Retro-Lux Ferguson 219A User Manual

USER MANUAL

for

Ferguson 219A

Project No. 5055

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd Page 1

High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 2

2 Power Connection ............................................................................................................. 2

3 Controls ............................................................................................................................. 3

3.1 On-Off Volume ........................................................................................................ 3

3.2 Bass .......................................................................................................................... 3

3.3 Tuning ...................................................................................................................... 3

3.4 Treble ....................................................................................................................... 3

4 Bluetooth Operation .......................................................................................................... 4

5 Care and Cleaning ............................................................................................................. 5

5.1 Positioning the Radio ............................................................................................... 5

5.2 Cleaning ................................................................................................................... 5

6 Guarantee .......................................................................................................................... 6

7 Specifications .................................................................................................................... 6

8 History ............................................................................................................................... 7

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd Page 2

High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

1 Introduction

Thank you for buying one of our beautiful radios! We hope it will provide hours of trouble­free, high quality entertainment.

Your radio is easy to set up and use and, with a few simple precautions, will continue to
look good and operate efficiently for many years.

2 Power Connection

The power mains power connection is via
an IEC connector fitted at the rear. Insert
the supplied power lead and connect to a
mains outlet. Switch on the supply at the
mains outlet, and then operate the mains
switch on the unit. The switch will
illuminate if power is present, which
means that the unit is in standby mode.

If your radio is equipped with rechargeable
batteries, this is also the batteries will now
be charging. Charge the batteries for at
least 2 hours before running on batteries
alone.

If the switch fails to illuminate, first check that the mains supply is present, then disconnect
the supply and check the fuse in the mains plug and the unit inlet connector. In the unlikely
event that any of the fuses have blown the unit may be faulty.

WARNING

ELECTRIC SHOCK RISK

This unit contains no user serviceable parts.

Under no circumstances remove the rear panel with the mains

voltage connected.

Fuse

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

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High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

3 Controls

The radio controls are as shown below:

3.1 Bass (Left Hand Side)

Turn fully anti-clockwise to increase bass and clockwise to decrease* .

3.2 Treble (Left Hand Side)

Turn fully anti-clockwise to increase treble and clockwise to decrease*.

3.3 On-Off Volume (Right Hand Side)

Turn fully anti-clockwise to turn the radio off. Turn clockwise to firstly switch the
radio on, then continue turning clockwise to increase volume.

3.4 Tuning (Right Hand Side)

This is decorative only and moves the tuning dial indicator.

* Note that ‘reversed’ operation is more intuitive when the controls are mounted on the

left hand side.

On – Off

Volume

Tuning

Bass

Treble

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd Page 4

High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

4 Bluetooth Operation

The radio requires an audio signal from a Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, tablet,
laptop or PC. If your device is already paired with an audio device such as headphones or a
hands-free headset you may have to un-pair it first.

Please refer to your device’s instructions to place the unit in scan mode to scan for
Bluetooth devices. With your device in scan mode, turn the volume control up by about
one-third, switch the radio on to standby mode at the power inlet, and then turn on using
the front panel control.

You should hear ‘Bluetooth Mode’ from the radio, and the device named ‘YET-M1’
should appear in the list of available devices on your Bluetooth device. Select ‘YET-M1’

to pair with it and, if prompted, enter ‘0000’ as the code. You should then hear ‘Paired’

from the radio.
Play some audio from your device and you should hear it through the radio. After pairing

for the first time the two devices should pair automatically when you power up the radio
unless you actively disconnect, or un-pair it from your device.

If you have difficulty pairing you may have to turn off the radio at the front panel then turn
on again to initiate the pairing process, and reset your device to scan mode.

The range of the Bluetooth receiver in the radio is about 10 metres. Outside this range you
may experience drop-outs, especially if you are in another room, although reception is
good throughout an average family-sized house.

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd Page 5

High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

5 Care and Cleaning

5.1 Positioning the Radio

Do not allow this product to be exposed to water, steam or sand. Do not leave your
radio where excessive heat could cause damage such as in a parked car or in a
conservatory where the heat from the sun can build up even though the outside
temperature may not seem too high. Do not position the radio close to a radiator or
other type of heater.

Your radio should not be exposed to dripping or splashing water and no objects filled
with liquids, such as vases, should be placed on the radio.

It is recommended to operate the product such that there is a minimum distance
(10cm recommended) to adjacent objects in order to ensure good ventilation. The
ventilation of the product should not be restricted by covering it, its ventilation
openings or heatsink with items such as newspapers, tablecloths, curtains etc.

