A booklet about old Tektronix scopes

[Gianni]

Hi guys,
Since some time I am working just for amusement on a small booklet about military surplus equipment. Now I have added to it a section about some Tektronix scopes, especially on 7000-Series.

It is a no-profit initiative: the booklet is completely free and can be downloaded from the address below, together with some technical notes. It can also be reproduced and/or distributed.

The download page is this: http://www.k100.biz/parade.htm.

Hope enjoy

[bd139]

This is great. Thanks for your effort. I will link from the TEA thread!

Your link is broken though - extra dot on the end.

http://www.k100.biz/parade.htm

[Gianni]

Thanks, you are very kind.

I corrected the link, should work now.

[bd139]

Just had a chance to go through this in detail. Really good and enjoying it 

No irony here but the comment about the Marconi 2022E being really difficult to repair strikes home as I've got a broken one I'm working on now 

[tggzzz]

Here's one page that should both stimulate and suppress discussions elsewhere (you know where and who I'm thinking of  )

The key bit is "Should it interest someone, the paint code is Sikkens Rubbol BL Nagura Q4.20.38 5051"

[Gianni]

In about half a century designing and managing complex electronic projects, I learn mainly a thing: I always have to learn.

In this case, more and more times: as I write in the first page of the booklet, I am not an expert of old equipment but just an hobbyist, with a huge love for that old stuff. So, don't blame me for any stupid thing I wrote, but help me to correct it.

For the Tek colour, the code I reported is just what to the shop salesman and to me seemed the most near to the original. Nothing more. By the way, the painting is really good quality. Until now, I repainted six scopes, i.e. twelve covers. Despite my inexperience, a faulty air compressor and a ultra-low-quality gun, the result is really very good and resistant.

So, any help to improve my beloved document is really welcome.

[tggzzz]

In about half a century designing and managing complex electronic projects, I learn mainly a thing: I always have to learn.

Yes indeed. Those that do know a topic realise how much they don't (yet) know. And they are proud of that, not ashamed

That is the basis of a good litmus test for exposing charlatans

In this case, more and more times: as I write in the first page of the booklet, I am not an expert of old equipment but just an hobbyist, with a huge love for that old stuff. So, don't blame me for any stupid thing I wrote, but help me to correct it.

For the Tek colour, the code I reported is just what to the shop salesman and to me seemed the most near to the original. Nothing more. By the way, the painting is really good quality. Until now, I repainted six scopes, i.e. twelve covers. Despite my inexperience, a faulty air compressor and a ultra-low-quality gun, the result is really very good and resistant.

So, any help to improve my beloved document is really welcome.

The "right" colour to respray Tek equipment is a common topic of discussion. "Bermuda blue" seems to be the most frequently mentioned colour, but I don't think it is available this side of the pond. You have helpfully provided an option I haven't seen elsewhere - so thanks!

[mnementh]

Thanks for producing this. Excellent pics, interesting subject material, well-presented. A thoroughly enjoyable read and lots of delicious old equipment pr0n!

mnem
 

[KE5FX]

Fantastic work, Gianni -- thanks for posting this!  Great story about the attempt to "linearize" the meter reading in your TS-505/U VTVM with an ESP32.   

[andy3055]

Beautiful! I can imagine what a lot of effort has gone in to this. Thanks for sharing.

[tv84]

Amazing work! 

Respect.

[georgd]

Reading your book made my weekend! Well structured and beautiful designed.
Touched me your story about WS19, I had a better luck with a same set; when I was 17 I got a WS19 and played and learned a lot with it.

Georg
 

[Gianni]

Thank you guys, you are very kind!

I will be grateful to those who help me to spread it.

I will keep you informed about new editions.

[med6753]

I finally got some time to go through the booklet in detail. Excellent write up! 

With reference to Tek blue. The spray paint that I have used here in the U.S. is Krylon K05501007 Gloss Bahama Sea. Not sure if it's available in the EU. And it appears that it has been discontinued. I have used it on several 400 series cabinets and when compared to the original cabinets of the same vintage it is a very good match. But I recently sprayed an older 500 series Type 547 cabinet and while it looks good on it's own when compared to the original the difference is very apparent. Now is that due to Tek changing the blue shade over the years or just due to aging/oxidation of the original paint? I don't know.     

[KE5FX]

'Williamsburg Blue' is how the late Stan Griffiths referred to it.  He can be considered more or less authoritative.

[DH7DN]

Excellent books, thank you very much for sharing them with us, Gianni!