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Old 23rd Jan 2023, 11:28 am   #1
bart846
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Default Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Hello,
I've obtained lately a Plessey antenna splitter/amplifier ( I think)..... Model PV.14E Aerial amplifier. However no documentation to be found and the valves are missing.
Anyone out there who is familiar with this unit? Thanks for any reaction.
73 Bart
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Old 25th Jan 2023, 12:53 pm   #2
Robert Gribnau
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Default Re: PLessey PV.14E amplifier

You could try contacting the people of the 3 Telecommunications Unit (3TU) since they seem to have used a lot of these aerial amplifiers:

https://www.asd.gov.au/sites/default...-splitters.pdf

https://www.asd.gov.au/about/history...ation-unit-3tu

https://web.facebook.com/people/3-Te...0807/?sk=about
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Old 26th Jan 2023, 12:34 pm   #3
Jon_G4MDC
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Hello Bart. I was hoping someone would have some answers for you about this.
It's not looking too promising.. so far.

Have you been inside for any further pictures? I was hoping to guess the frequency range.
I can't read anything useful from the ID plate. Curious to know more.
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Old 26th Jan 2023, 5:02 pm   #4
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Any chance of a nice clear image of the label?

Cheers

Mike T
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Old 26th Jan 2023, 5:27 pm   #5
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

The style of the label and the antenna sockets both look distinctly 'military'.
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Old 26th Jan 2023, 6:51 pm   #6
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Back when I was an SWL I'm pretty sure I was given some cables having suitable co-axial male connectors fitted on the ends. I forget now what they were. Not Pye plugs...

They resembled a scaled up version of a car radio plug, with a protruding centre pin. About 1/2" across but the outer spring ring was replaced by a shoulder and knurled lock ring for the ground connection.

They might have been a Plessey invention I suppose. I don't think I have seen them on anything else and they are long gone now.
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Old 26th Jan 2023, 10:05 pm   #7
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

The Plessey PV14 was mentioned briefly in WW 1951 November.

WW 195111 p.449 Plessey PV14 Multicoupler.pdf


It was an HF (2 to 25 MHz) aerial multicoupler with 10 outputs. It used EF91 and ECC91 valves.


The PV14B had an even briefer mention in WW 1954 October.

WW 195410 p.472 Plessey PV14B Multicoupler.pdf


This suggests, but does not confirm, that the suffix letters applied to successive iterations rather contemporaneous variants.

An advertisement in WW 1962 April suggests that aerial multicouplers were a significant product type for Plessey at the time.

WW 196204 p.80 Plessey Aerial Exchange.pdf


Cheers,
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Old 26th Jan 2023, 10:23 pm   #8
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

OK, it's an HF multicoupler, thanks. Looks like 2x5-way.

An antenna distribution amp for a shortwave listening station.

Moving to amateur/military section.

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Old 31st Jan 2023, 11:32 pm   #9
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

I wonder why Bart didn't come back? I would still like to know what those connectors were. Does anyone know?
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Old 1st Feb 2023, 10:16 am   #10
Andrew Sinclair
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

There are 3 of them at the back of the Murphy B40 series receivers used by the RN. The chassis socket is listed as "Admiralty Pattern 60451" in the manual. The prototype B40 from 1945 has one of these connectors on the back panel, so they must date back at least that far.
Some of the plugs I have are marked "F&E LTD" I believe for "Film and Equipment" so I have always known them as Film and Equipment connectors. In Radio Bygones magazine, issue 103 (October 2006), Michael O'Beirne also calls them F&E connectors. I don't know if this is the manufacturers name for them.
(Removes deerstalker hat.)
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Old 1st Feb 2023, 11:55 am   #11
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Well done Andrew! Yes F&E does jog a memory now. Thanks!
Marvellous this forum.
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Old 2nd Feb 2023, 5:52 pm   #12
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Thank you everyone for your reply. Sorry not having answered earlier, but the older I get the busier I am....
Added some more pictures. I will change the coax connectors to 75 ohms BNC, as I have only a very limited number of the original male connectors ( btw same as on back of B40)
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Old 2nd Feb 2023, 6:20 pm   #13
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Just noticed that sharp pictures lose some quality when uploaded. Herewith the data plate. The female connectors are marked Cannon.
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Old 6th Feb 2023, 1:05 pm   #14
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

The co-ax connectors described and used on the B40 series receivers are Jones plugs (not to be confused with the flat-pinned multiway connectors used on T1154/R1155 etc).

Jones was a US firm, Films & Equipment Ltd was one of the UK licenced manufacturers of their products. They were also made by Cannon.
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Old 6th Feb 2023, 1:23 pm   #15
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Added page clip from a Cannon catalogue.
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File Type: pdf Jones.pdf (254.6 KB, 56 views)

Last edited by 2000 type; 6th Feb 2023 at 1:33 pm. Reason: Clarification
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Old 6th Feb 2023, 11:02 pm   #16
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

Have a look at item (2) in my "offered" post of Aug. 8th. 2022 .

I've always known them as "Small F&Es"

Laurie.
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Old 20th Feb 2023, 1:53 pm   #17
bart846
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Default Re: Plessey PV.14E Aerial amp

They are rather discrete about frequency and impedance.......
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