Products > Test Equipment
Type 576 an interesting day
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SoundTech-LG:
I wasn't really trying to collect these things, they just sort of found ME, My first was the Heathkit IT-1121 mid to late 70s I got it. Then the 575 about 2 years ago, now this. So why do I need 3? I don't. :-//
SoundTech-LG:
Never ending story, but gets even more interesting...  turns out the CRT is dying quickly and "double peaking". So, first started looking for Rejuvenators. Bought a pile of cr@p and trying to get my money back. Another one on the way. While looking I thought maybe a good crt could be found in another 576. Couple days went by, then bang, one popped up. Here is the interesting part. The front panel did not look quite right. The big screw for the crt bezel was not there, it had what looked like a plastic release button. There was no name plate above the CRT, just the blank spot. The knob lettering appeared different on the panel printing. Here's the big one. I could not quite read the serial number in the photo. So I asked. He said he didn't know where the serial number was. I had to circle it for him in his photo. Then it took him at least a day to finally come back with a THREE digit serial number. Hard to believe, but he took a close up photo, and yep 3 digits. Ready???  Get this...  A01. So, turns out his dad worked at the Beaverton plant. Pretty sure that is a prototype 576 and since it is A ZERO ONE...
likely the first prototype! Betting on low hours on the tube. I am sure there are more bizarre Tektronix stories, but this has to be ONE of them! :-+
Shock:
FYI, there are power supply transistor and cap end of life issues and separate HV transformer related issue (as best I recall it was a specific part that was corrected). I think all problems can be addressed but you might want to look it up and check earlier than later to prevent damage.

It's quite an iconic piece of gear and they only seem to becoming more expensive. Well worth the time and investment in restoring, in my opinion.
SoundTech-LG:
Thanks! Yes, EOL caps are an issue. When I turned on the first 576 it blew one in the LV Regulator board. Checked all supplies for voltage and ripple all good at the moment. It has the later black HV Trans. I am sure the Prototype will have a brown bad one. The Proto looks nice and bright in photos. I didn't see the usual burn marks at 0 Horiz and 0 Vert, but they may still be there, who knows. At least it was operated by factory folks who should know how to care for CRTs. I will probably swap the CRTs, if it makes it here in one piece that is. It's one state away, but UPS could drop it any time, any where. :--
SoundTech-LG:
Just now received an email replay from Bob Haas at vintageTEK museum...   Here is what he said. Good information when looking at TEK serial numbers in question.

Martin:  You have an early prototype. New product development at Tek typically had 4 phases:  Enn for Engineering, Ann and Bnn phase for production prototypes, and production with Bnnnnnn serial numbers for instruments made in Beaverton. Sometimes there were large changes between A-phase, B-phase and production instruments. It depended on the instrument design.

Bob Haas for vintageTEK
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