Thomson 408/TX91 portable question - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

dragonser · 11th Feb 2016, 1:47 pm

Hi,
I've recently acquired a Thomson 408/TX91 10inch portable. It seems to work, but then sometimes cuts out...
But after finding there is an install menu it looks like it may be multistandard ? ( as in multistandard for the European channels).
Is this likely? The install menu seems to have options for English / German / French / French Swiss / Italian?
I need to get hold of a remote for it as well. Sorry if this is an obvious question!
regards Peter B

ben · 11th Feb 2016, 3:38 pm

Impossible to say what standard it is from the model. In the tuning menu there may be a 'system' option, my late 90s-early noughties Sanyos have that but the TX91 is a fair bit older - circa 1991? The presence of multiple OSD languages is not in itself a sign of multistandard equipment!

If it is a European set, my guess is that, like contemporary offerings from Grundig and other Euro sets, it will handle Pal/Secam BG on VHF/UHF, plus hyperband/cable channels.

Take a look at the tuning menus and post back.
Remote likely this - rct3003 or similar, very common, but perhaps others can confirm.

Red to black · 11th Feb 2016, 3:42 pm

It might help if you can post the full model number and any suffix letters, on Thomson sets there is also sometimes a specific chassis variation, eg. TX91G or similar.

Better still, post a photo of the rating plate, as this will usually help greatly in identification.

There are pan European chassis in the Thomson stable, usually these have in the case of older sets two tuners VHF and UHF, and on more modern types like the TX91 etc. multi band types with extra pins for the selection, and also selectable sound carriers.

Nearly all of the later Thomson sets had multilingual menus, but this did not mean that they were necessarily pan Euro models.

I hope this helps.

Edit: beaten by ben

dragonser · 11th Feb 2016, 4:36 pm

HI,
I have posted some pictures, to help with id....
thanks for all the info.
regards Peter B

ben · 11th Feb 2016, 4:58 pm

Label says its TX91GB but the menu screenshot appears to indicate a choice of sound

When you get the remote you will be able to see what's on offer. I'd imagine it'll be 6.0Mhz or 5.5Mhz spacing for Pal I or B/G.

Welsh Anorak · 11th Feb 2016, 6:26 pm

I remember we used to get these in with no sound - not the most difficult repair as can be guessed from photo 3!
I suspect these were popular with caravanners and truckers as they would work both in the UK and abroad.
Glyn

Maarten · 12th Feb 2016, 4:34 am

The labeling is somewhat misleading; it presents the chassis as if it were the type. The full model number is 10MH73B, the B likely standing for the same as the GB in the chassis designation: Great Britain. However it is likely this is indeed a multi system set, with G/GB only indicating that it also sports system I.

11th Feb 2016, 1:47 pm	#1
dragonser Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carshalton, Surrey, UK. Posts: 735	Thomson 408/TX91 portable question Hi, I've recently acquired a Thomson 408/TX91 10inch portable. It seems to work, but then sometimes cuts out... But after finding there is an install menu it looks like it may be multistandard ? ( as in multistandard for the European channels). Is this likely? The install menu seems to have options for English / German / French / French Swiss / Italian? I need to get hold of a remote for it as well. Sorry if this is an obvious question! regards Peter B

11th Feb 2016, 3:38 pm	#2
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Thomson 408/TX91 portable question Impossible to say what standard it is from the model. In the tuning menu there may be a 'system' option, my late 90s-early noughties Sanyos have that but the TX91 is a fair bit older - circa 1991? The presence of multiple OSD languages is not in itself a sign of multistandard equipment! If it is a European set, my guess is that, like contemporary offerings from Grundig and other Euro sets, it will handle Pal/Secam BG on VHF/UHF, plus hyperband/cable channels. Take a look at the tuning menus and post back. Remote likely this - rct3003 or similar, very common, but perhaps others can confirm. __________________ Regards, Ben.

11th Feb 2016, 3:42 pm	#3
Red to black Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 2,476	Re: Thomson 408/TX91 portable question It might help if you can post the full model number and any suffix letters, on Thomson sets there is also sometimes a specific chassis variation, eg. TX91G or similar. Better still, post a photo of the rating plate, as this will usually help greatly in identification. There are pan European chassis in the Thomson stable, usually these have in the case of older sets two tuners VHF and UHF, and on more modern types like the TX91 etc. multi band types with extra pins for the selection, and also selectable sound carriers. Nearly all of the later Thomson sets had multilingual menus, but this did not mean that they were necessarily pan Euro models. I hope this helps. Edit: beaten by ben __________________ I don't suffer from Insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

11th Feb 2016, 4:36 pm	#4
dragonser Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carshalton, Surrey, UK. Posts: 735	Re: Thomson 408/TX91 portable question HI, I have posted some pictures, to help with id.... thanks for all the info. regards Peter B Attached Thumbnails

11th Feb 2016, 4:58 pm	#5
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Thomson 408/TX91 portable question Label says its TX91GB but the menu screenshot appears to indicate a choice of sound When you get the remote you will be able to see what's on offer. I'd imagine it'll be 6.0Mhz or 5.5Mhz spacing for Pal I or B/G. __________________ Regards, Ben.

11th Feb 2016, 6:26 pm	#6
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,927	Re: Thomson 408/TX91 portable question I remember we used to get these in with no sound - not the most difficult repair as can be guessed from photo 3! I suspect these were popular with caravanners and truckers as they would work both in the UK and abroad. Glyn

12th Feb 2016, 4:34 am	#7
Maarten Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haarlem, Netherlands Posts: 4,203	Re: Thomson 408/TX91 portable question The labeling is somewhat misleading; it presents the chassis as if it were the type. The full model number is 10MH73B, the B likely standing for the same as the GB in the chassis designation: Great Britain. However it is likely this is indeed a multi system set, with G/GB only indicating that it also sports system I.