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Old 28th Dec 2019, 10:42 am   #21
M0FYA Andy
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Default Re: Call the midwife

The Pye Telecom History website has this to say -

The PCR is often described as a forces welfare receiver NAAFI receiver, however this is thought to be a popular myth, and probably relates to a later post-war application for some of the large quantities of sets remaining after the war.

War-time employees of Pye Ltd are quite certain that the equipment was intended as an "Invasion Receiver", that is, a general purpose, portable communications receiver (hence the type designation PCR) , for use in Europe by the British 2nd Army after the D-Day Normandy landings, to receive military progress and information broadcasts as part of Operation Overlord, as the various divisions moved across Europe. The term "Broadcast" has a different meaning in the Military, compared to domestic radio communications, and this may have given rise to the popular myth that the design was originally intended for the reception of domestic broadcast signals. Recent information from British Armed Service personnel indicates that the set was also supplied by the RAF to Resistance Groups in Norway, Holland and France. This is confirmed by the Dutch Royal Corps of Signals Verbindingsdienst web site.
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 10:45 am   #22
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Default Re: Call the midwife

In the sixties, as a kid, I went to an open day at Flamborough Head. There was a long wire antenna strung out, but the radio gear was in a closed room, so I didn't get to see it.

In 2007, I didn't see any signs of radio at the Mull Of Galloway light. There was a very fine rotatable fog horn on a building well away from the tower and house... A machine for shouting ar ships!

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Old 28th Dec 2019, 11:32 am   #23
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Default Re: Call the midwife

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Originally Posted by M0FYA Andy View Post
There is also a 12 volt vibrator power supply for the PCR, this might have been more common in war-torn France?

Andy
I think most French cars had 6V electrics at that time. The B" Spyset has a 6V vibrator.
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 12:29 pm   #24
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Default Re: Call the midwife

It seems likely that the original design objective was to provide the large number of troop units in chaotic post invasion France with some idea of what was going on generally, either from military or civilian sources. It would avoid the need to burden standard military command structures and the radios could be operated by ordinary squaddies rather than specialised signallers. Most of them would have spent their lives hooked up to 12V truck batteries, which may be why the 240V PSUs have always been thin on the ground.

How many were actually used for this purpose is unclear. Lots were being sold off in the 60s in a completely unissued state. I suspect they were just too bulky and heavy to see much combat use, and were considered an unnecessary luxury by the army.
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 4:12 pm   #25
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

The vibratory PSUs were being sold off cheaply and brand new in the box by Superadio in Liverpool at the end of the 60s. It took another 20 years before I obtained the PCR to go with it.

Peter
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 7:18 pm   #26
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

I wondered about that,and 12 volt would have made more sense.
I have also been reliable informed that most of France and Mainland Europe was 120 volts 50HZ till the 50`s with Paris having some DC supplied areas.
So a PCR with a 240 V PSU would have been of limited use to the French .
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 7:58 pm   #27
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

I might be wrong but I would have thought that the mains PSU for the PCR would have been 110 volt friendly.

Lawrence.
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 8:12 pm   #28
M0FYA Andy
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

Although the voltages are not identified explicitly, the mains transformer shown in the attached EMER has three primary windings, one with tappings, so I imagine it does include 110 volts.

Documentation on the PCR is hard to find.

Andy
Attached Files
File Type: pdf PCR_EMER.pdf (535.9 KB, 112 views)
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 9:19 pm   #29
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

If memory serves me correctly, a PCR is seen in the Cliff Richard "Summer Holiday as a pirate radio transmitter!
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 11:40 pm   #30
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

If my memory isn't failing me, that was in 'The Young Ones', not Summer Holiday.
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Old 28th Dec 2019, 11:48 pm   #31
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

Spot on Livewire - thanks for the correction
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Old 6th Jan 2020, 10:36 pm   #32
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Default Re: Call the midwife

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Quote:
Originally Posted by M0FYA Andy View Post
There is also a 12 volt vibrator power supply for the PCR, this might have been more common in war-torn France?

Andy
I think most French cars had 6V electrics at that time. The B" Spyset has a 6V vibrator.
One common one still used 6v in the 70's. I owned one.
I'd just say as far as the episode went that accuracy was dispensed for for artistic purposes. Even more so on gegographical and other factors not relavent to the discussion on here.
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Old 17th Jan 2020, 12:31 am   #33
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

There have been plenty of technology mistakes in 'Call the midwife'. The TV aerial errors, cars with modern added 'under bumper' indicators, non-age related registration numbers, the list goes on. It drives me mad and when I complain about it to the wife she says, "what errors??"
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Old 17th Jan 2020, 3:21 pm   #34
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

If it was a documentary I'd agree, but it's a TV entertainment programme and a lightweight one at that. Things like that are completely irrelevant to the target audience.
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Old 17th Jan 2020, 4:13 pm   #35
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Default Re: Call The Midwife and the PCR

Ha, well I wouldnt say what errors, but I would say so what? Chill and watch the nurses...
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