Pye Pocketfone 9 Series

[Nigel M]

I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters & Receivers.
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.

They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in SE
London, but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.

Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?

Nigel M
G1NDM

[Brian Reay]

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters & Receivers.
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.
They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in SE
London, but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.
Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?
Nigel M
G1NDM

I assume these are PF9s

Fairly detailed conversion details in Chris Lorek's book "Surplus 2-way
Radio Conversion Handbook", page 141.

Xtals are:

Tx Ftx/9

Rx (Frx-10.7)/9

Looks like the crystals are HC45/u and fit inside modules.

[Nigel M]

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, "Brian Reay"

Post by Brian Reay
Fairly detailed conversion details in Chris Lorek's book "Surplus 2-way
Radio Conversion Handbook", page 141.

I don't suppose you could do me a scan?

Post by Brian Reay
Tx Ftx/9
Rx (Frx-10.7)/9
Looks like the crystals are HC45/u and fit inside modules.

Can you explain what this means in terms of the markings on the Xtals?

[Brian Reay]

Post by Nigel M
In rec.radio.amateur.misc, "Brian Reay"

Post by Brian Reay
Fairly detailed conversion details in Chris Lorek's book "Surplus 2-way
Radio Conversion Handbook", page 141.

I don't suppose you could do me a scan?

Email me direct and I'll see what I can do.

Post by Nigel M

Post by Brian Reay
Tx Ftx/9
Rx (Frx-10.7)/9
Looks like the crystals are HC45/u and fit inside modules.

Can you explain what this means in terms of the markings on the Xtals?

Pye service sheets sometimes have the Pye spec crystal spec on them but it
isn't in the Lorek book.

HC45/u is the case style, not the crystal characteristics. Any crystal
supplier worth the business will know the correct specification. I normally
use QSL in Erith- tell them the frequency you want and they have the other
details.

[Dave D]

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters & Receivers.
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.
They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in SE
London, but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.
Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?
Nigel M
G1NDM

Seperate Tx and Rx units like PF1s. Use same technology as the PF8 and I
believe they share some of the same TF modules. They don't fetch much on
Ebay given how scarce they likely are now. You might get 20 quid for them,
that's about what the last set went for.

Dave

[Dave D]

"Dave D" <***@dave_d.com> wrote in message news:4210d57b$0$16590$***@news-text.dial.pipex.com...
<snip>

Post by Dave D
You might get 20 quid for them,
that's about what the last set went for.

It's probably obvious, but I'll point it out anyway: I meant 20 quid a pair.

Dave

[Mike GW8IJT]

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters &

Receivers.

Post by Nigel M
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.
They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in SE
London, but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.
Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?
Nigel M
G1NDM

They can be converted but the receive sensitivity may be on the poor
side for amateur use (i.e. the Rx is deaf).
Regards Mike.

[Gordon Hudson]

Post by Nigel M

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters &

Receivers.

Post by Nigel M
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.
They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in

SE

Post by Nigel M
London, but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.
Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?
Nigel M
G1NDM

They can be converted but the receive sensitivity may be on the poor
side for amateur use (i.e. the Rx is deaf).
Regards Mike.

I have a pair on 70cm.
The TX is only 50mw I think and the inside antenna does not help.

[Bill]

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters & Receivers.
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.
They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in SE
London,

ITN used to use them as talkback many years ago.

Post by Nigel M
but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.

Please note that if by "crystals" you mean the plug in cube at the
bottom then this is more than just the crystal. The crystal is inside
this unit, without the plug in they are not much use. One BIG word of
advice is if you have the TX apart do NOT touch the PCB while it is
powered up as this can cause the PSU inverter to go over volt and blow
all sorts of interesting things!

I'd almost forgotten about PF9s, I used to make them many years ago.

Post by Nigel M
Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?

If you want short range simplex or live near a repeater they are great,
one advantage is that the RX had an RF sensor that would detect the TX
and mute the RX to stop feed back. There is also an earpiece socket on
the top, if you look closely two of the speaker holes are slightly
different and these take a two pin plug, as used on many pro' earpieces.

[Nigel M]

Post by Bill
ITN used to use them as talkback many years ago.

These are from LWT. I used to work there, and bought these from a
"redundant plant" sale. I had planned to play about with them, but don't
really have the time.

Post by Bill
Please note that if by "crystals" you mean the plug in cube at the
bottom then this is more than just the crystal. The crystal is inside

Yes, I mean the cube. Is there any difference between the contents of
the TX cube and the RX cube, other than the colour coding? If so, can
one be converted into another?

