Category Archives: Electronics

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

Hands On with the FLIR One for Android

Posted on October 9, 2015 by retrovoltage

Several months ago I ordered a FLIR One for Android, a small attachment which adds infrared thermal vision capabilities to most Android smartphones and tablets. After the backlog of pre-orders finally cleared out, I got my hands on mine today! … Continue reading →

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

Creek 4140 S2 Overhaul and Voltage Conversion

Posted on August 23, 2015 by retrovoltage

This Creek 4140 S2 amplifier is a bit newer than most through the shop, although it’s getting up there. This particular one was constructed in 1989, and came via eBay from the UK configured for 220V power. The owner wanted … Continue reading →

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

1963 Fisher FM-100-B Stereo FM Tuner Overhaul

Posted on August 9, 2015 by retrovoltage

Something a bit unusual came through the shop recently, an old tube-type Fisher FM-100-B Stereo FM tuner. Anyone who knows classic tube audio knows Fisher, and the FM-100-B sure lives up to the name. It’s a 12-tube FM/MPX Only tuner with … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Radios and Tubes, Stereo, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | 3 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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Sony ST-J75 Recap and Alignment

Posted on July 31, 2015 by retrovoltage

The Sony ST-J75 is a pretty well regarded, great sounding stereo FM tuner from the early ’80s. It’s one of the first forrays into digital tuning, with a frequency read-out, programmable memory, and seek/scan functionality and variable muting driven by … Continue reading →

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

The Hewlett-Packard 5451A Fourier Analyzer

Posted on July 27, 2015 by retrovoltage

1972: the year launching the Space Shuttle program, the completion of the monument at Stone Mountain, Watergate, the first female FBI agents to join the force….and the new HP 5451A Fourier Analyzer, bringing unparalleled performance to the worlds of acoustic … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Photos, Test Equipment, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

1974 Sony STR-6200F Receiver Overhaul and Alignment

Posted on June 19, 2015 by retrovoltage

I recently got to work on a pretty big, fairly rare Sony receiver from 1973-74: the STR-6200F. It’s a powerful receiver featuring 60W per channel of power available, with quite a few inputs and outputs, and a strong FM tuner … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Projects | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments