MCR21 Good News - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

beamcurrent · 2nd Aug 2023, 9:38 am

Those who live to the west of London may like to come and see the work to date which is some 90% complete. There are always bits "to finish off!"

We have arranged for our BBC Outside Broadcast van to be out on display in Camberley Town centre on the 12th Aug. This is part of the annual car show, and we will be located just off Park Street in the service area near the Bear Pub.

On show will be our original Pye Mk6 camera, the interpretation display boards and a gazebo with video displays showing OB's in action. Inside we will be showing the progress made in the restoration and explaining where the OB crew sat and what their jobs were.

If time and effort permits we may bring a second Pye camera.

This is a well attended show and we are pleased to have a part in it. It runs from 10 to 4pm and it's free! A great day out for the family. See https://www.collectivelycamberley.co.uk/Car-Show/

Brian Summers for the BTTT brian@mcr21.org.uk See you there!

I hope the mods will forgive the use of a certain word.....

Paul Stenning · 2nd Aug 2023, 2:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamcurrent

I hope the mods will forgive the use of a certain word.....

Absolutely fine in this context.

I hope you have a great day with lots of interest, and the weather is kind.

beamcurrent · 9th Aug 2023, 8:44 pm

Hi can I boost this as we will be on show this Sat (the 12th) in Camberley town centre.

We would like to invite all who like in the area and wish to come and have a look round.

The event is Free and very well attended (parking can be a challenge) runs from 1000 till 1600hrs.

Location map attached.

Looking forward to greeting you.

Kentode · 10th Aug 2023, 6:11 am

That looks like a really good day out! I hope you have lots of interest from younger people who wouldn't be aware of the technical expertise required to bring television to the sitting room of the 20th century.

I can see that MCR21 is a big project in both senses of the word, will she ever make her way North? The cobbles have worn quite smooth in the more populated area's, and we hardly ever bite!

Good luck for the weekend.

Radio Wrangler · 10th Aug 2023, 6:28 am

Would one of the goals be a live outside broadcast (on the internet) from some event that wouldn't be covered otherwise? If put on the event's website it could also publicise your activities. A wifi hotspot from a 5G phone could handle your uplink. There must be some events still held where in their heyday a TV van would have been part of the scenery?

David

PaulM · 10th Aug 2023, 8:29 am

Quote:

will she ever make her way North

Our museum is in 'the frozen north'(!) and we will have its sister vehicle on show at our event here, near Gainsborough, on 9th and 10th September. Several trucks to see and much more.

See: https://becg.org.uk/2023/07/17/heritage-open-days-2023/
About our truck: https://becg.org.uk/projects/project-vivat/

Best regards,

Paul M

Kentode · 10th Aug 2023, 11:04 am

Sod's law says that, although I've been antique hunting in Hemswell many times, I'm away when the open day is on!

I think I'll suggest some Christmas shopping in Lincoln this December...

hamid_1 · 13th Aug 2023, 10:55 am

I went along to the Camberley show yesterday and saw the restored BBC TV truck for the first time. It was a large outdoor event with hundreds of vintage vehicles and lots of visitors, despite the slightly showery weather.

As well as Brian (beamcurrent), a fellow enthusiast and forum member Jeremy (Pamphonica) was demonstrating the controls on the mixing desk inside the truck, even encouraging some visiting children to take the controls and play at being TV producer or sound engineer. He also explained how it all worked, and what the atmosphere would have been like inside back in the day (hot and full of cigarette smoke). The visitors seemed to enjoy the experience.

For the demonstration, modern LCD monitors were used, showing 1960s period monochrome pictures. They do have vintage CRT monitors for the truck - these were not being used yesterday in order to preserve them. During its working life, the truck was refitted for colour TV but it's been restored as much as possible to its original 1963 setup. There's still some more work to do.

If you get chance to see it in action, I'd recommend it, especially if you've ever wondered how TV programmes are made.

beamcurrent · 15th Aug 2023, 9:49 pm

It was a very good day as Hamid says, lots of visitors, On behalf of he BTTT I would like to thank all those who made the day possible. I met lots of friends and I hope made a few more.

