Picked this lot of goodies up on Sunday in a little country town 110km away. One Tektronix 545B oscilloscope (already have one but figured it can't hurt to have another), one Type L vertical plug-in amplifier, one 067-0521-00 plug-in calibration fixture, two Type K vertical plug-in amplifiers, and, finally, the real curiosity in the package; two LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifiers. With the exception of a 6DJ8 in the 545B having a broken envelope, which I have replaced, every item seems to be more or less fully functional straight up, but just internally dusty as fark from sitting around for years in a shed. However nothing has been battered or abused and they should all clean up real well. Yahoo.
The LA-265-CA plug-ins were not made by Tektronix and are badged "Lavoie Laboratories, Morganville N.J.". From what I've found with Google, Lavoie was a Military contractor, who manufactured a few items that were very close copies of Tektronix products. Anyone ever seen one of these before or know how rare they are? I haven't had any luck finding any substantial technical data (schematics, etc) but for a quick visual inspection it does seem to be very similar in tube complement and control functions (and presumably circuitry as well) as the type CA plug-in by Tektronix. However, if this was supposed to be an improved second source of that venerable old Tektronix design, it's disappointing they didn't add a GND position to the input coupling switch! It's a real pain having to re-connect the cro probe to earth every time a ground zeroing is required. Especially so as the Type CA, being an entirely tubed design, slowly and continuously DC drifts a substantial degree, even when fully warmed up (I know as I operate a pair).
That's amazing. This site here:
http://www.edelpro.com/TektronixScopes/tek.html has a picture (towards the bottom) of the Tektronix 500 series oscilloscope-compatible LA-265-CA vertical amplifier plug-in, along with a Levoie LA-265A oscilloscope, which is almost an exact replica of the Tektronix Type 545A oscilloscope.
Hello N2IXK,
I am currently working on rebuilding a Lavoie LA-265A oscilloscope. It's in pretty rough shape as it's been stored in a barn attic for the past 35 years. It looks as if it were used as a hotel (and bathroom) for mice all those years. But considering the interesting history of this oscilloscope I think it's worth cleaning it up and bringing it back to life.
The LA-265A probably isn't worth very much, but I'm sure I'll find great value in the journey to learn about it's inner workings and to restore it.
I already have an original service manual for the LA-265A which will be a huge help.
The biggest issue I have is that it didn't come with any vertical plugin units. Would you be willing to sell me one of your LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifiers? Or would you know where I could get one? I also have a service manual for a LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifier so it doesn't need to be in working condition.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dave B.
This bloke has one of the Lavoie clones among his collection:-
http://jvgavila.com/Jose's website is enjoyable reading for Test Equipment freaks,as is Kurt's Tektronix page:-
http://www.w140.com/kurt/tek.htmlKurt has an interesting comment regarding a " Hughes Memoscope",which appears to have very similar plugins to those of the 500 series Tek Mainframes.
This bloke has one of the Lavoie clones among his collection:-
http://jvgavila.com/
Jose's website is enjoyable reading for Test Equipment freaks,as is Kurt's Tektronix page:-
http://www.w140.com/kurt/tek.html
Kurt has an interesting comment regarding a " Hughes Memoscope",which appears to have very similar plugins to those of the 500 series Tek Mainframes.
I take
bloke as a nice word
Yes, I got that Lavoie some years ago. Now I don't recall if the plug-in it has is a Tek or not. Now I need to go to look at it
. More to come!
Regards,
JOSE (EB5AGV)
I have checked and my unit has a
Tektronix 1A1 plug-in. It came that way, so for sure it is compatible.
A
clone is a
clone Regards,
JOSE
"Bloke" is definitely a nice word in your case,JOSE!
Great to see you on this forum.
Folks,this "bloke" is a font of information on repair of Test Equipment,Ham Radio,or whatever!