Nixie Tube Digital Display for Receivers

[@SmokeFlame1]

I know absolutely nothing about electronics. Yet I'm captivated by the knowledge this young man displays. If I weren't 82 years old I know what my next hobby would be.

[@BruceNitroxpro]

SmokeFlame1 , I'm only79 (LOL) and an EE, as well as a teacher. HE STILL blows me away and I'm an Extra Class amateur radio operator! ROFL de KQ2E

[@lynnnash4576]

Mr. Carlson this is fascinating to me. I worked for Burroughs when Nixie tubes ruled the world so this has me salivating like Pavlov's dog. You are at the top of your game my friend, thank you for this project, very well done.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your comment Lynn! I bet you would have some very interesting stories to tell.

[@oscarilmio7148]

Let me tell you something, I followed many of your videos and I was fascinated, now I have followed all three videos of this programmable frequency meter and I was amazed. I don't mean by the project itself, which is EXCELLENT, but by the way you explain and simplify rather complex concepts without going too far into the forest of formulas and the various "laws" of electronics. I think, and I am convinced, that my electronics professors would be happy to meet you and have a chat with you, so let me call you TEACHER. To you my most respectful applause. B R A V O !

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comment Oscar!

[@dentonfender6492]

"Will it work". Of course it will. You are so methodical, you don't have a sloppy bone in your body. Great to watch the process of designing electronics to fit a housing (the old Bakelite case) rather than the other way around like myself who designs a housing to fit after I build the electronics.

[@testdriver3146]

Mr. Carlson, you mesmerize us with your knowledge and takes us back to days of that past we sometimes refer to as "the good old days" and for that and this, I thank you from the bottom of my aging heart.

[@tallperson9422]

Another superb project that enthralled me. I will never get to your level but I am constantly striving to get better and your videos are a great motivation to do so.

[@cliffordarrow6557]

I totally hear you about how the container can drive the project. As a kid, I remember looking at everyday containers like candy tins and wondering to myself what neat project could be fitted in it... Cool video. Thanks for sharing.

[@skycarl]

Paul, really enjoyed the whole series on this. Learned a lot about Nixies, ICs, circuitry, and more. Thanks as always for sharing your vast knowledge. Look forward to more. Carl

[@TheRangerDale]

Paul I have seen a Lot of your videos and from stand point of a 74 yr old persdn it was great very explain well and easy following thru.Your Touch was great in making this project just perfect and unbelievable Respones to its coverage, I wasn't expect that at all. So Yes thrumbs up, toes are up as well lol 73's Great one of your thee best Paul

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Dale!

[@carlospitcher4335]

This was an incredible video. Took me a couple of days to finish it. I am no electronics or telecom engineer... but damn, I do find captivating your explanations and work. Such high standards are always inspiering.

[@mikesradiorepair]

What can be said other than PERFECT. If someone didn't know you made it they would think this was an original antique looking at it from the outside. Great job.

[@marco56702]

The final product is really on the border between good electronics and art, my hat's off to you

[@TheRadioShop]

Just got the chance to watch this, Basically been without internet for 2 weeks now due to hurricane and flooding. Paul this was just fantastic. Very well laid out design and explanation. Most of all it is beautiful and a work of art. Very well done.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Hi Buddy! Glad to hear your ok, and we all know.... the most important thing..... the test gear is fine too :^) LOL. Thanks for your kind comment. Hope all gets back to normal down your way soon. Take care!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Paul. Test gear made out fine. Radio room was in bad shape though. Part of the roof blew off along with the house roof. About 6 grand worth. Going to take a little time. Anyway again, this was a great video, had to watch it twice :-)

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Wow! Sorry to hear about that. Glad your all ok. If I lived closer, I would head over and give you a hand. Good to hear no gear was damaged. Looking forward to new video's.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Paul. Will be back on the 101 series soon. Just so much to do here.

[@arongooch]

This might very well be the best project I have seen on KZbin yet. Very nice!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Aron, glad you enjoyed!

[@webwolf7]

Very awesome build, this is exactly what I would want to build for my Panasonic RF-2200 receiver. Can't wait to get some free time to watch this video all the way through and attempt to build one of these!

[@pkav8tor]

Beautiful ..... your perfection brings smiles and admiration to one that understands why it is important. Congrats on another well done project. Thank you for sharing.

[@expected1139]

Instant thumbs up. Even before i watched the video. Because, as we all know, it is going to be outstanding again.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Joko!

[@williamhayden7711]

I was thinking it might've been ideal to have access to those switches via the bottom using alignment tools. That way you just need to lay the unit on it's back while making the necessary adjustments. The display can be monitored as the adjustments are made as well. This prevents the need to have to unscrew everything to get to the switches. Of course making that actually work with the necessary layout and parts is a totally different topic, but where there's an idea and the will to make it happen there's a way. All in all it's a magnificent build.

[@sludge-en9on]

Mr carlson i've never seen nixie tubes before, they look really wild thankyou for the video it is informative with my hobby studies cant wait to watch more

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you're enjoying Nick!

[@shanookflc]

Thanks Paul once again you blow me away with your videos the work and time you put into your projects you are a amazing guy and a genius at what you do. Can't wait to see your next restoration. Thanks again Paul for Sharing.

[@tommyn.j3628]

Are nexie out of produktion ?

[@michaelhofmann5091]

When I watch your videos, I feel like we just went back in time to somewhere in the 50's. That feeling is just so awesome and relaxing, if that makes sense :D On top of that, you're able to explain things in such a way that is real easy to understand, and is so informative and educational! Thank you! Keep up that awesome work! What a beautiful project! Greetings Michi

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comment Michi!

[@rebelba42]

...i really enjoyed it. Especially your circuit board design are very nice and clean. Great work, thank you!

[@evanrenberg2682]

Beautiful work! This has been a great series Mr. Carlson. Thank you for all the videos you make!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad your enjoying Evan!

[@davidgrey943]

The project turned out extremely well and looks very professional in appearance the method for doing the double sided board is a nifty idea. I wondered how you actually did that I have got three or four boards to do I will let you know how I got on and many thanks for the time and effort.

[@YanickT]

Thank you for this one! Because of you i'm building a Nixie tube Clock. :) Before your video. I didn't knew these tube. Realy interresting and exiting!

[@lo377ps]

Really great how much effort you put in your projects. Keep on going!

[@warplanner8852]

Paul, words cannot describe your genius, practicality, and ingenuity! And, yes, I can believe that something mundane can inspire such a project. Often happens to me as I wander around the TRW swap in SoCal and encounter a meter box or old chassis with parts. Those can be had for a song, are cheaper than the original box and components will have cost, and are, of course, pre-drilled. Your project is an Art Deco masterpiece! Bill, k6whp dit..dit

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Bill!

[@1blisslife]

Such a nice Sunday, that I will be enjoying this project, and begin the build on my end :)

[@patprop74]

Mr Carlson it is a thing of beauty, your knowledge and attention to detail is impressive to say the least.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thank You!

[@patprop74]

Mr Carlson, I hope you don t mind, I model a version of that Bakelite box for 3d printing and to fit a cheap DIY frequency counter kit. I linked your video in the description. here is the link www.thingiverse.com/thing:2828641

[@ianbutler1983]

With Paul's video-the longer the better. I would not touch the bakelite case with a drill bit either, it could come to pieces. Thanks Paul.

[@cocusar]

I'm a new subscriber, but I took the time to watch all your videos. Thanks for your indepth explanations and really interesting builds. And I really like the long videos!

[@DonaldHolben]

I really enjoy the long videos :) thank you!

[@glennstevenson6242]

Me too...!

[@bwack]

Same here :) love the long in depth videos.

[@joopterwijn]

I understand why do not wat to drill holes in the front, but I think it would not disturbs the overall look. Nice Serie!

[@magrosi65]

Watch your videos is always a pleasure, thank you!

[@jose_simon]

Great design and very good looking results! Thumbs up!

[@kg2nc]

I really enjoyed the video and at the end when you finish cleaning the bakelite it was a piece of art to see. The detail of the bakelite when you clean it was amazing. Thanks a lot for sharing it with use. 73's kg2nc

[@derstrom8]

I thoroughly enjoyed this project, it covered so much of the design and build process! Great video!

