ETRONIC HV203

Etronic were a small outfit that didn't enter the television field until late 1948. The HV203 was only their second model and in total they only produced a handful of models before going out of buisness at the start of 1952. Indeed I wonder how many sets they made, as this one is serial number 435.

The HV203 was launched on the eve of the start of transmissions from Birmingham and was available for either London or Birmingham. However it is still a T.R.F. design. Even more backwards is the fact that although the set has EHT derived from the line output stage there is no boost diode which by this time was almost universally fitted by other manufacturers.

Although there are only two controls visible on the front, a little door just below the screen hides a further four "occasional" controls (line and frame hold, contrast and at the time the all important interference limiter).

A larger screen version, the HV204 was also produced using a 12" M*zd* C.R.T. In order to be able to use the same cabinet as the smaller screen model Etronic adopted a similar method to that used by Peto Scott (see their TV92) where the screen surround was made using a seperate wooden section that could be replaced to suit the CRT. Except ... Etronic also briefly produced a model HV209B using a smaller 9" CRT. Instead of fitting a different wooden section, silk screen print was applied to the glass to cover up the space ! My guess is the HV209B was introduced due to shortages of the 10" Cossor CRT's as this small manufacturer probably had to use whatever parts they could get. This is also apparent from the valve line-up, an odd mixture of Mullard, Brimar and Cossor valves. You also you don't often see the manufacturer's labels on assemblies such as the Elac focus unit (I'm sure I've seen an Elac advert aimed at the home constructor somewhere ... ?).