Mullard continued, the MAS8 continued

This set is the last of the "Magicontrol" series of receivers (known as "Monoknob" for the Philips sets). This innovation was designed to make the operation of radio receivers easier. It was thought that many people were still worried by the number and complexity of controls required to operate a receiver, so a single control appearing on a cabinet might appear less daunting. This control operates rather like a joystick. Up and Down movement alters the volume, Left and Right movement adjusts the tone, circular axial rotation controls the tuning, and a concentric control at the rear of the receiver changes the waveband. Of course any combination of the above could be used for optimum listening pleasure. Now of course this is a very nice feature, but it is very difficult to execute. The method chosen was by use of Bowden cables linked to potentiometers. A Bowden cable is similar to the brake cable of a pushbike, consisting of stranded steel cord with nipples at each end to link to the appropriate levers. As if all this wasn't complicated enough, further cables are required to link a lever that alters a waveband selection indicator situated in a panel adjacent to the tuning scale. The complexity of the cables cannot be underestimated. For instance consider the tuning control - not only has the main tuning capacitor got to be appropriately rotated, but the cursor on the tuning scale has to be dragged back and forth exactly in line with the calibrated markings. The picture above shows a couple of the cables and the controls they connect to.  The top arrow indicates the cable (sleeved in brown) that operates the wavechange wafer switch.  The lower arrow indicates a cable terminated on a potentiometer, seen to the right of the arrow. The whole Bowden cable network was made all the more complicated by the fact that the tuning scale is hinged, and may be folded back into the cabinet when not in use.

My advice, don't buy a Monoknob/Magicontrol receiver unless all the controls are working. Once you have a working receiver - don't attempt any preventative maintenance on it! 

Continue to Pegasus (skipping the Murphy pages as they can be accessed directly from the buttons on the left)

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