Fi-Cord
101S. Portable reel tape
recorder. Produced in the early 60s by “Stellavox”, Switzerland. Compared with most other
similar devices of the time, made it a very high
quality. It contains all the functions of the full tape,
such as stabilization of the speed tape, fast forward
and rewind, built-in microphone, he is a speaker, the
tape counter. In the battery compartment has a stub jack
(3,5 mm) for remote control. Among the enhancements
provided an external amplified speaker to connect which
has contacts in the edge. Recorder dimensions 152 x 84 x
42 mm. Weight around 800 g. Power 3 v, two AA batteries.
Coils with a diameter of 5 cm (2 inches) can hold the
tape in 25 minutes of recording. The body is made of
anodized aluminum, in Swiss style carefully, with lots
of beautiful chrome-plated screws. Design of course is
not modern, but not to find fault with anything,
everything is thought out and functional. Kinematics is
as good as the exterior. The original mechanism is made
very high-tech. Such as a mechanic I've only seen in a
series of voice recorders "Minifon", made in Germany
from 1951 to 1962. In the kinematics of the Fi-Cord used motor
with electronic speed stabilization. The active elements
of the stabilizer speed are two transistor AC153 and
incandescent lamp, which also is an indicator of work.
For her, made a special box next to the tape counter. In
the kinematics using two rubber belts. One of the
main, flat, transmits motion to the winding assemblies,
and the original flywheel consists of two parts,
rotating in opposite directions. In fact, this two
wheel, one above the other on the same axis. Second
belt need for tape counter. Very interesting
pinch roller. It is made in the form of a flat pulley with
him wearing a rubber ring. In general kinematics
provides good stabilization of the speed of the tape. For the accelerated deleting record the special rack
with a magnet is stipulated. She is between coils and to
take advantage, it is necessary to fill a tape in
appropriate way. Erase head
is also replaced the magnet, but for such a recorder
that is enough. Fast forward and back is controlled by
one button. To use it required some skill, as well as
the speed and direction of the fast depends on the depth
of its pressing. All buttons 3 - listen (playback),
record (write), forward & back winds (fast forward and
rewind). In order to fix any buttons down the need to
push it forward until it stops and down. Such simplicity
is not perceived as a nuisance. In general, the
mechanics are fine, which can not be said about
electronics. Such a simple electric circuit I have not
seen in any known to me the recorder (except
Tinico).
Amplifier is built on three germanium transistors
(ES3124 - 1 pc., ES3125 - 2 pcs.) And one transformer,
not including capacitors and resistors. The quality of the microphone
(he is a speaker) leaves much to be desired. Sensitivity
is not enough, and for the normal recording is necessary
to use an external microphone. As a speaker he is too
weak. To hear something, we must hold it directly to the
ear. It is better to use headphones. Incidentally, the
volume control in the scheme is not provided. In
general, given a good stabilization of the speed,
quality of voice recording can be considered good.
In order to bring the machine in working condition
required replacement dry electrolytic capacitors, and a
rubber ringlet pinch roller. Also had to clean the battery
compartment, which contained mercury batteries flowed
Mallory Duracell type ZM-9 to 1,4 v.
Date of manufacturing on áàòàðåéêàõ, unfortunately is
absent.
Photos can be enlarged
Demo
video
For recorders Fi-Cord 101 produced
external speakers with a volume control and amplifier
for three transistors (AC128 - 2 pcs., OC75) and one
transformer. Photos of his
design are located at the bottom of the page.
Sounds like a mini speaker
loud enough
In the photo below, the Fi-Cord 101
mini-speaker design with an amplifier
In the 1950s and 1960s, large-capacity
mercury batteries were used.These batteries were in my recorder when I
bought it.Of
course they were with leaked electrolyte
