GEC BC5645

GEC BC5645 radio. Cream and dark brown Bakelite cabinet with a gold mesh speaker grille above a black tuning scale and a knob at each end

The GEC BC5645 is a British valve radio introduced in 1956 by the General Electric Company. It is an attractive example of mid-1950s radio design and was one of the early British domestic receivers offering FM reception alongside the traditional medium and long wavebands.

The BC5645 was introduced at a time when FM broadcasting was becoming increasingly popular in Britain. BBC VHF/FM services had begun in 1955, and manufacturers were producing new radios capable of receiving these higher-quality transmissions.

The radio features a distinctive moulded Bakelite cabinet, usually seen in cream and dark brown or black, with a woven loudspeaker grille and an illuminated tuning scale. The tuning dial displays the names of European broadcasting locations, a familiar feature of British radios of the period.

SERVICE MANUAL PREVIEW

The original GEC service bulletin for the BC5645, which also covers the BC7445 radiogramophone, is available to members. Here's a taste of what's inside.

Front cover of the GEC service bulletin for the BC5645 and BC7445, with photos of the radio and the radiogramophone
Front cover
Circuit diagram of the GEC BC5645 and BC7445
Circuit diagram
Under view of the GEC BC5645 chassis with the components labelled
Under view of the chassis
Drawing of the tuning drive cord of the GEC BC5645
Tuning drive

These pictures are faded on purpose, just for this preview. Members get the complete service bulletin, unfaded, to view and download.

The service bulletin includes:

  • The full circuit diagram
  • The specification and valve line-up
  • How to dismantle the set
  • Step by step alignment for AM and VHF/FM
  • Valve voltage readings and valve base connections
  • Notes on instability and multipath distortion on FM
  • Drive cord and wavechange switch diagrams
  • Resistor, capacitor and coil data with part numbers
  • Notes on the record player in the radiogramophone

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