Pye Telecom
System Control in the 1960s
The PTC431 Controller
The PTC431 Controller
1960
1960
The PTC431 controller was designed to provide control of a VHF AM air-to-ground station where the transmitter and receiver units were sited separately.
The PTC431 controller was designed to provide control of a VHF AM air-to-ground station where the transmitter and receiver units were sited separately.
Two pairs of telephone lines were used to connect to the VHF radio equipment which could be sited up to 15 miles from the control operator position.
Two pairs of telephone lines were used to connect to the VHF radio equipment which could be sited up to 15 miles from the control operator position.
This controller was originally designed for use with the PTC3600 1K-Watt transmitter used in transatlantic ground-to-air communication with aircraft in transit between Newfoundland and Ireland.
This controller was originally designed for use with the PTC3600 1K-Watt transmitter used in transatlantic ground-to-air communication with aircraft in transit between Newfoundland and Ireland.
It was later adapted for use with other systems where the TX and RX were sited separately.
It was later adapted for use with other systems where the TX and RX were sited separately.
PTC957 & PTC958 Remote Controller
PTC957 & PTC958 Remote Controller
1963
1963
PTC957 & PTC958 Remote Controller (HF)
PTC957 & PTC958 Remote Controller (HF)
The PTC957 remote control unit was designed to give operator control of the Pye PTC790 60-Watt HF station over a distance of 15-20 miles.
The PTC957 remote control unit was designed to give operator control of the Pye PTC790 60-Watt HF station over a distance of 15-20 miles.
It provided send-receive switching, channel selection and modulating facilities over one telephone line.
It provided send-receive switching, channel selection and modulating facilities over one telephone line.
With the addition of a second line it would also remotely control the receiver Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) to aid the reception of CW Morse code signals.
With the addition of a second line it would also remotely control the receiver Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) to aid the reception of CW Morse code signals.
Custom Single Channel Desk-top Controller
Custom Single Channel Desk-top Controller
Up to 1969
Up to 1969
Custom Design Single Channel and/or Single Operator Control Units
Custom Design Single Channel and/or Single Operator Control Units
Although the long running PTC411 single fixed station controller was frequently modified for individual customer requirements, many other physical and electrical configurations were demanded by customers.
Although the long running PTC411 single fixed station controller was frequently modified for individual customer requirements, many other physical and electrical configurations were demanded by customers.
This led to the creation of a range of small desk-top operator control units with much of the complex remote-control electronics (termed common equipment) separately located in a 19-inch rack cabinet.
This led to the creation of a range of small desk-top operator control units with much of the complex remote-control electronics (termed common equipment) separately located in a 19-inch rack cabinet.
The example shown is a custom single channel desk-top controller from the 1960s.
The example shown is a custom single channel desk-top controller from the 1960s.
Custom Multi-channel and/or Multi-operator Control Units
Custom Multi-channel and/or Multi-operator Control Units
Up to 1969
Up to 1969
Custom Multi-channel and/or Multi-operator Control Units
Custom Multi-channel and/or Multi-operator Control Units
As radio communications systems evolved through the 1950s and 1960s, the need developed for multi-channel operation and multi-operator control.
As radio communications systems evolved through the 1950s and 1960s, the need developed for multi-channel operation and multi-operator control.
The standard practice in the Radio Systems department at Pye Telecom had been to design custom radio systems and equipment to satisfy each customer-unique operational requirement.
The standard practice in the Radio Systems department at Pye Telecom had been to design custom radio systems and equipment to satisfy each customer-unique operational requirement.
This practice resulted in a huge number of individual equipment variants, and was not economic.
This practice resulted in a huge number of individual equipment variants, and was not economic.
For complex multi-channel or multi-operator systems, a separate 19-inch rack cabinet of equipment would house the power supplies, line interfaces, switching equipment, dialling and ring-tone equipment, amplifiers etc. This was termed the Common Equipment.
For complex multi-channel or multi-operator systems, a separate 19-inch rack cabinet of equipment would house the power supplies, line interfaces, switching equipment, dialling and ring-tone equipment, amplifiers etc. This was termed the Common Equipment.
PTC RTC Remote Controller and PTC RTC (E) Extension Controller
PTC RTC Remote Controller and PTC RTC (E) Extension Controller
1963
1963
PTC RTC Remote Controller and PTC RTC (E) Extension Controller
PTC RTC Remote Controller and PTC RTC (E) Extension Controller
A long-running series of single-channel control units designed by a team led by Don Delanoy.
A long-running series of single-channel control units designed by a team led by Don Delanoy.
The equipment came in two basic variants:
The equipment came in two basic variants:
• one type for remote control of a fixed station transmitter receiver over GPO lines or links
• one type for remote control of a fixed station transmitter receiver over GPO lines or links
• one type used for extension control only
• one type used for extension control only
The operator control instrument could be the PTC4000 Tulip mic, or a telephone handset.
The operator control instrument could be the PTC4000 Tulip mic, or a telephone handset.
The equipment was replaced by the PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC5 series in 1971.
The equipment was replaced by the PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC5 series in 1971.
Early 5-station Controller
Early 5-station Controller
1963
1963
Early 5-station Controller design
Early 5-station Controller design
The early 5-channel controller, which had limited up-grade flexibility due to the design of the Common Equipment located in an adjacent rack cabinet.
The early 5-channel controller, which had limited up-grade flexibility due to the design of the Common Equipment located in an adjacent rack cabinet.
See image at left of the equipment mounted in control desk consoles in use with the Dumbartonshire Police circa 1967.
See image at left of the equipment mounted in control desk consoles in use with the Dumbartonshire Police circa 1967.
Later 5-station Controller
Later 5-station Controller
1969
1969
Later 5-station Controller
Later 5-station Controller
This new design of 5-station radiotelephone controller was introduced in 1969 to enable multi-channel radio communications systems to be controlled using a standard product, rather than create or a custom design or custom variation for each major contract, as had been done in the past.
This new design of 5-station radiotelephone controller was introduced in 1969 to enable multi-channel radio communications systems to be controlled using a standard product, rather than create or a custom design or custom variation for each major contract, as had been done in the past.
An essential difference from earlier designs was that additional radio channel control modules could be added at any time to both the control desk equipment and to the rack cabinet of Common Equipment with which it interfaced.
An essential difference from earlier designs was that additional radio channel control modules could be added at any time to both the control desk equipment and to the rack cabinet of Common Equipment with which it interfaced.
See image at right of the equipment in use with Surrey County Council Ambulance Service circa 1970.
See image at right of the equipment in use with Surrey County Council Ambulance Service circa 1970.
The equipment design was replaced by the Mascot 50 in about 1973.
The equipment design was replaced by the Mascot 50 in about 1973.
