What's this Baird?
 

Hi
My colleague's been offered this and was wondering if it was fully dual standard. I don't think so, but I'd be interested in knowing the model number - possibly a 620?

Re: What's this Baird?
 

Is that a model number visible at the aerial input panel?

Re: What's this Baird?
 

Could be, but we don't actually have the TV, just the photos.

Re: What's this Baird?
 

I have only seen a couple of this type of Baird but It looks like an unconverted set.
I think the UHF tuner fits where the blanking plug is just above the VHF tuner. I can't see if the UHF aerial socket is fitted or blanked off from the picture. But as there is no visible UHF tuner knob I would think there is no tuner fitted.
If it is a convertible set I wonder how it switched systems as there isn't a system switch visible either maybe a U position on the VHF tuner similar to some Thorn sets with solenoid switching?
A nice set though and probably quite rare...
Rich

Re: What's this Baird?
 

The system switch goes over when the VHF tuner is on the U position,no solenoids
involved,we had the Uhf tuner 23" version for some years.

Re: What's this Baird?
 

One of those was our family telly for many years.

It came as a purely 405 line set, and only later was fitted with the UHF tuner and a few other bits to enable 625 lines and BBC2. I was there at the time, it seemed to take about 20 mins to convert the set, and a bit longer to fit a second aerial and feeder.

The VHF tuner was a turret job and had a 'U' position as already said, which flipped the system switch to 625.

The UHF tuner was free rotating with a ball drive. The transparent knob had a slower moving scale underneath it.

We were watching one of these sets when Emley moor mast fell and our UHF picture vanished.

David

Re: What's this Baird?
 

620 series?: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=134764

Re: What's this Baird?
 

The Baird M646 looks very similar:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...3&d=1335090016

Lawrence.

Re: What's this Baird?
 

This series of sets was not bad performance-wise and is fairly easy to work on as well, i have the dual standard version. The UHF tuner drive setup however is the worst piece of stupid and over-complex design I have ever come across: it uses no less than two rubber friction washers, which either develop "flats" or just shrivel up, and an excessively complex string drive for the slow motion part. I think at least another make had a similarly awful design, possibly Pye. I can only assume it was a particularly "bad hair" day for the designer(s) or that they just bore the world a grudge!

Nice looking set Glyn, go for it!

Re: What's this Baird?
 

Yes, it is a Baird M646. I had one a few years ago and that didn't have the rotary valve UHF tuner unit fitted either.

It's an all valve set, circa 1963/4. CRT type AW59-91. However, in my set, a 660 series main chassis (transistorised IF stages) had been fitted into the set, retaining the original front control panel assembly.

Very nice dark wood cabinet with folding doors and screw-in legs.

Gave a cracking picture after a good 23" Mullard CRT fitted and many components replaced.

Re: What's this Baird?
 

its complete with what look like original legs! they often got taken off or lost/ broken

Re: What's this Baird?
 

Those legs are back in fashion! Just look at the TV ads for furniture. Screw-in tapered wooden legs on chairs, sofas, and sideboards but unlikely to be seen on Television sets ever again. What goes around, comes around...