The "Cat Eye" was high tech in the late 50's through the 70's. The Cat Eye was used for tuning transmitters with a visual aid to the sound output of the transmitter. They were used extensively on the Weather Facsimile Receivers I used in the Navy. USN 1965 to 1969.
I had several of these on some used test equipment I purchased. My parents' 1960 Scott tuner used a magic eye tube but it had two horizontal green 'bars' which expanded/contracted towards one another to indicate station tuning. These and nixie tubes are still fascinating marvels of consumer tube technology.
People forget that analog voltage/current meters required a tube anyway in order to give accurate measurements(otherwise too much current would be used to deflect the needle), so a meter built right into a tube was a good idea in that day.
The cat eye tubes were the ones with the flat plates, mostly rusian design and they LOOKED like cat eyes. This is a "Magic eye" tube. the cat eye tubes had a flat plate inside making the indicator elongated within the tube. www.tubeclockdb.com/images/stories/2011/magic-eye/magic-eye-demonstrator-3.jpg
I had only ever seen these in still images. I never got the hype- I always assumed it was just a tinted lightbulb that flashed. Boy was I wrong- this is INSANE! man this is cool!
I remember the tuning eye well - our floor model radio had one - we would sit around by that radio for hours at a time; lots of great drama. (Truman was President.)
We had a,Zenith Green eye radio in 1959 I remember Dad running wire for antenna to get Grand old opry on sat night. That green eye would get closer together when a station tuned in the better the closer.
Thanks Mark you have helped a lot, I am having issues getting the shadow to show up, or be active. I have done lots in troubleshooting, it's no doubt something simple. If I can't get it functioning (it's in a factory installed Pilot radio) I will give you a shout. Been in the radio hobby almost 40 years, so I'm not a noob :) Thanks again sir!
I'm fascinated with Magic Eye tubes, which my 1939 RCA Victor Model K81 Radio has. Would love to adapt a vintage Magic Eye tube to any audio circuit, either as a tuning eye, and/or as VU Meters.
I have worked on some vintage test equipment that used a Magic Eye instead of a voltmeter (but only when no actual reading is to be taken). In all but one of those circuits, the Magic Eye tube had a high value resistor (e.g. 10M) between grid and cathode, with the cathode being at circuit common (ground) potential. The high voltage supply (typically somewhere between 150VDC and 200VDC) was applied between and tube's anode and circuit common (ground), and a 1M resistor was connected between the tube's anode and plate. These circuits did not have any negative voltage relative to circuit common (ground). When zero volts was then applied across the 10M gate-cathode resistor, the eye's display had an 'open' pattern, and as the applied voltage increased, the eye's pattern 'closed', eventually becoming fully closed. No negative voltages were present. While I did not check it, perhaps the 'open' pattern would have been wider if the grid was taken negative relative to circuit common (ground).......
I just love a green phosphor glow... I had a magic eye in an old tape recorder (I was in the 1980s but it was from the 1960s) and it looked to me, just like it's name, "magic". CRT 'scopes and VFDs have that same "magic" but there's still nothing quite like a magic eye tube.
I've just gotten into these after being given an old Marconiphone reel to reel recorder (probably a bit like the one you described) from my grandad. It uses a slightly different tube where instead of a circle the phosphor glows in a line from either end of the tube and it's inserted sideways. It's the VU meter for the recording level. I'd seen the round ones only on the surface before now never actually knew it was a whole tube underneath. Absolutely fascinating!!
Yes you can. The most awesomely fun way to learn how - if done SAFELY - is to find an Eico 147A (or similar) Signal Tracer and play your guitar through the RF input. Been doing this for 2 years. But you will want to install a switch for the heater voltage so you can use the eye for "special occasions" and turn it off while doing your daily practicing. Otherwise the poor tube will wear out faster.
@@fullwaverecked Pardon my ignorance, what is a signal tracer? Also, is there a simple(haha) quick way to see the tube is still good? Thanks for your reply>
@@joramkalfa9521 I apologise for the curtness of my last reply, I was at work. Regarding how to check a tube, and I am no expert, but from what I understand in order to test a vacuum tube, including magic eyes, you need high voltage. As in a tube tester. But according to Mr. Carlson's lab, if the magic eye tube has a satiny clean aluminum finish on the "eye" part, then there's a good chance that tube is good. And apparently when they get weak or go bad they turn brownish on the end. Hope that makes sense. I plan on building a small guitar amp with a magic eye soon. If you want more info I can let you know some good channels to check out. Good luck and let me know. Cheers!
@@fullwaverecked Thanks for the info and no apology necessary. I'm interested in doing the same thing. I have most of the parts for a Fender Champ and wanted to make it a little more interesting by incorporating the "eye" as a volume indicator. Keep me posted on what you come up with.
What did it cost,I built a tube type tuner kit from the fifties ,I found this kit in the seventies,it had a magic eye ,but it was a small skinny upright tube ,used for tunning the tube radio ,magic eyes come in several sizes ,I also had a old reel to reel with a magic eye .I love them they are very cool ,they seem to last a long time too
What could be wrong with a radio with a "Magic Green Eye" which lights up well and appears to be in good condition, but has little if no movement within the eye itself regardless of where the station dial is set?
Hi Richard. I am having the same issue with a 1629. Same tube basically with a 12V fil. I get no action in the shadow at all, even placing negative voltage on the grid. Nothing, nada. Are you on one of the FB radio groups? Your name sounds familiar. The neg voltage from the AVC line is what makes the shadow widen or narrow. I have AGC voltage to the tube but no action. Message me sometime and we can compare notes. Thanks!
I was born in 68 but I never saw one of these on any electronics, I guess they were already going out of style, which is too bad because they're so damn cool!
Excelente… tengo uno igual que quité de un radio de sw, está con un soporte que lo sujetaba al radio, ese tube tiene 2 resistencias de 1mohm soldadas de fábrica… pienso usarlo como un vu meter, pero primero voy a probarlo a ver si funciona… Gracias y Felicidades…
Hi Mark, I have a EM84 Magic eye. I have used it before but now its glowing very low. Can you please suggest is its because of some voltage change or the tube is have some life time and after that it will glow less?
@pankaj motiyar @@md10591 Right, there is no way to rejuvenate the target green phosphor. The tube will indeed test "good' on the tube tester, but the target surface that lights up, is what wears, not the plate. I have heard of trying to raise the B+ to get a little more brightness out of it, but I"ve never tried. Some guys will install a switch on the B+ to the tube to use it for display only, and save the tube when not really looking at it.
Greetings: I do not have one of these. My step dad had a Grundig console unit with a stereo turntable that had a magic eye tuning indicator for the radio.
Hint... if you have it in a radio or equipment that does not get used often... cover that tube from sunlight ... that alone will kill the phosphorus on the tube ...
No. That is a myth. 100% sure. That phosphor coating on the target is Zn2SiO4, AKA "Willemite", the energy of sunlight cannot degrade that in any way...
@@Nexalian_Gamer From my research on these 1629 magic eye tubes, they have short life expentancy if used daily for many hours each day. For short duration intermittent use they will last longer. I currently have 6 of these tubes I bought on eBay recently.
@@dr.OgataSerizawa Ebay, the seller I got mine from had a large quantity of them, Prices seem to vary, but I think I got mine for about $30 thereabout.
Mark, thank you for the video. I have a question if possible. You have connected the "Anode" (pin3) and "Target" (pin6) to +180V, and "Cathode" (pin8) to the "ground pin" coming from the power supply right? So power source's DC 180V's + is used by pin3, pin6 and 180V's ground is connected to pin8... Thanks :)
I have one of these , it works just fine ... the only snag for using in modern circuits is that it needs a NEGATIVE voltage on the input grid to work ! ! ......... DAVE™ .......
Why would you want to? Oh! You mean accidentally. Well, I think you would want to avoid high voltage applied to the heater pins. Other than that, I don't think there is much harm you can do.
