Marconi R1155 Communications Receiver
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2024
- This is the famous Marconi R1155 Communications Receiver as used in the Lancaster bomber aircraft. This is a quick demo of the radio working plus a look around the chassis.
www.radio-workshop.co.uk/
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At the age of 15 and starting an interest in radio and SWL back in the early 70's I spotted one of these in a second hand shop marked up at about £15. Mentioned it to a Ham who lived nearby and he said he would help with any work it needed. Armed with this positive backup I raided my piggy bank and found I was a couple of quid shy. Ok "Dad what jobs can I do If you sub me the difference?" His reaction was "why do you want to buy second hand Tat". He took me upto Tottenham Court Road in the area where at the time was a large number of electronics outlets to a Schlumberger Heathkit outlet and topped up my money to over £30 and bought me a kit. The Heathkit SW717. A great little learning project. Soldering, construction, being methodical. Learning how it worked. It worked and after all these years still works (with some minor repairs and improvements), but I still wish I had bought that 1155. The heathkit wasn't a patch on those old war time sets.
I often visited Tottenham Court Road, happy days! OK on the Heathkit etc. Yes, I agree. Cheers, Ray.
I traded for an R1155L, which was a more general purpose model of the basic 1155 receiver. At night I would plug in a set of headphones and listen to Radio Moscow, Radio Japan, Voice of America and others too numerous to list. How I miss those days!
Excellent!
Wow Ray, you were certainly waffling on this one!
I look at it this way. Whether it is ugly or not, that is NOT the issue. It is the history of the radio that is important. On board the Lancasters in WWII.
I would be proud myself to own that piece of valuable history.
Take care my friend,
Tom
Hi Tom, I've just watched the video and you're right... Talk about waffle, haha! But it is an important part of history and I do treasure it. Cheers, Ray.
A few years late but I didn't miss much. The vandalism, removal of the DF section, addition of a 6V6 audio amp inside the case!, goodness knows where you put the by-pass caps (3 per canister) etc, all adds up to a ..mess.
Ugly now but a decently restored set looks great. Your lack of interest even extended to confusing the tuning knob mechanisms (you have the earlier variant).
Properly aligned, the set performs very well against such sets as the National HRO Sr through to modern gear. It's no slouch.
An R1155 I use in the Antipodes has no trouble raising mates in the UK and elsewhere around the world. I wound a new external rotating DF antenna (as per AM plans) and together with the long wire (trailing) antenna it well demonstrates the DF function with the dual meter.
All external connections (including the DF dual meter mentioned above) are made via the front Jones sockets onto the plugs, as per usual and this keeps it uncluttered.
My external PS in a smaller metal (black crackle paint) box has period AM meters to monitor HT, bias and plate current. The 6V6 audio amp is located there, too, as well as soft start circuitry to help valve life.
You owe it to the 55,000 to fix it. 🙂
I started with one of those in 1974 when I was 12 years old. I should have kept it !
I got rid of stuff in the early days... wish I hadn't!
Great receiver. I remember using her sister receiver during the Vietnam War, the R1051.
A lovely radio! I like the R1051, great radio. Cheers, Ray.
Ray you are a fantastic fellow and you would be a great neighbor. That said I think your radio is amazing in every possible way. It is living history and many versions of this radio were used during WW2. In Canada the RCN used a version of this radio at their listening station outside Moncton, New Brunswick. It reported directly to Bletchley Park via under sea cable. Now that is history my friend.
Wow, that really IS history! Thanks for commenting, I really appreciate it. Cheers, Ray.
I think that to a radio ham owning an 1155 is like owning a Gandolfi camera to a top photographer. Thanks Ray.
Hi Simon, glad you like the video. It really is a nice receiver, despite my moans. Cheers, Ray.
I used to see those magic eyes in things back when I was a kid and was always impressed with them somehow. The latest use of one I remember was in a tape recorder, and I think it showed your recording level - you wouldn't want to set it so it was closed too much or you'd be saturating the internal amplifiers, I think. I'm guessing, but I think that's how it worked. Somewhat marvelous. Thanks Ray and 73s. -john (KC1DIW)
+John W MacDonald The magic eyes were magical... That's right, they were used to set the record level on tape recorders and the tuning on radios. Cheers, Ray.
It's packed full of goodies. Nice old unit.
I had a similar experience with the Collins 75A-4. As a teenager, I had heard it hyped up so much that it took on an incredible image in my mind. Then, when I borrowed enough money to buy one, I was quite disappointed. The sensitivity was poor, it would overload easily, AGC was too fast for SSB, original mechanical filters were lossy, etc. I sold it and never bought another.
I think there was a lot of hype about military gear back then, that was far removed from reality!
I'm young to know about them, but to me the boat anchors here are Collins, and Halicrafters where guys younger than me the old radio for them is the Yaesu "Frog 7".
Boat anchors-----try an R C A A R 88--!!
HA I can just feel the 16 year old's disappointment when he got it home and it performed like your Lafayette. I must say, born in 1970 I'm obsessed with having a dial like this on something even if it winds up being a signal generator stuck in a corner... just a must have, you know. Speaking of Lafayette: I got my Tech ticket after playing with CB for years off and on and feeling as though I'll stay focused on radio indefinitely now. I've played with 10m with a 25-30MHz mobile, the locals on 2m and 70cm repeaters with some intention for low earth orbit antenna making, and am studying General class for HF (I feel I'll be an HF guy most of all, as large waves titillate me). I'm saving for, say, a Kenwood TS on EBay, but it will be a little while until those two things come together and I'm ragchewing with, well, perhaps the likes of you. Until then, I was considering takign a $50 chunk out of my TS savings for a SW receiver to play with long antennae on my property. Debating this, I came across a guy with $15-$20(US) receivers at the flea market right across the street! Roach pod encrusted, mistreated, pathetic things. I got the Lafayette Star-Fire VI portable because it had the most range (including "SW3" so it has MW thru 23MHz consistent). I can't believe it I"m so happy. $15 later, I'm already picking up SW stations just the telescopic. I'm assuming the external antenna jack (1/8") is "hot" middle inside (or the small tip/end of the male) and grounded around outside of that (rear/longer part of the male). I can't wait to make a longwire or doublet! Better off without SSB for now or I'd go crazy wanting to chime in with hams :) Thanks and we love your videos, 73, W4VEY
Jeff Burris ii
My dad was a w/op in wellingtons and used these. It was my first receiver as well. He told me they swapped these for american sets that were loads more sensitive but first time they landed it knocked the lot out of tune so went back to the 1155 and its tx as they were more robust 😂... happy days
Happy days, indeed!
Many thanks for yet another enjoyable video, which brought back memories. Mine was quite good (tons better than the 19 set I started with), but later I got hold of an AR88D which I found to be superior in performance (and looks!) - a very heavy beast mind!
Ah yes, the AR88...an amazing piece of kit!
Well Ray I used to collect and modify the R1155 I would cycle to Colloes yard Twickenham on a butcher's bike ,also I built a couple of Amplifiers using the the 813s also built BFO to resolve sab, would also reactivate Carts & the EM 34 s was busted by the POST OFFICE Inspectors while operating for csusing Diatherme (rfi)to the neighbours stereos Pie Bush Cossor Murphy Echo ers back in 1950s
I am Mel G4WMP
Happy days, indeed! The Post Office guys... Hmm, I remember them well! Cheers, Ray.
Hi Ray
Was the t 1131 ground tx its partner.
A big old rack job used by the RAF for communications back in the the day Bob Ashford kent
It was the T1154 I think.
hi ray you may think that it a ugly duckling but, is is a beautiful piece of English history !! I love it!! I have 4 army sets from hallicrafters and 1 hammarlund from the ww2 and now mater how they play and sound, they are still alive thanks to good folks like you!! and all the great folks keeping this alive!! thank you so much for sharing!! ed from ohio [ps hope you get this garbage+] lol
It's an important part of British history, that's true, and I do treasure it. I love all the old military gear, I just wish I'd kept the many sets I've let go over the years. All the best, Ray.
A bloke I used to work with (about the same age as us) told me that he had one when he was 16ish, he built a transmitter to go with it and used it in a local net. However it was an unlicensed pirate net and he got busted by the GPO. They fined him a weeks wages and crushed the radio, I cant believe they would commit vandalism as a punishment?
m_l_hill2002 they used to confiscate radios but I’ve not heard of smashing them.
That's when radios were radios.. Nice
Hi Ray,
I watched John's latest "mish mash" video and decided to drop by. I think your 1155 is a really nice piece of WWII history. I would be proud to own one. I has that cool military look! Anyway, being from the U.S. I noticed the can of good ol' WD40 on your bench and your shop felt familiar some how. Anyway, I enjoyed your video and hope to see more.
