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Old 17th Mar 2018, 11:09 am   #41
Mike-repairman
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Question The Repair Shop March 16th - GEC Radiogram

Did anyone see this program where they restored the large GEC radiogram. Must admit I'd never seen that model before, although the deck did seem to be the same as one my family had in the late 40's.

Does anyone have the model number and date and any info on them?

It did look he had fun with replacing the tuner cord; that used to be my most hated part of restoration. I didn't hear the radio working; perhaps he passed on that but the gram sounded OK.

Thanks, Mike.
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Old 17th Mar 2018, 11:17 am   #42
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Default Re: The Repair Shop March 16th - GEC Radiogram

Looks like the Gram version of the BC4750

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/genera...0_bc_4750.html

BC4758 Seems to be the Gram.

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Old 17th Mar 2018, 11:42 am   #43
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

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Originally Posted by emeritus View Post
I saw that programme tonight too. When he was about to power it up, I remarked to my wife that I was surprised he wasn't using a series lamp limiter before powering up for what seemed to be the first time: it might have saved him tripping the building's circuit breakers!
Yes I was surprised that he didn't power it up slowly and amazed that he didn't have a low current breaker on his bench to save throwing them all into darkness Emeritas! Sticking it on a PAT tester would have been helpful too.

Mike.

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Old 17th Mar 2018, 11:45 am   #44
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Default Re: The Repair Shop March 16th - GEC Radiogram

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Originally Posted by Cobaltblue View Post
Looks like the Gram version of the BC4750
Thanks for the info Cobalt blue; I wonder what it cost in the late 40's £100+ I would think; many weeks wages in those days?
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Old 17th Mar 2018, 12:26 pm   #45
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

If it was £100 nearly 70 years ago, that would equate to at least £3500 of today's money, maybe more. Probably few were sold.
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Old 17th Mar 2018, 12:35 pm   #46
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

Yes a fortune in today's money; I can remember our 1st TV bought for the Coronation in 1953 cost £60; many week's wages. However things were built to last in those days not like today's throw away society where many get replaced yearly.

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Old 17th Mar 2018, 1:36 pm   #47
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

When beginning work on the record deck, the fettler said he'd have to remove 'the main winding, to see if we can get it spinning again', and showed us the rotor....
All a bit higgledy-piggledy.
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Old 17th Mar 2018, 8:16 pm   #48
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

Has anyone just watched the latest "The Repair Shop" on BBC 2 at 18.00 to 18.30 this evening ?
My wife called me inside at 18.15 thinking I would like to see the repair of a 1946 radiogram. A minute or two later the old chap trips the whole building's RCD ! So he then says to a presenter to "Switch on the Fuses" or something like that. No mention of powering it up via a Variac, or having checked the electrolytics. He also said something about looking at the underside of the chassis & the wiring seemed OK.
The semi-circular upright cabinet looked nice. What make was it ?
Me wonders how knowledgeable or skilled in vintage electronics the guy is supposed to be.

Regards, David


PS. Just realised that tonight's program was a repeat of yesterday's, so hastily missed reading yesterday's Forum comments. Apologies.

Last edited by David Simpson; 17th Mar 2018 at 8:21 pm. Reason: Wake up
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Old 17th Mar 2018, 8:31 pm   #49
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

Me thinks the "Laughing Policeman" was laughing at the incompetent person who carried out the electronic repairs. The serious lack of safety procedures has certainly been noted by several Forum members. I've had great difficulty in restraining my comments - just in case the BBC take offence.

Regards, David
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Old 17th Mar 2018, 10:36 pm   #50
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

Yes, but isn't it the case that UK broadcasters usually do the opposite, and are too frightened of legal reprisals to show any proper DIY, and all we get is the upcycling a sofa by chucking a "throw" over it?

