Metalwork - Lathe and Mill topics: June 2025

Monday, 30 June 2025

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

At an Amateur convention recently I picked up two Marconi 2955 units that had been stored in farmer brown's shed for years.

1) All self test failed. Required 4x 4k7 resistors + 2x 220uf 25V capacitors. Unit is in calibration when compared to a 2024 NATA calibrated 2955R and Agilent E4421B signal generator.

2) Full of millipede carcases. No corrosion except small section on rear panel, was fully operational (some scope waveform trigger problems). Old FW was updated but had to include the CAL chip all from another unit. Scope problem was edge connector cleaning. So some calibration was required and manually its a painful process but as my time is retired and worth Zero, its a labour of love.

A testament to the good design Marconi, their designers and the reliability of normal components like R, C, IC and relays. I marvel at the green CRT quality and both 100% usable after 30+ years.

End result is two units destined for the metal scrap bin are now usable and in fact more than very good. Sought after for anyone testing RF and radio equipment.

With the good info from groups.io and using the technician brain you cant beat repairable in my books.

maxwelloau

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

A vintage German broadcast receiver that I have uses a grounded metal vane on a rotating shaft in the vicinity of the main tuning capacitor to create a fine tune control. Moving the vane closer to or farther away from the tuning capacitor changes the capacitance enough to make a decent fine tuner. One would need to take care that it can't actually touch the main capacitor of course. I thought it was pretty darn clever when I saw what was going on.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:19:13 -0600
"Bob Isselhard K5INW via groups.io" <robertisselhard=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

> It should. It will probably vary more the higher frequency you are working with. But try to find a small value cap. Might be fun to try different ones to see which one is best for you in your application
>
>
>
> On Jun 30, 2025, at 4:16 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hello Bob
> > I love your idea, it appears to e the simplest solution, I was just wondering if it would work on all bands.
> > 73
> > --
> > Alan
> > AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

It should. It will probably vary more the higher frequency you are working with. But try to find a small value cap. Might be fun to try different ones to see which one is best for you in your application

On Jun 30, 2025, at 4:16 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Hello Bob

I love your idea, it appears to e the simplest solution, I was just wondering if it would work on all bands.

73

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Hello Bob

I love your idea, it appears to e the simplest solution, I was just wondering if it would work on all bands.

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Craig

As I recall, HP used the same setup on their 200 series oscillators. You can fabricate one using a long shaft potentiometer and a rubber grommet.

make sure the potentiometer is the type with the metal housing held on by folded metal tabs.

make sure the grommet fits snuggly on the shaft of the potentiometer, I am sure you can see where I am going with this.

disassemble the potentiometer and discard the housing which holds the resistive wire element

cut the wiper end off of the shaft with a hacksaw, keep the shaft as long as possible, you can trim it later after the final fit.

file off the burrs and reinstall the shaft into the potentiometer collar and push the grommet onto the shaft at the end where the element used to be. The knob goes on the other end.

once you see how this works, it is a simple task to determine proper placement and drill the hole for mounting the home made vernier.

I hope this helps

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Why not do it electronically rather than mechanically? Mount a small value variable capacitor on the main capacitor to keep stray inductance from the leads down, and tune it thru an extension, either plastic or an insulated cable type. Simply put a collar on the front panel to run a shaft through and put a knob on it. Start your tuning with it in the middle so you can vary it equally either way to walk your frequency right to where you want it. This of course assumes you have waited the appropriate amount of time so the internal heat has stabilized and is not a factor. And it assumes your generator is not drifty due to other factors. My .02.

