Anyone got BVWS Bulletin for Autumn 1997 please?

[Yorkie]

A bit of a long shot I must admit, but I wonder if anyone has by any chance got the BVWS Bulletin from Vol 23, issue 3 (Autumn 1997), which is prior to when I became a member. If so, I'd be most grateful for a scan of the article therein, which covered the Ekco A77, though to what extent I've no idea. The A77 is electrically similar to the Ekco AC97, which Gary Tempest painstakingly restored and comprehensively covered in a splendid eight-page article in Autum 2008, which I have. However, it would be nice to have the article which specifically covered the A77.

(Back issues do sometimes pop up at the NVCF so I'll keep a look out there).

Many thanks for reading this request.

[Radio Fixer]

I have this David.

It is an article written about the design of cabinets, Chermayeff etc. Pictures of cabinets, small mono, finishing in the factory, and advertising blurb. Nothing technical in it.

Is this of interest? easy to scan if you still want it.

Gary

[Yorkie]

I have this David.

It is an article written about the design of cabinets, Chermayeff etc. Pictures of cabinets, small mono, finishing in the factory, and advertising blurb. Nothing technical in it.

Is this of interest? easy to scan if you still want it.

Gary

Hi Gary,

Many thanks for going to the trouble to dig out the Bulletin.

As I suspected, it's not going to be of any help, but as I said in my post, at least I have your excellent AC97 article to fall back on.

Still not checked out the AC77 to see if things like the mains transformer, OPT, field coil etc are intact. Could be an expensive proposition with little to show at the end of it - it's not really a sought after Ekco and I've no room to put it on display or to use it. The only appeal is that it would be a total stripdown and re-build, which would be an enjoyable challenge, but that said, very time consuming, so I'm lukewarm about it.

I've had it since about 1980 up in the loft, so ironically, it's spent almost half it's life with me, gathering dust!

[Radio Fixer]

If the cabinet and dial are good its worth doing, not for value but enjoyment if restoration gives you that from the hobby.

A total strip is not too bad, get the chassis and metal parts done during the warm months and then have the pleasure of rebuilding it during the long winter days.

I imagine being Ekco that it was painted? I have just completed a rebuild after a total strip and re-spray. I didn't think I was going to have to take everything off and so had repainted lots of it. But it would have been better to have made the decision first off and had it all re-plated in old nickel. Much more durable when putting back together and no precaution needed with earth bonding.

Even if the Ekco is painted you might consider having it plated first. Its an easy way of getting all the rust killed.

Some years ago I had all the metal done for a radio and it was about £25.

If you really feel luke warm about it its probably better to let some one else have it. That's always been the best thing for me when faced with similar radios.

Gary

[Yorkie]

Thanks for the advice and guidance Gary.

Yes, I think the chassis was painted rather than plated. What colopur spray do you usually use please?

I think a major factor in my considerations will be if the mains transformer and OPT are OK. I'm not so much bothered about the field coil - I could rewind that. I know it needs a new dial from Ben, which will be £30+ inc post - an excellent price, but I can see how the cost of this radio could spiral skywards, though it's a hobby, and we must pay for our fun. I have to say that I'm inspired by your AC97 restoration!

[Radio Fixer]

Well thank you for the nice words about the article and the AC97 restoration.

An almost perfect match chassis paint for that was Halfords Ford Dove Grey.

Of course if you do restore it the BVWS would welcome an article as a follow on to the two excellent ones that are in the latest (Summer) edition!

Gary

[Yorkie]

Thanks for the info Gary - in the past I've tried gunmetal metallic and 'steel wheel' but neither look right. The two chassis (main and PSU) on the A97 you did look excellent.

Thanks too for the thumbs up on the two articles in the Summer Bulletin - praise indeed from such a prolific contributor over many years! At least if I did set about the A77, it wouldn't be yet another 'I changed all the paper caps and fitted a new UL41' jobbie! I was rather hoping that someone else had got there before me, (you for example!!), but it looks as though I'd be first out of the traps if I do dive in and get to work on it.