MCR21 is now back in its parking space and we have unloaded it and packed the stores and displays away. Work restarts on the refitting, currently rebuilding the distribution amplifier box, but perhaps better in a new topic.

It's always hard to take pictures, too much to do... but I did manage this one. The wind was a bit gusty so to stop the gazebo taking off we tied the Landrover to it! That fixed it!

Jez1234 · 20th Aug 2023, 3:00 pm

I hope this isn't too far off topic but were scanners similar to this still in use by the BBC as late as the mid 80's?

Whilst working in that London around that time I saw one out on the road and recall thinking "blimey looks like the beeb are using vintage commercial vehicles!"

I think the graphics on it were more modern. My best guess was that the modifications to the van to make it suitable as a scanner and the provision of equipment suitable for it
meant that the internal gear had probably been modernised somewhat but this was cheaper than starting afresh so it was a case of "if it ain't broke..."

Or did I see a vintage scanner on its way to a rally!?

beamcurrent · 20th Aug 2023, 5:26 pm

MCR21 was converted into a colour unit and was retired in 1977-8 so it would not have been '21. The livery had been changed from green with a grey stripe to grey with a green stripe, this change indicated it was a colour unit.

The next generation of OB vans, the type 1 & 2 CMCRs were built as colour units and you could well have seen one of these. They did proudly say COLOUR on the sides.

Photo show MCR21 in colour livery in 1973. It was given the local number of LO21 ( LOndon unit 21. We are keen to have details of the work it did and any relating photos to form part of the history. see http://mcr21.org.uk/programs/ for programme list.

MCR21 in its amateur days did a few radio rallies in the 1980s but these were all in the east midlands area.

Jez1234 · 21st Aug 2023, 1:24 am

Mid 80's was when it would have been... not '21!

It was along time ago.. I was temporarily working as a motorcycle courier when I saw it in a traffic jam on the other side of the road near the Iranian Embassy.

My recollection (probably wrong) was of something very similar to MCR21. as I said I recall thinking it looked like basically a vintage van even then.... and "wow they're still using those old vans then!?"

Maybe there were almost as old looking units that dated from more like 1969 rather than 1963 that they had updated internally as they were still perfectly reliable and viable units and I saw one in it's last year or so before it was scrapped....? I dunno... but I definitely saw it!

turretslug · 21st Aug 2023, 10:42 am

Two-axle, large and square Type 2 vehicles served until the early '80s, replaced by three-axle (twin-steer, "Chinese Six") even bigger and squarer Type 5s until the early'90s. As custom builds on modified chassis, they tended to look a bit quaint even out of the works with features such as flat-panel split windscreens and built-up clusters of individual lights. There was also a motley handful of one-off OB trucks that tended to stay in service for a long time. Supposedly, a fleet manager in from the commercial world had expressed contempt at the low mileages recorded by typical TV OB lorries, only to get the riposte, "Most trucks earn their money when they're moving, ours earn money when they're standing still".

Jez1234 · 21st Aug 2023, 1:42 pm

Aha well I guess that answers my curiosity as to what I saw back then

Simondm · 21st Aug 2023, 2:01 pm

Some of the comms stuff didn't get repainted, similarly the tenders (camera transport vans and the like).

I remember that Bristol's Eagle comms towers (I think we had two) were still in dark green near the end of the 1980s, but they were on a military truck chassis. CMCR3 (one of the first three purpose built colour scanners) was light grey with a green stripe, but its camera van was dark green. Both vehicles were retired in either 1979 or 1980.

CMCR3 also had a very similar Pye audio mixer to the one in MCR21, although the channels were only switchable between green and red groups - there was a green and a red bulb in each of the fader bezels, so they glowed with the corresponding colour once opened (the fader knobs were white).

2nd Aug 2023, 9:38 am	#1
beamcurrent Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK. Posts: 788	MCR21 Good News Those who live to the west of London may like to come and see the work to date which is some 90% complete. There are always bits "to finish off!" We have arranged for our BBC Outside Broadcast van to be out on display in Camberley Town centre on the 12th Aug. This is part of the annual car show, and we will be located just off Park Street in the service area near the Bear Pub. On show will be our original Pye Mk6 camera, the interpretation display boards and a gazebo with video displays showing OB's in action. Inside we will be showing the progress made in the restoration and explaining where the OB crew sat and what their jobs were. If time and effort permits we may bring a second Pye camera. This is a well attended show and we are pleased to have a part in it. It runs from 10 to 4pm and it's free! A great day out for the family. See https://www.collectivelycamberley.co.uk/Car-Show/ Brian Summers for the BTTT brian@mcr21.org.uk See you there! I hope the mods will forgive the use of a certain word..... Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Brian Visit the Virtual Broadcast TV Camera Museum

9th Aug 2023, 8:44 pm	#3
beamcurrent Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK. Posts: 788	Re: MCR21 Good News Hi can I boost this as we will be on show this Sat (the 12th) in Camberley town centre. We would like to invite all who like in the area and wish to come and have a look round. The event is Free and very well attended (parking can be a challenge) runs from 1000 till 1600hrs. Location map attached. Looking forward to greeting you. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Brian Visit the Virtual Broadcast TV Camera Museum

10th Aug 2023, 6:11 am	#4
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,269	Re: MCR21 Good News That looks like a really good day out! I hope you have lots of interest from younger people who wouldn't be aware of the technical expertise required to bring television to the sitting room of the 20th century. I can see that MCR21 is a big project in both senses of the word, will she ever make her way North? The cobbles have worn quite smooth in the more populated area's, and we hardly ever bite! Good luck for the weekend. __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

10th Aug 2023, 6:28 am	#5
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,259	Re: MCR21 Good News Would one of the goals be a live outside broadcast (on the internet) from some event that wouldn't be covered otherwise? If put on the event's website it could also publicise your activities. A wifi hotspot from a 5G phone could handle your uplink. There must be some events still held where in their heyday a TV van would have been part of the scenery? David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

10th Aug 2023, 11:04 am	#7
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,269	Re: MCR21 Good News Sod's law says that, although I've been antique hunting in Hemswell many times, I'm away when the open day is on! I think I'll suggest some Christmas shopping in Lincoln this December... __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

13th Aug 2023, 10:55 am	#8
hamid_1 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks. UK. Posts: 802	Re: MCR21 Good News I went along to the Camberley show yesterday and saw the restored BBC TV truck for the first time. It was a large outdoor event with hundreds of vintage vehicles and lots of visitors, despite the slightly showery weather. As well as Brian (beamcurrent), a fellow enthusiast and forum member Jeremy (Pamphonica) was demonstrating the controls on the mixing desk inside the truck, even encouraging some visiting children to take the controls and play at being TV producer or sound engineer. He also explained how it all worked, and what the atmosphere would have been like inside back in the day (hot and full of cigarette smoke). The visitors seemed to enjoy the experience. For the demonstration, modern LCD monitors were used, showing 1960s period monochrome pictures. They do have vintage CRT monitors for the truck - these were not being used yesterday in order to preserve them. During its working life, the truck was refitted for colour TV but it's been restored as much as possible to its original 1963 setup. There's still some more work to do. If you get chance to see it in action, I'd recommend it, especially if you've ever wondered how TV programmes are made. Attached Thumbnails

15th Aug 2023, 9:49 pm	#9
beamcurrent Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK. Posts: 788	Re: MCR21 Good News It was a very good day as Hamid says, lots of visitors, On behalf of he BTTT I would like to thank all those who made the day possible. I met lots of friends and I hope made a few more. MCR21 is now back in its parking space and we have unloaded it and packed the stores and displays away. Work restarts on the refitting, currently rebuilding the distribution amplifier box, but perhaps better in a new topic. It's always hard to take pictures, too much to do... but I did manage this one. The wind was a bit gusty so to stop the gazebo taking off we tied the Landrover to it! That fixed it! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Brian Visit the Virtual Broadcast TV Camera Museum

