Author Archives: retrovoltage

HP 143A Wide Screen Oscilloscope Mainframe Restoration – Part 2

Posted on October 15, 2014 by retrovoltage

Part 1 I’m continuing to work on getting my HP 143A ocsilloscope mainframe fixed up as a dual-trace X-Y display. A lot of the time has been spent on reading and researching, but I’ve picked up an important tool that will … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Gadgets, Test Equipment, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Harmony H500 Solid State Guitar Amplifier Repair

Posted on October 10, 2014 by retrovoltage

And now for something a little different, this time it’s a vintage guitar amplifier: the Harmony H500. The owner sent it to the shop out of the cabinet to be serviced since it quit putting out any sound. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Projects, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DIY Replacements for Vintage Couplets and Printed Electric Circuits

Posted on October 9, 2014 by retrovoltage

Starting in the ’50s, they’d figured out how to start miniaturizing components. “Couplets” and “printed electric circuits” started showing up in equipment around then. These components were combinations of several resistors and capacitors in a single package. Like most components … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Electronics, Ideas, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Phase Linear 2000 Pre-Amp Overhaul

Posted on October 6, 2014 by retrovoltage

I had a Phase Linear 2000 on the bench for a repair recently. It was running okay, but had some pops and clicks and the controls weren’t all that smooth. Time for an overhaul before anything worse cropped up! This … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Projects, Stereo, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What do you get from a $25 multimeter?

Posted on October 4, 2014 by retrovoltage

Fred Clift wrote over on his blog about why it’s worthwhile to pick a more expensive multimeter. He’s comparing a $200 Fluke to a $6 Harbor Freight multimeter, which really is a no-brainer. I’m not sure the Harbor Freight model … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, DIY, Electronics, Gadgets, Test Equipment | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wherever you go – you’re headed for FUN with Motorola Portables

Posted on October 1, 2014 by retrovoltage

No matter where you’re going, you’re headed for more Fun with a Motorola Portable! They play anywhere – on their own batteries or on house current. You’ll like the dependable performance that comes from the ruggedly built chassis and shock-resistant … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Photos, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Toy: HP 130C Oscilloscope

Posted on September 29, 2014 by retrovoltage

I’ve been looking for a nice balanced input oscilloscope to use as a bench audio scope for a bit, and I do enjoy some vintage test equipment…so I recently ended up with an HP 130C oscilloscope. This early ’60s tube … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Test Equipment, Toys, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Steampunk USB Vacuum Tube Flash Drives

Posted on September 26, 2014 by retrovoltage

I ran across these very cool steampunk-inspired USB flash drives drives built around a vacuum tube while looking for some tube shields. They look like they’re really well built and are a clever use of an old vacuum tube. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers, Electronics, Gadgets, Photos, Toys | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NordeMende Globetraveler 7/601 Rebuild

Posted on September 23, 2014 by retrovoltage

This rare and valuable example of late 1960s German engineering came through my shop recently, the NordeMende Globetraveler 7/601. Marketed as the Globetrotter in Europe, RCA already marketed a radio called the Globetrotter in the United States and so the … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Test Equipment Round-Up – September 20th, 2014

Posted on September 20, 2014 by retrovoltage

I always keep an eye on eBay for plug-ins for my HP 143 oscilloscope and even if they don’t turn up, it’s always interesting to see what else is in the category. Some of these are pretty interesting – there’s definitely … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Test Equipment | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment