UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Specific Vintage Equipment > Vintage Amateur and Military Radio

Notices

Vintage Amateur and Military Radio Amateur/military receivers and transmitters, morse, and any other related vintage comms equipment.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 13th Sep 2011, 1:48 pm   #1
104AirCadets
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 2
Post Transmitter type T1509A

Hello all, is anyone able to provide me further information on the above transmitter? I believe it is a military ground to air radio unit from circa 1947 ish but that is all.

Thanks
104AirCadets is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 3:35 pm   #2
Alistair D
Nonode
 
Alistair D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 2,008
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Look for a site called VMARS. There is a comprehensive article on the TX.

Al
__________________
I won't tell you how I discovered that.
Alistair D is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 4:14 pm   #3
M0FYA Andy
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 2,510
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

If you Google for T1509 there is a lot on the web.
I don't know what difference the 'A' makes.
There is one restored at the Thorpe Camp Museum by VMARS members led by Colin Guy, G4DDI who also looks after the VMARS manuals archive.

Andy
M0FYA Andy is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 5:56 pm   #4
104AirCadets
Retired Dormant Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 2
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Thanks for the info guys.

We have one of these that looks like it has just been taken out of its box brand new. Is there potentially much value to this? Much demand?
104AirCadets is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 8:28 pm   #5
M0FYA Andy
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 2,510
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

I would love it, but couldn't cope with the size and weight! I guess the demand will be small, but definitely there will be people who would want it. Ebay is probably your best bet to sell it. It certainly deserves to be preserved.
Andy
M0FYA Andy is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 8:40 pm   #6
m0cemdave
Octode
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 1,205
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Quote:
Originally Posted by 104AirCadets View Post
Thanks for the info guys.

We have one of these that looks like it has just been taken out of its box brand new. Is there potentially much value to this? Much demand?
If it's in such good condition, you should first contact the RAF Signals Museum at Henlow to see if they want it.

Otherwise, as has been mentioned, there are enthusiasts who restore these to working order and use them on the amateur radio bands. Most of them belong to VMARS. If you want it to go to a good home, VMARS could auction it to their members on your behalf.

Selling it on a general auction site is more likely to result in it being broken up by a dealer, as the parts will probably fetch more money than the complete set. Breaking up a such a historic, and potentially usable, piece of equipment would be, in my opinion, a disgrace.

(I'd love it too, but like Andy I don't have the space!)

Hoping this is helpful.
m0cemdave is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 9:37 pm   #7
Aub
Nonode
 
Aub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK.
Posts: 2,034
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Absolutely agree with the last post
__________________
Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.
Aub is offline  
Old 13th Sep 2011, 10:02 pm   #8
Sean Williams
Dekatron
 
Sean Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW
Posts: 3,517
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Oooh, I would love to own one myself - please consider me before you let it go as I would like to tender an offer for it.

Ive sent you an email (well, have sent the unit an email)

Sean
__________________
Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

Last edited by Sean Williams; 13th Sep 2011 at 10:14 pm.
Sean Williams is offline  
Old 14th Sep 2011, 10:08 am   #9
trh01uk
Octode
 
trh01uk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,648
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Sean,

I am quite familiar with these beasts, though I haven't owned one myself. I wrote the original article in the vmars newsletter, which someone quoted above. I have also moved them, fixed them and operated them.

They are certainly post-war, though quite when the design work started I am not sure. They are similar to a long line of transmitters with 2 x 813 in the PA, modulated by two similar size bottles in a high-level AM system. Other transmitters of the type would be the RCA ET-4336 (pre-war) and the WS53.

The T1509 is a bit of a brute, weighing in at about 800lbs. That may sound bad, but its not too hard to move, because it comes apart into three lumps - the case, the RF deck and the power supply. Provided you have four reasonably fit guys you can move each of these by themselves - two might do it, if really strong. As I recall, its the power unit that's the real killer. The case weighs 200lbs+ but you can sort of manhandle that about - the psu is just a dead weight.

Quality of construction and components is extremely good. Its very nice to work on, because the units will slide out of the case on runners, and you can literally lie on the floor under the RF deck, and poke about the components with it all switched on (provided you defeat the safety switches, of course). I scanned the manual years ago, and it should still be on the vmars lists (#141 according to my records).

There are a few about. I know of five, including the couple mentioned in other posts.

One thing to bear in mind if you acquire this one, is that you need the Control Unit (No.310) to go with it. The Tx has a rather odd remote control system, and you need a microphone pre-amp - the control unit has it all.


Richard
trh01uk is offline  
Old 14th Sep 2011, 6:55 pm   #10
Sean Williams
Dekatron
 
Sean Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW
Posts: 3,517
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Thanks Richard!

I am going to have a look at it on Monday - will report back if I am able to offer them an acceptable price.
__________________
Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished
Sean Williams is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2011, 10:00 pm   #11
Sean Williams
Dekatron
 
Sean Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW
Posts: 3,517
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Both Onewatt, and I went to see the transmitter today, an initial offer has been left, hopefully it will be accepted.

The transmitter looks quite forlorn stuck in what appeared to be the "comms" room of the Squadron HQ, however, hopefully it can go onto a new life where it will see some airtime!

Sean
__________________
Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished
Sean Williams is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2011, 10:48 pm   #12
ms660
Dekatron
 
ms660's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Sounds like a good project if you can get it Sean, who's doing the lifting.

Lawrence.
ms660 is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2011, 11:03 pm   #13
m0cemdave
Octode
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 1,205
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Williams View Post
...however, hopefully it can go onto a new life where it will see some airtime!
Sean
Best of luck with this. I look forward to hearing it on 3615 before too long...
m0cemdave is offline  
Old 20th Sep 2011, 5:24 pm   #14
M0FYA Andy
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 2,510
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Sean,
Does it come with a Control Unit Type 310? I just happen to have one of these, which no doubt could be made available if you need it.
Andy
M0FYA Andy is offline  
Old 20th Sep 2011, 6:02 pm   #15
onewatt
Hexode
 
onewatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 362
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Hi Andy,
Unfortunately no control unit so if and when, I'm sure it would be very helpful in order to get it powered up
Thanks
Onewatt
__________________
BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA

Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is!
onewatt is offline  
Old 20th Sep 2011, 7:40 pm   #16
Sean Williams
Dekatron
 
Sean Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW
Posts: 3,517
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Hi Andy,

As Chris mentions there is no control unit - will have to take you up on your offer!

Will let you all know if our offer was accepted.

Sean
__________________
Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished
Sean Williams is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2011, 8:29 am   #17
Sean Williams
Dekatron
 
Sean Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW
Posts: 3,517
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Seems our offer has been accepted......

Looks like there will be another 1509 on the air in the near future!
__________________
Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished
Sean Williams is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2011, 8:33 am   #18
Station X
Moderator
 
Station X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Good result. I wonder if there are any more T1509As sitting around in ATC huts? I have the space for one, but have far too many other projects on the go.
__________________
Graham. Forum Moderator

Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.
Station X is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2011, 5:23 pm   #19
MichaelR
Retired Dormant Member
 
MichaelR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,587
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Graham, having the space is enough of a reason to give one a good home.

Mike
MichaelR is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2011, 6:41 pm   #20
M0FYA Andy
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 2,510
Default Re: Transmitter type T1509A

Quote:
"having the space is enough of a reason to give one a good home"
I can only agree! All my available space is full, with more projects than can be completed in a single lifetime, but that doesn't stop me squeezing more in. Unfortunately a T1509 would occupy all my remaining space!
Andy
M0FYA Andy is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 7:17 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.