Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Test equipment list for Newbies
#1

I'm new the to the forum, couldn't find a introduction thread so I'll put it here. Active duty Navy in Virginia beach and is a former Aviation Electrician turned NFO. Been wanting to get into tube radios for sometime and finally found a nice Philco 46-1203 to get started. I was wondering what kind of test equipment would you guys consider essential for getting started and operating safely. Looking forward to learning and getting my tinker on!
#2

Welcome to the Phorum. I would recommend an isolation transformer and variac. A DVM and RF signal generator would be good to have also. Now lets wait to see what the group thinksIcon_wink

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org

#3

A fistfull of DC ammeters of diferent values which can be had cheaply at times is nice, and a working or restorable VTVM also will help. A cheap modern digital frequency counter will tame the vintage RF generato you may get, and just about any working tube tester that has sockets for the vintage sets you think you maybe working on would also be nice. I use an old fashioned lamp dimmer to tame down the soldering iron and also sub for a variac, although there is no isolation and it don't work on solid state sets.
#4

In fact unless you want your bench to look like the old repair shop, a Fluke or a less expensive Tenma and such DMM will do you just fine, being an ammeter and a VTVM at the same time. And for the price of one Fluke you could have 5 Tenmas. Icon_smile
#5

Thanks for the feedback. I already have a Fluke 117 meter. Although I wouldn't mind having some mad scientist gear on my bench. :-) Any suggestions for reputable used test equipment dealers online? Also another question, I came across a repairman case full of antique NIB tubes at my local antique store. Guys asking about $100 for it. Is it worth picking up? If I had to guess it has 30+ tubes in it.
#6

Until you are familiar with what tubes do what be careful with those case deals. The carry cases were used by the TV repair guys and most times are full of TV tubes that will do you no good for an old radio.
For test equipment it will depend on how deep your wallet is and how far you want to go with the hobby. A DMM for sure, an RF signal generator, one of those cheap digital scopes or a signal tracer of some kind. That will get you going and cover most cases.

Gregb
#7

"Cheap" digital scopes? ... Wish i saw one of those before I bought my Tektronics 200mhz dual trace analog.
#8

Bought mine on ebay a couple years ago, not as nice as yours but only $239.00. Dual trace, 20mhz, two probes, works great for radio work.

Gregb




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
What do I have? Philco 655
hello Adam, What a great looking radio and I agree with mr Fixr and Gary if Ron was still with us I am sure he would re...radiorich — 10:23 PM
What do I have? Philco 655
Wouldn't be the first "Phranken-Philco" to come out of the factory. Kinda like model year end cars built back...GarySP — 07:45 PM
Philco Model 76 Highboy
That's a nice looking cabinet. With a little bit of rub on stain and paste wax that should even out the finish. When you...Radioroslyn — 05:20 PM
What do I have? Philco 655
Hi Adam, Others may know more than me, but it was not uncommon for Philco to run out of cabinets and use one for a new...MrFixr55 — 02:51 PM
What do I have? Philco 655
Haven't been on here in a while, and it's been a while since I've worked on a Philco.  I picked this up a while back, an...adamrobertg — 08:10 AM
Clear Schematic for 41-255
Hello Ross, We have all been there don't worry the guys here have you taken care of !! Sincerely Richardradiorich — 09:35 PM
Clear Schematic for 41-255
What's really funny is I looked at the pages and saw 255 and it took me 30 sec of looking at the schematic trying to fig...RossH — 05:19 PM
Clear Schematic for 41-255
Ross, sorry, clicked on the wrong one. here's the down load for the 41-255 as an attachment.klondike98 — 04:40 PM
Clear Schematic for 41-255
RossH - Were you looking at our copy of the 1941 Yearbook, or one that you found elsewhere?DaleHCook — 04:12 PM
Clear Schematic for 41-255
Ditto. Perfectly readable here. Monitor or computer problems?!rfeenstra — 12:10 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently no members online.

>