Lavoie Laboratories

[GK]

Picked this lot of goodies up on Sunday in a little country town 110km away. One Tektronix 545B oscilloscope (already have one but figured it can't hurt to have another), one Type L vertical plug-in amplifier, one 067-0521-00 plug-in calibration fixture, two Type K vertical plug-in amplifiers, and, finally, the real curiosity in the package; two LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifiers. With the exception of a 6DJ8 in the 545B having a broken envelope, which I have replaced, every item seems to be more or less fully functional straight up, but just internally dusty as fark from sitting around for years in a shed. However nothing has been battered or abused and they should all clean up real well. Yahoo.

The LA-265-CA plug-ins were not made by Tektronix and are badged "Lavoie Laboratories, Morganville N.J.". From what I've found with Google, Lavoie was a Military contractor, who manufactured a few items that were very close copies of Tektronix products. Anyone ever seen one of these before or know how rare they are? I haven't had any luck finding any substantial technical data (schematics, etc) but for a quick visual inspection it does seem to be very similar in tube complement and control functions (and presumably circuitry as well) as the type CA plug-in by Tektronix. However, if this was supposed to be an improved second source of that venerable old Tektronix design, it's disappointing they didn't add a GND position to the input coupling switch! It's a real pain having to re-connect the cro probe to earth every time a ground zeroing is required. Especially so as the Type CA, being an entirely tubed design, slowly and continuously DC drifts a substantial degree, even when fully warmed up (I know as I operate a pair).

[N2IXK]

From what I've found with Google, Lavoie was a Military contractor, who manufactured a few items that were very close copies of Tektronix products.

Yep. Close enough that Tektronix sued the US government and the clone manufacturers over the situation, and won after nearly 2 decades in court...

http://www.plainsite.org/flashlight/case.html?id=784183

http://www.vintagetek.org/2011/03/tektronix-court-of-claims-case-est-finis/#more-493

[GK]

That's amazing. This site here: http://www.edelpro.com/TektronixScopes/tek.html has a picture (towards the bottom) of the Tektronix 500 series oscilloscope-compatible LA-265-CA vertical amplifier plug-in, along with a Levoie LA-265A oscilloscope, which is almost an exact replica of the Tektronix Type 545A oscilloscope.

[dbacon]

Hello N2IXK,

I am currently working on rebuilding a Lavoie LA-265A oscilloscope.  It's in pretty rough shape as it's been stored in a barn attic for the past 35 years.  It looks as if it were used as a hotel (and bathroom) for mice all those years.  But considering the interesting history of this oscilloscope I think it's worth cleaning it up and bringing it back to life.

The LA-265A probably isn't worth very much, but I'm sure I'll find great value in the journey to learn about it's inner workings and to restore it. 

I already have an original service manual for the LA-265A which will be a huge help.

The biggest issue I have is that it didn't come with any vertical plugin units.  Would you be willing to sell me one of your LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifiers?  Or would you know where I could get one?  I also have a service manual for a LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifier so it doesn't need to be in working condition.

Thank you for your consideration,

Dave B.

[vk6zgo]

This bloke has one of the Lavoie clones among his collection:-
http://jvgavila.com/

Jose's website is enjoyable reading for Test Equipment freaks,as is Kurt's Tektronix page:-
http://www.w140.com/kurt/tek.html

Kurt has an interesting comment regarding a " Hughes Memoscope",which appears to have very similar plugins to those of the 500 series Tek Mainframes.

[EB5AGV]

This bloke has one of the Lavoie clones among his collection:-
http://jvgavila.com/

Jose's website is enjoyable reading for Test Equipment freaks,as is Kurt's Tektronix page:-
http://www.w140.com/kurt/tek.html

Kurt has an interesting comment regarding a " Hughes Memoscope",which appears to have very similar plugins to those of the 500 series Tek Mainframes.

I take bloke as a nice word   

Yes, I got that Lavoie some years ago. Now I don't recall if the plug-in it has is a Tek or not. Now I need to go to look at it  . More to come!

Regards,

JOSE (EB5AGV)

[EB5AGV]

I have checked and my unit has a Tektronix 1A1 plug-in. It came that way, so for sure it is compatible.

A clone is a clone

Regards,

JOSE

[vk6zgo]

"Bloke" is definitely a nice word in your case,JOSE!
Great to see you on this forum.
Folks,this "bloke" is a font of information on repair of Test Equipment,Ham Radio,or whatever!