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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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17th Nov 2018, 12:53 am | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK.
Posts: 373
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GEC Transistor Seven
This radio, which dates from around 1963, was bought untested and I was pleased to find that everything worked once a 9v battery had been fitted. The intention was to remove the circuit board, give the cabinet a thorough clean and polish the metal trim parts. Unfortunately the tuning control was firmly stuck and looked like it had been broken in the past and then glued. The radio was cleaned with everything in situ and after about an hour's work looked quite presentable, apart from the missing centre discs on the Volume and Tuning controls. I found an Ebay seller offering reproduction brass effect centres for the Dansette Tempo record player, under £3 for a pair including postage. On arrival it was obvious they were much too large for the GEC. However I carefully cut them down to approximately the right size using household scissors (the metal is thin) then filed them for an exact fit, sticking on with impact adhesive.
I love the nostalgic retro looks of this little radio and it's a pleasure to listen to AM stations without the usual mains borne interference.
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Regards Martin |
17th Nov 2018, 3:28 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,642
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
All GEC semiconductors too, makes a change from the ubiquitous Mullards, good as they are.
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17th Nov 2018, 4:10 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,273
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
My mum and twin sister had these as 21st birthday presents off a rich great aunt who was known for her lavish gifts. They would've been a serious present, they turned 21 in 1962. I still have my mums, a pinky red one, never been repaired, still good as new.
It was the radio my mum left on to deter burglars when we out of the house 'til late throughout the 70's.
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Kevin |
17th Nov 2018, 4:28 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,724
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
Well done Martin!
I’ve never seen one of these that retains the original brights! I do believe there was a similar battery valve set by GEC. Peter |
17th Nov 2018, 4:42 pm | #5 | |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
Very good sets, here is mine https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=104931 yours is a lot cleaner mine must have smoked 60 a day!
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17th Nov 2018, 5:35 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 4,258
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
There was a slightly earlier six transistor version, deeper control knobs and minus the "Seven" badge. No very precise valved lookalike, but the slightly larger BC1255 was a valve portable of similar shape with the same "oatmeal" Vynair, though a different arrangement of controls:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/gec_bc1255.html Almost sixty years on the early GEC transistor sets are probably impossible to beat for reliability. Paul |
17th Nov 2018, 5:42 pm | #7 | ||
Hexode
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK.
Posts: 373
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
Quote:
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17th Nov 2018, 6:07 pm | #8 |
Triode
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ruislip, Middlesex, UK.
Posts: 15
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
There were two models the BC502 and the BC505. The model 502 was called the Transistor and the 505 the Transistor Seven. I have one of each, as like others here I remember having one of these when a kid but just can't remember the actual model we had at that time. They do play well and don't really look all that dated especially when you think that the first, the 502, came out around 1961 followed by the 505 in 1962/63.
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17th Nov 2018, 6:31 pm | #9 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 4,258
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
Quote:
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...11&postcount=7 |
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17th Nov 2018, 9:01 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,536
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
The output is probably only a couple of hundred milliwatts so the near class B output devices are unlikely to be dissipating more than 100mW between them.
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18th Nov 2018, 1:48 am | #11 |
Triode
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ruislip, Middlesex, UK.
Posts: 15
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Re: GEC Transistor Seven
Paul, 1961 for the BC505 will be right as they ran this model up until 1962.
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