The exception seems to be "DIY le Donnie" on BBC Alba.
Perhaps Highland Crofters are not as litigious as the rest of us.
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Old 18th Mar 2018, 5:24 am   #51
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

You never know what is real and what was deliberately added for dramatic reasons. The radiogram would have been plugged into a power circuit, but the lights also went out, so it would seem that an RCD was tripped rather than a 'fuse'.

Plugging in something just brought in by a stranger seems far too trusting. Showing viewers live stuff spread around doesn't seem to have worried them, but they didn't show anyone lighting that pipe! now that would have been unacceptable.

There wasn't even a multimeter anywhere to be seen that could have checked the earthing.

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Old 18th Mar 2018, 12:16 pm   #52
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

I suppose all these radio/electronics blunders that we comment on might be brushed aside by TV companies as editorial or artistic licence. Some TV viewers might be amused by the bumbling of old duffers. However, what worries me is that we(genuine enthusiasts, wheather retired professionals or keen & careful amateurs) in the vintage radio fraternity might be tarred by the same brush.
As David says, there was a distinct lack of Test Equipment. Briefly we could see that the Radio Gram's three pin plug(I bet its got a 13A fuse inside) was fed from a white B&Q type cheapo ext. cable.
Where exactly is the Repair Shop located? Some sort of retro building complex. Perhaps the program producers would benefit from a visit by the HSE. My real dread is that the duffer belongs to one of the Forum sites or Vintage Societies we're all acquainted with. Anyone recognise, or know him ? If you do - tell him to do twenty press-ups, from me.

Regards, David

PS. To digress - did anyone see Drew Pritchard's "Salvage Hunters", the latest episode, a few nights ago? He was at another salvage dealer's shed in Yorkshire, & one could briefly see something like a 1155 Rx on a shelf. DS

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Old 18th Mar 2018, 12:54 pm   #53
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

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Originally Posted by David Simpson View Post
Where exactly is the Repair Shop located? DS
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/bbc2s-rep...filmed-museum/

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Old 18th Mar 2018, 12:59 pm   #54
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

The Repair Shop programme has come in for a lot of criticism on some non-vintage radio forums. Apparently their members have complained directly to the BBC about clueless people repairing items they have no technical knowledge of.
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Old 18th Mar 2018, 1:38 pm   #55
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

Thanks John for the link. Chichester eh ? 600 miles south of me, but perhaps a Forum member down that way would consider a visit & put them right. Someone of a pleasant & easy going demeanour I suggest, as myself & some other vintage chums of my acquaintance would give them a helluva bollocking.

Regards, David
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Old 18th Mar 2018, 2:23 pm   #56
60 oldjohn
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Default The repair shop BBC2

The programme is repeated Monday morning BBC2 at 6am to 630. I think this is the same edition mentioned.

John.

Last edited by Station X; 18th Mar 2018 at 2:39 pm. Reason: Threads merged.
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Old 18th Mar 2018, 2:57 pm   #57
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

It's on iPlayer for a while here...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...es-2-episode-5

Mike.
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Old 18th Mar 2018, 6:23 pm   #58
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

I found it (The Repair Shop) quite entertaining, if a little short of detail. I would think that the RCB trip will be thought of part of the drama by most of the viewers. As would the lack of repair detail, "oh the dial lights up" is more important.

In a perverted sort of way I hope the (BBC) gets sued for not explaining every detail of the dangers and the court rules "use your common sense", case dismissed. Vain hope (too many lawyers involved).
 
Old 18th Mar 2018, 6:52 pm   #59
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

The difference with repairing electrical equipment rather than furniture and knick-nacks is that someone could get seriously injured, possibly the repairer, possibly the owner or their children some time later.

Would the BBC have bottled-out at a vintage gas appliance, or a veteran car's brakes?

The lawyers amongst the viewers must have been rubbing their hands.

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Old 19th Mar 2018, 7:36 pm   #60
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Default Re: Vintage Radios, TVs etc in films and on TV (not anachronisms)

What's stopping them from using real experts, I wonder?
There must be plenty of special-interest groups like this one where experienced people can be found in pretty much any field.
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