As Doug has mentioned, I suspect all your VCR's may be UHF RF out only. The back of the VCR may provide a clue, the older VHF machines usually have a switch to select between one of two channels.
The UHF machines often have a screwdriver adjustment with a variable output frequency.

I just checked, the National NV-L15 is UHF only so it is no good for the old B&W TV's. The Goldstar is probably UHF as well.

A hint when looking up National products online, search using the Panasonic brand. National was in limited use and in most countries they used the Panasonic brand only. That's how I looked up the NV-L15 specs.

You'll need to keep looking for an OLD VCR! Otherwise, try some of the options already mentioned previously.

Hi Andrew, bugger. That confirmed my suspicions of the National. The Goldstar is VHF though, as it has a switch on the back to select between channels 0 & 1 for output.

The search for a VHF modulator continues, especially since I've lost my Jaycar one, and ended up with two more VHF-only televisions over the last few days - a 1980s National TR-602A and a 1960s Astor R11P-7.

I've been broadening my search, but have mostly been greeted by NTSC modulators and modulators designed to run off ~110V, 60Hz American standard.

Chris

Hmm, not sure why the Goldstar won't work. It may have a faulty modulator which is why it was thrown out.

What is your budget for a RF modulator?
You might also consider buying an old VCR. The National NV-300 to 700 series VCR's are early to mid 1980's machines that are often cheap to buy. They are quite reliable as well.

The Goldstar was thrown out because it has a fault in the tape deck or accompanying electronic circuits. When you insert a cassette tape, it plays it for a couple of seconds, before stopping and ejecting it. It originally used a remote controller, and as such, has very minimal controls on the front. This complicates things!

My budget for a modulator is towards the "beginner/amateur" end of the spectrum. I did see a couple of 1980s top-loading VCRs (one a Sanyo, not Sony, Betamax machine) - but they were very large machines. As such, I had no way to get them back home.

Chris

(one a Sanyo, not Sony, Betamax machine)

Sounds like the mighty VTC9000. They weighed a tonne and you couldn't squash one with a D9 bulldozer for any money.

I have about 50 western movies still on Beta tapes. I just wish the machines were still cheap to obtain. Good HiFi stereo Sonys that are freshly serviced can go for more than $500 on Ebay. These are films that aren't currently available on disc too, otherwise I'd just buy those.

Hi Chris,

I recently purchased this VHF modulator from Wagner Electronics in Sydney. It was $60 delivered. I can't vouch for it's quality as the HMV TV I purchased it for still has a problem.

http://www.wagneronline.com.au/ProdDetails/USERSEARCH=MODULATOR_VHF....

This is the better quality unit which also does UHF but there is a cheaper one which does Channels 0 and 1 only.

Hope this helps,

RadioDaze.

I just bought one of these, they are confirmed good for VHF. There are a few people selling these under different names and colours but they all look exactly the same. Mine is Blue. The only gotcha is they have F type connectors rather than Belling-Lee.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GOG-RF-Modulator-/281073674737?pt=AU_Television_Accessories&hash=item41714be9f1#ht_1563wt_867.

I recently bought one of those (a "Household" brand in blue), for about $55. It's a great unit, and I'm pleased by it's performance and ability to output into both VHF and UHF bands.

Chris