Pye Telecom

Mobile Devices in the 1950s

Pye PTC112

1950

Pye PTC 112 was a second generation low-cost remote-mount radiotelephone.

This was created by taking the receiver module from the PTC114 and fitting a low power transmitter into the unused space.

This equipment was used by local fire brigades and ambulance services who did not cover such wide geographical areas as police forces, which used Home Office radio sites.

Transmitter power output 5 Watts.


Pye PTC116 Reporter

1951

Pye PTC116 Reporter second generation low-cost dash-mounted radiotelephone.

The earlier PTC108 was replaced by this much more sophisticated design, which used the receiver section from the PTC703 fixed station, designed by George Smith.

The PTC116 is shown here with the PTC409 Test Set used for maintenance purposes by the Pye Telecom Service Department.

The Pye Reporter was in production from 1950 to 1963 and always sold for a price of £85.

Transmitter power output 1-2.5 Watts.

Pye PTC2000/8000 Ranger

1955

The Pye PTC2000/8000 Ranger dash-mounted mobile radiotelephone enabled twice as many radiotelephone channels to be fitted into a given frequency spectrum.

The Ranger series included dash-mounts and both low and high power remote mounts during its long life from 1955-1963.

Ranger mobiles were constructed from three separate chassis, and this flexible construction allowed the technology platform to be used in many other equipment designs.

A later version used a transistor power supply. Transmitter power output 4-10 Watts.

Pye PTC2000/8000 Ranger - Remote Mount


1960

The first UK Mobile Car Phone System was opened in Lancashire in 1960.

The Pye Ranger PTC2000/8000 remote mount version was used as the basis for this public correspondence system.

Mobile users could call an operator who would connect them to the telephone number of their choice.

A normal two-way telephone conversation then took place.

Transmitter power output 5 Watts.