I have recently acquired a Pye reel to reel tape recorder. model # UG-7. I would date it perhaps from the early 60's.

Have done a Google search but have not been able to find anything.
I think it is an Australian model.

Looking for operating instructions as it does not have a play button !!
I am presuming this was a remote feature as there is a remote switch on the side for an accessory to plug in.
The microphone was with it but nothing else.
I know it's a long shot but If anyone has a remote play button they would be willing to part with, I would be very interested.

Thank you

Some good photos might help jog memories.

Thanks GTC

Photos sent to Brad for uploading.

Hello Pitchers.
Contact Kevin Poulter he worked for PYE Australia and may be able to uncover the info you need. My email is always open so send me a message and I can pass on his details.
Regards Carl.

Thanks Carl

I will send you a message

Photos uploaded to Post 3.

I don't think that there is a sophisticated remote at all as I am sure with that model when you put the LH switch to FORWARD it was then in Play mode immediately.

If you wished to Record you press that Record lever down and then set the switch to FORWARD and it goes into Record mode.

Fast Forward was set by pushing that RH lever to FAST and then setting the LH switch to FOWARD and away it went.

The remote socket as far as I can recall was a simple Footswitch so the thing could double as a Dictaphone.

They were quite good little machines but only Mono Half Track.

Lindsay

I agree with Kakadumh's comments. Play is simply Forward. The foot switch suggestion sounds right, too.

I had a recorder just like that, except it was a different brand and there was no indicator valve.

The main problem was rotten rubber.

To get inside, remove the 2 screws next to the reels, and there's another screw under the brown head-cover.

Thanks everyone
You have been most helpful.....

Have tried this and the speed doesn't seem to alter when you switch the forward lever and then flick the fast switch. It seems to be in fast forward all the time.
Does this indicate a broken drive belt ??

Any suggestions what type of drive belt this unit would take ??

The play speed is determined by the capstan and pinch roller, and they must be gripping the tape in play and record. You'll probably find they are not touching, but apart a little. I expect some grease will be needed for the parts between the fast switch and the pinch roller.

Also, it's possible to remove the outer cover of the capstan for cleaning. Make sure it's all there, otherwise it will never work*

The cover is held on by a thumbscrew at the top of the capstan*.

The pinch roller is rubber, and hopefully it hasn't rotted or gone hard.


*Hopefully I'm thinking of the correct machine... not 100% sure.

Re "The Speed doesn't seem to alter"

I think you will find that the takeup reel (RHS one is my guess) will spin quite freely when NO tape in the machine BUT will have greatly reduced torque as compared to when switched to FAST.

Just grab hold of the TU reel when in Forward mode and switch on and then compare the torque of that reel to when in FAST mode.

When there is tape in there the TU reel is often driven by a slipping clutch to smoothly takeup the tape from the small initial diameter to the larger diameter as the reel fills up.
Sometimes the makers simply dispensed with the clutch which was often troublesome and had a motor just dedicated to handle the TU reel .
Then by switching in a series resistance in Forward mode reduced the motor torque so the spool would fill up nice and snug. Then in FAST mode the motor got full power and had max torque enough to pull a full reel of tape from the LH reel to the RH reel spinning quite fast as it went.

There are many differing methods of driving capstans and getting the 2 reels to do the job.

A pic of the innards would help a lot.

Lindsay

Thanks Lindsay

I will try and get some photos of the inside.