Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Cubdriver]

Nice catch.

Thanks, i really didn't want to spend a hundred on it but i knew i just couldn't leave that hamfest without it. Somethings you just gotta have, this being one of mine, and luckily for me it is in good physical shape.

Neo, these photos are nice, thanks for sharing them with us, with all those switches, pots and valve sockets in there you could use a whole tin of Deoxit on this alone   

I just might, thank you for your compliments on my pictures i put alot of work intro getting the best out of this cheap camera.

neo -

Based on things I've read on the Antique Radio forum, DON'T hose the switches down willy-nilly with contact cleaner - it can apparently soak into the phenolic wafers and cause leakage, potentially ruining the switch.

The recommendation there is to apply it sparingly directly to the contacts with a toothpick or small swab.

I'm not able to comment directly as to the validity of this advices, but given the value of the tube tester (you know you stole it, right?), I'd be cautious just in case.  And for that matter, don't clean the switches unless they need it.  Exercise them a bit first to see if that breaks any oxide film that may be present.

-Pat

[Specmaster]

Nice catch.

Thanks, i really didn't want to spend a hundred on it but i knew i just couldn't leave that hamfest without it. Somethings you just gotta have, this being one of mine, and luckily for me it is in good physical shape.

Neo, these photos are nice, thanks for sharing them with us, with all those switches, pots and valve sockets in there you could use a whole tin of Deoxit on this alone   

I just might, thank you for your compliments on my pictures i put alot of work intro getting the best out of this cheap camera.

neo -

Based on things I've read on the Antique Radio forum, DON'T hose the switches down willy-nilly with contact cleaner - it can apparently soak into the phenolic wafers and cause leakage, potentially ruining the switch.

The recommendation there is to apply it sparingly directly to the contacts with a toothpick or small swab.

I'm not able to comment directly as to the validity of this advices, but given the value of the tube tester (you know you stole it, right?), I'd be cautious just in case.  And for that matter, don't clean the switches unless they need it.  Exercise them a bit first to see if that breaks any oxide film that may be present.

-Pat

I have dosed many switches like that over the years with no problems at all, it may a reaction to type or brand of cleaner but I normally used Servisol Super 10 but it might not be available everywhere?

[bd139]

It’s fine on phenolic if it’s a zero residue cleaner. The other stuff isn’t.

[neo]

Nice catch.

Thanks, i really didn't want to spend a hundred on it but i knew i just couldn't leave that hamfest without it. Somethings you just gotta have, this being one of mine, and luckily for me it is in good physical shape.

Neo, these photos are nice, thanks for sharing them with us, with all those switches, pots and valve sockets in there you could use a whole tin of Deoxit on this alone   

I just might, thank you for your compliments on my pictures i put alot of work intro getting the best out of this cheap camera.

neo -

Based on things I've read on the Antique Radio forum, DON'T hose the switches down willy-nilly with contact cleaner - it can apparently soak into the phenolic wafers and cause leakage, potentially ruining the switch.

The recommendation there is to apply it sparingly directly to the contacts with a toothpick or small swab.

I'm not able to comment directly as to the validity of this advices, but given the value of the tube tester (you know you stole it, right?), I'd be cautious just in case.  And for that matter, don't clean the switches unless they need it.  Exercise them a bit first to see if that breaks any oxide film that may be present.

-Pat

Thanks for the advice. I don't tend to clean switches willy nilly, i tend to reserve it for when they need it and on this, due to your advice, i'll exercise extreme discretion. What about vacuum tube sockets? they are all fairly corroded.
Also i'm aware i got a good deal but is it really that good for an A model with an intermittent fault? I do know a working 539A that has been calibrated is asking 550, but this is presumably neither calibrated nor working.
goes back to ebay just to check prices HOLY SHITBALLS! One is similar condition to mine just popped up for 450, or close to 600 buy it now! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hickok-539-tube-tester/202417215982?epid=1330239149&hash=item2f210199ee:g:fycAAOSwuIRbhFUO

Neo......instruction manual here:

cfile27.uf.tistory.com/attach/1439D74350D118A9297269

Schematic here:

bama.edebris.com/manuals/hickok/539a/

Thanks, i already had a schematic though the instruction manual is much appreciated.   


More pictures, just cause.

[Cubdriver]

Yeah, Hickoks tend to go for stupid $$ on the 'bay.  For the tube sockets, I'd put the contact cleaner on a toothpick (for the small pin ones) or something larger (like a paper q-tip stick without the cotton) for the octal and older large 4- 5- 6- and 7-pin ones, and work it in and out to scrub the inside of the contacts.  Just be careful not to force them open too far so they subsequently don't grip tightly.  It's a fun balancing act.

-Pat

[neo]

Yeah, Hickoks tend to go for stupid $$ on the 'bay.  For the tube sockets, I'd put the contact cleaner on a toothpick (for the small pin ones) or something larger (like a paper q-tip stick without the cotton) for the octal and older large 4- 5- 6- and 7-pin ones, and work it in and out to scrub the inside of the contacts.  Just be careful not to force them open too far so they subsequently don't grip tightly.  It's a fun balancing act.

-Pat

Got any tips on what to look for? Or perhaps more aptly, where to look? It was described by seller as having an intermittent fault. I figure i'll start with replacing the old caps and then check the resistors.

[bitseeker]

HP 3478A owners that are interested in hacking their DMMs might like to check out this microcontroller-based extension project:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/project-extending-hp3478a-functionality/

I don't belong to the group of HP 3478A owners but I really do appreciate that interesting and smart modification through the GPIB port. Well done, kirill_ka!   

Even though I don't have a 3478A I bookmarked the link immediately after having seen the video of the extension working. 

Thanks for the hint, bitseeker!   

Always happy to share interesting stuff.

Uh, oh. Does that mean there's a 3478A on your shopping list now?

[bd139]

Boat anchor alert. Tektronix time mark generator UK pick up Christchurch

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283129809294

Don’t think I can afford to run that 

[bitseeker]

Based on things I've read on the Antique Radio forum, DON'T hose the switches down willy-nilly with contact cleaner - it can apparently soak into the phenolic wafers and cause leakage, potentially ruining the switch.

The recommendation there is to apply it sparingly directly to the contacts with a toothpick or small swab.

I've heard the same from folks who work on old radios. It makes sense since those wafers are made of paper or fabric impregnated with resin. You know what happens when paper/fabric gets wet...

Then again, I've seen some old radios full of oil, gunk, dust, and worse.

[mnementh]

Since all other relevant options appear to have been deprecated, I shall be forced to fenestrate you upon the tallest building within 3-33 km (roll D11 to determine) that Frenchmen (but not women, unless they are distractingly curvaceous, nor Saxons of any gender) from all walks of life may point and gawk!    Please gird your loins that small children are not scarred for life; this is a family exhibition. 

So, you wish to put Cerebus in a pierced window in a high building so that Frenchmen can look up on Cerebus and fall prostrate in worship? By Tarim, Cerebus approves! Ensure that there is adequate apricot brandy and enough wenches for the expected duration.

I shall fully eneavour to comply; so far I have 17 apricots and two wenches, one of whom is named Brandy. She promises to bring a case of Guinness and a friend who is French. likes to French kiss. Gender of said friend YTBT.

I'll keep you updated.   

[Cerebus shuffles off into the distance, muttering to himself]

"Just can't get the staff nowadays. Lord Julius tells Cerebus that beheading is not 'an appropriate disciplinary procedure'. Cerebus will have to talk to Lord Julius. Where did Cerebus put Cerebus' conversational sword and chainmail?"

[Ten Minutes Later]

"Why did Cerebus come to armoury? Where are Cerebus' reading glasses? Ooh, sharp, shiny..."

I see you've found Brandy's friend... the Guiness should be along any minute now, and it should be bringing Brandy, her sister Brandee, and her other sister Brandi.

When Cerebus orders a triple brandy he expects a drink, not a triplet of wenches and Cerebus did not order black ale!

So far on the spirits column, I have a cartload of Orange Julius Schnapps, an angry gentleman who was apparently run over by said cartload and is now haunting it, and a liter of Frangelico.

Cerebus will take the spirits in a stein. Have the idiot with the cart beheaded unless you can think of a more amusing punishment.

Also, "Leslie" from the Society for the Prevention of Parsley Placement on People's Plates in Public Places keeps calling for you but refuses to leave a message, and evidently news of your Green Garnish Crusades has reached the Vatican; you have a call from Pope Da'Gottago parked on the courtesy palantir in the West foyer just outside the armoury. I respectfully suggest you have clothes on before you answer this time; this IS a video call. 

Is "Leslie" what the bug is calling himself nowadays?

If the pope calls Cerebus will wear what he always wears, chainmail, medallions, a sword and, if it's been raining, a strange musky smell. If the pope doesn't like it remind him that Cerebus was once Tarim's "vicar on Palinau" and it wouldn't take much more annoyance today to make a pogrom to re-take that seat seem like a relaxing vacation.

So sir WILL actually be WEARING his conversational sword and chainmail this time? Thank Ifni.  Remember, sir DID put it in my contract that I MUST remind him about all matters of decorum, ever since the Knife Storm incident; Directive 23 slash D, m'lord.

*Empties liter of Frangelico into Earth-Pig-shaped golden mug* There's your hazelnut brandy in the meantime, sir. Feel free to indulge, throw it away, or set my head on fire with it like the last time. Fresh apricot brandy is on its way from New Sepra at greatest possible speed; it has been difficult to keep up local production with all our distillers moving away since you keep executing them for singing off-key, juggling poorly, not being Sophia, or having sideburns...

Beheading the spirit haunting your cart of Orange Julius Schnapps is proving both problematic and recursive sir; being a ghost killed via decapitation by the wheel of said cart the irony is not lost on him. We could have him banished to the seventh sphere... I'm sure Suenteus Po would love his gibbering.  Or I could just empty the cart and have it sent to the far side of Palnu...

If you're ready for lunch I can have a menu sent up; or would you prefer to kill something fresh yourself today?

mnem
Next, on As the Aardvark Turns...

[xrunner]

Boat anchor alert.

Someone needs to make up a good bright icon for "Boat anchor alert" so when scrolling through the thread we can more easily see it. 

[Specmaster]

That maybe but...your not teaching em to swim damit, you just give a light spray to the contacts and work the switch, before you know it the contact cleaner has evaporated if your going to completely almost immerse the things in a bath of contact cleaner then you deserve all that you get, just need to use a little common sense here thats all folks.

[Specmaster]

So sir WILL actually be WEARING his conversational sword and chainmail this time? Thank Ifni.  Remember, sir DID put it in my contract that I MUST remind him about all matters of decorum, ever since the Knife Storm incident; Directive 23 slash D, m'lord.

*Empties liter of Frangelico into Earth-Pig-shaped golden mug* There's your hazelnut brandy in the meantime, sir. Feel free to indulge, throw it away, or set my head on fire with it like the last time. Fresh apricot brandy is on its way from New Sepra at greatest possible speed; it has been difficult to keep up local production with all our distillers moving away since you keep executing them for singing off-key, juggling poorly, not being Sophia, or having sideburns...

Beheading the spirit haunting your cart of Orange Julius Schnapps is proving both problematic and recursive sir; being a ghost killed via decapitation by the wheel of said cart the irony is not lost on him. We could have him banished to the seventh sphere... I'm sure Suenteus Po would love his gibbering.  Or I could just empty the cart and have it sent to the far side of Palnu...

If you're ready for lunch I can have a menu sent up; or would you prefer to kill something fresh yourself today?

mnem
Next, on As the Aardvark Turns...

[bitseeker]

Boat anchor alert.

Someone needs to make up a good bright icon for "Boat anchor alert" so when scrolling through the thread we can more easily see it. 

Here's a quick composite.

[mnementh]

Based on things I've read on the Antique Radio forum, DON'T hose the switches down willy-nilly with contact cleaner - it can apparently soak into the phenolic wafers and cause leakage, potentially ruining the switch.

The recommendation there is to apply it sparingly directly to the contacts with a toothpick or small swab.

I've heard the same from folks who work on old radios. It makes sense since those wafers are made of paper or fabric impregnated with resin. You know what happens when paper/fabric gets wet...

Then again, I've seen some old radios full of oil, gunk, dust, and worse.

Another word of advice: Before you spray ANYTHING  in that unit, make sure to remove the setup roll FAR away until EVERYTHING in the unit is dry. Even if you don't actually hit it while spraying, it is nigh impossible to work on in that confined space without at some point brushing up against those rolls with hand or arm. If whatever you touch it with happens to be contaminated with cleaner...


Cheers,

mnem
Conversely, flamingos.

[bd139]

Boat anchor alert.

Someone needs to make up a good bright icon for "Boat anchor alert" so when scrolling through the thread we can more easily see it. 

Here's a quick composite.

Perfect!!! 

[xrunner]

Here's a quick composite.

Mark it "project completed"! Now if we can just get it added to the emoticon list.

What is it - a boaticon? 

[bitseeker]

A more concise, and lower-bandwidth, option.

Mark it "project completed"! Now if we can just get it added to the emoticon list.

What is it - a boaticon? 

I don't think it'd get added as an emoticon. However, one could use the image URL at the beginning of an appropriate post (rather than re-attach the file each time).

[mnementh]

Yeah, Hickoks tend to go for stupid $$ on the 'bay.  For the tube sockets, I'd put the contact cleaner on a toothpick (for the small pin ones) or something larger (like a paper q-tip stick without the cotton) for the octal and older large 4- 5- 6- and 7-pin ones, and work it in and out to scrub the inside of the contacts.  Just be careful not to force them open too far so they subsequently don't grip tightly.  It's a fun balancing act.

-Pat

Got any tips on what to look for? Or perhaps more aptly, where to look? It was described by seller as having an intermittent fault. I figure i'll start with replacing the old caps and then check the resistors.

A trick I came up with a lifetime ago while working in the AV lab... an old phosphor-bronze wound Low-E or A guitar string cut into 4-6" lengths makes an excellent socket-contact scrubber. A little of your favorite Bakelite-safe contact cleaner dripped on the wire, work it gently up & down & around inside the contacts and you're good without fear of damaging the contacts or spreading them.

Cheers,

mnem
*Back to the grind*

[mnementh]

A more concise, and lower-bandwidth, option.

Mark it "project completed"! Now if we can just get it added to the emoticon list.

What is it - a boaticon? 

I don't think it'd get added as an emoticon. However, one could use the image URL at the beginning of an appropriate post (rather than re-attach the file each time).

If you remove the rope/cable and the background so it's just an alert triangle... that's something that could reduce to icon size and still be recognizable.


mnem
*Not anchored in reality*

[Cerebus]

If you're ready for lunch I can have a menu sent up; or would you prefer to kill something fresh yourself today?

No lunch, Cerebus is going to be in conference for a few hours preparing for this evening's Diamondback game.

[neo]

Yeah, Hickoks tend to go for stupid $$ on the 'bay.  For the tube sockets, I'd put the contact cleaner on a toothpick (for the small pin ones) or something larger (like a paper q-tip stick without the cotton) for the octal and older large 4- 5- 6- and 7-pin ones, and work it in and out to scrub the inside of the contacts.  Just be careful not to force them open too far so they subsequently don't grip tightly.  It's a fun balancing act.

-Pat

Got any tips on what to look for? Or perhaps more aptly, where to look? It was described by seller as having an intermittent fault. I figure i'll start with replacing the old caps and then check the resistors.

A trick I came up with a lifetime ago while working in the AV lab... an old phosphor-bronze wound Low-E or A guitar string cut into 4-6" lengths makes an excellent socket-contact scrubber. A little of your favorite Bakelite-safe contact cleaner dripped on the wire, work it gently up & down & around inside the contacts and you're good without fear of damaging the contacts or spreading them.

Cheers,

mnem
*Back to the grind*

I was asking what to look for in terms of potential problems. Though that is some pretty good advice if only i played guitar and had strings lying around.

[bitseeker]

If you remove the rope/cable and the background so it's just an alert triangle... that's something that could reduce to icon size and still be recognizable.

Yeah, for an icon, definitely simplified.

[PA0PBZ]

I just might, thank you for your compliments on my pictures i put alot of work intro getting the best out of this cheap camera.

Thanks for sharing these nice pictures, I can almost smell your catch

[xrunner]

Yeah, for an icon, definitely simplified.

We gotta get that added to the emoticons! If you don't ask I will!