Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

maxdedman · 25th Mar 2020, 9:32 pm

Hello, I recently came across a very old PYE radio. It has a wooden case, valves, and four black knobs in a straight line along the bottom. There is no wood in front of the loudspeaker. Its dial says it was capable of tuning into short, medium and long bands. The loudspeaker fabric is square in shape and the edges of the case are rounded. I've scoured the radiomuseum catalog for matches but all the photos there show slightly-different models. The radio was found in a Victorian house, if that helps.
Loose inside the case, I found a "Limitation on Licence" sticker which mentions several patents from 1928 to 1932. I have linked their online articles below. Thank you for any information you can give.
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB317873A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB319819A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB317294A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB359280A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB396896A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB402081A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB403979A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB411512A
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB411473A

kestrelmusic · 26th Mar 2020, 9:05 am

I can't identify this set immediately but the style of the knobs places it around the late 1930s.

Have a look at one of the valves - does it have five or seven irregularly spaced pins in the base (B5 or B7), or eight regularly spaced pins around a centre spigot (Octal), or eight small contacts around the side of the base (Ct8)?

Alternatively, can you read the type markings on the valves?

cathoderay57 · 26th Mar 2020, 10:08 am

Welcome to the Forum. If you are interested in getting the radio to work, please don't be tempted to plug it in. From the visual condition it needs a lot of work to render it safe to operate. I cannot identify the model and unfortunately Pye did not mark several models in the 1930s and 1940s with model numbers. I agree with Kestrelmusic that the valve numbers might help to identify it. Can you also advise your skill and knowledge levels re: vintage wireless, and availability of tools and test equipment? If you get stuck, as I am local to you, I might be able to help but not until after the lockdown obviously. Cheers, Jerry

PJL · 26th Mar 2020, 11:21 am

It looks like the woodworm have made off with most of the cabinet. It is using an octal rectifier which I would guess makes it late 30's.

Cobaltblue · 26th Mar 2020, 11:39 am

Looks like we have seen this model before:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=47144

Don't know if MarkPirate ever got to the bottom of it?

Cheers

Mike T

maxdedman · 26th Mar 2020, 6:24 pm

Hi, I have no experience with this sort of thing, to answer you first question. It's cool to learn there's someone nearby who knows about radios. I found a Mullard 5Y3G loose inside, 5 of the 8 holes in its base have pins. As for equipment, I have a cheap multimeter and a very old variable lab power supply which gives 2-12V at 6A max. I also have basic hand tools. I don't know when I'll be able to do anything with the radio as it is currently being used for art purposes.

cathoderay57 · 26th Mar 2020, 10:36 pm

The Pye set in the hyperlink at Post #5 is definitely the same model - thanks Mike. The 5Y3G you have found is the rectifier valve, directly equivalent to the U50 listed in the valve line-up. If all the other valves are missing you'd have to ask yourself, given the condition of the cabinet, whether a restoration would be cost effective. There will doubtless be other faults with it that would cost money to put right. I guess you have plenty of time to think about it and if you would like me to take a look at it when the current crisis subsides then feel free to contact me on the Forum. Cheers, Jerry

maxdedman · 26th Mar 2020, 11:46 pm

I've done some more online research and I reccon it's an 810. Does that sound about right?

cathoderay57 · 27th Mar 2020, 9:02 am

Well, the dial is similar, although the Model 810 only had Long Wave and Medium Wave bands whereas yours has Short Wave as well; control positions are also the same but, whereas yours is intended for plugging into the mains supply, the Model 810 was a battery set. See image below. Also the 810 has wooden bars across the speaker aperture whereas yours doesn't. The service data for the 810 is of little use because the valves are completely different. Close but no cigar...…….. I'd hazard a guess at Model 812 - see here https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_812.html at least it has the same valve line-up as yours, but no image. It's odd that the valve listing includes an EL6 which is the only side-contact valve; the remainder being octals. Cheers, Jerry

ColinB · 27th Mar 2020, 9:59 am

Just to mention, I would assume you already know this, but DO NOT bring it indoors, or the woodworm might get into the structural timber of your house - this would be a Bad Thing...

maxdedman · 27th Mar 2020, 10:13 am

Thanks for the useful insights, I found some schematics for the 812 and sadly the illustration of the case looks quite different.

stevehertz · 27th Mar 2020, 11:27 am

Given your stated abilities I would suggest you do a cosmetic clean up on the set and keep it - as you say - for an art piece. You can fill worm holes with plastic wood of the correct colour. If the colour is then too light you can darken it with a touch from a darker brown felt tip pen. You can also use Topp's scratch cover polish to enhance the finish. There are quite a few brands of scratch cover polish apart from Topp's. It's better for you to keep it as it is for the foreseeable future until someone with the correct level of ability can work on it. Please realise that this set, in this condition will require a full, long winded and technically involved restoration to get it working. It's certainly not a 'first restoration' project. Put it on display and enjoy it.

maxdedman · 28th Mar 2020, 11:21 pm

Thanks for the useful info, I might give the electronics a go some day in the future or take it to a radio technician, I suppose if I do try, I'll replace all the paper caps and test some of the resistors, but I don't have a clue how to test the valves, and I've heard testing rigs are quite pricey.

rockinmark · 29th Mar 2020, 9:41 am

Hi maxdedman the people on this forum are very intelligent and have helped me so much. I started like you I was given a Phillips Saturn lovely looking radio but as I was totally new and new nothing. But with the help of the people on here, I took their advice and put it in loft lol and that's where it sits. But I did the other thing they said get a less complicated set. Which I did. I never thought I would get into something like this. I would say its not a cheap hobby but I find it so rewarding at the finish and you turn on the radio and then on to the next one. If you read different post on here you will see a saying ONLY PHILIPS WOULD DO THAT. So I have stayed away for now who knows maybe mine will come out of the loft one day. You also find yourself looking at other things like aerials. But again I couldn't have done it with out their knowledge and help. Thanks to all forum members. Good luck on you new hobby
Mark

cathoderay57 · 29th Mar 2020, 10:02 am

I have a valve tester if needs be, but to be honest it isn't essential to test the valves. Receivers will often still work even if one or more valve is in poor condition. One simple test you can do is remove each valve and using the Ohms or buzzer range on your multimeter check that the valve has continuity across the 2 heater pins. The pin-outs can be found here http://www.r-type.org/search.php just enter the valve number into the search box. Cheers, Jerry

25th Mar 2020, 9:32 pm	#1
maxdedman Diode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 5	Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Hello, I recently came across a very old PYE radio. It has a wooden case, valves, and four black knobs in a straight line along the bottom. There is no wood in front of the loudspeaker. Its dial says it was capable of tuning into short, medium and long bands. The loudspeaker fabric is square in shape and the edges of the case are rounded. I've scoured the radiomuseum catalog for matches but all the photos there show slightly-different models. The radio was found in a Victorian house, if that helps. Loose inside the case, I found a "Limitation on Licence" sticker which mentions several patents from 1928 to 1932. I have linked their online articles below. Thank you for any information you can give. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB317873A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB319819A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB317294A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB359280A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB396896A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB402081A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB403979A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB411512A https://worldwide.espacenet.com/pate...pn%3DGB411473A Attached Thumbnails

26th Mar 2020, 9:05 am	#2
kestrelmusic Hexode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK. Posts: 465	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? I can't identify this set immediately but the style of the knobs places it around the late 1930s. Have a look at one of the valves - does it have five or seven irregularly spaced pins in the base (B5 or B7), or eight regularly spaced pins around a centre spigot (Octal), or eight small contacts around the side of the base (Ct8)? Alternatively, can you read the type markings on the valves?

26th Mar 2020, 10:08 am	#3
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,382	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Welcome to the Forum. If you are interested in getting the radio to work, please don't be tempted to plug it in. From the visual condition it needs a lot of work to render it safe to operate. I cannot identify the model and unfortunately Pye did not mark several models in the 1930s and 1940s with model numbers. I agree with Kestrelmusic that the valve numbers might help to identify it. Can you also advise your skill and knowledge levels re: vintage wireless, and availability of tools and test equipment? If you get stuck, as I am local to you, I might be able to help but not until after the lockdown obviously. Cheers, Jerry

26th Mar 2020, 11:21 am	#4
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? It looks like the woodworm have made off with most of the cabinet. It is using an octal rectifier which I would guess makes it late 30's.

26th Mar 2020, 6:24 pm	#6
maxdedman Diode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Hi, I have no experience with this sort of thing, to answer you first question. It's cool to learn there's someone nearby who knows about radios. I found a Mullard 5Y3G loose inside, 5 of the 8 holes in its base have pins. As for equipment, I have a cheap multimeter and a very old variable lab power supply which gives 2-12V at 6A max. I also have basic hand tools. I don't know when I'll be able to do anything with the radio as it is currently being used for art purposes.

26th Mar 2020, 11:39 am	#5
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,857	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Looks like we have seen this model before: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=47144 Don't know if MarkPirate ever got to the bottom of it? Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

26th Mar 2020, 10:36 pm	#7
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,382	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? The Pye set in the hyperlink at Post #5 is definitely the same model - thanks Mike. The 5Y3G you have found is the rectifier valve, directly equivalent to the U50 listed in the valve line-up. If all the other valves are missing you'd have to ask yourself, given the condition of the cabinet, whether a restoration would be cost effective. There will doubtless be other faults with it that would cost money to put right. I guess you have plenty of time to think about it and if you would like me to take a look at it when the current crisis subsides then feel free to contact me on the Forum. Cheers, Jerry

26th Mar 2020, 11:46 pm	#8
maxdedman Diode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? I've done some more online research and I reccon it's an 810. Does that sound about right?

27th Mar 2020, 9:59 am	#10
ColinB Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Newton Abbot, Devon, UK. Posts: 761	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Just to mention, I would assume you already know this, but DO NOT bring it indoors, or the woodworm might get into the structural timber of your house - this would be a Bad Thing...

27th Mar 2020, 10:13 am	#11
maxdedman Diode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Thanks for the useful insights, I found some schematics for the 812 and sadly the illustration of the case looks quite different.

27th Mar 2020, 11:27 am	#12
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,827	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Given your stated abilities I would suggest you do a cosmetic clean up on the set and keep it - as you say - for an art piece. You can fill worm holes with plastic wood of the correct colour. If the colour is then too light you can darken it with a touch from a darker brown felt tip pen. You can also use Topp's scratch cover polish to enhance the finish. There are quite a few brands of scratch cover polish apart from Topp's. It's better for you to keep it as it is for the foreseeable future until someone with the correct level of ability can work on it. Please realise that this set, in this condition will require a full, long winded and technically involved restoration to get it working. It's certainly not a 'first restoration' project. Put it on display and enjoy it. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. Last edited by stevehertz; 27th Mar 2020 at 11:44 am.

28th Mar 2020, 11:21 pm	#13
maxdedman Diode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Thanks for the useful info, I might give the electronics a go some day in the future or take it to a radio technician, I suppose if I do try, I'll replace all the paper caps and test some of the resistors, but I don't have a clue how to test the valves, and I've heard testing rigs are quite pricey.

29th Mar 2020, 9:41 am	#14
rockinmark Heptode Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 594	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? Hi maxdedman the people on this forum are very intelligent and have helped me so much. I started like you I was given a Phillips Saturn lovely looking radio but as I was totally new and new nothing. But with the help of the people on here, I took their advice and put it in loft lol and that's where it sits. But I did the other thing they said get a less complicated set. Which I did. I never thought I would get into something like this. I would say its not a cheap hobby but I find it so rewarding at the finish and you turn on the radio and then on to the next one. If you read different post on here you will see a saying ONLY PHILIPS WOULD DO THAT. So I have stayed away for now who knows maybe mine will come out of the loft one day. You also find yourself looking at other things like aerials. But again I couldn't have done it with out their knowledge and help. Thanks to all forum members. Good luck on you new hobby Mark

29th Mar 2020, 10:02 am	#15
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,382	Re: Can anyone give info on my 1930's PYE please? I have a valve tester if needs be, but to be honest it isn't essential to test the valves. Receivers will often still work even if one or more valve is in poor condition. One simple test you can do is remove each valve and using the Ohms or buzzer range on your multimeter check that the valve has continuity across the 2 heater pins. The pin-outs can be found here http://www.r-type.org/search.php just enter the valve number into the search box. Cheers, Jerry