Mystery 'band' on Goodmans Module 150

[stevehertz]

On the dial scale of the Goodmans Module 150 there are four 'bands'. The top one is marked 'Channel' and the scale is marked from 5 to 55 (1 to c65 in practise). The other three bands being FM, M and L that are all switch selectable. As there does not appear to be any way of switching in this 'Channel' band, I am struggling to see what it is? There's no mention of it in the user manual from what I can see. Maybe it's an 'aide memoire' for users to have a list of their favourite stations on a separate piece of paper allowing them to more quickly tune in to them by simply tuning to the appropriate 'Channel' number and of course firstly pressing the associated waveband button. Saying that, there's already 8 presets for FM, so to some extent it would counter productive - at least on FM it would when you can just press a button instead of spinning a tuning knob and carefully tuning in. Does anyone know for sure what this 'Channel' band is?

[dseymo1]

I would have said that it was simply a marketing device, to make the dial appear more comprehensive than it really is, but the fact that the numbering stops at 55 suggests that 'real' channels are indeed represented.

[Andrew2]

Don't these numbers refer to the 'channelling' system proposed for the FM band? I suppose it was meant to take away the uncertainty of tuning by frequency. I don't think it ever caught on.

[Station X]

At one time VHF FM broadcasting frequencies had channel numbers, but these were not used (ie announced) in the UK.

Channel 1 was 87.2-87.4 MHz.
Channel 30 was 95.9 to 96.1 MHz.
Channel 60 was 104.9-105.1 MHz.

Source "Guide to Broadcasting Stations 18th edition" published in 1980.

This fits your scale.

Radio North Sea would announce that their VHF FM service was on Channel 44, 100 Megacycles.

['LIVEWIRE?']

Further to Graham's comment, I believe the channel numbering system was used in Germany in the 50s & 60s. Most continental radios of that era, especially German makes such as SABA, Grundig, Blaupunkt, etc. featured the Channel Numbers on their dial scales.

[stevehertz]

Well that solves it then, channel numbers for VHF/FM frequencies. Thanks guys!

[Nickthedentist]

I suppose it's a bit like the 21-68 channel system we use(d) on tellies. New to me though!

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

I suppose it's a bit like the 21-68 channel system we use(d) on tellies. New to me though!

Well yes, for a minute that's what I thought it might be, tele sound, but there's no way of tuning it in.

['LIVEWIRE?']

As noted by Graham in post #4, the channel numbers refer to Band II - ie. VHF/FM frequencies. What Nick meant is that the numbering system used is akin to that used for the (UK)UHF TV Channels, not that radios with these numbers could receive (UHF)TV Sound. Most such sets were made before UHF TV started, AFAIK.

[Jonster]

Grundig kept the channel or 'kanal' markings on their transistor portables well into the seventies, check the scale on any Yacht Boy or Party Boy etc from that era.

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by 'LIVEWIRE?'

As noted by Graham in post #4, the channel numbers refer to Band II - ie. VHF/FM frequencies. What Nick meant is that the numbering system used is akin to that used for the (UK)UHF TV Channels, not that radios with these numbers could receive (UHF)TV Sound. Most such sets were made before UHF TV started, AFAIK.

What was it that I said that made you think I thought otherwise?!

['LIVEWIRE?']

Your comment in post #8 'there's no way of tuning it in'!

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by 'LIVEWIRE?'

Your comment in post #8 'there's no way of tuning it in'!

I realise that you mean well, but you basically re posted information already present and that I understood. The tele channels idea was clearly a red herring that I considered for just a brief moment before realising that there wasn't a TV tuner present, and then started the thread.

[Radio Wrangler]

Another give-away is that the non-linear 'stretch' of the channel number scale matches the stretch of the VHF band.

David

[Sideband]

Originally Posted by Station X

Radio North Sea would announce that their VHF FM service was on Channel 44, 100 Megacycles.

That brings back memories! I seem to recall the channel number changed slightly although the frequency didn't....maybe there was some uncertainty?

Anyway back to Channel on VHF, I've only seen this a few times on continental sets or as has been said, the likes of Grundig or Telefunken. Presumably it was cheaper to maintain the channel numbering on UK sets even though we never used it rather than have a 'dedicated' UK scale.

[Mach One]

It is an interesting radio also in that it has a very extended LW band, going right up to around 350kHz. I believe that there were stations in that part of the band right up to possibly the 70s but that radio is rather younger. I wonder if there was a period when they were considering using a much larger LW band?

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by Sideband

That brings back memories! I seem to recall the channel number changed slightly although the frequency didn't....maybe there was some uncertainty?

Possibly, because channel 44 does tally exactly with 100Mhz.