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

A larger knob replacing the tuning knob would be a big help. A knob with a large plastic back, as on the General Radio precision capacitors makes precise freq adjustments easy. Clear plastic, it can even cover part of the frequency display. See Photo https://www.grwiki.org/wiki/1422-CB#/media/File:GR_1422-CB_Close-Up.jpg

John KK6IL

On 6/30/2025 1:00 PM, Craig Rowling KY4PI via groups.io wrote:

Thanks Alan. If you would please send me the instructions/information on that rubber wheel design. Something like that would be excellent and exactly what I was trying to achieve. The shaft that is used to select the output frequency is to course trying to set it to the exact frequency is nearly impossible. For hypothetical example if wanting to set for 14.000.00 mhz to do an alignment on a radio I can never get it correctly set. Something like you described to change the turn ratio for lack of better terminology would be great. Thanks Craig

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On Monday, June 30, 2025, 2:12 AM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Hello Craig, I looked at the Eico 324 schematic and did not see any easy way to incorporate a fine tune function, however, assuming that the unit has the frequency stability to make fine tuning practical, it may be accomplished in a similar fashion to how Hewlett Packard did it on the 606B oscillator using a small shaft with a rubber wheel which engages the larger dial of the tuner. Anything else would be quite a challenge IMO.

On the question of equipment, I cannot ship units due to the lack of proper shipping boxes with high density foam. The units I have are big and heavy, example: HP 8641B, HP8510C, HP8642A, HP8565A, HP8568A etc.

I am sure that you can find units of equal value much closer to home and have the opportunity to check them out and pick them up, nothing I have is rare. I also have some parts which are no longer available from HP/Agilent/Keysight like

"Bill West" switches, NOS and such. if you need any parts for a repair.

73

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Craig

I do not have drawings, I am simply recalling from the last time I worked on one which was years ago.

I may have something in my parts bin that could work. I am recovering from field day but will take a look this afternoon and see what I can find.

I will let you know

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Thanks Alan. If you would please send me the instructions/information on that rubber wheel design. Something like that would be excellent and exactly what I was trying to achieve. The shaft that is used to select the output frequency is to course trying to set it to the exact frequency is nearly impossible. For hypothetical example if wanting to set for 14.000.00 mhz to do an alignment on a radio I can never get it correctly set. Something like you described to change the turn ratio for lack of better terminology would be great. Thanks Craig

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

On Monday, June 30, 2025, 2:12 AM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Hello Craig, I looked at the Eico 324 schematic and did not see any easy way to incorporate a fine tune function, however, assuming that the unit has the frequency stability to make fine tuning practical, it may be accomplished in a similar fashion to how Hewlett Packard did it on the 606B oscillator using a small shaft with a rubber wheel which engages the larger dial of the tuner. Anything else would be quite a challenge IMO.

On the question of equipment, I cannot ship units due to the lack of proper shipping boxes with high density foam. The units I have are big and heavy, example: HP 8641B, HP8510C, HP8642A, HP8565A, HP8568A etc.

I am sure that you can find units of equal value much closer to home and have the opportunity to check them out and pick them up, nothing I have is rare. I also have some parts which are no longer available from HP/Agilent/Keysight like

"Bill West" switches, NOS and such. if you need any parts for a repair.

73

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Hi Craig,

Re EICO 324 tuning.

I am able to tune my 324 to the frequency I need (HF range) with no problem. I have the output connected to an old freq counter.

Have you tried cleaning / lubricating the bearings in the variable cap? If this doesn't work, you could try attaching a vernier drive.

Here are a couple of lower priced ones I saw on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256887310681

https://www.ebay.com/itm/276887948394

I used something like this on another rig with good results.

73,

Dave KA1EDP

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Sunday, 29 June 2025

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Hello Craig, I looked at the Eico 324 schematic and did not see any easy way to incorporate a fine tune function, however, assuming that the unit has the frequency stability to make fine tuning practical, it may be accomplished in a similar fashion to how Hewlett Packard did it on the 606B oscillator using a small shaft with a rubber wheel which engages the larger dial of the tuner. Anything else would be quite a challenge IMO.

On the question of equipment, I cannot ship units due to the lack of proper shipping boxes with high density foam. The units I have are big and heavy, example: HP 8641B, HP8510C, HP8642A, HP8565A, HP8568A etc.

I am sure that you can find units of equal value much closer to home and have the opportunity to check them out and pick them up, nothing I have is rare. I also have some parts which are no longer available from HP/Agilent/Keysight like

“Bill West” switches, NOS and such. if you need any parts for a repair.

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Alan I meant to send this photo for suggestions of how to make a " fine tune" option that wouldn't require a rebuild of the mechanical design. I ask because it's difficult to lock it to a frequency with the adjustment knob. Craig Inline image

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I On Sunday, June 29, 2025, 11:31 PM, Craig Rowling <crowling63@verizon.net> wrote:

Alan, btw what do you have for equipment? I am always interested in gear that I can buy. I bought an old tube eico signal generator at a hamfest last year and spare set of tubes for it. I love the older stuff like that. Do you have an inventory? Craig

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On Saturday, June 28, 2025, 12:47 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:
Craig

I see your point, but…. It reenforces a typical stereotype that old equipment is not as useful or as good as newer equipment, which I am sure many people here will disagree.

New equipment has less hours and most is microprocessor controlled which is nice if you want to just push a button and let the machine figure it all out. Older equipment required at least a basic understanding of the process, valuable back then to old timers like myself, but apparently, not so much to the younger generation.

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Alan, btw what do you have for equipment? I am always interested in gear that I can buy. I bought an old tube eico signal generator at a hamfest last year and spare set of tubes for it. I love the older stuff like that. Do you have an inventory? Craig

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, 12:47 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Craig

I see your point, but…. It reenforces a typical stereotype that old equipment is not as useful or as good as newer equipment, which I am sure many people here will disagree.

New equipment has less hours and most is microprocessor controlled which is nice if you want to just push a button and let the machine figure it all out. Older equipment required at least a basic understanding of the process, valuable back then to old timers like myself, but apparently, not so much to the younger generation.

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Hello Mark,

I should say that all the DATABASE section is currently just automatically imported data from 2019, when the Group moved from Yahoo, and I guess it has little use. It was a feature of the Groups.io system that, back in the day, was included with all groups.

I don't want to fill the Group with more messages about this topic, so we could discuss that privately. Just send an e-mail to the owners of the Group (using the link at the bottom of all messages) and we can comment this idea.

All in all, what seems clear is that there is plenty of old test gear around and it may still have some use, which is great!

73 Jose EB5AGV

Amateur Repairs Group co-owner

El 28/06/2025 a las 22:16, Mark Casazzza via groups.io escribió:

ATTENTION GROUP OWNERS!!!

I see we have database capabilities within the group. It seems there are a lot of us that would love to help old items find a new home and perhaps even a new life on a bench. I suggest setting up a database of people who would be open to buying such items with rough locations so folks can find us. It also seems like the existing database may need a review and reorganisation. A wiki could also be a great asset. I'm happy to help with the grunt work if needed.

Mark Casazza

http://casazza.net
Home of the Clear Sky Alarm Clock and Tonight's Sky

--   73 EB5AGV - JOSE V. GAVILA - La Canyada - Valencia (SPAIN)     http://agvradio.com  AGVradio     http://jvgavila.com  Personal WEB

Saturday, 28 June 2025

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

ATTENTION GROUP OWNERS!!!

I see we have database capabilities within the group. It seems there are a lot of us that would love to help old items find a new home and perhaps even a new life on a bench. I suggest setting up a database of people who would be open to buying such items with rough locations so folks can find us. It also seems like the existing database may need a review and reorganisation. A wiki could also be a great asset. I'm happy to help with the grunt work if needed.

Mark Casazza

http://casazza.net
Home of the Clear Sky Alarm Clock and Tonight's Sky

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

You have a mirror on the work benches

don

From: Amateur-repairs@groups.io [mailto:Amateur-repairs@groups.io] On Behalf Of jahman via groups.io
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2025 8:46 PM
To: Amateur-repairs@groups.io
Subject: Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Me too, that's how I got the insight.

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Hello again Alan. I suffer from CRS disease. That's when I Can't Remember Sh** "stuff" lol. I forgot something. The Sencore was not the last one. I had forgotten that I bought a B&K precision 35 mhz scope at a hamfest for $5.00. It would not power on. Got it home and removed the top cover. Soldered 1 of the wires to the power switch that had broken off and then I had a working scope. Along with a little parts cleaner sprayed into pots and switches and presto, good to go. Craig

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On Saturday, June 28, 2025, 2:34 PM, Craig Rowling KY4PI via groups.io <crowling63=verizon.net@groups.io> wrote:

Alan. Yes I agree. Both can be true at the same time. Both have their advantages. The last scope I bought was in the late eighties. A Sencore SC-61, that was considered top of the line THEN with digital read out for vpp,dc, and frequency along with 60mhz "usable" to 100mhz. Most scopes used back then that were affordable for repair shops were of the 20th z variety. The Sencore model made it possible to read a lissajous pattern from CD lasers that a 20mhz was impossible. That was a must back then as CD was relatively new and laser replacements were more expensive than the CD player. Now a fully adjusted complete with motors & laser is $6 !! In the 1980's at a price of over $3,000+ one could buy a decent used car yet it's now on fleabay for $70 lol. My point is I can by a new scope for thousands $$$ less with more features and higher bandwidth but I still love my vintage oscilloscope. Maybe my original post didn't settle well or explain what I meant. I never meant older equipment was not valuable. Quite the opposite. It's just as you said, vintage electronic equipment needs knowledge to use versus push button results. I had a late friend who absolutely refused to use an oscilloscope because he didn't know how to measure peak to peak and that embarrassed him. However when I showed him the sc-61 he learned how to use the grid lines on the crt overlay since it had the digital readout above the crt and thus gave him confidence. Hopefully he is an example of how a push button, easy to operate, piece of equipment has some advantage over just needing knowledge to operate it. I wish you the best of luck finding new homes for your gear. Craig

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On Saturday, June 28, 2025, 12:47 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:
Craig

I see your point, but…. It reenforces a typical stereotype that old equipment is not as useful or as good as newer equipment, which I am sure many people here will disagree.

New equipment has less hours and most is microprocessor controlled which is nice if you want to just push a button and let the machine figure it all out. Older equipment required at least a basic understanding of the process, valuable back then to old timers like myself, but apparently, not so much to the younger generation.

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Alan. Yes I agree. Both can be true at the same time. Both have their advantages. The last scope I bought was in the late eighties. A Sencore SC-61, that was considered top of the line THEN with digital read out for vpp,dc, and frequency along with 60mhz "usable" to 100mhz. Most scopes used back then that were affordable for repair shops were of the 20th z variety. The Sencore model made it possible to read a lissajous pattern from CD lasers that a 20mhz was impossible. That was a must back then as CD was relatively new and laser replacements were more expensive than the CD player. Now a fully adjusted complete with motors & laser is $6 !! In the 1980's at a price of over $3,000+ one could buy a decent used car yet it's now on fleabay for $70 lol. My point is I can by a new scope for thousands $$$ less with more features and higher bandwidth but I still love my vintage oscilloscope. Maybe my original post didn't settle well or explain what I meant. I never meant older equipment was not valuable. Quite the opposite. It's just as you said, vintage electronic equipment needs knowledge to use versus push button results. I had a late friend who absolutely refused to use an oscilloscope because he didn't know how to measure peak to peak and that embarrassed him. However when I showed him the sc-61 he learned how to use the grid lines on the crt overlay since it had the digital readout above the crt and thus gave him confidence. Hopefully he is an example of how a push button, easy to operate, piece of equipment has some advantage over just needing knowledge to operate it. I wish you the best of luck finding new homes for your gear. Craig

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, 12:47 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Craig

I see your point, but…. It reenforces a typical stereotype that old equipment is not as useful or as good as newer equipment, which I am sure many people here will disagree.

New equipment has less hours and most is microprocessor controlled which is nice if you want to just push a button and let the machine figure it all out. Older equipment required at least a basic understanding of the process, valuable back then to old timers like myself, but apparently, not so much to the younger generation.

--

Alan

AK6MF

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

[Edited Message Follows]

With my income, the $25 specials are about all I can afford. I'm sickened every time I hear of a piece of equipment that was scrapped, when it was something I can use. Most of my stuff today is of the 7000 series scope vintage, with one better digital scope. I also have repaired equipment - before my previous shop was torched, every piece in there needed repairs to make it functional again. I've got a couple of nice pieces now that need work, and trying to figure out what's wrong has been unsuccessful.

Poorer hams often rely on those deals to be able to have decent equipment. Sometimes it's a toss-up of size vs price - for instance my test equipment is in a 8x16 shed and I have to move stuff around to do anything. Just because we're poor does NOT mean that we're somehow incapable or unable to contribute to amateur radio.

Bob

N4FBZ

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

On Sat, Jun 28, 2025 at 01:11 PM, Gareth Evans wrote:

There's a subsidiary consideration there, and that is that older gear, whether
test eqpt or rigs, if made from individual components then it is repairable.

But when a transistor smaller than the tip of a pin inside the VNA's chips
fails then it's a dustbin job.

Purchase two VNA's then, they are cheap enough.

And no,I am not being facetious.

When you can get a VNA for a lousy $50, or an a decent Chinesium HT

for $20 delivered then who cares about the cost.

In todays world thats a few coffees at Starbucks or a Happy Burger

and fries from a well known outlet.

If I'm calibrating a rig for WSPR use then I ain't gonna be wasting my

time using an old BC221. Not worth the effort unless you're running

an engineering technology museum or using it as a prop to teach

engineering students how much we have progressed.

@ndy

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

What about a free table at hamfests? If in good shape , I would bet a lot would go to a new home!
> On Jun 28, 2025, at 5:11 AM, Gareth Evans via groups.io <headstone255=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
>
> There's a subsidiary consideration there, and that is that older gear, whether
> test eqpt or rigs, if made from individual components then it is repairable.
>
> But when a transistor smaller than the tip of a pin inside the VNA's chips
> fails then it's a dustbin job.
>
>> On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 08:21 AM, Bob wrote:
>> If it still works and you have the room then keep it. If not then donate
>> or recycle it.
>
>
>
>
>

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Craig

I see your point, but…. It reenforces a typical stereotype that old equipment is not as useful or as good as newer equipment, which I am sure many people here will disagree.

New equipment has less hours and most is microprocessor controlled which is nice if you want to just push a button and let the machine figure it all out. Older equipment required at least a basic understanding of the process, valuable back then to old timers like myself, but apparently, not so much to the younger generation.

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Bob

N4FBZ

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Dale, I would donate it to the club except that our club member who handles donated equipment is overwhelmed with stuff already, I cannot add to his work load. I would love to see a radio RF lab set up for hands on experience for members, but low interest and viable space are key issues.

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

There's a subsidiary consideration there, and that is that older gear, whether
test eqpt or rigs, if made from individual components then it is repairable.

But when a transistor smaller than the tip of a pin inside the VNA's chips
fails then it's a dustbin job.

On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 08:21 AM, Bob wrote:
> If it still works and you have the room then keep it. If not then donate
> or recycle it.

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

What a shame.

Lou WA5LOU

On Sat, Jun 28, 2025 at 12:06 AM Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Same here, most in my club are not interested in test equipment, building radio circuits or anything outside of SDR

its all "plug n play" these days

--

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Alan,

Thanks for posting. Do you have a list of equipment?

What is your approximately location?

Sincerely,

Richard

KD5URB

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Alan. Sorry to say but there's just one problem with the "I told you so"moment. When the Chinese product fails there will be another one more advanced, with more capabilities and at a lesser price. The old test equipment will just be …..OLDER.

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On Friday, June 27, 2025, 8:03 PM, Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

I have a huge amount of older Hewlett Packard RF equipment which no one wants, the sub assemblies alone are of value to those who build their own electronic projects instead of from kits. I also collect old antique General Radio equipment and am very grateful that the previous owners did not scrap them out, but I am too old to see any resurgence in 1980's vintage equipment, except for some people who scrap them for the gold content (which is considerable)

I do hold out for when the Chinese units fail and cannot be made to work by any amount of technician magic. Sort of an "I told you so" moment.

Alan

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

But that would involve the huge hassle of finding packaging materials
worth probably more than the eqpt itself; not to mention the high
postage costs of sending heavy stuff :-(

On Sat, Jun 28, 2025 at 01:44 AM, jahman wrote:
> I would put them all on eBay and have the World bid on them.
>

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Friday, 27 June 2025

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Same here, most in my club are not interested in test equipment, building radio circuits or anything outside of SDR

its all “plug n play” these days

Alan

AK6MF

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

I enjoy rebuilding and using early solid state test gear. HP and Techtronic's are my favorites. I also have some newer stuff Siglent SA and digital scope, but find the old gear very usable and repairable. The only issue I have is I am running out of space for the older gear.

Our club was donated a large lot of equipment which we took to ham fests to dispose of. We could not get rid of the tube based gear until we priced it at $25.00 each. Its a shame but the newer hams are not interested in old rigs or repairing things. And I will admit all my HF radios are current model Icoms. But I still like to repair the old stuff, play with it for a month or so and then try to find a new home for it, even if I give it away.

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Me too, that's how I got the insight.

On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM Ray, W4BYG via groups.io <w4byg=att.net@groups.io> wrote:

I resemble that remark...
73,
Ray, W4BYG

On 6/26/2025 9:08 PM, jahman via groups.io wrote:

There seems to be a creeping similarity between the destiny of vintage equipment and of retirees beyond their "useful" life

73 de Andrew/N5ASE

On Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM Stan Gammons KM4HQE via groups.io <buttercup11421=protonmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

I tend to like the older test equipment like others.

I remember when I was in tech school my electronics instructor and a couple of others went on a field trip to the GE electric motor plant in Hendersonville TN to visit a former student that was helping with donating some test equipment to the school. That was in the early 80's. Of course we got a tour of the factory and got to go in the anechoic chamber where they tested how noisy the motors were. One of the things we got was a Tektronix 545 scope along with several of the plug-in modules. That scope is a large and heavy beast. It worked fine for awhile, then the HV rectifier died. Unsure if we could find another tube type rectifier, so I came up with the idea of using a bunch of 1 Kv PIV diodes in series to replace the tube type rectifier. Took a bit of fiddling with getting the solder joints so there wasn't any corona discharge or arcing to ground, but the idea worked. Maybe too well since it had a bit more high voltage to the CRT than with the tube type rectifier.

Another thing we got from the visit was an HP frequency counter with the Nixie tube display. A 5245 I think? They are a large and heavy beast too.

73

Stan
KM4HQE

On 6/26/25 16:32, Phillip Fimiani via groups.io wrote:

The best you can do would be a cursory alignment. A proper Metrology lab would have the needed voltage and frequency standards. The old scope are just going to be ignored. Everything is digital and computer controlled these days.... Days of analog are pretty much gone.

My first scope in the Navy was a Tektronix 545.... Great scope....

Best Regards

Phil
KD2HTN / WA2069SWL

Long: 34.210293 Lat:-78.057048
FM04xf 30dl
______________________________

On Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 05:18:23 PM EDT, Jeff KB5NMB via groups.io <kb5nmb=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

I don't have any way to align it.

Jeff kb5nmb
> On Jun 26, 2025, at 3:31 PM, Glenn Little via groups.io <glennmaillist=bellsouth.net@groups.io> wrote:
>
> Why not fix it yourself?
>
> Glenn
> WB4UIV
>
>> On 6/26/2025 12:23 PM, Jeff KB5NMB via groups.io wrote:
>> I feel the pain. I have a Tecktronics 360 oscope I need serviced. Clock battery and align and can't find a place to do it. Have been told lots of things on inquiring to different places. The one that struck home was trash it and buy something new. WOW!
>> Jeff
>> kb5nmb
>>>> On Jun 26, 2025, at 10:22 AM, Joe K1IKE via groups.io <k1ike_mail=snet.net@groups.io> wrote:
>>>
>>> I've been a ham now for 65+ years and have accumulated my share of Quality crap. The reality of it is that it contains lead and other purported hazardous waste material. Someday this "stuff" may have a cost to dispose of it.
>>>
>>> Joe, K1ike
>>>
>>>> On 6/26/2025 11:10 AM, Jose V. Gavila - EB5AGV via groups.io wrote:
>>>> Hi Gareth,
>>>> I am also on the same boat... Even perhaps on a larger boat!. I have more than 100 large shelves full of old test and radio equipment ...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
> --
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Glenn Little ARRL Technical Specialist QCWA LM 28417
> Amateur Callsign: WB4UIV wb4uiv@arrl.net AMSAT LM 2178
> QTH: Goose Creek, SC USA (EM92xx) USSVI, FRA, NRA-LM ARRL TAPR
> "It is not the class of license that the Amateur holds but the class
> of the Amateur that holds the license"
>
>
>
>
>
--  "The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck sight of unshakable divine Truth, and  utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life"... John Piper
Virus-free.www.avg.com

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

I would put them all on eBay and have the World bid on them.

You might be surprised how many folks are looking for useful test equipment for their workshops and for their schools in lesser developed countries.

These days eBay takes care of international shipping, so it might be worth a try.

EBAY - International Shipping Hub

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-international-shipping

73 de Andrew/N5ASE.

On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM Alan Majeski via groups.io <arcadiaresearchgroup=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

I have a huge amount of older Hewlett Packard RF equipment which no one wants, the sub assemblies alone are of value to those who build their own electronic projects instead of from kits. I also collect old antique General Radio equipment and am very grateful that the previous owners did not scrap them out, but I am too old to see any resurgence in 1980's vintage equipment, except for some people who scrap them for the gold content (which is considerable)

I do hold out for when the Chinese units fail and cannot be made to work by any amount of technician magic. Sort of an "I told you so" moment.

Alan

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

I have a huge amount of older Hewlett Packard RF equipment which no one wants, the sub assemblies alone are of value to those who build their own electronic projects instead of from kits. I also collect old antique General Radio equipment and am very grateful that the previous owners did not scrap them out, but I am too old to see any resurgence in 1980’s vintage equipment, except for some people who scrap them for the gold content (which is considerable)

I do hold out for when the Chinese units fail and cannot be made to work by any amount of technician magic. Sort of an “I told you so” moment.

Alan

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

If it's crap - make it scrap ….. before it into your house or maybe you turned it into "crap" by one means or the other

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Donald re SOME of those appliance operators would like to learn electronics and radio theory but have no test equipment.

this book might give us some ideas

https://www.mheducation.com/highered/mhp/product/teardowns-learn-how-electronics-work-taking-them-apart.html

I can do the take apart.. usually, but there us no "UNDO" button.

73 don va3drl

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Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

I resemble that remark...
73,
Ray, W4BYG

On 6/26/2025 9:08 PM, jahman via groups.io wrote:

There seems to be a creeping similarity between the destiny of vintage equipment and of retirees beyond their "useful" life

73 de Andrew/N5ASE

On Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM Stan Gammons KM4HQE via groups.io <buttercup11421=protonmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

I tend to like the older test equipment like others.

I remember when I was in tech school my electronics instructor and a couple of others went on a field trip to the GE electric motor plant in Hendersonville TN to visit a former student that was helping with donating some test equipment to the school. That was in the early 80's. Of course we got a tour of the factory and got to go in the anechoic chamber where they tested how noisy the motors were. One of the things we got was a Tektronix 545 scope along with several of the plug-in modules. That scope is a large and heavy beast. It worked fine for awhile, then the HV rectifier died. Unsure if we could find another tube type rectifier, so I came up with the idea of using a bunch of 1 Kv PIV diodes in series to replace the tube type rectifier. Took a bit of fiddling with getting the solder joints so there wasn't any corona discharge or arcing to ground, but the idea worked. Maybe too well since it had a bit more high voltage to the CRT than with the tube type rectifier.

Another thing we got from the visit was an HP frequency counter with the Nixie tube display. A 5245 I think? They are a large and heavy beast too.

73

Stan
KM4HQE

On 6/26/25 16:32, Phillip Fimiani via groups.io wrote:

The best you can do would be a cursory alignment. A proper Metrology lab would have the needed voltage and frequency standards. The old scope are just going to be ignored. Everything is digital and computer controlled these days.... Days of analog are pretty much gone.

My first scope in the Navy was a Tektronix 545.... Great scope....

Best Regards

Phil
KD2HTN / WA2069SWL

Long: 34.210293 Lat:-78.057048
FM04xf 30dl
______________________________

On Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 05:18:23 PM EDT, Jeff KB5NMB via groups.io <kb5nmb=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

I don't have any way to align it.

Jeff kb5nmb
> On Jun 26, 2025, at 3:31 PM, Glenn Little via groups.io <glennmaillist=bellsouth.net@groups.io> wrote:
>
> Why not fix it yourself?
>
> Glenn
> WB4UIV
>
>> On 6/26/2025 12:23 PM, Jeff KB5NMB via groups.io wrote:
>> I feel the pain. I have a Tecktronics 360 oscope I need serviced. Clock battery and align and can't find a place to do it. Have been told lots of things on inquiring to different places. The one that struck home was trash it and buy something new. WOW!
>> Jeff
>> kb5nmb
>>>> On Jun 26, 2025, at 10:22 AM, Joe K1IKE via groups.io <k1ike_mail=snet.net@groups.io> wrote:
>>>
>>> I've been a ham now for 65+ years and have accumulated my share of Quality crap. The reality of it is that it contains lead and other purported hazardous waste material. Someday this "stuff" may have a cost to dispose of it.
>>>
>>> Joe, K1ike
>>>
>>>> On 6/26/2025 11:10 AM, Jose V. Gavila - EB5AGV via groups.io wrote:
>>>> Hi Gareth,
>>>> I am also on the same boat... Even perhaps on a larger boat!. I have more than 100 large shelves full of old test and radio equipment ...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
> --
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Glenn Little ARRL Technical Specialist QCWA LM 28417
> Amateur Callsign: WB4UIV wb4uiv@arrl.net AMSAT LM 2178
> QTH: Goose Creek, SC USA (EM92xx) USSVI, FRA, NRA-LM ARRL TAPR
> "It is not the class of license that the Amateur holds but the class
> of the Amateur that holds the license"
>
>
>
>
>

--  "The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck sight of unshakable divine Truth, and  utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life"... John Piper

Virus-free.www.avg.com

Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

Hi Stan maybe I did a bad job of returning that comment; I did not intend it to be pointed to you and I and sorry if it seemed that way. I was pointed at me, and I say it more and more every day

I get wimpier by the day [or with age] , I am not only fighting age ..but weeds too [the ones in the lawn etc]

the physios and Chiropractors keep reminding me to walk etc etc. I know that, but forget it every day.

"The less we do ,the less we can do" Is a reminder from me to me.

don va3drl

From: Amateur-repairs@groups.io [mailto:Amateur-repairs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Stan Gammons KM4HQE via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2025 11:06 PM
To: Amateur-repairs@groups.io
Subject: Re: [Amateur-repairs] Old test eqpt? Chuck it? Refurbish it?

No. Age and health issues are the problem I have.

73

Stan
KM4HQE

On 6/26/25 21:23, don Root via groups.io wrote:

Stan, are we all becoming wimps ?
The less we do ,the less we can do.
_,_

--
73 don va3drl

_._,_._,_