No naked flame sources such as lighted candles should be placed on or near the
product.

Do not place this product in an area which receives direct sunlight, as this can cause
fading to the finish.

5.2 Cleaning

Your radio will only need cleaning from time to time with a soft duster or lint-free
cloth. Splashes and other marks can be wiped with a damp cloth.

Under no circumstances use household cleaning products, solvents or cleaners as
they are liable to damage the finish. Do not use silicone based polishes.

Your radio has been sealed with a modern synthetic varnish and polished with
furniture wax, which provides a long-tasting durable protection. The wax finish can
be refreshed with energetic buffing. Occasionally apply a thin coat of wax and buff
to a high sheen, but avoid frequent over-waxing as the wax layers can build up
trapping fine dirt and dust which dimishes the appearance.

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

Retro~Lux is a trading name of Contrelec Ltd Page 6

High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

6 Guarantee

This product is guaranteed for six months from the date of delivery to the original owner
against failure due to faulty workmanship or component breakdown, subject to the
procedure stated below. Should any component or part fail during this guarantee period it
will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

This guarantee does not cover:

 Damage resulting from incorrect use
 Products which have been altered or tampered with externally or internally
 Consequential damage

Any claim under this guarantee should be made by contacting Retro-Lux or the dealer from
whom the product was purchased to see if the problem can be rectified. Should it be
necessary to return the product for repair or replacement instructions for its return will be
provided by Retro-Lux.

These statements do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.

7 Specifications

Power Supply

Input Supply

220-240 VAC 60W, 50/60 Hz, inrush < 50 A peak @ 230
VAC, cold start @ 25C

Batteries

None fitted - fitted on request

Amplifier

Power Output

20W RMS / 30W Music Power

Mode

Mono

Distortion

2% at maximum power

Audio Source

Internal Bluetooth receiver

Tone Control

Volume proportionate loudness, separate bass and treble tone
controls with cut and boost

Loudspeaker

Type

6.5 inch Dual Cone Full Range

Impedance

8 ohms

Frequency

50Hz - 18kHz

Power

50W RMS / 100W Peak SPL @1W/1m: 90dB

Dimensions

Width

52cm (including knobs at side)

Depth

21cm

Height

39cm

Weight

9.3kg (excluding batteries)

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

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High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

8 History

The Ferguson 219A AC mains valve radio
was originally made around 1948 by
Ferguson Radio Corporation Ltd of London.
The set is housed in a veneered plywood case
with inset dial bezel and gold speaker grille.

The set was controlled by means of four
controls located 2 each side. On the left hand
side was the on-off/tone control and volume.
The right hand side had the waveband
selector and tuning control.

The set was capable of receiving short, medium and long wave bands. It had an internal 8"
paper cone loudspeaker. Internally the components were mounted on a blue painted steel
chassis.

This model was in quite good condition when we received it. There was the usual amount
of damage to the varnish, and the usual layers of muck and grime we usuually find.
Internally, it had some unusual features: the chassis was painted a nice colour blue, the
loudspeaker was enclosed in a black cotton drawstring bag, and some of the knobs had
extensions fitted to reach the internal controls.

The case was stripped, and cleaned up. There is a large bevel around the fornt panel
components which was re-painted, and the dial glass had a bezel which was re-finished in
dark brown. The case itself was stripped back to bare wood and chips repaired. It was then
re-varnished and polished to bring out the natural beauty of the veneers which, on the
sides, were the thinnest we have ever come across having been worn through in one or two
spots.

Internally the components were stripped from the chassis and the chassis itself stripped of
the old paint and re-painted. The dial glass presented some problems as the legend was
flaking off at one end. The tuning mechanism was left in place.

The proprietary Retro-Lux PSU, Power Amplifier and Tone Control PCB circuitry was
installed, together with a high-performance 6.5", full range, dual concentric 50W
loudspeaker. A replacement back panel to meet modern regulations completed the upgrade.

There is a mains switch on the rear, and the controls have been assigned as follows: on the
left are the tone controls (treble and bass) and on the right is the on/off volume control and
the tuning dial control (which moves the pointer but is decorative only).

USER MANUAL Ferguson 219A Project No. 5055

Contrelec Ltd T/A

High Wycombe ● Bucks ● England

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.retro-lux.co.uk

The information contained in this document is offered in good faith

and believed to be correct at the time of issue, but may be subject to alteration and amendment.

Content and images Copyright © 2015

Retro-Lux Vintage Audio Products (Contrelec T/A)

All rights reserved.