Conar's tracer was the only one with a tuned RF input using crystal filters matched to the basic frequencies used in radio mixers, such as 455 KHz. The other brands of tracers are nothing but very high gain audio amps using an RF demodulator probe, which had a geranium diode in them. The Conar kits were, at one time, sold through the Capital Electronics Correspondence School's electronics course. There were several schools back then, and I remember one in Pennsylvania, North American, that used Heathkit products with the course.
Handy little piece of gear to have. not only great for audio, but radio repair as well! Conar test gear was provided by NRI (National Radio Institute) the electronics school I attended. Cheap, yet reliable test gear.
Signal tracers are interesting and useful. I recently imported a Heathkit from the USA as I couldn’t find a good valve based unit here in the U.K.. thanks for sharing. I would recommend using the wife’s toothbrush for removing all the old crud from hard to reach places. Regards Chris
I think My Conar capacitance leakage tester works better than my Heathkit equivalent. I use a Knight signal tracer to find the outside foil end of new capacitors.
Conair makes hair dryers.... You got it at the end. I think Naval Jelly would clean up the front panel without any deleterious effects. Try on a small inconspicuous area. Stay well.
Not sure if you are aware but the probe actually has a vacuum tube inside it. I have one of these but made the dumb mistake of trying to remove the rust on the front panel by soaking it in Evapo Rust. Well it remove the rust alright... along with all the painted markings. Oh well live and learn.
So I follow that you probe your circuit under test and hear the signal present from the speaker but there's way more going on in that box that coupling a probe to a speaker and I don't know what any of it's for.
brocktechnology Well yeah, there is a tuning capacitor and an oscillator and all kinds of stuff. You don't need an external siggen for this. There seems to be s signal injector probe missing.
Oh Gee. At least replace the filter cap Terry. If it's not bad now It soon will be, especially if somebody is actually going to use this on the bench on a regular basis.
Or check some of the internal voltages? Leaky caps? Out of tolerance resistors? But apparently this is going to be put up for sale ASAP & all they wanted was to be able to say "it fires up, no smoke."
I love these old devices! So many cool things, yet, most forgotten! Great job Terry, thank you!
Conar's tracer was the only one with a tuned RF input using crystal filters matched to the basic frequencies used in radio mixers, such as 455 KHz. The other brands of tracers are nothing but very high gain audio amps using an RF demodulator probe, which had a geranium diode in them.
The Conar kits were, at one time, sold through the Capital Electronics Correspondence School's electronics course. There were several schools back then, and I remember one in Pennsylvania, North American, that used Heathkit products with the course.
Handy little piece of gear to have. not only great for audio, but radio repair as well! Conar test gear was provided by NRI (National Radio Institute) the electronics school I attended. Cheap, yet reliable test gear.
Conar was a part of NRI ( National Radio Institute - MCGRAW-HILL ) , a corespondance course in various electronics, automotive and refrigeration.
Signal tracers are interesting and useful. I recently imported a Heathkit from the USA as I couldn’t find a good valve based unit here in the U.K.. thanks for sharing. I would recommend using the wife’s toothbrush for removing all the old crud from hard to reach places. Regards Chris
I think they built that probe to be used in conjunction with the old board game "Operation".
I think My Conar capacitance leakage tester works better than my Heathkit equivalent. I use a Knight signal tracer to find the outside foil end of new capacitors.
Conair makes hair dryers.... You got it at the end.
I think Naval Jelly would clean up the front panel without any deleterious effects. Try on a small inconspicuous area.
Stay well.
Not sure if you are aware but the probe actually has a vacuum tube inside it. I have one of these but made the dumb mistake of trying to remove the rust on the front panel by soaking it in Evapo Rust. Well it remove the rust alright... along with all the painted markings. Oh well live and learn.
I built a signal injector/ tracer out of a 555 timer. Works well, circuit desighed by a Forrest Mimms. Easy on the Hooch. 👹 Good video
Thank you very much
Terry, are you gonna check that the proberamous demodulates some RF in part 2? ;-)
probearamus! I'm gonna haveta remember that one.
So I follow that you probe your circuit under test and hear the signal present from the speaker but there's way more going on in that box that coupling a probe to a speaker and I don't know what any of it's for.
brocktechnology Well yeah, there is a tuning capacitor and an oscillator and all kinds of stuff. You don't need an external siggen for this. There seems to be s signal injector probe missing.
+1 on the Innuendo by Queen Terry! ☺
19 Crimes 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is NZD$13.79 at my local supermarket.
Very tasty Napa Valley wine!
What advantage is there over an oscilloscope?
Remind me not to go to D-Lab's doctor..
😳😳
It's called a Michigander. I have family up there. I understand the dilemma. But it's alright haha.
Oh Gee. At least replace the filter cap Terry. If it's not bad now It soon will be, especially if somebody is actually going to use this on the bench on a regular basis.
Or check some of the internal voltages? Leaky caps? Out of tolerance resistors? But apparently this is going to be put up for sale ASAP & all they wanted was to be able to say "it fires up, no smoke."
Exactly what I was thinking !!
Accents acksetera!
It would never had been sold in France🤣🤣🤣. Conar is a pretty serious insult in French 🤣🤣🤣 (spelled Connard)
I just looked it up(!)
First