This might be of interest and then again it might not! Maybe you had one back in the day as they were quite popular.
Some images of my FH-7 modular system as it converts from a AC powered 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.
Also shown are the DC power block and PS-Q3a half size record player. It’s a heavy beast at circa 20kg.
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-Q3 added.
Now Reassemble with DC power.
AC block removed.
You can see the big amp sections through the cooling grills
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 to around 6 Wpc running on 12 (twelve!) D batteries. These DC units are very rare, I managed to find a boxed, unused one which is pretty amazing considering it’s 35 years old. Lower output, no cooling required.
Now fully portable.
There you have it, the FH-7. Popular back in the day and followed by many other units but none with quite this level of flexibility. A unique little system.