[@vinceotten129]

As always, I’ve learned a lot. My notebook’s page count keeps on climbing!

[@billmoran3812]

If a plastic manufacturer comes forward with a quality case matching the old one, this could be a great kit item.

[@MichaelLloyd]

I'm at about 20 minutes in and I have many comments. I'll limit myself to two for now- (1) this video is OUTSTANDING! (2) I build my own boards with Cadsoft Eagle and mill them out with an Othermill (two sided boards are easy). If it's something I really want to share with a friend I'll send the Eagle file out to Osh Park and have boards made. Because I don't know anything about RF circuit board design, the one type of project that I've avoided is a project with RF circuitry in it. That's pretty limiting for a Ham operator. So yes! I am interested in hearing your thoughts on RF design. 73 NE5U Mike

[@alpagutsencer]

Master of my soul. My day is much more beautiful now thanks to you. ^^

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

Sooo love this build, that bakelite case looks like some thuya burr, beautiful. Thanks Mr Carlson. Loved it when you span the dial in the other vid n the tubes just flashed the numerals :-)

[@Dan79istheman]

Fantastic Paul! Really love your work mate!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Dan!

[@maxxron]

I think that the bakelite case would make an excellent candidate for molding and resin casting in order to reproduce it for future projects while not risking damaging the original. There wouldn't be the problem of not drilling a duplicate for knobs and switches for all sorts of interesting projects.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

What a great looking little case, I need many more.

[@maxxron]

I agree. It appears to an excellent art deco design. It shouldn't be too difficult to duplicate. Smooth-on has all sorts of videos on mold making and casting projects. I know they have videos on duplicating automotive turn signal lenses which I would think would be similar to what would need to be done to reproduce this case.

[@bloguetronica]

I'm glad to see the excellent end result! Thanks for sharing and for another great video!

[@billmoran3812]

Really nice project. Guess a lot of people will want to build one. If a plastic manufactures

[@Rcplanecrasher]

I would love a video with an in depth explanation about the RF considerations on the layout!

[@funcatvids9198]

I love nixie tubes! And this video is very well done! Keep up the good work!

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

Excellent and educative as always Paul. Thank you.

[@TheFunkman]

Another great video! Thanks Paul!

[@tonyperry6702]

You're amazing. Love your videos. Don't always understand but love them just the same.

[@craneoperator4]

wow!!!! turned out amazing love it...another great video

[@waynecarlson3736]

Paul Have youever thought of writing a book.. I want a signed copy. So much knowledge to pass on. Love the videos Thank You

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you're enjoying Wayne!

[@glenthemann]

This is absolutely incredible.

[@MrMac5150]

Wow this is unreal....Genius at work

[@atbglenn]

Paul, great job! Love your long videos!

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Fascinating, as usual! I've learned more from you in the past year than I did in three years of electronics college back in the 70s. You've inspired me to build up a new test bench so I can restart my old electronics hobby once again. I noticed in this video that you have a light on your Dremel drill stand that is perfectly centered on the drill site but I can't tell if it is above the table shining down or under it shining up. How did you build that light, may I ask? And yes, I would like to know more about how RF and DC grounds should be designed. Thanks!

[@faxcapper]

Very informative and best of all very entertaining, Paul!

[@mikedrz]

Another dandy video! Thanks Mr. C. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Sunday.

[@radarmusen]

Very beautiful and no blue led in the buttons to spoil the art of tubes.

[@Repair-rookie]

You should make this as kit 😊 I would definitely buy one.

[@gang208]

Nice project! You mentioned that you can use the counter to display the tuned frequency of an old radio. Since you have a 50 ohm line and input impedance, if you tap it to anywhere on the local oscillator of a typical tube radio, wouldn't it be overloading the oscillator? Do you have to add a MOSFET source follower (or a cathode follower to be more aesthetically pleasing) inside the radio?

[@evilscience3164]

Mr. Carlson, very nice design, execution and explanation. I have a question regarding the use of digital dials in general on regen radios. I realise there is no IF circuit on a regen but as you have shown that without programming your circuit it displayed the actual freq at its input. it seems that a programmable digital dial not set up to subtract the IF seems like a solution. The main problem i see is how to get an input? Perhaps inductivly at the primary or tickler coil? or possibly at the detector tube. Any ideas would be apperciated. Thank you.