[Gordon Hudson]

Post by Bill

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters & Receivers.
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.
They used to be used for studio talkback in a Commercial TV Studio in SE
London,

ITN used to use them as talkback many years ago.

Post by Nigel M
but were replaced in a recent refurbishment. For security
purposes, the crystals have been unplugged, but I have managed to
acquire eight of them. The crystals are all colour coded green (as are
the 9Rs) and have values 470.1 470.2 and 470.4 - presumably MHz.

Please note that if by "crystals" you mean the plug in cube at the bottom
then this is more than just the crystal. The crystal is inside this unit,
without the plug in they are not much use. One BIG word of advice is if
you have the TX apart do NOT touch the PCB while it is powered up as this
can cause the PSU inverter to go over volt and blow all sorts of
interesting things!
I'd almost forgotten about PF9s, I used to make them many years ago.

Post by Nigel M
Can anyone give me any more info? Are these of use to radio amateurs?

If you want short range simplex or live near a repeater they are great,
one advantage is that the RX had an RF sensor that would detect the TX and
mute the RX to stop feed back. There is also an earpiece socket on the
top, if you look closely two of the speaker holes are slightly different
and these take a two pin plug, as used on many pro' earpieces.
--
Bill

You don't happen to know why Pye went back to seperate TX and RX with the
PF9?
Presumably there must have been a demand for it from their customers, but I
can't
see the advantage over a transceiver, which is why I thought they did away
with
seperates after the PF1

One of the good things about the PF9 is you can run them on ordinary AA
batteries.
You don't need to find or rebuild nivads and chargers.

[Bill]

Post by Gordon Hudson
You don't happen to know why Pye went back to seperate TX and RX with the
PF9?

The only alternative at the time was the PF70 which was rather large,
the PF8 which was also large and then the PF85. There was no other small
radio. The idea of having separates was good where surveillance
concerned as they were easier to hide. The big problem with the PF9T was
the previously mentioned PSU. If you detuned the TX PA by putting
something conductive near the aerial i.e. your hand then you could hear
the inverter whistle!! Not very covert! There were also tails of dogs
reacting badly to it.

Post by Gordon Hudson
Presumably there must have been a demand for it from their customers, but I
can't
see the advantage over a transceiver, which is why I thought they did away
with
seperates after the PF1

PF1s looked pretty on a spectrum analyser though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Gordon Hudson
One of the good things about the PF9 is you can run them on ordinary AA
batteries.
You don't need to find or rebuild nivads and chargers.

[Dave D]

Post by Bill

Post by Gordon Hudson
You don't happen to know why Pye went back to seperate TX and RX with the
PF9?

The only alternative at the time was the PF70 which was rather large,

They could have made a valve set in the same case!

Post by Bill
the PF8 which was also large

And very fragile. The basic chassis was solid as long as the overall
screening plate was fitted, but the plastic shell was rubbish. The first
time they sustained a minor drop the screws broke through the case and the
base cracked under the weight of the batteries. Nice radio electronically,
rather advanced for their time, crap case, crap internal aerial. No earphone
or mic socket and single channel as well.
They have quite a following amongst fans of 'The Professionals' TV series,
and a pair can fetch >£200.
I know because I sold a pair on Ebay!

Post by Bill
and then the PF85. There was no other small
radio. The idea of having separates was good where surveillance
concerned as they were easier to hide. The big problem with the PF9T was
the previously mentioned PSU. If you detuned the TX PA by putting
something conductive near the aerial i.e. your hand then you could hear
the inverter whistle!! Not very covert! There were also tails of dogs
reacting badly to it.

Post by Gordon Hudson
Presumably there must have been a demand for it from their customers, but I
can't
see the advantage over a transceiver, which is why I thought they did away
with
seperates after the PF1

PF1s looked pretty on a spectrum analyser though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Were they dirty?

Dave

[Bill]

Post by Dave D
rather advanced for their time, crap case, crap internal aerial.

Not as bad as the PF6, the metal sliding handle covered the PF5 style
aerial!

Post by Dave D
Were they dirty?

Very.
We were still making a few in 1975/6 until we got an analyser in the
dept. that put an end to tuning for max. RF on a diode detector at the
bottom of a rabbit hutch as most of it was no where near where it should
have been.

Post by Dave D
Dave

[Brian Reay]

Post by Bill

Post by Dave D
rather advanced for their time, crap case, crap internal aerial.

Not as bad as the PF6, the metal sliding handle covered the PF5 style
aerial!

Post by Dave D
Were they dirty?

Very.
We were still making a few in 1975/6 until we got an analyser in the
dept. that put an end to tuning for max. RF on a diode detector at the
bottom of a rabbit hutch as most of it was no where near where it should
have been.

Did you actually use this arrangement in the factory then? I always assumed
it was simply a repair shop bit of kit.

I made one from cardboard about the time I was first licenced- it was used
many times to convert PF1s.

I've still got a couple of PF1s in the loft I think- including one rx
converted to 2m.

[Bill]

Post by Brian Reay
Did you actually use this arrangement in the factory then? I always assumed
it was simply a repair shop bit of kit.

Yes, I came in after PF1's were all but finished but we still had the
wire cage, seem to recall it stood about 4/5 foot high. Blooming long
time ago though.

Post by Brian Reay
I made one from cardboard about the time I was first licenced- it was used
many times to convert PF1s.
I've still got a couple of PF1s in the loft I think- including one rx
converted to 2m.

That must have been fun.
We used to make VHF PF5's for amusement though.

[Brian Reay]

Post by Bill

Post by Brian Reay
Did you actually use this arrangement in the factory then? I always assumed
it was simply a repair shop bit of kit.

Yes, I came in after PF1's were all but finished but we still had the
wire cage, seem to recall it stood about 4/5 foot high. Blooming long
time ago though.

Don't recall it being quite 5 ft but maybe.

Post by Bill

Post by Brian Reay
I made one from cardboard about the time I was first licenced- it was used
many times to convert PF1s.
I've still got a couple of PF1s in the loft I think- including one rx
converted to 2m.

That must have been fun.
We used to make VHF PF5's for amusement though.

It wasn't two bad actually- bit deaf with the original 'plate' antenna but
with a 19" bit of wire it wasn't too bad.

Pye kit from that era was a delight to convert and there always seemed to be
loads at rallies.

[Airy R.Bean]

1. Brian, OM, there was no response from you to my offer that you
should consider burying the hatchet.

2. You've stopped responding to me, despite that you were so happy
to talk to me at Didcot for the 5 minutes, or so, in total in 5 second
bursts
that we spent together on Sunday at Didcot. Have I done or said something to
offend you?

Coming on top of your frequent habit of sneering at ideas that you
whine are "bodges", your outburst below seems to be the Freudian
Slip of someone who may be quite _INSECURE_ and of a bullying
personality, do you not think.

Post by Brian Reay
I made one from cardboard about the time I was first licenced

[Airy R.Bean]

Brian, are you sulking in the tradition of a Childish Broadcaster (CBer)?

Post by Airy R.Bean
2. You've stopped responding to me, despite that you were so happy
to talk to me at Didcot for the 5 minutes, or so, in total in 5 second
bursts
that we spent together on Sunday at Didcot. Have I done or said something to
offend you?

[Airy R.Bean]

If someone were to sulk, would that be instrumental in their
habit of sneering in general terms about software, etc, showing an
increase as they desperately tried to save face but, in fact,
showed _INSECURITY_?

Post by Airy R.Bean
Brian, are you sulking in the tradition of a Childish Broadcaster (CBer)?

Post by Airy R.Bean
2. You've stopped responding to me, despite that you were so happy
to talk to me at Didcot for the 5 minutes, or so, in total in 5 second
bursts
that we spent together on Sunday at Didcot. Have I done or said

something

Post by Airy R.Bean
to

Post by Airy R.Bean
offend you?

[real-radio-ham]

Sounds like you were stalking him, what is your fascination????????????????

RRH

Post by Airy R.Bean
Brian, are you sulking in the tradition of a Childish Broadcaster (CBer)?

Post by Airy R.Bean
2. You've stopped responding to me, despite that you were so happy
to talk to me at Didcot for the 5 minutes, or so, in total in 5 second
bursts
that we spent together on Sunday at Didcot. Have I done or said

something

Post by Airy R.Bean
to

Post by Airy R.Bean
offend you?

[Nigel M]

Post by Nigel M
I've got two pairs of Pye Pocketfone 9 Series Transmitters & Receivers.
I want to put them on eBay, but I don't really know much about them.

Thanks for all the help, they are on eBay now:

<http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3875419322>

Nigel
G1NDM