What's this Baird? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Welsh Anorak · 27th Nov 2019, 3:43 pm

Hi
My colleague's been offered this and was wondering if it was fully dual standard. I don't think so, but I'd be interested in knowing the model number - possibly a 620?

Heatercathodeshort · 27th Nov 2019, 3:46 pm

Is that a model number visible at the aerial input panel?

Welsh Anorak · 27th Nov 2019, 4:03 pm

Could be, but we don't actually have the TV, just the photos.

slidertogrid · 27th Nov 2019, 4:17 pm

I have only seen a couple of this type of Baird but It looks like an unconverted set.
I think the UHF tuner fits where the blanking plug is just above the VHF tuner. I can't see if the UHF aerial socket is fitted or blanked off from the picture. But as there is no visible UHF tuner knob I would think there is no tuner fitted.
If it is a convertible set I wonder how it switched systems as there isn't a system switch visible either maybe a U position on the VHF tuner similar to some Thorn sets with solenoid switching?
A nice set though and probably quite rare...
Rich

Mr Hoover · 27th Nov 2019, 4:58 pm

The system switch goes over when the VHF tuner is on the U position,no solenoids
involved,we had the Uhf tuner 23" version for some years.

Radio Wrangler · 27th Nov 2019, 5:57 pm

One of those was our family telly for many years.

It came as a purely 405 line set, and only later was fitted with the UHF tuner and a few other bits to enable 625 lines and BBC2. I was there at the time, it seemed to take about 20 mins to convert the set, and a bit longer to fit a second aerial and feeder.

The VHF tuner was a turret job and had a 'U' position as already said, which flipped the system switch to 625.

The UHF tuner was free rotating with a ball drive. The transparent knob had a slower moving scale underneath it.

We were watching one of these sets when Emley moor mast fell and our UHF picture vanished.

David

AC/HL · 27th Nov 2019, 5:57 pm

620 series?: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=134764

ms660 · 27th Nov 2019, 6:05 pm

The Baird M646 looks very similar:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...3&d=1335090016

Lawrence.

bobbyball · 27th Nov 2019, 7:00 pm

This series of sets was not bad performance-wise and is fairly easy to work on as well, i have the dual standard version. The UHF tuner drive setup however is the worst piece of stupid and over-complex design I have ever come across: it uses no less than two rubber friction washers, which either develop "flats" or just shrivel up, and an excessively complex string drive for the slow motion part. I think at least another make had a similarly awful design, possibly Pye. I can only assume it was a particularly "bad hair" day for the designer(s) or that they just bore the world a grudge!

Nice looking set Glyn, go for it!

dazzlevision · 27th Nov 2019, 7:02 pm

Yes, it is a Baird M646. I had one a few years ago and that didn't have the rotary valve UHF tuner unit fitted either.

It's an all valve set, circa 1963/4. CRT type AW59-91. However, in my set, a 660 series main chassis (transistorised IF stages) had been fitted into the set, retaining the original front control panel assembly.

Very nice dark wood cabinet with folding doors and screw-in legs.

Gave a cracking picture after a good 23" Mullard CRT fitted and many components replaced.

Andy Green · 27th Nov 2019, 8:58 pm

its complete with what look like original legs! they often got taken off or lost/ broken

Test Desk · 28th Nov 2019, 10:33 pm

Those legs are back in fashion! Just look at the TV ads for furniture. Screw-in tapered wooden legs on chairs, sofas, and sideboards but unlikely to be seen on Television sets ever again. What goes around, comes around...

27th Nov 2019, 3:43 pm	#1
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	What's this Baird? Hi My colleague's been offered this and was wondering if it was fully dual standard. I don't think so, but I'd be interested in knowing the model number - possibly a 620? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

27th Nov 2019, 3:46 pm	#2
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: What's this Baird? Is that a model number visible at the aerial input panel?

27th Nov 2019, 4:03 pm	#3
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: What's this Baird? Could be, but we don't actually have the TV, just the photos. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

27th Nov 2019, 4:17 pm	#4
slidertogrid Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,898	Re: What's this Baird? I have only seen a couple of this type of Baird but It looks like an unconverted set. I think the UHF tuner fits where the blanking plug is just above the VHF tuner. I can't see if the UHF aerial socket is fitted or blanked off from the picture. But as there is no visible UHF tuner knob I would think there is no tuner fitted. If it is a convertible set I wonder how it switched systems as there isn't a system switch visible either maybe a U position on the VHF tuner similar to some Thorn sets with solenoid switching? A nice set though and probably quite rare... Rich

27th Nov 2019, 4:58 pm	#5
Mr Hoover Hexode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Faro, Portugal Posts: 269	Re: What's this Baird? The system switch goes over when the VHF tuner is on the U position,no solenoids involved,we had the Uhf tuner 23" version for some years.

27th Nov 2019, 5:57 pm	#6
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,874	Re: What's this Baird? One of those was our family telly for many years. It came as a purely 405 line set, and only later was fitted with the UHF tuner and a few other bits to enable 625 lines and BBC2. I was there at the time, it seemed to take about 20 mins to convert the set, and a bit longer to fit a second aerial and feeder. The VHF tuner was a turret job and had a 'U' position as already said, which flipped the system switch to 625. The UHF tuner was free rotating with a ball drive. The transparent knob had a slower moving scale underneath it. We were watching one of these sets when Emley moor mast fell and our UHF picture vanished. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

27th Nov 2019, 5:57 pm	#7
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: What's this Baird? 620 series?: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=134764

27th Nov 2019, 6:05 pm	#8
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: What's this Baird? The Baird M646 looks very similar: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...3&d=1335090016 Lawrence.

27th Nov 2019, 7:00 pm	#9
bobbyball Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester Posts: 1,214	Re: What's this Baird? This series of sets was not bad performance-wise and is fairly easy to work on as well, i have the dual standard version. The UHF tuner drive setup however is the worst piece of stupid and over-complex design I have ever come across: it uses no less than two rubber friction washers, which either develop "flats" or just shrivel up, and an excessively complex string drive for the slow motion part. I think at least another make had a similarly awful design, possibly Pye. I can only assume it was a particularly "bad hair" day for the designer(s) or that they just bore the world a grudge! Nice looking set Glyn, go for it! __________________ Robert

27th Nov 2019, 7:02 pm	#10
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,612	Re: What's this Baird? Yes, it is a Baird M646. I had one a few years ago and that didn't have the rotary valve UHF tuner unit fitted either. It's an all valve set, circa 1963/4. CRT type AW59-91. However, in my set, a 660 series main chassis (transistorised IF stages) had been fitted into the set, retaining the original front control panel assembly. Very nice dark wood cabinet with folding doors and screw-in legs. Gave a cracking picture after a good 23" Mullard CRT fitted and many components replaced. Last edited by dazzlevision; 27th Nov 2019 at 7:08 pm.

27th Nov 2019, 8:58 pm	#11
Andy Green Hexode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Waterford, Republic of Ireland Posts: 259	Re: What's this Baird? its complete with what look like original legs! they often got taken off or lost/ broken

28th Nov 2019, 10:33 pm	#12
Test Desk Tetrode Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 63	Re: What's this Baird? Those legs are back in fashion! Just look at the TV ads for furniture. Screw-in tapered wooden legs on chairs, sofas, and sideboards but unlikely to be seen on Television sets ever again. What goes around, comes around...