[@harindugamlath]

Wow. Another episode. Thanks. Never been this early!

[@larryk4mu240]

Worked out very nice! Good series.

[@dissahc]

what an awesome build! thanks for sharing

[@louisnemick317]

Thank you for your explanation of everything and I enjoy your videos.

[@stefflus08]

Excellent video, thank you! I'll be using your viaplugging standoff method, I'm always using the helping hand with the board standing up for any wire work so I probably would have done it for this too without giving any thought to if there was a better way.

[@orvilnunez2181]

Another great video. I love the look of the Bakelite enclosure.

[@zecretw7272]

Lovely video. love the detail of explanations. What is the reason for not putting the encoders on the opposite side of the board facing down to be adjustable without pulling the whole thing out of the box?

[@esuohdica]

If only I was retired and had better eyesight! Very impressive project 👍

[@khronscave]

Can't help wondering what might be a / the European equivalent of that printing / transfer paper. That UPC number points to "HP Premium Presentation Paper glossy 120gsm", available apparently only in letter size, and "obviously" only on the other side of the pond. Would the matt / matte version of that work comparably well, i wonder?

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

It has to be glossy, or the trace edges will get jagged.

[@khronscave]

I've read on some forums that inkjet photo paper should work quite well - the glossier, the better.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Yes it does. I have mentioned it as well in my earlier video's. My last package of paper I purchased (before the HP paper) was ink jet paper. One of the biggest issues is the ability of certain papers to soak water, and another is, some of the glossy paper has a coating on it that's very tough to remove, even after the paper has soaked. If you don't get that coating off the board, and out of the small holes in the pads, they will not etch. That coat seems not to be affected by water, and some scrubbing is needed. Then the board dried and held to the light. If you see a white diffused looking coating on the copper anywhere, that area will not etch. Normal paper will not do this, but that's the trade off for nice traces. This HP paper will leave that white residue, but it comes off very easy after soaking. The last paper I used (inkjet glossy brochure paper) would leave that residue as well, but it was like paint, it was difficult to get off. That paper would also expand and ripple when it came out of the laminator, this action would lift the toner of the smaller traces off the board sometimes. Finding the right paper is a challenge. It seems that when you find a good paper, they change the formulation and the next time you go to by a pack, it doesn't work. Now I purchase large packages of a good known paper and seal it in a very large zip lock bag to keep it soft. If you live in a dry environment, you want to do this as well, this is important because this also affects the life of the product. If the paper goes stale, you have bad results.

[@JasonTHutchinson]

Another awesome build! I don't know why someone would downvote you. I guess some people just want to watch the world burn.

[@tanzchris7072]

Been watching for a wee while now and doing my own little projects and I've learned so much and have even more new questions. Each vid I watch I have a list of stuff I think I know and a new list of stuff that make me go ohh hang on what!!!! I didn't even realise we had that technology in 1940!!!! Could you do a setup vid on your current limited power supply and the variac how it's all put together and mounted? could you also do the vid of the complete RF section on this video especially how you pic the components and set it up on the PC? ALL THE BEST FROM SCOTLAND. Cheers Chris

[@carldavis8228]

This was a fantastic series. I don't think I will ever have the time to do a project like this, but I always steal some sub part of your design for other projects I work on. You are responsible for a myriad projects that have sub components based on instruction in your videos. I also need to thank you for reminding me that tubes exist. Keep up the great videos. Your pupils are counting on you.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the series!

[@damianvieira]

Beautiful clean and detailed job. Thank you!

[@terrystearns9463]

All I can say is awesome just awesome your a Genius..

[@calmar42]

Beautiful build, inspired my to do something similar for my old radio console.

[@Electrolab28Ag]

That is so awesome. You are the guru of electronic Mr Carlson....While I was watching the video I had an Idea for one of your video... That is if you are willing to do it. The video could be on those small SMD Ceramic capacitors... Showing how to identify them, i.e there value, voltages etc. especially when you have to trouble shoot a circuit that has a lot of them and you do not have a schematic for. I would really like to learn this. Thank for the wonderful videos, its great to see them.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your input Andre!

