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 What Valve Tester is This?
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 2:27:40 PM on 18 March 2018.
Cpsmusic's Gravatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 18 February 2014
 Member #: 1507
 Postcount: 53

Hi,

I inherited this valve tester recently.

http://tinypic.com/r/b6sh13/9

I don't have any information about it. Does anyone know what it is? Also, is there a schematic available?

I'm fairly sure the unit was built from a kit (or at least the front panel was bought) probably in the 60s. Could be from RT&H, Wireless World or EA.

Cheers,

Chris


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 6:24:06 PM on 18 March 2018.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6678

That's a University brand valve and transistor tester. I haven't come across that particular model before, but I'm guessing it's among their last of that particular instrument.

The model TVT valve only tester is similar:

https://www.kevinchant.com/uploads/7/1/0/8/7108231/tvtpicture.jpg

Unfortunately, although they made quite a range of test gear, documentation on University brand equipment is scarce these days.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 7:20:13 PM on 18 March 2018.
MonochromeTV's avatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 20 September 2011
 Member #: 1009
 Postcount: 1179

It actually is a RTV&H design.

It is a Instrol kit sold by Broadway Electronics, ES & A Building, Broadway/City Rd corner (next door to the Lansdowne Hotel), Chippendale/Sydney. I suspect Broadway Electronics had a connection or relationship with University & that is why it could easily be mistaken for a University model.

See RTV&H January 1961, Page 56.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 8:15:52 PM on 18 March 2018.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6678

For mine, externally that's essentially a University model TVT (per Kevin Chant's site) with the Jim Rowe RTV&H transistor tester of August 1960 added. As the RT&H article says, the lever switches (already in use on the TVT) were supplied by Paton Electrical -- which later merged with University Graham to become University Paton Instruments.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 8:47:55 PM on 18 March 2018.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7290

I have a couple of valve testers, neither which I have used for a long time and both probably need a refurb now.

The one in the picture is similar to a University model that I have, recognisable by the row of control levers. I don't remember how I came by it now. The other is the more familiar Paton VCT which I scored at a huge clearing sale in a now forgotten place near Wangaratta, VIC.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 9:05:13 PM on 18 March 2018.
Marcc's avatar
 Location: Wangaratta, VIC
 Member since 21 February 2009
 Member #: 438
 Postcount: 5239

Interesting observation: The system here did not like the site the photo was on & there was a Malicious content warning?


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 10:24:27 PM on 18 March 2018.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6678

Which photo?

The image I posted is on Kev Chant's site. I (and Avast) have no problem with it at all.

The image in the initial post is hosted by tinypic and all clear for me, too, although it does not use SSL which will cause some browsers and/or A-V tools to raise an alert.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 10:45:49 PM on 18 March 2018.
Marcc's avatar
 Location: Wangaratta, VIC
 Member since 21 February 2009
 Member #: 438
 Postcount: 5239

It was the Tiny pics one.

It was Malwarebytes (reg) that threw up the alarm. It's been good over the years albeit it & Windows 8.1 seem to have their occasional spats.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 9 · Written at 4:34:44 PM on 20 March 2018.
MonochromeTV's avatar
 Location: Melbourne, VIC
 Member since 20 September 2011
 Member #: 1009
 Postcount: 1179

Here is a PDF copy of the RTV&H article & Broadway Electronics advertisement.

Instrol Valve Tester
RTV&H Valve and Transistor Tester


 
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