock down). Cheers Glynn
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13th May 2020, 9:12 am | #17 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 1,962
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Fascinating set!
You aren't a million miles away from Richard Booth at Past Times Radio in Wadworth: http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk/ |
16th May 2020, 8:15 am | #18 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Well I've started checking the wiring of the BRT165, I have split the power chassis
from the cleaver bit, and thought I would break my self in slowly with the power chassis, My first dilemma, in the wiring loom was 10 cut of wires, so I'm guessing correct me if i'm wrong this radio used to have medium and long wave as the cut of wires are in the area where the selector switch would have been. The wiring is in poor condition I think me granny in the bath could have done the modified soldering better, wires have been soldered in the loom with no insulation, wires cut in the loom and still connected at one end, solder iron burn marks of insulation of live wires not pretty. (A fuse had blown on the mains) First question. I want to get this radio in to its original condition the wiring loom is original, so how can I find out where the cut of wires go?? I can trace the wiring that is there but i will have gaps. Second question/advice: my plan for the power chassis is to strip it down all devices off clean and paint the base tidy up the transformers and replace fault wiring or should I wait to do this until i can get the radio working first ? Thanks in Advance Glynn |
30th May 2020, 9:13 am | #19 |
Triode
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 10
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Re: Looking for information on GEC BRT 165
Morning all,
Restoration is going well have totally stripped everything off the power rack and painted it power transformer has been cleaned painted and powered voltages taken, all items refitted I do however have the following question. 1) The set has a OSRAM U52-GH4 valve, the wiring has been messed with currently pins 4 and 6 anodes are going to the same point on the transformer. The specific winding on the mains transformer has a centre tap 230v centre and 460v across the winding. I think I should have 460v across pins 4 and 6 can anyone confirm this ? 2) Does anyone know where I can get a data sheet on the OSRAM U52-GH4? I really need a circuit for this as I don't trust the wiring as is, I have attached the wiring as I stripped it down. 3) There was an old Can capacitor in 16mf and 32mf, I have got a new replacement which has 32mf and 32mf is this ok? 4) On the smoothing circuit the final resistor to earth is open circuit so another reason I need a diagram to find the resistance and buy another, unless any one can suggest a resistor value. 5) There is an 8 pin plug and socket that goes to the amplifier pin 5 had a wire soldered to it which was cut of in the wiring loom. any ideas where it should go. I will as always be very thankful for any assistance you can give me with this. |