A project from the back of the shed... - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

EF80TVVALVE · 26th Mar 2017, 2:48 pm

I was clearing out one of the old sheds and came across a set I had completely forgotten about, a 1950s EKCO 15" set (employs the same chassis as the T216). Now I bought this set years ago from ebay for a quid, it was completely battered and had suffered badly with woodworm, to the point that the case is barely holding itself together now. I was going to bin the lot when I thought about getting it back to life.

Following another thread (the Baird Vs EMI one) I wondered would it be possible to modify a 405 set such as this to 240 lines? I think the set would be a good candidate, a nice big 15" screen and a chassis that is now homeless why not? I would be willing to invest in a 240 line aurora to run it from if this would be a possible modification. Any thoughts?

Heatercathodeshort · 26th Mar 2017, 3:53 pm

Quite possible. Ekco have a very wide frequency range with their timebase circuits and plenty of tolerance so I don't see why this is not possible. Just needs a little time, experimentation and the will to do it! Sounds like a model T164. I have a similar receiver with a tube that can only be viewed in a completely dark room and even then it takes a few moments for your eyes to get accustomed before you see anything at all! Mazda at their very best. Probably a CRM152B or the later CRM153. You need to get something on the screen first before you get too excited. John.

EF80TVVALVE · 26th Mar 2017, 4:52 pm

Hi John,

Thanks for your advice, it looks like a T205. Unfortunately the tube has been necked having only managed to gain access on it, I heard they weren't the best tubes! I will try and source one for it. As a collector of 405 sets and being born after the transmissions ceased I have always been intrigued to see what 240 lines looked like, as I suppose are many other collectors!

Brigham · 29th Mar 2017, 8:50 am

Has anyone still got an original 240-line set in working order?
I know 240 was generally 'blanked-off' after transmissions ended, (like 405 was to be, later), but has anyone found a complete one, or even de-modernised one to original?

26th Mar 2017, 2:48 pm	#1
EF80TVVALVE Octode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leicester, UK. Posts: 1,433	A project from the back of the shed... I was clearing out one of the old sheds and came across a set I had completely forgotten about, a 1950s EKCO 15" set (employs the same chassis as the T216). Now I bought this set years ago from ebay for a quid, it was completely battered and had suffered badly with woodworm, to the point that the case is barely holding itself together now. I was going to bin the lot when I thought about getting it back to life. Following another thread (the Baird Vs EMI one) I wondered would it be possible to modify a 405 set such as this to 240 lines? I think the set would be a good candidate, a nice big 15" screen and a chassis that is now homeless why not? I would be willing to invest in a 240 line aurora to run it from if this would be a possible modification. Any thoughts?

26th Mar 2017, 3:53 pm	#2
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: A project from the back of the shed... Quite possible. Ekco have a very wide frequency range with their timebase circuits and plenty of tolerance so I don't see why this is not possible. Just needs a little time, experimentation and the will to do it! Sounds like a model T164. I have a similar receiver with a tube that can only be viewed in a completely dark room and even then it takes a few moments for your eyes to get accustomed before you see anything at all! Mazda at their very best. Probably a CRM152B or the later CRM153. You need to get something on the screen first before you get too excited. John.

26th Mar 2017, 4:52 pm	#3
EF80TVVALVE Octode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leicester, UK. Posts: 1,433	Re: A project from the back of the shed... Hi John, Thanks for your advice, it looks like a T205. Unfortunately the tube has been necked having only managed to gain access on it, I heard they weren't the best tubes! I will try and source one for it. As a collector of 405 sets and being born after the transmissions ceased I have always been intrigued to see what 240 lines looked like, as I suppose are many other collectors! Last edited by EF80TVVALVE; 26th Mar 2017 at 4:59 pm.

29th Mar 2017, 8:50 am	#4
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,115	Re: A project from the back of the shed... Has anyone still got an original 240-line set in working order? I know 240 was generally 'blanked-off' after transmissions ended, (like 405 was to be, later), but has anyone found a complete one, or even de-modernised one to original?