Vacuum Tube Curve Tracer (The FUtracer)

[KungFuJosh]

I think it came out pretty awesome.

[mawyatt]

Agree, very nice indeed

Best,

[snapper]

Idea, software, firmware and hardware mostly stolen from roland dekker's project µ-Tracer 3
and then badmouthing the developer, i just find people like that to ......

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/project-vacuum-tube-curve-tracer-(the-futracer)/msg3833570/#msg3833570

[KungFuJosh]

Idea, software, firmware and hardware mostly stolen from roland dekker's project µ-Tracer 3
and then badmouthing the developer, i just find people like that to ......

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/project-vacuum-tube-curve-tracer-(the-futracer)/msg3833570/#msg3833570

Simply not true. I paid to have better firmware programmed from scratch (and helped with the development of it). I designed better hardware. The software is also 3rd party, and has nothing to do with Roland.

This all happened, as I've explained, because my experience with Roland's setup was terrible, and his attitude was worse. I don't care if you like me or not, but don't make stuff up.

Oh yeah, nothing about this "idea" is original. That schmuck didn't invent tube tracing. 🙄

If you don't have anything to add to the conversation, then don't join in!

[KungFuJosh]

I liked the laser version, but I decided to try out their silkscreen service. I gotta say, I like it.

[electrolust]

Just a tourist, but 2 ideas come to mind.

1. pluggable tube adapters in a single universal port, rather than individual, fixed/specific ports.

2. binning/matching function in the software.

ref http://www.hagtech.com/pdf/vacutrace.pdf

[KungFuJosh]

Just a tourist, but 2 ideas come to mind.

1. pluggable tube adapters in a single universal port, rather than individual, fixed/specific ports.

2. binning/matching function in the software.

It's not a bad idea, but Nick (who made the firmware & GUI) had a similar idea. He designed a relay board with 7, 8, and 9 pin sockets (one of each), and the board is entirely controlled by the GUI.

It's a functional idea, but increases the cost (and size) and isn't for everybody...yet. I may go that route in the future, but for now, this covers everything I need to trace (and more).

Thanks,
Josh

[KungFuJosh]

Okay, so pluggable adapters is necessary sometimes. I recently needed to test some subminiature tubes for a tube mic that needed a tube with more headroom.

I found a subminiature to octal tube adapter, then I used my laser to mark the holes to match my EL34 socket. It worked out great:


(none of the pins are actually touching each other, it's an optical illusion)

[mawyatt]

Nice!!

Best,