Pam 500 information requested

[Pat Pending]

In my quest for the ownership of a Pam 710 radio, my searching has turned up a model 500 TV. As this is something of a minor milestone in TV development (first UK made set with a PWB I believe), and as its small monies, I'm taking the plunge.

I've not yet seen the set but it is described as "Physically in showroom condition inside and out (!) but displays a bright blank (noise free) raster with only a slight hum when the volume is turned up". That sounded like an easy repair, (famous lasts ) possibly somthing late in the IF, but I can't find even a circuit diagram to beg or buy on the net.

I wouldn't want to knife and fork my way through a repair, so a shove in the direction of some info would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading,
Cheers,
Andy.

[ppppenguin]

Taking a guess that it's really a Pye in disguise Jonz pages suggest that Trader 1379 might help: http://www.thevalvepage.com/tvmanu/pye/body_pye.htm

I'm sure that Pamphonica(Jeremy) will be able to confirm whether this set is pre or post Pye and perhaps have more details.

Jeremy references the set here: http://www.pamphonic.co.uk/html/pam_tvs.html
http://www.pamphonic.co.uk/pam_500.jpg

Done more hunting. The 1961 Trader index lists the Pam 500. Sheet 1294

[Pat Pending]

Thanks Jeffrey,
I don't know but believe it was possibly one of the test bed designs for technology that Pye didn't want to launch under its own brand?

I will have a look at that trader sheet.

Cheers.

[Terry]

It won't be "somthing late in the IF" as the sound take-off in a 405-line TV is much earlier. So, could be the tuner or the supply to it or even a supply problem affecting all of the low level circuitry except the timebases.

Unlikely to be much, though - could be as simple as the PCF80 has stopped oscillating.

[Pat Pending]

Just an off the cuff remark, haven't done a 405 for a couple of years, I'm more into radio now. You're quite right Terry, of course, I won't really know 'till I see it. Have only found one source of the trader sheet, and it will cost me a tenner to download, so I'll hold fire on that! (Every penny a prisoner).

[Pat Pending]

Panic over on the service data, a good friend has come to the rescue and is lending me some relevant info. It appears to me that these sets appeared about a year or so before the similar Pye models were released with printing wiring boards.

See what happens.

Cheers, Andy.

[ppppenguin]

That sounds like a typical Pye approach. As with the UK's first transistor radio, test the unproven technology on a secondary brand without risking Pye's reputation.

[pamphonica]

Pamphonic never to my knowledge actually designed any TVs. They took Pye chassis, even in the early 50s, and had much nicer cases made for them.
They might have made minor changes. (For instance they added good frame aerials to their versions of some late 40s Pye table radios).
Their expertise was in valve amplifiers from 10W PA right up to 2KW "shaker" amps. And speakers, especially PA "line source" types.
In 1955, Pye bought out the remaining half of Pamphonic it did not already own.
So the Pam 500 launched in 1956 is actually a Pam set made after it became simply a subsidiary of Pye.

As for a Pam 710, prices have soared recently. I know of an excellent one for sale by a UKVRR forum member. It was on his stand at NVCF. PM me if you want his details.
Given their rarity, I hope you have reasonably deep pockets!

Good luck with it - Pam sets are not all that common now.

Jeremy

[Pat Pending]

Thanks Jeremy.

I was aware of the link with PYE, and was led to believe in a conversation recently that they used the PAM branding to release the unproven technologies first to insulate the PYE name from any reliability issues or customer resistance.

I'm buying the little 17" set from a great chap who is a prolific local collector. He gets a lot of his stock from a couple of house clearance guys, and sells on anything that is no interest to him, but is in his opinion stuff worth saving, anyway, he knew I was on the lookout for a 710 as a companion for my Raytheon transistor portable I acquired a few months ago, so he rang and announced "Hi Andy, I've found a Pam for you".........the Bu**er! ........But as it is an example of early TV with printed wiring boards construction, and not at all expensive, I agreed to give it a home, with the permission of SWMBO.

As for the 710, I normally like the challenge of a little restoration, (I have some early Pye sets that are basket cases that at a push could donate parts). And I wouldn't pay silly money but........Um........ I wonder if the missus is buying any new shoes shortly?

Cheers,
Andy.

[Pat Pending]

......a supply problem affecting all of the low level circuitry

Just been and had a look at it. Really nice condition, it didn't look much used. Possible it died in infancy and was stored, it will need a recap, C66 is dead short, part of a triple 16uF under the chassis, and R79 O/C, (in the supply to the vision IF).

Now need to make some room on the bench to get it home, (and sneak it past Honeybunch, permission pending!)

Thanks all,
Andy.