SOBELL SC370

NOTES	Controls at the side of the cabinet, including simple radio tuning scale. This set shares a common chassis with a number of Sobell and McMichael sets. Visually similar to Sobell's previous model, the SC270, the set is updated with the new PCC89 in the tuner, while the old late 40's EY51 that had been the mainstay of sets all through the 50's was finally ousted by the new fangled EY86. An unusual feature of the set is the use of twin speakers, one mounted either side of the screen. The speakers are quite generously sized too so there is potential for this set to give quite a good sound especially in such a large (and largely empty) cabinet. As with a number of sets at the time a VHF radio tuner was incorporated for reception of VHF radio broadcasts. The tuner utilised RF circuitry that would also be used when operating as a television. Since the television signal required quite a wide bandwidth the resulting VHF radio was none too selective. This was not a problem in the early days with just "Light", "Third" and "Home" stations available but in todays jam packed VHF band I suspect the radio will be next to useless. One of the gimmicks incorporated in this set is an automatic contrast control which, it was claimed, automatically adjusted the contrast according to room lighting conditions. There is a flaw in the plan though ; when you walk up to the set to adjust the contrast on the side-mounted controls you'd walk in front of the sensor (located just under the "Sobell" name badge) ! An optional remote control was also available which could be fitted without having to modify the standard set.
SERVICE DATA	Yep. You can download it from the Sobell page.
CURRENT STATE	Pretty much complete, though the cabinet has faded and the finish on the top is peeling and there is a small tear in the fabric. But then the tambour doors still work and it even came with the original legs. All pretty dusty inside, the only signs of previous work being the fact that two of the timebase panel screws are missing as is one of the plastic thumbwheels that operates one of the pots - the vertical hold pot to be specific. Coincidently the lettering on the back panel for the vertical hold is also worn whereas the rest of the text is pristine. I wonder if this set had always been a bit a bit critical with sync; there is a local/distance setting that alters the sync operation and there is an addendum to the manual which states that if too much signal is present and "distant" option is selected (as is the case in this set) then the picture hold can be somewhat critical.
WHERE FOUND	A donation from a chap in Cheshire who even drove it down to Brum for me. Cheers John !
ADDITIONAL	This was the first television model that my parents owned and I've been on the lookout for years. When that set expired the top and bottom of the cabinet plus the legs were recycled to make a coffee table   Pictures from the family album.

I just don't know how they managed to cram it all in !