The 6E5 fits a six-contact socket. The base of the tube has six pins in a circular arrangement set 60° apart. The top four pins (2,3,4,5) are 0.125" diameter, while the two bottom pins (1,6), the heater pins, are slightly larger at a diameter of 0.153", making it virtually impossible for misaligned insertion. Some six-pin power tubes (like the Tungsol 6L6GC pentode) use an eight-pin base, which has a plastic tab in the center called a "key" that fits a corresponding keyway slot in the socket that prevents misalignment. The two extra pins are inactive.
Many many years ago Me and a friend acquired a pair of side reading eye tubes, I got mine to work, however my friend, at the very last moment, stripping the last wire, his cutters came away and took the nipple of the top of the tube.... Not happy!
Greetings: Get yourself a copy of your radio's schematic (Google is your friend). The Automatic Volume Control (AVC) line is generated by the signal strength at the detector tube, then a resistor attenuated the negative level so it is appropriate to feed the grids of the RF Amp, mixer and IF tubes. Examine the circuits of radios that incorporate these tubes to learn what you should do for your situation. Check for kits on ebay or AliExpress, or Banggood.
@brent4uc.......I have an NOS 6U5 Haltron tuning eye tube made in London, England, never used still in the box. However, this one has 7 pins on the bottom as apposed to the 6 pins on the 6E5. So it’s probably the wrong one. Anyway, in the event it turns out you do require a 7-pin tube, let me know if you’re interested. Jim in Columbia, MO.
I have one in my 1937 Sparton radio. It still works but it has layers of dust and dirt on it. I'm not smart enough to understand electronics, but is it possible to make this old radio FM capable? Or should I just be happy my radio works?
Adding FM to an AM radio is much more complicated that you may think. Adding FM demodulation is one thing but the VHF band used for FM is much higher in frequency than the bands used for AM so you'd need to re-model everything up to input of the audio amplifier.
Best way is to use an FM converter that will downconvert the FM and send it to the am frequency. The old Pilotuners did that.. You won't get the good fidelity either, as the older radio does not reproduce the higher audio frequencies well. But to convert the chassis to FM, it will be futile and would not work well at all. It's like trying to convert a black and white TV to a color set.
Simular I think, but smaller used for old tape recording levels ua-cam.com/video/Fw0si6Q_yUg/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/K_VD6UF1SGQ/v-deo.html Not sure about this one> ua-cam.com/video/oHN2rWbaLew/v-deo.html
The "Cat Eye" was high tech in the late 50's through the 70's. The Cat Eye was used for tuning transmitters with a visual aid to the sound output of the transmitter. They were used extensively on the Weather Facsimile Receivers I used in the Navy. USN 1965 to 1969.
I had several of these on some used test equipment I purchased. My parents' 1960 Scott tuner used a magic eye tube but it had two horizontal green 'bars' which expanded/contracted towards one another to indicate station tuning.
These and nixie tubes are still fascinating marvels of consumer tube technology.
they were came into use during the depression era, they were much cheaper to use than tuning meters.
Zenith was using them in their radio dials in the lates 30s
People forget that analog voltage/current meters required a tube anyway in order to give accurate measurements(otherwise too much current would be used to deflect the needle), so a meter built right into a tube was a good idea in that day.
The cat eye tubes were the ones with the flat plates, mostly rusian design and they LOOKED like cat eyes. This is a "Magic eye" tube. the cat eye tubes had a flat plate inside making the indicator elongated within the tube. www.tubeclockdb.com/images/stories/2011/magic-eye/magic-eye-demonstrator-3.jpg
I haven't seen that since my parent's console stereo in the 60's! A BLAST from the past - THANK YOU!!!
I had only ever seen these in still images. I never got the hype- I always assumed it was just a tinted lightbulb that flashed. Boy was I wrong- this is INSANE! man this is cool!
I remember the tuning eye well - our floor model radio had one - we would sit around by that radio for hours at a time; lots of great drama. (Truman was President.)
Italiano
Thanks for sharing,all that technology that has been out there all this time,thank you again.
We had a,Zenith Green eye radio in 1959 I remember Dad running wire for antenna to get Grand old opry on sat night. That green eye would get closer together when a station tuned in the better the closer.
