EEVblog #1256 - GORGEOUS Mystery Test Gear Teardown!

Probably the most gorgeous test gear teardown yet!
A master class in modular product design and design for servicing, a mystery retro bit of test gear from the bunker that was found in a dumpster, worth US$45k new in today's money.

#DumpsterDiving #Teardown #Mystery

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[bobweiss]

That thing isn't simply an AC millivoltmeter. It is a selective level meter, also called a frequency selective voltmeter. It is essentially a laboratory-grade radio receiver with a huge input level range (microvolts to volts without overloading), and a hyper-accurately calibrated "S-meter". If you hook the input to a longwire antenna, you can use the speaker to listen to frequencies from VLF up through HF. The major use of these was in telco central offices and the like, for checking various channels of carrier (FDM) systems. You can enter a specific frequency of interest, and measure the signal level at that specific frequency, while tuning out unwanted ones. A very specialized bit of gear, but lots of fun to play around with. I have an HP 3586C, which is similar in vintage, build quality, and functionality.

[RemcoStoutjesdijk]

There is some dude in a old age retirement home in Germany who's forgotten his wife's name but can recite the calibration manual entirely.

[misterthekaitheman]

Dave you should definitely repair this beauty of an instrument! I think it deserves to repaired at least.

Like if you also want Dave to repair this baby!

[geirendre]

This thing needs to be repaired and tested. Bring it back to life.

[agenericaccount]

*walks past the studio door*
*hears* "IT'S HINGED ITS HINGED GOD THAT'S PORNOGRAPHIC"
*pauses. Continues to walk, faster*

[MrCarGuy]

Can't imagine how much more equipment of this caliber has actually ended up in the dump! Gotta save it.

[SeliJue]

Dave, this unit was released 1980 for a price of 34650 DM. The todays value would be 126740 AUD. Regards Jürgen

[sparkplug]

That truly is a stunning example of both electronic and mechanical engineering, the layout, machining, everything had so much thought put into it.

[freeman]

I think Dave might need to change his underwear after this one.

[ronniepirtlejr]

That thing needs to be put in a museum. Absolutely beautiful work!

[juweinert]

Not a single cubic micrometer wasted! And just enough space for each strand of copper... Simply amazing.

[AnalogueGround]

One of the best EEVblogs ever. Gone is the critical and cynical Dave - here we have the real deal - a man that, when presented with a piece of incredible precision engineering, can be transformed into a kid on Christmas morning. Just inspiring - thanks Dave.

[maxtorque]

I take my hat off to the team who designed this thing pre CAD! It's hard enough today getting everything to fit together properly in that sort of tight envelope, but pre CAD it must have taken a herculean effort (and probably a LOT of prototypes....)

[peterandersen]

Please Dave!!! This is NOT "just a milivoltmeter"....!!! this is an adjustable bandpass voltmeter so you can adjust for a frequency and measure the amplitude up to 25MHz. You can measure 3rd harmonic distortion on your LF/HF generator fx. at 1kHz then you adjust for 3kHz and measure the voltage at the desired bandwidth. Can also be used as SSB receiver.
Please Dave, DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AS "just a milivoltmeter"... this is MUCH more than that. Please !! is is a measuring receiver, very high quality measuring receiver. Please read the basic stuff about the equipment in the manual before you make a teardown, just so you know what you are dealing with here..

[danielm]

I have no use for something like this, but if I had it, I would gladly sink days into troubleshooting and repairing it as my own little tribute to the engineers that created this beauty.

[StreuB]

Masterclass indeed. You should put the call out to see if any of the original design team are still around and see if you can get some comments from them. That would be a must watch, no question. This is a seriously stunning piece of system design.

[DumahBrazorf]

So, next video repairing the power supply? To see this puppy alive again?

[mozismobile]

"it just oozes quality" ... wipe the bench when you're finished, mate.

[argetech]

Imagine using that meter just to test continuity that's why the speaker is there.😄😄

[dosgos]

Who knew industrial design could get to this level! Staggering work from our German friends and a great teardown video Dave.