1960 Dynatron remote control system. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

FERNSEH · 4th May 2007, 5:40 pm

I've been reading through the pages of the 1960/61 Newnes radio and television servicing book.

On page 23 of, "Developments in Television Recevers" there is an article about the Dynatron TV remote control system.
The Dynatron three button remote control uses a handset that produces supersonic waves of 37, 40 and 43Kc/s to provide control of volume up and down and a channel stepping arrangement for the turret tuner.

At the receiver there was a three channel amplifier to operate the relays, two control a motorised volume control and the other operates the turret tuner.

The main television chassis will have been made by Ekco and it is likely that the same firm developed the remote control system.

Has any Forum member got any information of this remote control system?

DFWB.

Cformat · 28th May 2007, 12:42 am

Hi, Just found this interesting site.

My goodness this takes me back! I had one of these systems when I was a lot younger than I am now. Someone like Henrys Radio were selling the two function version for I think about £4. It seems that this remote control was also a retrofit option, which came nicely packed in a large cardboard box with fitting instructions.

The L shaped open ultrasonic receiver chassis had three or four valves and was connected to the TV chassis via a multiway cable and octal plug. The microphone / transducer was a ceramic disk mounted in a metal can and its screened lead plugged into the receiver chassis with a phono plug. The handset was a box about 4 x 3 x 1 Inches, and was made of grey plastic with a mesh grill at one end. The top surface was a gold coloured light alloy casting with an inlaid Dynatron logo and button label plate. The bottom surface could be slotted to a stowage clip. The push buttons were grey plastic oblongs protruding through the alloy casting. I have an idea that this type of TV remote control was fairly common in the USA at the time, and was probably made there.

The most intriguing thing was the handset which did not use batteries or electronics but generated the ultra-sonic signals mechanically. When you pressed the buttons they pulled back little hammers that ‘pinged’ against the ends of little Aluminium rods. These nicely machined rods were mounted in parallel (2 in my unit) and about ¼ Inch dia and about 2 Inches long, and were held at their middle points by wire springs locating in slots cut into the sides of the rods. The simple trigger mechanism and the rod suspension were screwed to the metal casting.

Obviously the rods were cut to resonate at the correct frequencies, and the whole system worked reasonably reliably from across the room. I put my system in a wooden box with a mains supply and used it to turn various things on and off much to the amusement of my friends. There was however a problem in that the system was sensitive to other transient high frequency audio signals. Shaking a bunch of keys could also make the relays work, and I suppose that this together with the probable high original cost of the system killed it off. Also the ceramic microphone / transducer was also sensitive to moisture, and this killed my own unit. The three channel version worked in a similar way with an extra rod and trigger mechanism.

Hope this is of some use.

FERNSEH · 28th May 2007, 9:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cformat

I have an idea that this type of TV remote control was fairly common in the USA at the time, and was probably made there.

Hi cformat. Welcome to the Forum.
The Dynatron remote control handset could well have been imported from the USA.
The earliest multi function remote control system I can find was used in the later versions of the RCA CTC7 colour TV receivers of 1958/9.

The Dynatron three function system must have been the first of it's type to be made in the UK.
Some Murphy Astra sets employed a remote control which controlled channel changing and volume control.

DFWB.

Focus Diode · 28th May 2007, 9:23 pm

I take it to be ultrasonic remote control rather than the wired type? Never knew it was around as early as that! It was common in the '70s of course. There was one foreign upmarket make, can't recall the make, in which all the main user controls were motorised. As late as 1990 I remember a "midi system" in which operating its remote would make the actual volume control turn up and down, Pioneer I think...

Cheers,
Brian

FERNSEH · 28th May 2007, 9:48 pm

Hello Brian,
The remote control system used in the RCA CTC7 set is of the ultrasonic type. The remote control handset type CRK1A employs a single 2N408 transistor to generate signals from 35.5Kc/s to 43.25Kc/s.
The handset has fourteen buttons.

As for the Dynatron system. It would be really interesting to see the circuit.
There is nothing in the Newnes R & T servicing books except for the mention of it in "Developments in TV Receivers".

DFWB.

Studio263 · 29th May 2007, 12:14 pm

The 70's television with motorised remote control was a Saba, they were fond of this sort of thing and used a similar system in their music centres.

Ultrasonic remote control, motors and magnetic clutches are all combined here for your pleasure:

www.beocentral.com/products/bm6000-1

batterymaker1 · 29th May 2007, 8:03 pm

That remote control sure sounds like a Zenith Space Command.

FERNSEH · 29th May 2007, 9:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by batterymaker1

That remote control sure sounds like a Zenith Space Command.

Zenith was the pioneer of cordless remote control systems.

http://zenith.com/sub_about/about_remote.html

DFWB.

4th May 2007, 5:40 pm	#1
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	1960 Dynatron remote control system. I've been reading through the pages of the 1960/61 Newnes radio and television servicing book. On page 23 of, "Developments in Television Recevers" there is an article about the Dynatron TV remote control system. The Dynatron three button remote control uses a handset that produces supersonic waves of 37, 40 and 43Kc/s to provide control of volume up and down and a channel stepping arrangement for the turret tuner. At the receiver there was a three channel amplifier to operate the relays, two control a motorised volume control and the other operates the turret tuner. The main television chassis will have been made by Ekco and it is likely that the same firm developed the remote control system. Has any Forum member got any information of this remote control system? DFWB.

28th May 2007, 12:42 am	#2
Cformat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Sussex Posts: 18	Re: 1960 Dynatron remote control system. Hi, Just found this interesting site. My goodness this takes me back! I had one of these systems when I was a lot younger than I am now. Someone like Henrys Radio were selling the two function version for I think about £4. It seems that this remote control was also a retrofit option, which came nicely packed in a large cardboard box with fitting instructions. The L shaped open ultrasonic receiver chassis had three or four valves and was connected to the TV chassis via a multiway cable and octal plug. The microphone / transducer was a ceramic disk mounted in a metal can and its screened lead plugged into the receiver chassis with a phono plug. The handset was a box about 4 x 3 x 1 Inches, and was made of grey plastic with a mesh grill at one end. The top surface was a gold coloured light alloy casting with an inlaid Dynatron logo and button label plate. The bottom surface could be slotted to a stowage clip. The push buttons were grey plastic oblongs protruding through the alloy casting. I have an idea that this type of TV remote control was fairly common in the USA at the time, and was probably made there. The most intriguing thing was the handset which did not use batteries or electronics but generated the ultra-sonic signals mechanically. When you pressed the buttons they pulled back little hammers that ‘pinged’ against the ends of little Aluminium rods. These nicely machined rods were mounted in parallel (2 in my unit) and about ¼ Inch dia and about 2 Inches long, and were held at their middle points by wire springs locating in slots cut into the sides of the rods. The simple trigger mechanism and the rod suspension were screwed to the metal casting. Obviously the rods were cut to resonate at the correct frequencies, and the whole system worked reasonably reliably from across the room. I put my system in a wooden box with a mains supply and used it to turn various things on and off much to the amusement of my friends. There was however a problem in that the system was sensitive to other transient high frequency audio signals. Shaking a bunch of keys could also make the relays work, and I suppose that this together with the probable high original cost of the system killed it off. Also the ceramic microphone / transducer was also sensitive to moisture, and this killed my own unit. The three channel version worked in a similar way with an extra rod and trigger mechanism. Hope this is of some use.

28th May 2007, 9:23 pm	#4
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: 1960 Dynatron remote control system. I take it to be ultrasonic remote control rather than the wired type? Never knew it was around as early as that! It was common in the '70s of course. There was one foreign upmarket make, can't recall the make, in which all the main user controls were motorised. As late as 1990 I remember a "midi system" in which operating its remote would make the actual volume control turn up and down, Pioneer I think... Cheers, Brian

28th May 2007, 9:48 pm	#5
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: 1960 Dynatron remote control system. Hello Brian, The remote control system used in the RCA CTC7 set is of the ultrasonic type. The remote control handset type CRK1A employs a single 2N408 transistor to generate signals from 35.5Kc/s to 43.25Kc/s. The handset has fourteen buttons. As for the Dynatron system. It would be really interesting to see the circuit. There is nothing in the Newnes R & T servicing books except for the mention of it in "Developments in TV Receivers". DFWB.

29th May 2007, 12:14 pm	#6
Studio263 Octode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,577	Re: 1960 Dynatron remote control system. The 70's television with motorised remote control was a Saba, they were fond of this sort of thing and used a similar system in their music centres. Ultrasonic remote control, motors and magnetic clutches are all combined here for your pleasure: www.beocentral.com/products/bm6000-1 Last edited by Mike Phelan; 4th Mar 2008 at 8:46 am. Reason: Removed OT stuff

29th May 2007, 8:03 pm	#7
batterymaker1 Heptode Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Posts: 674	Re: 1960 Dynatron remote control system. That remote control sure sounds like a Zenith Space Command. __________________ Just playing with high voltage....