Look Inside This Rare Tektronix TU-50 Test Unit!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn more about electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

[@DETRIVNI]

Mr Carlson have you ever considered streaming live your restoration work as you do it? I personally would really enjoy watching you solder everything in.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Hey mr. Carlson. Kind of a question here. first of all what type of connector is on the panel and the cable for the attenuator Box? And also the connector on the so-called special power cable. Show me the woman on the power cable loose looks like a reverse schuko plug lumos were some sort of Euro plug but in reverse? At least a quick glance of it on the video. Also have you ever heard of someone using a voltage regulator tube as a night light. Once I found a place that was wired for that there was a like a voltage doubler a few other components in a junction box with a tube socket on the front of the cover plate. And there were tag strips riveted to the junction box cover. Unseen box cover like that with tuba relay sockets for other purposes but not that I went to someone's old house evidently to go in at live there or built it probably both what's a tech genius. There's all sorts of weird sockets and stuff you would have loved it. And I also saw something in a closet they weren't quite sure what it was. Big insulator and A rod on it. And various weird things on the wall and such some things I can't even describe. And when they first when we was going on I said don't touch any of the sockets or anything. I said to them so I can think that it might be tube type of equipment which means possible high voltage. Turns out a couple cases I was right. You should have seen the basement an addict in other places as well. But the way that thing with the rod later determined that was a radio transmitter. Also a lot of stuff is Tiny and everything else it seemed like a really old motivation system. I found other devices with antennas but not transmitters receivers. And relays everywhere. Also this house had the 50s 60s wiring with the remote control switching with relays which is also tied into the system. You could have imagined any type of connector it would be there. So which I've never seen even to this day elsewhere. And not the only place like that I've seen But amazing Also once it was working again was just meant restoring power to part of it. Of course disconnecting certain things that would probably not be a good idea. One thing some transmitters because they operate it on the amateur radio band. And I'll words whoever designed it was possibly licensed it's possible but that frequency was not allocated at that time don't know can't remember what frequency it was. And it appeared that that was also part of alarm system for the house

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

So diy film capacitors DON'T die? Also try saying that 10 times fast.

[@strombolitic]

@@aaronbrandenburg2441 Photos would be welcome.

[@felixcosty]

Thanks for the video. I really love the look of the two wood floor radio, you had in this video. What are the makes and models.

[@wes11bravo]

Mr Carlson's Lab channel has the best audio.

[@W1RMD]

You know you want to fire that up in the dark while it's open! VERY nicely designed!

[@erin19030]

In my 50 years of working in electronics I've used and seen all of the equipment Mr. Carlson explains. I worked in a Calibrations lab at the RCA David Sarnoff Research Center, Princeton, NJ. Our group repaired and calibrated all the equipment engineers used on a daily basis. These days I hang out in my basement Lab restoring vintage Radios, record players and test equipment. I also enjoy bread boarding circuitry. My latest project completed was a tube tester. I build much of my own equipment. I do envy Mr. Carlson' collection. Electronic vacuum tubes are my favorite item to experiment with. I trade at Ebay.

[@dougtaylor7724]

The inside looks like a worlds fair exhibit. Gorgeous piece of work.

[@leonvanderlinde5580]

I am so glad to see you use a spanner to undo the nut. Most people use a pair of pliers. I give you 10/10 for this.

[@thomasw6169]

Man this apartment is crowded ... But not unorganized. Great collection !

[@jamesricks9863]

HOLY MOTHER OF GLASS TUBES AND CERAMICS!! You could leave that back door open and skip the tanning salon.... for two years. Very cool presentation Mr C

[@willownoel5017]

Professor Carlson, your videos are excellent works of teaching and instruction.

[@thomasross4532]

I worked in calibration labs in the Canadian Airforce, and in a private standards lab when I retired, I’m amazed that something as exotic as Test Equipment is on KZbin, I enjoy your channel.

[@carlhart9604]

Mr. Carlson, Do you have a biographic video? If not, I know many other subscribers would be very interested in your background. How do you know so much about electronics that were built before you were born? Is your family an engineering or scientific family? What was your education and who did you work for? Are you still employed in the electronics world? Love your Channel!

[@carlhart9604]

And yes, I am willing to answer those same questions 👌 not sure anyone would care...

[@GemmatheCat]

Would love to hear your story, Paul!

[@ibanezleftyclub]

I’d love to hear a full background as well. How did you become the Wizard of Electronics?

[@contemporiser]

I think is short and simple. Born with a soldering iron in hand, cut of belly cord with side cutters, got down to his workshop and that's it.

[@acrexp]

I would love to hear your background. Our backgrounds are our makeup, they determine who we are and why each of us are different but the same if you know what I mean. Thanks Mr Carlson for all you do. I really love your videos. Watching and doing is the way I have learned most everything I know.

[@jagardina]

I like the shorter format, it's easier for me to watch.

[@erin19030]

Love those orange stacked selenium rectifiers.

[@ottodydaktyk]

Tektronix built their equipment like tanks. Excellent quality. Looking forward to the alignment on this unit!

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

I could look @ the inside of that thing all day Paul. TFS, G :)

[@samuellourenco1050]

Very beautiful inside! I normally don't like point-to-point construction as seen in radios, because of the mess, but this instrument is neatly made and organized.

[@mosieurlaurin]

The layout inside this is a treat to look at. It's beautiful.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

And the attention to detail, such as all resistors installed in the same direction. Classy.

[@boredfartless4221]

It is which is surprising, as if its job was only in their factory, it didn't have to please a customer.

[@sadpepe7937]

@@boredfartless4221 engineers usually take a lot of pride in their work and have an aesthetic sense going into their designs ;)

[@ncoide]

I'm not electric engineer. But I love to see whats inside. Is relaxing, somehow.

[@olddisneylandtickets]

Me too, and this machine was so well built inside it's amazing.

[@hugobloemers4425]

You don't have to be an electronic engineer to recognize when quality equipment is explained by a master in his art.

[@turbojoe2]

Wow the layout of that is amazing!

[@nando_br]

Tektronics equipments of this era was so beautiful and well made.

[@klaasklapsigaar1081]

Thanks Mr Carlson!! 5 new videos over the last month, this will get me through the lockdown.

[@ottodydaktyk]

For anyone trying to decide on whether a Patreon subscription is worth it, YES, it's worth it! For the minimum $5 per month you get access to many more detailed videos and Mr. Carlson has shared some awesome designs, schematics, parts lists, etc for some really cool test equipment that you can make for yourself. Definitely worth the $$$. I am working on watching all of the videos, taking notes, making parts lists, and getting my electronics bench setup. (Yes, it takes a while. Some items are pricey, so I'm learning while I'm wading through the videos and getting the needed equipment) Also, since the Covid crap has happened, some parts are difficult or harder to get, especially if they are from overseas, so I can still study while waiting for things to get back to normal. Thanks, Mr. Carlson, your videos are very interesting and entertaining at the same time. (No, I don't know Mr. Carlson and he didn't ask me to do this. I'm telling ya, IT'S WORTH IT!) Best regards.

[@dee3264]

As a keen pet owner with a Golden Labrador, I was initially disappointed to find a KZbin search brought up your channel. However, having arrived for canine labs, I stayed for your brilliant electronics. So glad I found you. Dee, UK.

[@whos1st]

I don’t know much about electronics- but it doesn’t matter, I love these vids. I always tell myself that I’m only gonna watch a few minutes....and here I am hours later. Fascinating.

[@rootvalue]

Thank you for captions, my friend!

[@rusty1187]

Loved the shortwave radios in the lab. My father recently died, and i just finished restoring his 1937 Philco 37-650. I think dad would be proud....

[@OC35]

Tek scopes used to come with a reel of silver solder inside.

[@gyrgrls]

Silver bearing solder. It is only 3% silver.

[@McTroyd]

Love these short overviews you've been doing. Looking forward to the restorations even more. You're one of exactly 3 KZbin hosts I turned on notifications for; I'll be watching. Thanks!

[@erin19030]

I was in the US Army signal corps depot maintenance . We did all the repair and calibration of electronics gear. It was good duty while stationed in Germany . The passing of time there was more like having a cool job than being just a soldier in the Infantry. In civilian life I went to RCA Institute , NYC and studied electronics, so my the time I was drafted I was working at NBC Ch. 4. My civilian experience landed me straight into the signal Corps in Red Bank and Fort Monmouth.

[@peterbuch9174]

During my youth in the 70's in Frankfurt and later on I had the impression most of the American soldiers quite enjoyed their time in Germany. Germans liked the Americans as well. Anyway, the center tube in the hanging array seems to have a bad getter.

[@Helectronics]

So clean and organised design inside, beautiful instrument!

[@supersaiyangodtruthseeker9679]

I would like to see you restore this beauty soon btw I got you on Patreon I just love how much detail you put in to these videos

[@50srefugee]

There is just something about pre-IC Tektronix gear. Absolutely beautiful.

[@DavidSmith-zx7wz]

Thanks for keeping us entertained!!

[@matthewhall6288]

Those toggle switches are so satisfying to listen to.

[@garybevis8691]

Holy Cow, you have moved a bunch of equipment around or you did some filling up the shelves and tons gear! I love it. Everything to do with Tektronix is so special to me. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@Mr2Xri]

You are a greate teacher and inspiration for all of us here... Thanks you!!!

[@donmoore7785]

I started work as an engineer in 1983 at GE in Utica, NY. I recall the extremely nice Tek scopes we had, and the plug-ins. But I was a digital guy, so I used logic analyzers and simulators a lot of the time. This piece is built like the space shuttle. Gorgeous!

[@jeffhermansen8370]

Just wanted to say I love your channel... I've always been interested in electronics. But the vintage stuff I really like! Thank you!!!

[@mrgoodwrench39]

I wish I could be a student of Mr Carlson , and work in his shop to help and learn. this fascinates me big time. I have been an auto tech all my life and like doing the electronic diagnoses on cars, and pretty good at it.When I saw this guy's videos it really sparked me. this is great stuff. love it. wish i started at a young age in this field. Thanks for the joy you have giving me.----Pete---

[@andycristea]

Wow! Every angle of the inside of that thing is a wallpaper photo! Amazing device. Thanks, mr C!

[@herbmyers805]

Nice to see the rows of silver soldered components. We used to wash out scopes out (disconnecting transformers removing tubes etc) with a commercial cleaning system and low level oven!!! Put back together and worked like a champ!!!

[@KenWPeek]

Absolutely beautiful! This was from a time when true craftsmen built things like this. They just don't build things with pride anymore... pretty sad... Thanks for the video!

[@hestheMaster]

Just what I need to align my Tektronix 310A oscilloscope! She opens like a tube caddy suitcase. No selenium rectifiers in it. 12 silicon diodes. Has a mere 30 tubes in it however. I love how the engineers designed the layout of everything inside so very nicely in the TU-50. Thanks for sharing Paul!

[@shtreder]

TU-50? It is broadcast amplifier?

[@bijouxbijouxbijoux]

What a beauty...I'm so in love with this tube gears ! Thanks again Paul to share this with all of us !

[@DougHanchard]

Checking alignment with a unit that may need alignment. Interesting conundrum that should be fun to watch and learn. Stay safe!

[@156dave]

This takes me back to the mid 70’s when I worked in a cal lab Tektronix and Hewlett Packard were the only scopes that exceeded there specs .All other manufacturers you had to squint and look the other way when checking rise time and bandwidth

[@olddisneylandtickets]

I really am enjoying these take a look video's Mr Carlson, thank you! Oh my when you opened the back, that's such a beauty.

[@winstonsmith478]

Incredibly clean for something that old that is fan cooled.

[@keefebaby]

Wow beautiful construction

[@burn0u71]

lol think we just found why there's a shortage of certain tubes :) Love how incredibly informative you are Mr. C. keep up your awesome vids

[@barryf5479]

I recall being shown a Tektronix-produced film in the late sixties in my high school "radio shop". It described their oscilloscope designs and how they increased their reliability and stability by incorporating their ceramic strips plated with silver for their interconnects. Tektronix scopes were well-known for their very stable triggering capability as you know. They were the standard for the era. I worked for one of their competitors and we always lamented how well Tek scopes triggered.

[@vintagestereo]

fantastic video, thank you. More of this please...your knowledge is so big

[@herbmyers805]

I spent nine years calibrating test equipment mostly o-scoped and plug-ins PMEL in USAF

[@rootvalue]

Hey Herb, I work as a service repair technician at Tektronix in Beaverton Oregon. If you are looking for work, we have two openings in the Scope Repair Cell and would love PMEL training in our group. My team lead is a PMEL wiz and the knowledge is indispensible.

[@peternotarfrancesco2614]

This reminds me about metrology 101 calibrate the calibrator where did he get the next level certs.

[@StewartMarkley]

@@rootvalue Interesting that you worked at PMEL in the USAF. I was a contractor working for the USAF out in the Nellis NTTR before I retired a couple of years ago. I brought our test equipment to PMEL for our shop, and talked to a guy there about it as I did some test equipment repairs in my earlier career.

[@dazoedave]

Every time i come across one of you video's Max Headroom pops into my head.

[@G3PWP]

'wow ' This is beautiful just look at the layout of all the components so uniform and so neat, This reminds me of the inside of my 2011 mac pro

[@louscheffer2283]

That giant rack of tubes in the time-mark generator is implementing a frequency divider chain. A giant, power hungry pain with tubes; one tiny IC today.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Ya... but that's no fun. Glass is where it's at!

[@alphabeets]

Man, your videos are like eye candy. They look and sound great and of course are very educational.

[@Pigeoning]

Absolutely love this format.

[@JennyEverywhere]

Great looking device, Paul! I need to build one of those capacitor testers. Hope you're doing well and everyone in your household is healthy.

[@planetwisconsin9901]

Thanks for your videos! 😊

[@wbrenne]

What a lamp shop inside!

[@FordSeniorMaster]

WOW!!! Very awesome! Paul, I have a couple of genuine questions. 1) Where do you "score" your vintage test equipment?? 2) Just how many oscilloscopes you you current own? That is a VERY IMPRESSIVE collection. You are AWESOME! Patrick P.S. I have always been very impressed by how organized and clean your lab/work areas are. This is the ONLY way I can work. An organized/clean/well kept work area, to me, directly reflects the intelligence , knowledge and integrity of the man. You are TOP NOTCH!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thank You very much for your kind comment Patrick! I will talk about sources "and such" in a future video.

[@greg_f298]

I hope my insides are that beautiful when Im that old. Nice looking gear!

[@rootvalue]

Hey Mr Carlson, do you mind enabling auto-generated captions for this video? If you disabled the accessibility feature by accident, sometimes it can be resolved by setting the video language in Settings to English. Thanks for your help for those of us that need it! ❤️

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

I tested it now, and it works fine. Does it work for you now as well?

[@Spookieham]

Top quality boat anchor action

[@Appellation]

The inside of this thing looks like miniature architecture; like a little laboratory. :)

[@preiter20]

The quality build of that device! Hope you and your family are doing well.

[@jeffminnick5209]

Was sitting here in a truckstop in Indianapolis when the bell rang for this video...btw you are one of only a few that i follow closely as well as Peter (trx) though i havent seen anything from him in some time and hope he is well and Buddy at the radio shop...cant wait to get off the road and start your course but where are coming up with some of these pieces??? Stay safe with all the covid19 panic and dont worry...im out here moving the toilet paper for all!!! Hope to hear you on the bands sometime Jeff de WD8JM Keep up the awesome job

[@rusty1187]

Spokane, Washington could use some TP

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Praise The Lord for truckers! Thanks, Jeff! I was a trucker for 13 years. I am disabled now. I grew up with four younger sisters, so, stockpiling my own TP is a habit that is engrained into my psyche. LOL!

[@voltagefreak6350]

As a former driver the truck drivers are among our nations hero's. Stay safe and stay well. God bless our truckers and God bless America.

[@1903A3shooter]

WD8JM DE W4GSM--- good for you and a big HI from Va. you also be safe and we thank you for your work. 73 from Dave.

[@tjasont1]

You sir are a hero thank you for your keeping us all alive God bless you man and thank you again for keeping America running stay safe out there brother.

[@advpareshmhatre]

Watching you is amazing experience ☺

[@frankowalker4662]

What a beautiful piece of equipment, and so well assembled. I bet I dos'nt need much (if any) callibrating.

[@alpcns]

I am just in awe with the engineering, care and quality that goes into equipment like this. It's straight out of NASA - that incredible level. Fantastic. Thanks for sharing, Paul!

[@rossdtool]

You have some fascinating and beautiful pieces of equipment there. Oscilloscopes are particularly wonderful looking things, I really liked the small one with the 2" screen you showed in a different video. I didn't know that CRTs were ever so small.

[@tebbi67]

I remember in the AFN TV branch in Berlin, there was also such a Tank to make maintenence....thanks to Mr. Carlson, this is a sort of Technical Art.

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Looking forward to the next episode...thanks!

[@davidblock1464]

Another awesome video...please consider adding labels to the switches on your capacitor tester...

[@jeremyperala839]

This guy is going to align the alingner in a future video. Standby for fun!

[@youdonotknowmyname9663]

Calibrate the calibrator! (I always enooy saying that ...)

[@Palosrob]

Hello from the Chicago area! Thank you for your channel it's really getting me through this whole quarantine stuff.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You are so welcome!

[@Lu_Woods]

Nice timing, I have a 190B constant amplitude signal generator sitting in the shop.

[@Zeigren]

This must have cost a pretty penny when new! Loving this format!

[@UDX-340]

Wicked internal layout , cant wait to see the pressed collectors in the ceramic holders.

[@156dave]

I love those old 545 scopes not like the Chinese handbags you get from tek nowadays and they keep you warm in winter too

[@t.w.3]

Amazing lab. Love the old gear you have around in your lab. Patiently waiting for more videos. Greetings from Thor in Norway.

[@SharkoonBln]

I´m almost speechless about *the looks* of the inside of this device. It´s like Jony Ive found a DeLorean and transported himself back to the 60´s. This is not the inside of an electronic device, it´s more like a cathedral. Apple Computers would have looked like that in the 60´s ( with an acrylic backplate in bondi-blue ). Awesome, totally awesome.

[@martinhodge921]

The sleeve bearings on the fans of that era of tek instruments have open oiling ports that would often be way over filled. Over years of operation a thick film of oily dust would accumulate on parts near the fan.

[@nfijef]

Work of art.

[@chrisa2735-h3z]

I hope you're doing well Mr. Carlson ☺️ I love your videos!

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks, Paul! That was a real treat!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're very welcome Robert!

[@henryotani]

+50 years back in U.K. electronic laboratories it was a customary (indeed sacrosanct) quirky practice to always have an authentic American silver "dime" coin loose in the top flap or trolley draw of Tektronix 500 series scopes for removing the access panels (and also a small coil of silver-loaded solder somewhere inside). This would be a nice thing to add perhaps ?

[@harrystevens3885]

Looks like Tektronix adapted a series 5 case, I bought a 545B (UK) series in 1993 very heavy and bulky and wife not to impressed :):) I often watch your 555 video and would love to see you calibrate a 5 series scope. Wonderful engineering and quality just like we see on this channel.

[@DeadKoby]

The Plastic Good-All's are usually "All Good" in the Conn gear I've fixed. It makes me happy when I see them because I usually have less work!

[@mikemiller4838]

I have a tek 531a and a 564. Would be very cool to calibrate them on that very cool machine. Thank you for the great videos! Stay safe

[@jessemontano6399]

Good evening, professor Carlson!!!

[@ironman7261]

When your camera panned to your 500 series scopes could not fail to see the Jackson signal generator in the center of shelf. Have the same as well as a old oscilloscope by them

[@solorado]

Your into is so consistent sometimes I almost want to A-B it to see if I can detect differences. Thanks for taking time to share.

[@macexpert7247]

Piece of art on the inside!

[@hugobloemers4425]

What a piece of quality equipment, I love it. Sitting here in lock down at you tube the previous review I saw was a Crosley turntable, based on that I would conclude we are digressing as man kind.

[@johnsweda2999]

Looks like a nice piece of kit well designed. the white balance was a bit bleachy heavy contrast

[@chrisvinicombe9947]

That's a lovely built piece of test equipment. Must have been very expensive back in the day.

[@alexkay1874]

Cool your gonna a align the aligner

[@fredfeldmeier8228]

Excellent as expected