Kindest Regards,
Pat
Hi Pat, it's nice to hear from you. Glad you liked you R1155 video, it certainly is a receiver steeped in history. WD40, where would we be without it? Cheers, Ray.
Hi Ray. Very nice sets. My uncle started his amateur 'career' with one of these. I picked up an 1155 few days ago as a restoration project. It's been modified with an RF gain control, internal power supply and a more powerful audio output stage. I have reformed it and it works except that it hums a lot and completely drowns out any audio when the AF gain is turned any further than half way up. It also seems to distort the audio such that voices sound very much like daleks. Had you any suggestions as to how to fix these issues?
Many thanks
Hi Liam,
This isn't really my area as I've not had a great deal to do with the R1155 radios. I assume the HT smoothing caps are OK?
Cheers,
Ray.
Ray Heffer Hi Ray.
The smoothing cap does need replacing. It has leaked all over the surrounding wiring and inside the case. Furthermore I had a problem where a large resistor behind the wave change switch started to burn, caused I think by the now failed smoothing cap. Hopefully when replaced, it will have eliminated the hum.
Many thanks again
Liam
Hi Ray. I was recently given one of these R1155s on the understanding that I do a full and sympathetic restoration. All of the rubber wiring insulation has crumbled away, so it will need rewiring for a start. The dial is very faded so a friend has made a new copy (from a scan of the original) in photoshop. The perspex window has also gone so brown and opaque that I'll need to mould a replacement. Already tried a good clean and polish. Anyway, there is a lot of red ink over the chassis and internal components. Do you know why this is? Would it have been splashed inside when the radio was declared War Department surplus?
Thanks Jon. G4VFT
Hi Jon, it sounds like a nice project. I don't about the red ink, if you find out let me know. I will ask around and try to discover its meaning. Good luck with it and do keep me posted. Cheers, Ray.
Since you don't like it, I will get it out of your way. :)
Tom
I'll hang onto it for a while ... 😄
HI Ray ... What kind of antenna are you using ? 73
s52ab Hi, I'm using about 70 feet of wire. I also use a doublet antenna for transmitting and receiving. Cheers, Ray.
Hey ray great radio, BTW the haircut looks alot better. And you do a very good job doing the video in general. even if you or others call it waffling. I think it gives the whole thing a less sterile feel, other than just giving the specifics about the equipment, and ending it...Great job don't change anything... peace to you
Hi Billy, thanks for your comments. I'm glad you like the haircut, haha! I try to keep things light-hearted and I'm pleased that you appreciate that. Is it too early to wish you a happy Christmas? Cheers, Ray.
Well, interesting old thing, thanks for showing it to us Ray.
Nice one Ray... I've done several of these and I actually agree with you! There are better receivers but the R1155 has taken on legend! I always thought the Eddystones were a bit deaf too!
Hi Dave, nice to hear from you. A legend indeed. I agree, the Eddystone is a little deaf. Cheers, Ray.
YES the issue
This video made me throw my brother's Marconi R1155 in the river. He was mad as HELL but I told him I was doing him a favor. Some people are just ungrateful.
Hi Ray. I've gotten a few things like that before. It's a let down when you realize what you were told about some piece of equipment just isn't that true. Thank you for sharing. And take care.
Hi
Where can I find schematics of such receivers ?
Thanks
Elico
I have seen them on the Internet. A Google search should come up with something.
Too funny. Keep those bloody videos coming.
Tom
Glad you like the vids, Tom. And a little humour haha!
nice informative video.
Thanks, Mike.
I had one years ago and was disappointed with it☹️
The fact you have 5 of them must mean you really hate the receivers ( just a joke )
I'm not sure how I ended up with five!
@@g4nsj I know I have two RCA 88s one upstairs and one down brought one for £50 years ago with matching speaker, headphones I should really replace all the capacitors in them
@@davids8449 That's a job for the winter evenings.
Had one back in the1970's. Fully working, lost interest and dumped it at the local council tip. Such a waste. Also scrapped many huge old domestic valve radios back in the day. Salvaged a few bits such as valves and knobs. Still have my Grandma's old DAC90 though. Might even still have the circuit diagrams for the 1155 somewhere.
I'm with you Ray it is ugly