20th Aug 2023, 3:00 pm	#10
Jez1234 Banned Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Morpeth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 936	Re: MCR21 Good News I hope this isn't too far off topic but were scanners similar to this still in use by the BBC as late as the mid 80's? Whilst working in that London around that time I saw one out on the road and recall thinking "blimey looks like the beeb are using vintage commercial vehicles!" I think the graphics on it were more modern. My best guess was that the modifications to the van to make it suitable as a scanner and the provision of equipment suitable for it meant that the internal gear had probably been modernised somewhat but this was cheaper than starting afresh so it was a case of "if it ain't broke..." Or did I see a vintage scanner on its way to a rally!?

20th Aug 2023, 5:26 pm	#11
beamcurrent Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK. Posts: 788	Re: MCR21 Good News MCR21 was converted into a colour unit and was retired in 1977-8 so it would not have been '21. The livery had been changed from green with a grey stripe to grey with a green stripe, this change indicated it was a colour unit. The next generation of OB vans, the type 1 & 2 CMCRs were built as colour units and you could well have seen one of these. They did proudly say COLOUR on the sides. Photo show MCR21 in colour livery in 1973. It was given the local number of LO21 ( LOndon unit 21. We are keen to have details of the work it did and any relating photos to form part of the history. see http://mcr21.org.uk/programs/ for programme list. MCR21 in its amateur days did a few radio rallies in the 1980s but these were all in the east midlands area. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Brian Visit the Virtual Broadcast TV Camera Museum

21st Aug 2023, 1:24 am	#12
Jez1234 Banned Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Morpeth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 936	Re: MCR21 Good News Mid 80's was when it would have been... not '21! It was along time ago.. I was temporarily working as a motorcycle courier when I saw it in a traffic jam on the other side of the road near the Iranian Embassy. My recollection (probably wrong) was of something very similar to MCR21. as I said I recall thinking it looked like basically a vintage van even then.... and "wow they're still using those old vans then!?" Maybe there were almost as old looking units that dated from more like 1969 rather than 1963 that they had updated internally as they were still perfectly reliable and viable units and I saw one in it's last year or so before it was scrapped....? I dunno... but I definitely saw it!

21st Aug 2023, 10:42 am	#13
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,331	Re: MCR21 Good News Two-axle, large and square Type 2 vehicles served until the early '80s, replaced by three-axle (twin-steer, "Chinese Six") even bigger and squarer Type 5s until the early'90s. As custom builds on modified chassis, they tended to look a bit quaint even out of the works with features such as flat-panel split windscreens and built-up clusters of individual lights. There was also a motley handful of one-off OB trucks that tended to stay in service for a long time. Supposedly, a fleet manager in from the commercial world had expressed contempt at the low mileages recorded by typical TV OB lorries, only to get the riposte, "Most trucks earn their money when they're moving, ours earn money when they're standing still".

21st Aug 2023, 1:42 pm	#14
Jez1234 Banned Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Morpeth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 936	Re: MCR21 Good News Aha well I guess that answers my curiosity as to what I saw back then

21st Aug 2023, 2:01 pm	#15
Simondm Pentode Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 137	Re: MCR21 Good News Some of the comms stuff didn't get repainted, similarly the tenders (camera transport vans and the like). I remember that Bristol's Eagle comms towers (I think we had two) were still in dark green near the end of the 1980s, but they were on a military truck chassis. CMCR3 (one of the first three purpose built colour scanners) was light grey with a green stripe, but its camera van was dark green. Both vehicles were retired in either 1979 or 1980. CMCR3 also had a very similar Pye audio mixer to the one in MCR21, although the channels were only switchable between green and red groups - there was a green and a red bulb in each of the fader bezels, so they glowed with the corresponding colour once opened (the fader knobs were white).