Category Archives: DIY

What do we have here?

Posted on December 1, 2015 by retrovoltage

I was reading about how to build a capacitor checker from the December 1959 issue of Popular Electronics and stumbled across something that looked very familiar. I know that shape. Nearly identical to a Bose® 901 Series I/II cabinet, and even … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Bose, Collections, Commentary, DIY, Electronics, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mailbag: What’s the best multitester for vintage radios?

Posted on November 2, 2015 by retrovoltage

I recently got this question in the mailbag, and it seemed like a good one to answer: What’s the best multitester for vintage radio repair? That’s actually a tougher question than it seems. The short answer? Well…it depends a bit, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, DIY, Electronics, Gadgets, Test Equipment | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Antenna Distribution for AM Radios

Posted on October 24, 2015 by retrovoltage

I’ve had a few questions come my way about antenna distribution systems for AM radios, specifically to connect something like a large attic antenna to multiple radios at once. There’s a lot out there designed for VHF/UHF or CATV signals, … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Electronics, Gadgets, Radio, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Revitalize HP and Tek digital scopes with a NewScope LCD kit

Posted on August 1, 2015 by retrovoltage

I’ve been trying to figure out if I want to bother repairing my old HP 1222A oscilloscope which I’ve been using as a waveform monitor attached to the scope ports of my Sencore PA81 Stereo Power Amplifier Analyzer. It’s been … Continue reading →

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1950s Motorola Modded Standalone Tube Amplifier Measurements

Posted on July 6, 2015 by retrovoltage

I had an unusual project through the shop recently. It’s a Magnavox tube amp from the late 1950s. The owner brought it in reporting he’d purchased the amplifier, pulled from a damaged console stereo and modified to be a standalone … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, DIY, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Need 45V batteries for your old radio?

Posted on May 21, 2015 by retrovoltage

Rayovac has been making batteries for over 100 years, and their batteries were commonly found in use with many types of battery-operated tube radios. Most commonly, radios would operate on 45V batteries with a tap half-way (for 0-22.5-45V). Two in … Continue reading →

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Screenshots from HP 3585A Spectrum Analyzer via GPIB?

Posted on January 24, 2015 by retrovoltage

I’m wondering if anyone reading this might have some experience and could chime in. I’m trying to make my HP 3585A spectrum analyzer talk to my Windows XP laptop over GPIB (488.1) with a National Instruments PCMCIA-GPIB card. I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers, DIY, Electronics, Test Equipment | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Play Quake 1 on an Oscilloscope

Posted on December 29, 2014 by retrovoltage

Pekka Väänänen must have been bored over the holidays, as he came up with a fantastic and fascinating new use for an oscilloscope and a laptop: playing a round of Quake on his Hitachi V-422 scope in X-Y mode.   After … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers, DIY, Electronics, Gadgets | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Boxed Kit Amps’ Gobo Stereo Amplifier Build and Review

Posted on November 26, 2014 by retrovoltage

If you’re a subscriber to Nuts and Volts Magazine, check out my article in the December 2014 issue where I build, test and review the Boxed Kit Amps Gobo Stereo Amplifier, a great little desktop reference amp for any skill … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Commentary, DIY, Electronics, Gadgets, Hi-Fi, Projects, Stereo | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

VD-1221 Replacement Substitute Diodes

Posted on November 25, 2014 by retrovoltage

VD-1221, VD-1212, VD-1220, VD-1222, and many other vintage multi-junction diodes probe to failure, which are used in bias and RF mixer circuits, can be easily replaced by series combinations of 1N4148 diodes for reliability and longevity. Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, DIY, Electronics, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments