PYE PFX - Help Wanted
Denis Pibworth
Hi
Can anyone help with some info on a PYE PFX portable:
Firstly, it is marked -PFX LVU on the back. I know it is UHF
but what is the frequency range? (This combination of ID letters
does not appear in "The PMR Conversion Handbook". Can it
be put onto 70cms and where can I get a PROM programmed for it?
Thanks in advance
Denis Pibworth G4KWT
Woody
Below is a list of Pye/Philips/Simoco equipments with some
comments, hints, and tips as what to buy and what to avoid.
Oldest first:-
Cambridge AM10B 5W AM boot mount - needs control box
AM10D 5W AM dash mount
FM10B 5W FM boot mount - needs control box
FM10D 5W FM dash mount
All Cambridges had valve Tx, either valve or
transistor Rx, dependent on age.
Vanguard AM25B 25W AM boot mount, valve Tx, valve or
transistor Rx. Needs LOTS of amps.
Westminster W15AMB 5W AM boot mount - needs control box
W15AMD 5W AM dash mount
W15FMB 10W FM boot mount - needs control box
W15FMD 10W FM dash mount
W15U 5W UHF boot mount - needs control box.
Simplex and duplex versions.
W25FM Export model 25W (will do 50W) FM boot
mount
W20AM/FM also known as the Whitehall. Made for
Police and so covers 79-101MHz only.
Dual front end capability to permit AM and FM
operation.
W30AM 30W AM boot mount, transistor with
quick-heat valve PA. Some versions have audio PA
also.
Entirely analogue, easily repaired and modified,
often exceeds rated power output.
F30AM 30W AM base station comprising T30AM
transistor transmitter with valve driver and PA.
Matched with R6AM, R7AM, or R8HO receiver, latter
is Home Office version. Uses Westminster
technology.
F30FM FM base station comprising T30FM and
R17FM or R18FM receivers. Uses Westminster
technology.
F460/461 5W UHF base station of Westminster
technology. Easy to work on but Tx prone to
spurious from Varacter tripler.
L470 5W link version of above. Audio comments
as for L414 below, RF as for F460 above. Prone
to power droop with time but otherwise very
reliable.
F412/4012 5W UHF base station, mains or 24V only,
but can be +ve or -ve earth, although
internally they are always -ve common.
Two units, Tx and Rx. Six
channel versions exist but are rare.
L414/4014 2W or 5W UHF link. L9 version
(look on rear plate) has 9KHz audio
response for 1+1 working. 2W has
only one PA brick in centre of front
panel (inside!) but 5W has a double brick
assembly. Supplies as for fixed station
version.
L434 5W 1500MHz version of above. Tx
output at FTx/3 is 10W to driver a
varacter tripler to give 5W @ 1G5.
Rx is basically a standard UHF Rx with an
external down convertor. UHF I/P
frequency is (FRx + 32.1)/3 - usually
around 380MHz. AVOID unless
expensive test gear is to hand.
L300/700 Broadband links for (usually)
1500MHz. Design life of 20 years, so
generally very stable and reliable.
Difficult to service without specific
extender kits.
Motafone/ MF5AM 5W AM dash mounted only. Simple
set, awkward to service.
Europa MF5FM 5W FM dash mount only. Three or
six channel versions. Reliable set, easy
to align, VERY sensitive Rx. Custom AF
amp IC no longer available.
MF5U UHF version of MF5FM
MF6AM 5W AM dash mount only. Replacement for
MF5AM.
Small. Flexible strip linking Tx to Rx
unreliable.
MF25FM 25W FM dash mount only. Comments as
MF5FM. VHF only.
F9U/L9U Fixed station versions of MF5U
Olympic M201 5W AM dash mount 1 or up to 12 channel.
Modular construction, linear Tx PA.
M202 10W FM version of above.
M203 5W AM boot mount version of M201 with
semi-digital remote control.
M206 10W FM boot mount of M202, details as
M203.
M206X Synthesized version of M206.
M212 10W UHF FM dash mount.
M256 Ruggedised version of M202
M258 Pegasus: ruggedised M202 for MoD
290 series M293 AM VHF dash mount, crystal
M294 FM VHF dash mount, crystal
M296 UHF dash mount, crystal
MX293 AM VHF dash mount, synthesized
MX294 FM VHF dash mount, synthesized
MX295 Band III dash mount, synthsized
MX296 UHF dash mount, synthsized
M????e SMD version, difficult to repair
Popular, easy to modify and repair in Xtal
version. Synthesized version good if means to
blow freq proms is available.
490 series Fixed station versions of M293/M294/M296
PRM80 PRM8010 FM only dash mount. uP controlled, all
singing all dancing. 10 channel only (9
chan in early versions.) Needs with
software to prog. VHF and UHF versions.
PRM8020 As above but 64 channel and more
facilities.
PRM8060/70 Trunked VHF or UHF. Best avoided.
FM1000 FM1100 25W FM in VHF and UHF versions, 100
channel. Entirely software controlled.
EXTREMELY flexible.
Needs PC, software, and interface card to
prog. Works quite a way out of band,
A-band will cover 2m at full spec., U0
band will cover 70cms at full spec.
FM1200 Band III trunked mobile only.
FM1300 Private trunked mobile only. Rare.
PRF1060 Fixed station version of FM1100. 6 channel only.
PF85 FM portable, 3 channel, VHF and UHF versions.
Low and high power versions, 0.5W and
1.5W respec. Crystalled.
PFX FM portable as PF85, but 16 or 100 channel prom
programmed.
Twin Tx VCos to permit single and dual
frequency working as needed by Police.
PR710 FM portable, 10 channel, fully synthesized.
PR720 Trunked version of above.
PRP70 series FM portable, 1.5W and 4W versions. 200 channel.
VERY flexible, but as with PR710, needs
special software and interface to
program.
P1000 FM portable, badge marketed (also sold by
Zycomm?) 5W VHF and UHF versions. 256
channel. VERY flexible.
Needs special software to program.
Throughout, Pye/Philips/Simoco use the same band and channel
spacing codes:-
E 68-88MHz D 88-108MHz
C 108-136MHz B 132-156MHz
M Mid-band: Tx D-band, Rx B-band
A 146-174MHz (sometimes split into two
sub-bands.)
K Band III
T4 420-450MHz U0 440-470MHz
S 12.5KHz channel spacing (=super narrow)
R 20KHz channel spacing (USA/Canada market)
V 25KHz channel spacing (=very narrow)
N 50KHz channel spacing (=narrow)
Channel spacing is for Tx and then repeats for
Rx, eg A0A0. AW would indicate a wideband Rx
capable of receiving over the whole band, else
there is a switching limit, usually around
0.5%-1% of mean.
Spares and handbooks are easily available from:-
Spares Dept.,
Simoco Europe Ltd.,
P.O. Box 24,
St. Andrew's Road,
Cambridge, CB4 1DP
01223-358985
Hope this helps.
--
Andrew W. |After you have heard two independent
Harrogate |eye-witness accounts of the same motor
North Yorks |accident, you start to wonder about history!
UK
wo...@tangon.demon.co.uk
g1uxp@gb7cym
Andrew Marshall
In article <521676...@tangon.demon.co.uk>, Woody
<wo...@tangon.demon.co.uk> writes
(snip)
>Vanguard AM25B 25W AM boot mount, valve Tx, valve or
> transistor Rx. Needs LOTS of amps.
FM25B c. 40W FM boot mount; IIRC, basically an FM10B
Cambridge circuit driving a QQV06-40A (not quick-heat).
Needs even more amps; I used a 6-channel version for
some years in the '70's.
>Westminster
> W20AM/FM also known as the Whitehall. Made for
> Police and so covers 79-101MHz only.
> Dual front end capability to permit AM and FM
> operation.
**** ***** ***
Dual IF-boards and special varactor-tuned front-end?
Also, IIRC, a (rare) E-band version for the MOD?
I believe the standard version may have used E-band Tx
and D-band RX boards; I have one whose Rx has been
retuned to 71MHz (and is so marked). Apparently a
yellow stripe along the handle designates such a
conversion.
Many thanks for the list.
73,
Andrew G8BUR.
--
Andrew Marshall.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.
Philip Mellor
In article <521676...@tangon.demon.co.uk>, wo...@tangon.demon.co.uk
(Woody) wrote:
> Below is a list of Pye/Philips/Simoco equipments with some
> comments, hints, and tips as what to buy and what to avoid.
> Oldest first:-
Hi Andrew! Here are a few comments from me..
> All Cambridges had valve Tx, either valve or
> transistor Rx, dependent on age.
I don't recall ever seeing a Cambridge with a valve RX (?). The TX was
always valved except the AM10P (so-called portable "Handi Cambridge"!!)
where the driver stages were transistor with quick-heat versions of the
3-10 in the output.
> Vanguard AM25B 25W AM boot mount, valve Tx, valve or
> transistor Rx. Needs LOTS of amps.
AM25B was valve/transistor RX (valve front-end), AM25T was a later
version and had transistor RX the same as the Cambridge. FM25B was FM
version with transistor RX and valve TX with a 6-40 PA (and drew about 18
amps on transmit...kept the dynamo in my Mini Van active!).
And NEVER plug a Vanguard into a Cambridge control box, or vice versa, as
it puts 12 volts across the speaker! This isn't helped by the fact that
the two types of control box look almost identical, but I think the
Vanguard one could be recognised by a (zener?) diode (black with a
purple stripe) between the connectors as the Cambridge box doesn't have
this.
> F30AM and F30FM
R6AM and R17FM were basically Westminsters in a base station chassis,
R7AM, R8HO and R18FM had a proper front-end in a metal box for the more
hostile environment on a commsite. GB3PI has used the same (slightly
modified) R18FM since 1971 and is still giving 0.15uV for 12dB SINAD.
> F460 and F461
The T460 transmitter used a VHF PA followed by a varactor tripler (useful
if you want to work 2M and 70cm at the same time!), T461 was later version
and used a transistor PA operating at UHF, T462 was similar to T461 but
has an extra PA stage to give 12.5 watts. R460 receiver was same in all
versions.
> L470 5W link version of above.
This used the varactor tripler version of the TX. Also available as the
T150/R150 version for VHF. Totally different audio and IF circuits from
the F460/F461 and the squelch operation makes it unsuitable for receiving
rapidly varying signal strengths, such as from a mobile, unless modified.
> 290 series M293 AM VHF dash mount, crystal
-snip-
> M????e SMD version, difficult to repair
This is the M294E, VHF FM dash mount
And in response to the original post, "LVU" indicates low power (1.5 watt
TX), 25KHz channelling, U band 438-472MHz. There is a T band version for
405-447MHz but it's possible the radio might tune down below 438MHz
without modification. The PFX is constructed using plug-in modules and the
handbook gives only a block diagram without individual module circuit
diagrams or component values. The RF amp/mixer, VCO, buffer, and TX PA
modules in a U band radio should be the /02 version, for 70cm they should
be /03. I've seen adverts in Radcom for PROMS, somewhere in Chatteris
(Cambs) I think.
Phil
Pete Baston
>comments, hints, and tips as what to buy and what to avoid.
>Oldest first:-
>
Nice list, thanks.
How's about adding the following:-
For historic purposes only:-
"Walkie Phone" - as used on 1953 Everest Expedition !!
Reporter
Ranger
F27 Base Station
(Slightly) more modern:-
Bantam
PF1's
"Pocketfone 70" Series - PF2UB/UH, PF2FMB/FMH, PF2AMB, PF3UH, PF5UH, PF6
PF8's
PF9
P5000 Series
"New" Reporter (was that the MF6AM ?)
They've certainly churned out some kit over the years !
A "Pye Nostalgia" web page would be nice - anybody planning one ??
Pete (GW0PJA)
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
******* Pete Baston, Buckley, Flintshire, U.K. *******
******* http://www.bearnet.demon.co.uk/ *******
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Marshall
In article <memo.19971126...@bik.compulink.co.uk>, Philip
Mellor <b...@cix.co.uk> writes
> AM25T was a later
>version and had transistor RX the same as the Cambridge.
I remember converting one of these to AM/FM; installing a Chinese-copy
of the FM10B Cambridge Tx oscillator/phase-mod circuit using a 12AT7 in
place of the 6BE6(?); fitting the FM10B FM IF and FM TX audio boards on
the inner sides of the case; and using the PA position to switch to FM
via several relays. Worked a treat; none of those nasty bodge FM-mods
which gave 10KHz peak dev and 1.5 average, i.e. stick a diode across the
xtal and feed it from the AM audio at low-level. Some of the early
signals through 'PI had to be heard to be believed.
