Vintage Electronic Measurement and Test Equipment

This section covers electronic technology used to perform lab measurements and technician servicing of various electronic products. Mainly for radio and television repair but not restricted to such products.

This section is divided into four areas:

VINTAGE OSCILLOSCOPES- EARLY, GENERAL PURPOSE and SERVICING- See Below

TEKTRONIX OSCILLOSCOPES- Link Vintage TEK Oscilloscopes

GENERATORS AND METER READING- Link Generators and Meters

OTHER EQUIPMENT- Link Other E M and T Equipment

TRIPLETT ANALOG METER EQUIPMENT- Link Vintage Triplett

Oscilloscope Restoration- see link below

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Vintage Oscilloscopes

Early, General Purpose and Servicing

An oscilloscope is a measuring device that can monitor the activity of a piece of equipment at various stages. The job of the oscilloscope is to provide a analog representation of electron activity doing an electrical function. To produce this representation an oscilloscope needs a horizontal and vertical circuit like a television. When the two circuits are working together or synchronized, the result is a waveform replica of the electrical function being analyzed shown on a cathode ray tube (vintage) or liquid crystal display.

DuMont Oscilloscopes, Passaic NJ..

Allen DuMont is given credit to perfecting the basic cathode ray tube allowing it for use as a reliable display component. DuMont designed a gas thyratron tubes to produce a reliable and consistent trigger. From the late 1930's to around 1950 DuMont was the leader in oscilloscope design and manufacturing. DuMont went on to television and broadcasting.
DuMont 164 (1937) 3 inch display with frequency response 30-30,000 Hz PRICE $64.50. Frequency base horizontal sweep.

1950s Typical Television Servicing Oscilloscope


Philco S8200 (formerly 7020 from 1952)3" Diameter CRT with Frequency Base Trigger for SynchronizationMADE BY WATERMAN PRODUCTS






Philco 7019 (Philco Junior) Entry Level OscilloscopeAround 1947 Philco introduced this very basic oscilloscope as part of their servicing line of equipment. Made by Waterman Products. This 2" diameter CRT scope has no horizontal or vertical position controls so the trace is always around the center, so it is not uncommon to see a burn trace line on the CRT center. Frequency response 100 KHz.
Philco / Waterman Products OscilloscopesWaterman Products came out with the S series Oscilloscopes, that used 2 and 3" Diameter CRT. While most scopes stood vertically upright, these scopes tend to lay horizontally, giving it a low profile look. Early Philco scopes were designed by Waterman Products.








PHILCO S8200 (7020) versus PHILCO Jr 7019


RCA WO-33A (WO-33A(K)) kit version was available) TV Servicing Oscilloscope (1960-1970) Frequency base trigger for synchronization. Frequency response 0.5 to 5 MHz. Price 129.95 (79.95 KIT) in 19603 inch CRT with 6 vacuum tubes, compact size and popular for all TV servicing. One of the last Oscilloscopes that featured all vacuum tubes. The vertical input is calibrated and AC coupled. Can be used as an x-y monitor (ext horizontal input). Replaced by the WO-33B, which has extra features like transistor / diode tester. That model used a solid state power supply.
RCA WC-528B QuicktracerDiode/ Transistor Tester. Accessory for WO-33A Oscilloscope. Can be used with any oscilloscope with horizontal and vertical inputs with sufficient amplifier gain. Basically a GO/NO GO curve tracer for servicing equipment . The feature became part of the upgraded RCA WO-33B oscilloscope.







ABOVE: A Zener Diode Being Evaluated

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OSCILLOSCOPE RESTORATION ARTICLE- Philco S8200 TV Servicing Oscilloscope: See the challenge and the frustration I went through as I repaired and restored it. LINK>> PHILCO S8200 RESTORE