That's pretty, to have tuning visualiser like that
Thanks Mark you have helped a lot, I am having issues getting the shadow to show up, or be active. I have done lots in troubleshooting, it's no doubt something simple. If I can't get it functioning (it's in a factory installed Pilot radio) I will give you a shout. Been in the radio hobby almost 40 years, so I'm not a noob :) Thanks again sir!
10:23 I guess u could say “ cuz that’s where all the magic happens “ haha 😆😆 That thing’s a beauty when it glows 🤩🤩
I'm fascinated with Magic Eye tubes, which my 1939 RCA Victor Model K81 Radio has. Would love to adapt a vintage Magic Eye tube to any audio circuit, either as a tuning eye, and/or as VU Meters.
Wow, nice job! Thank you for the information!
You forgot to put a link to the supplier in the description ! Could you disclose it please ?
I have worked on some vintage test equipment that used a Magic Eye instead of a voltmeter (but only when no actual reading is to be taken). In all but one of those circuits, the Magic Eye tube had a high value resistor (e.g. 10M) between grid and cathode, with the cathode being at circuit common (ground) potential. The high voltage supply (typically somewhere between 150VDC and 200VDC) was applied between and tube's anode and circuit common (ground), and a 1M resistor was connected between the tube's anode and plate. These circuits did not have any negative voltage relative to circuit common (ground). When zero volts was then applied across the 10M gate-cathode resistor, the eye's display had an 'open' pattern, and as the applied voltage increased, the eye's pattern 'closed', eventually becoming fully closed. No negative voltages were present. While I did not check it, perhaps the 'open' pattern would have been wider if the grid was taken negative relative to circuit common (ground).......
Excellent video and very clear demonstration :)
I just love a green phosphor glow... I had a magic eye in an old tape recorder (I was in the 1980s but it was from the 1960s) and it looked to me, just like it's name, "magic". CRT 'scopes and VFDs have that same "magic" but there's still nothing quite like a magic eye tube.
I've just gotten into these after being given an old Marconiphone reel to reel recorder (probably a bit like the one you described) from my grandad. It uses a slightly different tube where instead of a circle the phosphor glows in a line from either end of the tube and it's inserted sideways. It's the VU meter for the recording level. I'd seen the round ones only on the surface before now never actually knew it was a whole tube underneath. Absolutely fascinating!!
Could you incorporate the magic eye into a guitar amp and have it display volume fluctuation?
Yes you can. The most awesomely fun way to learn how - if done SAFELY - is to find an Eico 147A (or similar) Signal Tracer and play your guitar through the RF input. Been doing this for 2 years. But you will want to install a switch for the heater voltage so you can use the eye for "special occasions" and turn it off while doing your daily practicing. Otherwise the poor tube will wear out faster.
@@fullwaverecked Pardon my ignorance, what is a signal tracer?
Also, is there a simple(haha) quick way to see the tube is still good? Thanks for your reply>
@@joramkalfa9521 A signal tracer is a vintage electrical component trouble shooting device. Google it.
@@joramkalfa9521 I apologise for the curtness of my last reply, I was at work. Regarding how to check a tube, and I am no expert, but from what I understand in order to test a vacuum tube, including magic eyes, you need high voltage. As in a tube tester. But according to Mr. Carlson's lab, if the magic eye tube has a satiny clean aluminum finish on the "eye" part, then there's a good chance that tube is good. And apparently when they get weak or go bad they turn brownish on the end. Hope that makes sense. I plan on building a small guitar amp with a magic eye soon. If you want more info I can let you know some good channels to check out. Good luck and let me know. Cheers!
@@fullwaverecked Thanks for the info and no apology necessary. I'm interested in doing the same thing. I have most of the parts for a Fender Champ and wanted to make it a little more interesting by incorporating the "eye" as a volume indicator. Keep me posted on what you come up with.
Where's the link for these tubes!? What's the link for the high-voltage board? Answer and you'll get a thumbs-up!
Lovely video ! love that tube !
Great video! Thanks!
I think I have one of these…. It hasn’t been used much, as far as I know…
How much voltage does one of these want, i.e. the plate voltage?
What did it cost,I built a tube type tuner kit from the fifties ,I found this kit in the seventies,it had a magic eye ,but it was a small skinny upright tube ,used for tunning the tube radio ,magic eyes come in several sizes ,I also had a old reel to reel with a magic eye .I love them they are very cool ,they seem to last a long time too
What kind of reel to reel did you have that had a magic eye in it? Just curious.
Crazy to think that this was once a cheaper replacement for voltage indicators
What could be wrong with a radio with a "Magic Green Eye" which lights up well and appears to be in good condition, but has little if no movement within the eye itself regardless of where the station dial is set?
Hi Richard. I am having the same issue with a 1629. Same tube basically with a 12V fil. I get no action in the shadow at all, even placing negative voltage on the grid. Nothing, nada. Are you on one of the FB radio groups? Your name sounds familiar.
The neg voltage from the AVC line is what makes the shadow widen or narrow. I have AGC voltage to the tube but no action. Message me sometime and we can compare notes. Thanks!
Nice video, thanks :)
We had this in Vitavox radio in 1986 in India.
I was born in 68 but I never saw one of these on any electronics, I guess they were already going out of style, which is too bad because they're so damn cool!
It would be neat to make a monster and then use two of these for eyeballs.
That’s really cool dude.
Excelente… tengo uno igual que quité de un radio de sw, está con un soporte que lo sujetaba al radio, ese tube tiene 2 resistencias de 1mohm soldadas de fábrica… pienso usarlo como un vu meter, pero primero voy a probarlo a ver si funciona… Gracias y Felicidades…
Hi Mark, I have a EM84 Magic eye. I have used it before but now its glowing very low. Can you please suggest is its because of some voltage change or the tube is have some life time and after that it will glow less?
It's like a CRT; it will dim over time. If it happened suddenly, check the voltage.
thanks for the reply it has dim over time. May be need to put some reverse high voltage to remove the Plate deposition.
the tube is reaching his life end .
@pankaj motiyar @@md10591 Right, there is no way to rejuvenate the target green phosphor.
The tube will indeed test "good' on the tube tester, but the target surface that lights up, is what wears, not the plate.
I have heard of trying to raise the B+ to get a little more brightness out of it, but I"ve never tried. Some guys will install a switch on the B+ to the tube to use it for display only, and save the tube when not really looking at it.
Greetings:
I do not have one of these. My step dad had a Grundig console unit with a stereo turntable that had a magic eye tuning indicator for the radio.
Hint... if you have it in a radio or equipment that does not get used often... cover that tube from sunlight ... that alone will kill the phosphorus on the tube ...
No. That is a myth. 100% sure. That phosphor coating on the target is Zn2SiO4, AKA "Willemite", the energy of sunlight cannot degrade that in any way...
I would actually like to see one of these modded into a PC tower
I agree.This tube would make for a great steampunk-themed tower.Can't beat the look of the tuning eye tube.
@@Nexalian_Gamer From my research on these 1629 magic eye tubes, they have short life expentancy if used daily for many hours each day. For short duration intermittent use they will last longer. I currently have 6 of these tubes I bought on eBay recently.
Besides a tuner and a vu meter which others aplications can it be used for?
I have an old Eico capacitance/resistance tester that uses one of these tubes. They were often used in older electronic test equipment.
@@notajp thankyou
@@notajp how does it work btw? What does The fine Line of The eye mean?
Where can I find one of those power supply modules?
Any links/vendors?
Exactly !! Same issue
Just Google it!
Ha.. Ha.. Ha... Is that Pacmans weird cousin from Canada? :D
At 12:20......
Hi, 5:00 What is name of this power supply? I want to buy one on then net... I dont find that
this is very exciting !
Just bought one of these, they are still available.
Where did you get yours? I’m just curious as to how much they’re asking.
@@dr.OgataSerizawa Ebay, the seller I got mine from had a large quantity of them, Prices seem to vary, but I think I got mine for about $30 thereabout.
@@markseiver8183 I got lucky. I bought 4 plus two more added for free. Price was $75 for all 6 tubes.
Mark, thank you for the video. I have a question if possible.
You have connected the "Anode" (pin3) and "Target" (pin6) to +180V, and "Cathode" (pin8) to the "ground pin" coming from the power supply right? So power source's DC 180V's + is used by pin3, pin6 and 180V's ground is connected to pin8...
Thanks :)
You need a resistor (~1meg) in between the anode and the supply. Otherwise you will not be able to adjust the opening with the grid.
Thank you Mark.
I have one of these , it works just fine ... the only snag for using in modern circuits is that it needs a NEGATIVE voltage on the input grid to work ! ! ......... DAVE™ .......
Du you have an ebay link for the HV-supply?
+TsarBombe www.ebay.ca/itm/POWER-SUPPLY-in14-in16-in18-in12-nixie-tube-Adjust-Voltage-DC-130-200V-/171374739771?hash=item27e6bb013b:g:G0kAAOSwe7BWyabj
+Mark Furneaux thx :D
GE refers to them as Electron Ray Indicators
Can you plug the tube incorrectly?
Why would you want to?
Oh! You mean accidentally.
Well, I think you would want to avoid high voltage applied to the heater pins. Other than that, I don't think there is much harm you can do.
The 6E5 fits a six-contact socket. The base of the tube has six pins in a circular arrangement set 60° apart. The top four pins (2,3,4,5) are 0.125" diameter, while the two bottom pins (1,6), the heater pins, are slightly larger at a diameter of 0.153", making it virtually impossible for misaligned insertion.
Some six-pin power tubes (like the Tungsol 6L6GC pentode) use an eight-pin base, which has a plastic tab in the center called a "key" that fits a corresponding keyway slot in the socket that prevents misalignment. The two extra pins are inactive.
Many many years ago Me and a friend acquired a pair of side reading eye tubes, I got mine to work, however my friend, at the very last moment, stripping the last wire, his cutters came away and took the nipple of the top of the tube....
Not happy!
Which pins are the heaters?????????
the 2 larges one
Just Google magiceyetubes.com or some such. Everything you need to know.
The fat pins one and six are the heater pins.
Google is your friend.
Para que sirve el Ojo mágico en una radio de tubos?
Poniendola en la línea de AGC se puede buscar el centro de la portadora de AM.
Es decir lograr la perfecta sintonía de la estación que oimos.
Greetings:
Get yourself a copy of your radio's schematic (Google is your friend). The Automatic Volume Control (AVC) line is generated by the signal strength at the detector tube, then a resistor attenuated the negative level so it is appropriate to feed the grids of the RF Amp, mixer and IF tubes. Examine the circuits of radios that incorporate these tubes to learn what you should do for your situation. Check for kits on ebay or AliExpress, or Banggood.
Do you have the location/ URL to purchase the 6E5 tube?
@brent4uc.......I have an NOS 6U5 Haltron tuning eye tube made in London, England, never used still in the box. However, this one has 7 pins on the bottom as apposed to the 6 pins on the 6E5. So it’s probably the wrong one. Anyway, in the event it turns out you do require a 7-pin tube, let me know if you’re interested. Jim in Columbia, MO.
I have one in my 1937 Sparton radio. It still works but it has layers of dust and dirt on it. I'm not smart enough to understand electronics, but is it possible to make this old radio FM capable? Or should I just be happy my radio works?
scott FREE be happy that it works
Adding FM to an AM radio is much more complicated that you may think. Adding FM demodulation is one thing but the VHF band used for FM is much higher in frequency than the bands used for AM so you'd need to re-model everything up to input of the audio amplifier.
Best way is to use an FM converter that will downconvert the FM and send it to the am frequency. The old Pilotuners did that.. You won't get the good fidelity either, as the older radio does not reproduce the higher audio frequencies well.
But to convert the chassis to FM, it will be futile and would not work well at all. It's like trying to convert a black and white TV to a color set.
I love CRTs♥
Simular I think, but smaller used for old tape recording levels
ua-cam.com/video/Fw0si6Q_yUg/v-deo.html
and
ua-cam.com/video/K_VD6UF1SGQ/v-deo.html
Not sure about this one>
ua-cam.com/video/oHN2rWbaLew/v-deo.html
came here from Fran Blanche
Pacman at 12:20
Who else is here because they looked up 6e-5?
Fun fact: in arabic language japan 🗾 means coward person 😅