> FM25B was FM
>version with transistor RX and valve TX with a 6-40 PA (and drew about 18
>amps on transmit...kept the dynamo in my Mini Van active!).
As did mine to the dynamo in my Imp van (AKA the 'red hedgehog' for
those who remember it).
Geoff Blake
Andrew Marshall (and...@g8bur.demon.co.uk) wrote:
: In article <memo.19971126...@bik.compulink.co.uk>, Philip
: Mellor <b...@cix.co.uk> writes
: > AM25T was a later
: >version and had transistor RX the same as the Cambridge.
: > FM25B was FM
: >version with transistor RX and valve TX with a 6-40 PA (and drew about 18
: >amps on transmit...kept the dynamo in my Mini Van active!).
The one that everybody seems to have missed is the UHF Vanguard (FM30U IIRC).
This beast used a QQZ06-40 and YL1130's and used to (nearly) stall the
alternator on my Triumph Herald (special fitment that!). Something like 30A
in for 20W out :-(
There was also a base station version, running the same QQZ06-40, but the
filament supply was from 50Hz! We did the original site tests from Danbury
for GB3ER with one. We hoisted the Tx/Rx to the top of the mast and used a
RCU at the bottom!
I also have fond memories of my Cossor CC303 - 50+ watts from a QQZ06-40 on
2m.....
Ah those were the days.....
Geoff
--
--
Geoff Blake ge...@palaemon.demon.co.uk linux 2.0.31
Chelmsford g8...@g8gnz.ampr.org i586
Intel create faster processors - Microsoft create slower processes
Philip Mellor
In article <EKBKu...@palaemon.demon.co.uk>, ge...@palaemon.demon.co.uk
(Geoff Blake) wrote:
> The one that everybody seems to have missed is the UHF Vanguard (FM30U I
> IRC).
> This beast used a QQZ06-40 and YL1130's and used to (nearly) stall the
> alternator on my Triumph Herald (special fitment that!). Something like
> 30A
> in for 20W out :-(
>
> There was also a base station version, running the same QQZ06-40
Wasn't this base station version green, and hence called "the green
monster"? The only time I saw one was when we had to get some customers
back on the air after the local residents had thrown their F461 base
station off the top of the block of flats where it was installed!
(Apparently it was interfering with the TV amplifier system).
Phil
Gareth Alun Evans
>> comments, hints, and tips as what to buy and what to avoid.
>> Oldest first:-
>
>
>> transistor Rx, dependent on age.
>
>always valved except the AM10P (so-called portable "Handi Cambridge"!!)
>where the driver stages were transistor with quick-heat versions of the
>3-10 in the output.
The Pye Ranger, the predecessor of the Cambridge had a valve Rx.
Jenny Bailey
> (Slightly) more modern:-
>
> Bantam
..and even more modern, the SRP8000 series.
I'm sure that you don't want to mention the infrastructure TN10X M200 M87
??
Jenny
~~~~~
TRowsby
In article <EKBKu...@palaemon.demon.co.uk>, Geoff Blake
<ge...@palaemon.demon.co.uk> writes:
>I also have fond memories of my Cossor CC303 - 50+ watts from a QQZ06-40 on
>2m.....
>
>
Was this the one with slide-in PCBs and 2kHz invertor whine?
Tony G4CQS
TRowsby
In article <memo.1997112...@jb.compulink.co.uk>,
jen...@jsquared.co.uk (Jenny Bailey) writes:
>I'm sure that you don't want to mention the infrastructure TN10X M200 M87
>??
>
>
What about the M70, M1000 and not forgetting the PC1
You'd have difficulty transmitting/receiving with these :-)
G4CQS
(Yet another Pye man!)
Geoff Blake
TRowsby (tro...@aol.com) wrote:
: In article <EKBKu...@palaemon.demon.co.uk>, Geoff Blake
: <ge...@palaemon.demon.co.uk> writes:
Yep, and 4K7 screen R's that that burnt out - and iffy edge connectors - and
a motorcycle version (5W?) and a 24V base station version.....
Geoff Blake
Philip Mellor (b...@cix.co.uk) wrote:
: In article <EKBKu...@palaemon.demon.co.uk>, ge...@palaemon.demon.co.uk
: (Geoff Blake) wrote:
Yep, that's the one.
Is it possible to get those same residents to do the same with some of the
local pager TX's....