Andrew Pilling
Electronics Workbench
My Electronics Workbench includes computer Analysis and Diagnostic capabilities, working alongside a collection of Vintage
1950's - 70's reconditioned testing and evaluation equipment. My so called obsolete equipment includes a (factory built) HeathKit
Model 0-12 oscilloscope which has been around for over fifty years, However this device has been modified and serves me well.
I also use a Tektronix 465 scope and a computer scope for comparative purposes.
My Hewlett Packard collection includes the 410B, 400D voltmeters, a 5512A electronic frequency counter and a 202C low
frequency oscillator.
I have several vacuum tube testers. My primary unit is a Sencore MU140, which has been painstakingly reconditioned.
The unit was removed from it's original briefcase enclosure and was mounted into a slide out drawer under my workbench.
My secondary unit is a custom built computer assisted tube analyzer and the third unit is a B&K 747 for continuity and
comparison, providing me with backup in the event of a failure.
A note of possible interest: when I removed the Sencore's control panel from it's case, I found a Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory (NASA) Service Technician's punch list sheet with notes, plus additional Sencore documents in a plastic envelope
glued to the inside bottom of the briefcase enclosure which was a fascinating find.
I also have a few other interesting devices tucked away. Some other essential pieces of equipment I have besides a few extra
multimeters is a hand built multi outlet isolated & regulated power supply, several variable DC power supplies and a variable
metered autotransformer.
This equipment is just a chain of readily available components on the power supply end of an electronics workstation, assuring
an outcome that results in the best possible performance from your equipment and the tasks at hand. However a typical power
supply and protection setup like this is not fool proof and can be vulnerable and unreliable under certain conditions, making it
necessary at times to use battery operated (standalone) equipment in conjunction with your AC equipment while performing
certain multi point tests to avoid misleading readings.
All and all, I have enough confidence to use my vintage test equipment without computer assistance, weather it's a checkup,
test and repair job or even on a new build.
Some of the devices mentioned but not seen in this photo are kept in an easily movable autonomous roll out equipment
rack under my workbench.
Recent equipment includes an additional Sencore MU140 tube tester, a Hewlett Packard 339A Distortion Analyzer, a UDB /
DDS multi-function signal generator, a handheld Owon 60Mhz dual oscilloscope with advanced multi-functions and a Heath
Zenith variable isolated AC Power Supply, plus the lion's share of assorted specialty hand tools.
Electronics Workbench
My Electronics Workbench includes computer Analysis and Diagnostic capabilities, working alongside a collection of Vintage
1950's - 70's reconditioned testing and evaluation equipment. My so called obsolete equipment includes a (factory built) HeathKit
Model 0-12 oscilloscope which has been around for over fifty years, However this device has been modified and serves me well.
I also use a Tektronix 465 scope and a computer scope for comparative purposes.
My Hewlett Packard collection includes the 410B, 400D voltmeters, a 5512A electronic frequency counter and a 202C low
frequency oscillator.
I have several vacuum tube testers. My primary unit is a Sencore MU140, which has been painstakingly reconditioned.
The unit was removed from it's original briefcase enclosure and was mounted into a slide out drawer under my workbench.
My secondary unit is a custom built computer assisted tube analyzer and the third unit is a B&K 747 for continuity and
comparison, providing me with backup in the event of a failure.
A note of possible interest: when I removed the Sencore's control panel from it's case, I found a Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory (NASA) Service Technician's punch list sheet with notes, plus additional Sencore documents in a plastic envelope
glued to the inside bottom of the briefcase enclosure which was a fascinating find.
I also have a few other interesting devices tucked away. Some other essential pieces of equipment I have besides a few extra
multimeters is a hand built multi outlet isolated & regulated power supply, several variable DC power supplies and a variable
metered autotransformer.
This equipment is just a chain of readily available components on the power supply end of an electronics workstation, assuring
an outcome that results in the best possible performance from your equipment and the tasks at hand. However a typical power
supply and protection setup like this is not fool proof and can be vulnerable and unreliable under certain conditions, making it
necessary at times to use battery operated (standalone) equipment in conjunction with your AC equipment while performing
certain multi point tests to avoid misleading readings.
All and all, I have enough confidence to use my vintage test equipment without computer assistance, weather it's a checkup,
test and repair job or even on a new build.
Some of the devices mentioned but not seen in this photo are kept in an easily movable autonomous roll out equipment
rack under my workbench.
Recent equipment includes an additional Sencore MU140 tube tester, a Hewlett Packard 339A Distortion Analyzer, a UDB /
DDS multi-function signal generator, a handheld Owon 60Mhz dual oscilloscope with advanced multi-functions and a Heath
Zenith variable isolated AC Power Supply, plus the lion's share of assorted specialty hand tools.