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Old 2nd Nov 2017, 11:29 am   #1
dazzlevision
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Default Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Hello,

I've never seen this particular Murphy Astra (first series - V600 model numbers) set, either "in the flesh" or in any "Murphy News" publications.

Does anyone know if this was a standard model in their Astra V6xx series or is it a special, made for a specific organisation?
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Old 2nd Nov 2017, 1:00 pm   #2
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

It might well be a special model made for a rental company. Another thought. Is it a receiver made for the British Relay wired TV system? I believe unlike the Rediffusion wired TV system where the station selector was on the wall, on BRW TV receivers the station selector was actually on the TV control panel.
Murphy Radio Limited was a major supplier of TV sets to BRW.

DFWB.
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Old 2nd Nov 2017, 6:13 pm   #3
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

I thought the same David or a general basic rental models for Murphy dealers. Looks nice. John.
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Old 2nd Nov 2017, 6:44 pm   #4
dazzlevision
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

This is the only "rental market" set I have seen, using the Astra Mark 2 chassis, but with a much simplified rotary (rather than pushbutton) VHF turret tuner and a cheaper cabinet.
Model V739.
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Old 2nd Nov 2017, 8:16 pm   #5
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

I served my apprenticeship with a Murphy dealer in the early 70s, I thought I'd seen just about every Astra model variant but admit that one was new to me when it popped up one Ebay.

Did you buy it?
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Old 2nd Nov 2017, 8:26 pm   #6
dazzlevision
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Quote:
Did you buy it?
No, too far away for me.
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Old 17th Nov 2017, 1:05 am   #7
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

I also searched through all of my Murphy literature for this TV and could not come up with anything as an exact match.
Being so curios about it, I contacted the seller and after giving instructions on how the TV should be packed for shipping and what to be specifically careful with it was purchased.

The seller had quite a bit of trouble with getting a courier to pick it up from the remote location, but eventually it was shipped to me.
I have to say that the packing was VERY substantial and she had followed my guidelines perfectly with all of the correct markings on the box.

However, Your average courier driver has no time to read labels and cares even less for what is actually being transported and so the TV arrived as a kit of parts!

The box had suffered some very rough treatment and had clearly been dropped heavily.
Amazingly the tube, although completely loose inside the cabinet had not been broken, and it has reasonable emission!

Actually I think I was lucky that it was just the cabinet that came apart which is repairable due to the way these sets were originally made and there will be hardly a trace that anything has ever happened to it.

The only real item that is beyond saving is the thin plastic mask around the tube which was already damaged before my purchase, but I may be able to source a replacement from a fellow Murphy collector.

So the burning question: What is it? Well it is a model TM4 XM known as a 'terminal'.
These were for rental companies like British Relay Wireless (BRW).
It has a normal coax aerial socket on the back rather than an octal or other style plug.
The power cable and fuse shield is different to the standard models of this time. It is TV only and does not have the optional VHF radio as some models did.
So it seems to be a V659X with modifications. The X suffix meaning that it has a 405/625 switch and associated circuitry.

Does anyone who worked for BRW know of this set ?

I have added some pictures to show what it arrived like and some work being done to put the cabinet back together.

You don't have all of this hassle and problems when you buy from radio meetings...

Mike...
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Old 17th Nov 2017, 11:10 am   #8
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Love the tartan work table Mike.
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Old 17th Nov 2017, 6:37 pm   #9
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

I was tempted more than once to bid for the set but never bothered in the end. but its good to know its in safe hands now.


Cheers
Neil.
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Old 17th Nov 2017, 9:00 pm   #10
MickMcmichael
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

If it was a British Relay model it would have an "Elcon" plug with cable attached to it like the one in these pictures. BRW sets never had tuners, they had "front ends" which were basically glorified switching units which would select a specific pair of wires from this plug.

I think Rediffusion sets may have had co-ax sockets. Any Rediffusion experts out there?
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Old 17th Nov 2017, 10:10 pm   #11
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Quote:
Originally Posted by MickMcmichael View Post
I think Rediffusion sets may have had co-ax sockets. Any Rediffusion experts out there?
The Rediffusion cable system input plug and socket was the standard international octal type.

The Unusual Murphy Astra: what about the Top Rank cable TV system?

DFWB.
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Old 17th Nov 2017, 10:39 pm   #12
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

From page 258 of the 1970/71 Radio and Television servicing book. The BRC 680 series terminal unit. It would appear that the Top Rank cable TV system like Rediffusion employed an octal input plug.

DFWB.
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Old 18th Nov 2017, 11:31 am   #13
D Cassidy
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Hello.
The BRW relay version would be an M19/11 with a 12 pin Jones plug. There were other versions but I'd need to speak to a friend of mine who worked for BRW to get the information.
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Old 19th Nov 2017, 5:11 pm   #14
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Courtesy of Mike Barker, I've just had a look at the chassis used in this TV.

It's a standard V659X chassis, with a modification to allow use with a slot meter. The small there pole socket is in the mains live feed from the on-off switch. It is currently bridged out with a short white PVC insulated wire link.

Other than that, it's a standard off-air receiver, fitted with a direct line sync plug-in unit (a small PCB). The cabinet back is also modified to accept a suitable slot meter.
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Old 19th Nov 2017, 10:27 pm   #15
D Cassidy
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Hello.
I've just been told its a standard British Relay "slot mod". The other clue will be two holes aligned vertically on the back cover for the slot meter.

Sorry I have just read the previous comment which confirms the information I have been told.
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Old 26th Nov 2017, 4:08 pm   #16
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Default Re: Unusual 19" Murphy Astra V6xx series model

Yep, know them very well - I used to repair them when I worked at British Relay in the '60s
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