Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Wendymott · 30th Nov 2014, 11:35 pm

Hi guys. In what was the latest, and general use of the Plessey SL xxx series of RF devices used, as they were made in the late 60's to 70's, until Plessey was swallowed up by GEC ( I think). I was able to get small numbers of these devices as samples, but my stocks are getting depleted. I just wondered, what surplus equipment used the devices. I thought maybe Clansmen, but I am told , not so. over to you more intelligent peeps.

G6Tanuki · 1st Dec 2014, 10:00 am

The likes of the Clansman PRC320 does indeed use the SL600 "series" - but they have stock-numbers that are from the military extended-temperature-range series rather than beginning with "SL".

John Birkett in Lincoln was once selling a range of such chips. Might be worth giving him a call?

Also these people - http://www.tynemount.com/ - they've helped me out in the past with stuff but they're aimed very much at the 'professional' market [NATO stock-numbers, full batch-traceability to CAA/MoD levels] with prices to match.

Wendymott · 1st Dec 2014, 11:08 am

Hi G6Tanuki. I have already spoken to John, my first "port of call", but he has sold all his, but as he says there may be a few "kicking about". OK about the PRC320, I may look into buying some scrappers.

Sparky67 · 1st Dec 2014, 5:49 pm

Mushroom Components have a few listed...

http://www.mushroom.co.uk/downloadstocklist.asp (This link will open a .csv download window).

I remember working on an AEL HF radio a few years ago (AEL3030?) which used the SL-series.

Martin
G4NCE

Biggles · 1st Dec 2014, 6:00 pm

The Marconi RC690 mobile transceiver used an SL6700 IF/AM demod chip. I think the Burndept BE600 UHF handportable used the SL6601 IF/FM demod and SL6310 audio output chip if I remember correctly. Both sets from mid eighties but were for the emergency services so most may have been crushed?
Alan.

Wendymott · 1st Dec 2014, 11:05 pm

Hi Sparky. I looked at their listings and they do not list SL610/1610. SL612/1612. Littlediode have stock but at over £15 per item... OUCH....

Thanks Biggles. I am more interested in the SL1623 AM demod chip. I may have to buy a SL1623 from Littlediode but hopefully the RF chips may still be on their way to me.

Tanuki. was the PRC320 AM or FM ?? I really only want AM devices.

Thanks for your input

G6Tanuki · 2nd Dec 2014, 10:12 am

The PRC320 is HF - AM/SSB/CW. "SL6xx" style chips and discrete bipolars throughout - including the use of SL600-chips in the PSU inverter/regulator.

One thing of note is that whereas the original PRC320 used the classic "Multi-legged-TO5" metal-cased devices I have at least one PRC320 PSU [module 5] in which the two PCBs have been factory-redesigned to take the dual-in-line equivalents. Given that "Module-5" is acknowledged as being probably the most unreliable part of a 320 (due to it running 130V-rated Tantalum caps at 125V - failure often takes-out the regulator chips) I guess they must have depleted their original stock of metal-can SL6xx regulator parts faster than the rest.

Wendymott · 2nd Dec 2014, 2:50 pm

Hi Tanuki... Thanks for the additional info............. and thanks to all others that contributed info, in the Wanted Column.

30th Nov 2014, 11:35 pm	#1
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's Hi guys. In what was the latest, and general use of the Plessey SL xxx series of RF devices used, as they were made in the late 60's to 70's, until Plessey was swallowed up by GEC ( I think). I was able to get small numbers of these devices as samples, but my stocks are getting depleted. I just wondered, what surplus equipment used the devices. I thought maybe Clansmen, but I am told , not so. over to you more intelligent peeps. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

1st Dec 2014, 10:00 am	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's The likes of the Clansman PRC320 does indeed use the SL600 "series" - but they have stock-numbers that are from the military extended-temperature-range series rather than beginning with "SL". John Birkett in Lincoln was once selling a range of such chips. Might be worth giving him a call? Also these people - http://www.tynemount.com/ - they've helped me out in the past with stuff but they're aimed very much at the 'professional' market [NATO stock-numbers, full batch-traceability to CAA/MoD levels] with prices to match.

1st Dec 2014, 11:08 am	#3
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's Hi G6Tanuki. I have already spoken to John, my first "port of call", but he has sold all his, but as he says there may be a few "kicking about". OK about the PRC320, I may look into buying some scrappers. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

1st Dec 2014, 5:49 pm	#4
Sparky67 Heptode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Great Barr, Sandwell, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 589	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's Mushroom Components have a few listed... http://www.mushroom.co.uk/downloadstocklist.asp (This link will open a .csv download window). I remember working on an AEL HF radio a few years ago (AEL3030?) which used the SL-series. Martin G4NCE Last edited by Sparky67; 1st Dec 2014 at 6:17 pm.

1st Dec 2014, 6:00 pm	#5
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's The Marconi RC690 mobile transceiver used an SL6700 IF/AM demod chip. I think the Burndept BE600 UHF handportable used the SL6601 IF/FM demod and SL6310 audio output chip if I remember correctly. Both sets from mid eighties but were for the emergency services so most may have been crushed? Alan.

1st Dec 2014, 11:05 pm	#6
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's Hi Sparky. I looked at their listings and they do not list SL610/1610. SL612/1612. Littlediode have stock but at over £15 per item... OUCH.... Thanks Biggles. I am more interested in the SL1623 AM demod chip. I may have to buy a SL1623 from Littlediode but hopefully the RF chips may still be on their way to me. Tanuki. was the PRC320 AM or FM ?? I really only want AM devices. Thanks for your input __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

2nd Dec 2014, 10:12 am	#7
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's The PRC320 is HF - AM/SSB/CW. "SL6xx" style chips and discrete bipolars throughout - including the use of SL600-chips in the PSU inverter/regulator. One thing of note is that whereas the original PRC320 used the classic "Multi-legged-TO5" metal-cased devices I have at least one PRC320 PSU [module 5] in which the two PCBs have been factory-redesigned to take the dual-in-line equivalents. Given that "Module-5" is acknowledged as being probably the most unreliable part of a 320 (due to it running 130V-rated Tantalum caps at 125V - failure often takes-out the regulator chips) I guess they must have depleted their original stock of metal-can SL6xx regulator parts faster than the rest.

2nd Dec 2014, 2:50 pm	#8
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: Equipment using the Plessey SL xxx series IC's Hi Tanuki... Thanks for the additional info............. and thanks to all others that contributed info, in the Wanted Column. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY