Here are some images of my FH-7 mk III modular system as it converts from an AC powered static boombox to a midi system and then back to a fully portable DC powered unit. I find this unique little system fascinating as it dates back from 1985 and shows just what a healthy R&D budget from a big corporate can achieve.
Here are the component parts, an assembled ‘Portable’ unit with the AC power block installed. In this configuration it runs from the mains and was one of the most powerful boomboxes of the era at 25wpc output. It really has room filling power.
Also shown are the DC power block and PS-Q3a half size record player.
It’s a heavy beast at circa 20kg as the separate hifi components are mostly made from metal.
Next disassembly…removing the handle loosens the speakers which are lifted out
Removing the side brackets revels that the stack is comprised of a series of 4 separate components.
These can be reconfigured to a midi system arrangement with the record player added. The system was know as the ‘Heli’ with the PS-Q3a added.
Now to reassemble with DC power!
AC block removed.
You can see the big amp sections through the cooling grills, this is a really heavy component.
Now the DC unit is added
The interchangeable power blocks actually contain the entire amplifier section as well. Changing to the DC unit lowers the output while running on 12 D cell batteries. These DC units are supposed to be rare, I managed to find a boxed, unused one which is pretty amazing considering it’s 35 years old.
Now fully portable (cabling could do with abit of tidying) and massively heavy! I will weight it one day but I have a feeling it must be around 25kg in weight in its ‘portable’ configuration with all Those D cells. If you were going to take it to the park, best put it in the boot of a car to get it there!
This shot shows the condition of the DC power unit. It’s brand new, never been used compared to the rest of the units which have the patina of many years of use.
There you have it, the FH-7 mk III
Popular back in the day (although expensive)and followed by many other units but none to my knowledge with quite this level of flexibility with the option to be fully portable and the quality started to fall off into the 90’s. A unique little system. I am going to work on the condition of the various units and the belts need changing on the cassette and one speaker grille needs attention, eventually going to get it into tip-top condition.
Thanks for reading!
Here are the component parts, an assembled ‘Portable’ unit with the AC power block installed. In this configuration it runs from the mains and was one of the most powerful boomboxes of the era at 25wpc output. It really has room filling power.
Also shown are the DC power block and PS-Q3a half size record player.
It’s a heavy beast at circa 20kg as the separate hifi components are mostly made from metal.
Next disassembly…removing the handle loosens the speakers which are lifted out
Removing the side brackets revels that the stack is comprised of a series of 4 separate components.
These can be reconfigured to a midi system arrangement with the record player added. The system was know as the ‘Heli’ with the PS-Q3a added.
Now to reassemble with DC power!
AC block removed.
You can see the big amp sections through the cooling grills, this is a really heavy component.
Now the DC unit is added
The interchangeable power blocks actually contain the entire amplifier section as well. Changing to the DC unit lowers the output while running on 12 D cell batteries. These DC units are supposed to be rare, I managed to find a boxed, unused one which is pretty amazing considering it’s 35 years old.
Now fully portable (cabling could do with abit of tidying) and massively heavy! I will weight it one day but I have a feeling it must be around 25kg in weight in its ‘portable’ configuration with all Those D cells. If you were going to take it to the park, best put it in the boot of a car to get it there!
This shot shows the condition of the DC power unit. It’s brand new, never been used compared to the rest of the units which have the patina of many years of use.
There you have it, the FH-7 mk III
Popular back in the day (although expensive)and followed by many other units but none to my knowledge with quite this level of flexibility with the option to be fully portable and the quality started to fall off into the 90’s. A unique little system. I am going to work on the condition of the various units and the belts need changing on the cassette and one speaker grille needs attention, eventually going to get it into tip-top condition.
Thanks for reading!
