Velleman K7000 Signal Tracer Kit

Velleman K7000 Signal Tracer Kit
Hey hey kids! Its time for another fantastic kit build! Disclaimer - I only assemble the kit and have a little play, if you want to know how to use it, you may want to follow-up with a bit more research! Where I have used these before is to locate a wire in a bundle of identical looking wires.
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Thanks you lovely people, and keep on tinkering!

[@Possumn1138]

hypothetically, one probe injects a audio tone signal into the radio circuit (when it is turned on) to make sure it passes the tone on through to the amplifier circuit where the same tone should then come out the radio's speaker. The other probe detects a RF signal from the antenna and detector, to test this part as it receives it, amplifies it, and it's used to trace where the signal is lost, or wither the signal is recieved by the radio's front end and then gets lost at some point elsewhere along the way leading to the amplifier as it is processed. So they are two seperate probes for two different testing purposes. The amplified audio signal should be the radio station being recieved at the time as it is processed leading to the amplifier section. Oscillator probes work ok, I'm using a matched pair of 12 volt circuit testers from an auto parts store, the modifications would be running the ground jumper to coax shield, and the center to the probes tip. but if I use RCA connectors where each probe would connect to, one probe and a shielded coax and RCA male plug, can work with either test. The issue I can't tell yet is about voltage protection for the device, should I leave the lamp in the handle, or replace it with a fuse? Normally a coupling capacitor would be along the probes line at some point.

[@elsaarmstrong-zp6ng]

Ecxcellent video. You mentioned lead free solder- I am a retired engineer who spent 40 years working on electronic equipment of many types and when lead free solder started to be used (early 90’s I think) the failure rate of new equipment had a sharp rise! This was found to be linked to devices that varied in temperature like SMPS, output circuits etc . The research done about this problem found that solder joints Of lead free solder were prone to crack because tiny movement with temperature changes! When failure equipment was examined the first thing to do was to reflow joints with lead solder in psu’s boards and output circuits etc. Many manufacturers went back to lead solder because of this trouble! Whether this was legal or not I am not sure but the equipment became much more reliable! I think you can still buy leaded solder. Anybody else had this problem?

[@martinh4982]

This device pretty much sums up my childhood. My brother was into electronics and made kits, the actual purpose of which I have no idea, and they *ALL* made irritating noises.

[@backofficeshow]

As soon as they are assembled they just put into the box of shame 😂

[@thomaselliott4562]

I've ordered the signal tracer which is in route to me. I have a discontinued NITRO BMW car amplifier I want to save that has noise in one channel. The input source obviously does not have the noise, the amp itself is introducing that. I'll use regular audio (music) passing that through the amp and will use the input of the tracer to work my way starting at the amp's input until I find what is creating the noise (probably a noisy transistor).

[@metallitech]

Nice job.

[@backofficeshow]

Thank you! You are referring of course to the soldering part, the testing part - I have no clue how to use it :)

[@3dsmaxrocks699]

I was lucky enough to find a brand new, still in the box, Tenma 72-540 signal tracer/injector on ebay last week with original probes. Not only hard to find working, I found one that was basically used once! Even the Styrofoam where the 9volt goes is in pristine condition. I paid 180 plus 20 shipping but I think it's totally worth it since it'll only increase in value. Also made by Sansei with their 6100 model. Identical. And I think Lodestar and Manacore?

[@gregjones3660]

Never been fired and only dropped once!

[@RicardoPenders]

I had one of those side cutters that snapped off and the little metal part flew right into my computer screen so now I have two tiny spots right in the middle of my screen where the metal part bounced off the screen, luckily it's only the top layer that got damaged and it's very tiny but I do have to look at it all the time... I would be happy if there was something that I can use to fill the tiny holes or pits or blend it away or something to make it less obvious that would be great so if anyone knows something please let me know.

[@backofficeshow]

I would try gently polishing in and around the holes with petroleum jelly or similar. I have had some success using toothpaste, but as it's sightly abrasive is be careful not to make it worse. Plastic polish might also be an option, but again, it's only a couple of feet away from your face, I'd be weary of making it worse.

[@RicardoPenders]

@@backofficeshow thanks for the tip, maybe I just leave it be because I don't want to make it worse.

[@backofficeshow]

I'm sure you will forget it is there after a while!

[@RicardoPenders]

@@backofficeshow yeah but I got reminded about it because of your video, lol

[@ReefMimic]

Damn , it looked so much mischievous

[@horstinduction4926]

I've traced the signal. It's coming from... inside the room! [Angry trombone cacophony]

[@backofficeshow]

I think Aliens would have benefitted from trombone music when they started dropping through ceiling! Hicks could have broken the 4th wall and turned to camera with an 'oh dear' face :)

[@horstinduction4926]

@@backofficeshow A surprising amount of stuff would benefit from trombone music, when you think about it.

[@backofficeshow]

I might consider bringing trombone music into the bedroom

[@backofficeshow]

P.s. fun fact, Makemake is my favourite dwarf planet

[@6581punk]

Leaded is better. Unless you're throwing stuff away it's not toxic. More electronics have been thrown away due to failed non-leaded solder than before they started using it. It's created more waste. PS3, XBox 360s, laptops all failed due to bad lead-free solder. Then there's the issue of tin whiskers which has resurfaced due to lead-free.

[@backofficeshow]

I agree totally. I suspect the issue of lead in the solder must be dwarfed by the chemicals in batteries at the moment