[@God-CDXX]

you can put the switches on the bottom of the board

[@Dennis-mq6or]

Excellent presentation. Taught me a new trick for making double sided circuit boards at home. With the digital counter sitting on top of the radio; do you get an increased noise floor in the receiver? And if so; how much?

[@K7AGE]

I really like the plastic box that you have your switches in. What is it? Hints on where to buy it? Thanks, great video. Randy

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Hi Randy. I bought a whole bunch of parts at an estate sale, and those boxes were a part of it. I"m not sure where you could purchase those.

[@Satchmoeddie]

I have that exact same clock. It was the UCT time keeper in a deceased friend's ham station. It has an old Dymo embossed label that says ""GMT" on it, and the clock still keeps pretty good time considering it uses mains voltage as a freq reference., I have more pressing projects right now. I am doing a 3000 watt recirc pumped oil bath RF dummy load, using Aryton Perry wound resistors in parallel, so that knocks down what little inductance there is,. I also have a few guitar amps to finish up, along with electric & acoustic guitar repairs, and a travel guitar build using some bootleg patent infringement parts stripped from some US Customs seized Chinese imports. . I keep asking about the seized ivory, & CITES woods, but so, far, no luck. SOMEDAY!........maybe

[@cookedgoose7717]

Hi Paul, Super channel - been watching your videos for about 8 months - keeping me entertained and I've learned so much - better than a uni course. I wondered how fine you could go with your PCB tracks and still have a decent circuit. This circuit looks really dense. How many tries did it take before you had a working etched PCB - knowing how much of a perfectionist you are, it probably worked first time. I don't have much luck with my PCB's because i use the UV process and there are so many variables that i scrap loads every time. Do you have any dead analog synthesizers that you could include in your repair tutorials - that would be fascinating to follow. Hope you continue this for many years

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comments! I use the toner transfer method for very quick prototyping... I'd say a 99% success rate the first time.

[@nftmaster2050]

Intrested in the RF section thoughts you've mentioned

[@michaelblair5566]

Closest to this I've ever done is assemble some Ramsey kits back in the 1990's. The FM 10 and the AM 1.

[@kstwind]

Another wonderful video. I have one of the cheap counters from Ebay. Will you be showing how to build the buffer circuit to install in an old radio?

[@Etherionix]

Who in their right mind would give this video a thumbs down?

[@hareti79]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I have a question about your PCB design. Do you go straight to the layout, or do you first draw the schematic in the software? I think the former. Without forward/back annotation and design rule checking in software it must be quite error prone. It would be for me anyway, I would be bamboozled by the homogeneous array of pads and tracks.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I draw the schematic on paper, then manually place every component, and draw every trace on the computer.

[@MichaelLloyd]

Wow! The case cleaned up very nicely. Nicely photographed too. 73 NE5U Mike

[@jimbos-sen1077]

It’s probably an artifact of the camera but the digits seem to be slightly overdriven because there is a sort of blue glow present in the footage.

[@emilalmberg1096]

That you have not published the PCB layout can probably explain that you are not satisfied with the design yet. When do you think you can let the design to us, I mean other than the pictures on the hand-drawn paper and shoot computer screen;-) I can not understand why you chose SMD components instead of through-hole. You still have to drill a lot of holes for vias. I have tried to do my own PCB design based on your previous video, with through-hole components. When I get it done, you want a copy? Thank you for all your time and effort you put into your movies!

[@on8hc]

This is so nice I enjoy the long videos

[@northhankspin]

That looks AMAZING!!!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks!

[@georgesabov]

Very impressive! All of the frequency counter designs (with nixie tube display) I've seen have no possibility to subtract (or add) the IF. Is there any chance to get the full schematic and PCB design?

[@IanScottJohnston]

Costs aside, have you not tried "track pins" (Farnell etc) instead of the stripped wire for the via's. Much faster and easier.

[@LB-tl3vx]

that crt is in excellent shape

[@pjakobs]

Very nice job and well explained!

[@AverageWannabe]

Awesome series.... loved it.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks!