WOW - HUGE Meter! Let's Test It!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn 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

[@fourmula4812]

11:20 can i meet cha

[@johnbartlet6669]

I vote for the power supply. You've done a lot of scopes and meters recently. As always, the best channel hands down :^)

[@robertburrows6612]

That's a top tip to use a current limiting resistor to check an analog meter

[@rillloudmother]

You are the Bob Ross of electronics. I have been watching you for years and I find your videos both relaxing and informative. Your channel is what makes youtube a great platform.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks 👍

[@ljetronic]

Mr Carlson, your videos are the best! It’s probably a remedial subject, but I would love to see a detailed discussion on capacitors. Describe their function, how they behave in circuit, and why the specific type was chosen for a given application.

[@Stevie_D]

So, Paul, you asked whether you should show us the GE Oscillograph or the Eico Power supply in the next video - I say YES! I barely had time to enjoy half my coffee and the video was over - make the video longer and show us both!! This video was great - I am attracted to any old equipment with big, interesting meters and this one knocked it out of the park. Can hardly wait to see this one powered up and working as designed. Thank you for sharing your time, knowledge, and the seemingly never-ending supply of potential projects.

[@mrshankj5101]

Yeah show us both!

[@trevorhaddox6884]

Fix the scope then use the scope to check the ripple before and after.

[@xJAWAx]

Mr. Carlson, I've been obsessed with watching your videos lately. I'm a younger person and you have really sparked my interest in all these vintage electronics. I've learned so much from you and I really appreciate the detail and effort you put into the videos. Thanks!

[@yisraels4555]

Stark was just planning ahead and knew that in the future someone would invent the internet and they just wanted to make sure there would be a nice easy VTVM for all of us watching over your shoulder to read with ease.

[@fly-lucky]

I enjoyed how excited you were to show us this meter. Im new to this channel and new to electronics in general but learning more everyday. Thanks for your commitment to delivering content that your clearly passionate about.

[@jdlives8992]

Every time he Post I loose a hour of my life. Sometimes more. But to me it’s not a waste. man I love this channel

[@jdlives8992]

Back in the late 80’a when I was just a child they cleaned out the old houses and land to build belt ways and large roads around the area of Charlotte. Sometimes those houses say for a a year or longer. We would ride our dirt bikes for miles and miles and go through the almost fallen in houses and find all kinds of old gear Old tube TVs and radios and we would take all the boards sometimes the whole thing to a old guy that was a old school ham radio dude and he would break them down and teach us stuff about them. Years later in my late 20’s I realized how much money and hardware that dude had and what he gave to us for free just cause we took the time to tear stuff down and carry it out by hand or on our backs Now 20 years after that I wish I kept all that stuff And I see these tube drivin hardware and take it back just like I did when I was a kid but I carry it a little more carefully:-).

[@bttan144]

I have always enjoyed watching Mr. Carlson's Lab tutorial videos! It's not only well made but he imparts good advice n technical knowledge to viewers! He takes the trouble to explain in depth his testing methods thus giving viewers good understanding of the concepts! Thank you Mr. Carlson for these learning videos! Keep them coming!

[@AcmeRacing]

Whenever I see Stark instruments I think of Tony Stark. It's perfect for working with spark reactors, and it's big enough to read easily while he's wearing helmet for his Iron Man suit.

[@MrBonez208]

I’m going to have to look at that capacitor tester on patron. I’ve used several series and parallel esr test meters over the years. And each one has its own unique design pros and cons. This one has my attention due to the way it tests the circuit. Will definitely become one and check out more. When one has time, I love to have fun in the lab! I love the time you take and are very informative about the fundamental and critical points in a circuit or design. That make it all the more interesting! TY

[@jaymiepobanz8801]

Wifes name and pic. Mark here. My dad repaired TV's when I was a kid, I helped at times. I vote Eico as I have a few of my dads old Eico units on display in my music room. Thanks Mr. Carson from just north of Los Angeles, CA. Peace

[@Sloxx701]

Great video Paul, that Stark meter is really cool. As for videos I think what would be cool is possibly working on and troubleshooting some more modern electronics with your vintage test gear. I loved those types of videos when you did them.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your input!

[@robertatpierpontbeach]

I have the Hickok version of the VTVM and look forward to seeing you repair and rebuild this so that I can follow along at home. I am also patron and appreciate your attention to detail as well as your sharing of knowledge.

[@restoredoutboards]

I love big meters. I just rebuilt a Jackson Model 709 which is huge and I love my reliable RCA Master Voltohmyst. I rebuilt both thanks to the confidence you gave me to tackle the project through these videos. So thanks much!

[@claytonkeltto3239]

Great meter and video...thanks! I saw a Hickok 209A at a swap meet and had to have it - the Hickok is a little fancier/less industrial looking. Restored and built a replica probe as it was missing. Got a couple of the probes cases left and probably won't use them - if you're interested, I'll send them to you. Guess these were intended for classroom settings where visibility from a distance was important.

[@clytle374]

I've got a 209A that is on the rebuild shortlist. How did you go about building probes? My 209 has a black face, I've not seen another one.

[@claytonkeltto3239]

@@clytle374 yea, mine was a black face unit as well. Used aluminum tubing and machined delrin end caps

[@garybevis8691]

Hi Paul, great video. I almost laughed when you pull out that drive-in movie screen sized meter. It makes me so happy to see you pull out these unobtanium devices. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, love of old gear, and great sense of humor. Cheers Paul, I enjoy everything you do. I have some great gear like the HP 400C, and the Heathkit Mod. IP-17 HV supply, both fully restored, thank you for inspiration and knowledge. P.S. I have a strange love for power supplies, especially high powered or high voltage power supplies in particular. My vote is for the Power Supply.

[@faxcapper]

Great looking meter. I hope it climbs your priority list, Paul. See how accurate you can get it. That Eico power supply looks like an interesting "what's Inside" video candidate. Lots of rain in the area for a couple of days.....I know you'll be in the lab. :-)

[@ThriftyToolShed]

I just come across the HICKOK 209A VTVM version as you mentioned. I thought it was so interesting with the huge meter, I had to grab it. It's not in nearly as good of shape as your Stark though. So glad you are going to restore this one. I have not even cleaned to old corroded cells out of mine yet. I vote power supply on the next instrument to look at!

[@wonderbars36]

That meter face is massive. Has that deco aesthetic I'd expect to see on an old power plant control panel in an urbex exploration or something. Lovely tool to score! Have an Eico 221 that I enjoy. Thought I saw one in your collection, too.

[@filanfyretracker]

I wonder if big face meters were in fact meant for a role like the meter on a control panel. To be seen by multiple people, For example in an educational environment where a teacher/professor might want a whole class to see something.

[@wonderbars36]

@@filanfyretracker Certainly possible. In industrial settings, I could see it probably to account for distance to view it/view angle as well as ease of accuracy to fit the scale to something that may track quite a wide range super super slowly, or maybe a small window of values where precise monitoring is critical; tiny deflections need magnification. Literal physical size in this case to make up for that. Midland made one that was tucked in a corner that is just amazing to look at; very cute/portable. There was also a meter company in...sorry for spelling wrong..."Schenectady" NY? Can't hardly say that word either lol. Anyway I think it was these that had one of the most beautiful dials, the pointer, scale, and the movement itself I've ever seen. I'd guess....circa 1950. Rubber plant was where I saw that one. Probably softball size. Hope it's still there tbh. Beautiful place inside pre-vandal.

[@circuitblog01]

In fact, you are right the picture does not do it justice, its a big meter in the external shape and in the interior design as well. Getting a device that is a quarter of this quality now is like asking for the impossible Thanks for the posting this video Paul, it's great as always

[@mikemorgan5394]

love your Channel. I'm not a component guy at all. But watching it I'm slowly learning. ty!

[@clytle374]

Found this while looking for a calibration procedure for the Hickok 209A I'm rebuilding. It's nearly an exact match. Different jacks, jacks and switches in different places. Replaced the caps, then the meter quit working. I screamed a little, might have even cried. I opened the meter and found the an old wooden bobbin wire wound resistor inside, it was broke at the end, so thankfully it was an easy fix. Making a copy of a Heathkit probe shell, yes the 6al5 tube fits fine. Found the right sized aluminum tube and 3d printed ends out of petg plastic. Had lots of issues finding the 4 pin plug for the probe, the common ones that look like it and used for Ham mics are clocked different, and can't be changed. Hopefully it's close to replacing my NRI VTVM on the bench.

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Great video. Looking forward to seeing the meter in action. As for which machine to investigate next, my vote is for the box with the large proboscis.

[@MichaelLloyd]

That is a nice meter. one of the first pieces of test equipment that I restored was an Eico 249. It's till on my workbench and I use it frequently.

[@alcrook6662]

Thanks for reminding me I have to replace a couple of sockets in my stark tube tester. Cheers and thanks Mr. Carlson. I love seeing this near mint vintage gear. My stuff's getting worn.I can almost smell the "virginity" of those fantastic devices.

[@johnparichuk8367]

I was so impressed with this meter that I chased down a Hickok 209A VTVM and purchased it. It is complete with the probe set, thankfully! The schematics for the Stark and the Hickok appear to be identical.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

The Hickok sure looks nice too!

[@lsrx101]

I have a Hickok 209A awaiting restoration once I get my new bench finished. My old eyes really appreciate the large meter. I found it at a completely unrelated swap meet for $5.

[@daleburrell6273]

...GOOD LUCK!!!

[@johnparichuk8367]

Finally got around to opening the 209A. I was impressed to find the rotary switch sections are ceramic instead of phenolic. Hickok didn't cheap out!

[@ashraf9472]

جزاك الله خير أخي والله بتابعك من مصر ما شاء الله عليك ربنا يزيدك من علمه

[@johnparichuk8367]

Paul, you're lucky your meter works. I just finished recapping my Hickok 209A, checked the transformer, and DC supply. I put the tubes back in and... nothing! It turns out the series compensation resistor inside the meter is open. It's hair thin wire. One end had broken off. The movement itself is good. I jumpered across the resistor. I'm going to put a potentiometer in series with the meter and determine what value of resistor I need and install it externally in series with the meter.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I wish you luck!

[@johnparichuk8367]

The schematic shows the resistance across the meter as 2300 ohms. Playing around with series potentiometer yielded a value of 1370 ohms. I installed a 1370 ohms .1% metal film resistor in the meter movement. I went with this as I was a little worried about temperature coefficient. The 209A has been on for a while. I haven't seen any meter drift. On to calibration!

[@consultingengineer5593]

You motivated me to hike through my pasture to an old school bus where some radios and meters are stored. Hickok 209 A. I agree. I like the switch layout on your meter better. The nostalgia for phenolic resin aroma is admirable. Do you remember the first time you smelled a flaming selenium rectifier? (1964 for me). If I become a patreon member, is there a way to DM you to discuss deeper electrical/math analysis on the 3-6-9 antenna? Many Blessings and continued success to you.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

OMG crazy big is an overstatement. Yikes that's definitely the largest vtvm I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing Paul.

[@DavidTipton101]

That meter is huge, perfect for us old folk 😄 Thanks Paul.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you are doing well.

[@markwhite8497]

i don't understand none of what you show and tell but you do have my full attention I think I get it .

[@justinchampion5468]

I Recall having seen a similar sized meter and movement on an old mechanic's bay car 'analyser' but that's about it! Wow that thing is almost comical. :D - Thanks for another great vintage electronics video!

[@volvo09]

Yeah, some of the old SUN "tune up analyzers" that rolled back against a shop wall had huge gauges... Easy to see while tweaking under an engine bay.

[@kb1kos]

The TV shop where I worked in 1978-1980 had a RCA Master Volt-Ohmist, a VTVM about that size. A beautiful piece of equipment. My favorite equipment in that shop.

[@genestatler2514]

I am really looking forward to watching you restore this VTVM.

[@5cloudwalker]

👋 Hey😊 I really really love you diving into very old radio sets 20’s and 30’ plus…the wood encased radios that spell character!!! I guess you could say antiques roadshow meets antiques radio fixer…. Can’t get enough of it plus the history of the radio ❤️ it all. Just the other day while watching KZbin there was a ad for I think it was vacuum two parts and circuits etc. and my eyes bugged out I know some of them are $30 for vacuum tubes but I saw some that were in the thousands of dollars. It would be interesting to tell you watchers how much these things cost and if they’re still making them and why they are making them. You are truly the Leonardo da Vinci in your chosen field of electronics. Perhaps you can also mention what it would take to restore a radio both financially and in parts… you might get viewers looking up in their attic and pulling out an old radio and getting it restored knowing the relative cost for such a venture. I like what you doing I also like history but that’s just me keep up the good work 😊🥰👍👍🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@insolentstickleback3266]

New subscriber, I am on the ground floor, just bought my first soldering iron. I don’t care what you do next, just want to see your hands doing it! Mr. Carlsons hands lab! 😁👊🏻

[@keithstudly6071]

Hello! I would venture a guess that the meter you show in this episode was made for instructional purposes. If an instructor was doing demonstrations for a class it would be very good to have that oversized meter for the class to see. I think that their would be more interesting discoveries in the osclligraph but would watch both!

[@Pamberjack_]

Hi Mr. Carlson. Love your channel. 🙂Can you please explain how you'd use the decibels readout/functionality on an old meter like this, or point me to a video where you do? I see them all the time on old multimeters and from what I understand, it's not as straightforward as you might expect?

[@bergarteric5713]

Mister you are the class nothing else !! Eric from France

[@jeremiahfourtwenty]

Thank you so much for all the things you've taught me.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You are so welcome!

[@spacedmanspiff1543]

Indeed. I second!

[@GenerationXT]

I have the Hickok 209A. The Stark is basically just a rebadged version of it. They didn't even change the control placement. Stark did the same with some of their other equipment as well.

[@iranausley8150]

I suspect that the meter sat on a shelf off the workbench to save space. The large dial face made for easy reading at a distance. Beautifully built instrument. Thanks for the video.

[@roblamb5474]

i love the cb radio fixes - esp the newer stuff that comes to you not working - and u fix it and then we get to hear voices from across the world

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

WOW that's one huge dial Paul, oh thanks for the resister trick. Stay well Electro Dude! TFS, GB :)

[@W1RMD]

Thanks for another great video. I vote for the high voltage power supply, the scope a close 2nd. I look forward the all three.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice Explain & Very Good Information Thank You.

[@Dirson2001]

Hi, very interesting big multimeter model. I have the Hickok 209A that is similar.

[@sinisatrlin840]

"Stark" is Hickok assembled in Canada. You can spot family resemblance with ease. Same knobs and finish as on Hickok testers. Canadians also usually where adding little twist, like 533A variant with old Euro sockets added like P8 ad Rilmlock

[@edvaioli7340]

Paul, I must selfishly vote for a restoration video of this VTVM since I just scored a Hickok 209a at the fall swap meet. It is a gorgeous thing, all black and chrome, just like my Harley! Sadly, no probes.

[@timthompson468]

Nice! I picked up a Simpson 269 a few years ago. That’s similar to the 260, but it’s meter movement is much larger than that of the 260. Even that is only half the size of the meter you have (and, of course, the 269 is not a VTVM). I like those large meters since they provide a little more precision for interpolation. I’m surprised they didn’t put the mirror strip on that one to avoid parallax errors.

[@raymondlewis2055]

Paul, thank you for another of your outstanding videos. I am in awe of your knowledge! 73, AA4EZ

[@loganmacdonald390]

I found this exact same stark voltmeter at a thrift store in Owen Sound ON, Serial no 165!

[@hestheMaster]

Good thing because after a Paul Carlson video they go WAY up in price, for some odd reason.🙄

[@loganmacdonald390]

@@hestheMaster Mr Carlson inspired me to pick it up in the first place! I think im a bit over my head to accomplish a refurbishment, but maybe I can test it now to sell to someone who CAN fix it up!

[@156dave]

When I started in our calibration department we had a Cambridge reflecting dynamometer Wattmeter it had a moving assembly with a mirror attachment the scale was 9 feet long It was used as a reference standard for Wattmeter calibration

[@error52]

That meter looks about as large as a portable TV's screen! I would love to see an analysis on that wacky oscilloscope. Looks like someone loved it and didn't want to let it go when the original CRT died, so they replaced it with whatever they had on hand.

[@Rivenworld]

Love this, what a fantastic piece of equipment.

[@tahwnikcufos]

I have the Hickok version of this meter - can't wait to watch!

[@OleF112]

That was fun, Paul! Thank you. No more glasses while probing on the bench ;-) 73 de Olaf

[@ebayscopeman]

Adam decades ago I once had a Hickok 209 VTVM which was very similar to the one you showed here. Might have had an even larger meter.

[@Melw44]

I thought the EICO Model 249 I found at a Ham swap meet for $5.00 was large. This Stark has that beat. I have not seen any of this brand here in the US. Thanks for sharing! As for what to show next? Both appeal so I will watch what you post. I will say this has inspired me to look into the EICO 249 as the next project.

[@radio-ged4626]

Another great video. I vote for the strange looking scope to see next. Thanks again!

[@filanfyretracker]

starting with the biggest resistor reminds me of the safety tip for voltage checking on setting the meter to the highest value and then working back if you do not know what is on a circuit.

[@ae5hu73]

In High school I did Radio & TV repair and we had a giant meter like that so our teacher Mr. Sloane could make measurements / demos and we could all see what he was doing.

[@coolcatscomix1761]

You certainly have alot of neet old electric equipment, that giant volt meter goes well with your collection!👍

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Thank you for sharing this great video Stark made some fairly good equipment for their price range .I use one of their RF signal generator's when doing radio alignment !

[@NoPegs]

Years ago I built a little 0-10mA + 0-1000µA current source for the exact purpose of checking meter movements. Basically a pair of AAAs and some 20-turn pots. Have to laugh at what at first glance looks like your DMM saying "ouch" as well. :)

[@squelchstuff]

Ouch had me too 😁

[@16v15]

Looks about the EICO 249 that I picked up a decade ago. I've got an even larger one that has a sweep about the size of the entire box you're holding, but it's in storage and I can't remember the manufacturer.

[@harryhall5092]

Jackson makes a large meter similar to this stark, I have a B & K 177/V-95 with a large meter that I would like to have working, but I can't figure out what is wrong with it. I have a vision problem and would like to have this working so I can see the small divisions on a VTVM. I had a Knight like you have and it somehow got lost when I left home many years ago.

[@jamesvw769]

Hey Carlson excellent work as always. Thanks 👍

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

My pleasure!

[@old64goat]

I would like to see the EICO power supply, I have one and mine works good. I was wondering about the filtering in these.

[@peterchambers1868]

So many times , I hear you say, caps gone bad can cause an amp to be driven into hard class A. what are the different amp classes , and what is push pull?

[@daleburrell6273]

...there are several amplifier classes: A, B, AB, C, and Push-Pull. The class "A" amplifier has the greatest FIDELITY- but it's the LEAST efficient- because in the class "A" amplifier configuration, the tube or transistor, is conducting during the ENTIRE signal cycle- while in the OTHER amplifier classes, the tube or transistor only conducts during PART of the signal cycle. In the "push-pull" amplifier configuration, there are TWO tubes or transistors, they EACH amplify OPPOSITE HALVES of the signal, and amplifier classes B, and AB are used. Class "C" offers the greatest efficiency, because class "C" amplifiers only conduct during the PEAKS of the signal- and they are almost always used with resonant tuned circuits. Those are some of the main differences in the amplifier classes. .

[@peterchambers1868]

Thank you Dale...I was only thinking of audio, not even rf. There is so much I have to learn!

[@dwaynezilla]

The "talking while you're going along" is part of the experience, haha

[@ZenwizardStudios]

Now I want one. I am looking for a VTVM for the lab with a large face. I wonder if there is another one out there.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I'm sure, or the Hickok 209A would be another to look for.

[@mymessylab]

I vote for the Stark, but I hope you will post all of those . I’ve an Eico 249 VTVM that looks massive as this. Let us see how precise you can get it, please!

[@robertstredde6798]

Is it possible that might be intended as a meter for classroom use by the instructor?

[@deanschmeltzer9620]

Hi , I know that it has been a year plus. Will you do a restoration on the stark meter.

[@volvo09]

Beautiful condition! That paint is perfect.

[@bobvines00]

Paul, while these "Let's Look Inside..." videos are extremely interesting, please sprinkle in some restorations too, *IF* your new workshop(s) are set-up well enough yet to do so. These videos are too much like teasers! ;) As far as choosing which "Let's Look Inside..." video to do next, I'd have to choose that very old looking oscillograph with the cardboard bezel around the tube just sticking out of the front of the case (which looks awfully risky to the tube!). My next choice might be the off-screen high-voltage power supply since while I've been inside "regular" bench PSUs, I've not looked inside high-voltage units, or even ever seen one (microwave ovens not included).

[@foureyedchick]

Paul! You are definitely the VTVM guy! 👍

[@johnparichuk8367]

Have you ever run across a Precision Apparatus Co. Series EV-10A Vacuum Tube Multi-Master? It combines a number of functions; vtvm, megohmmeter, etc. Precision used the same enclosure that their E-200 RF generator used. It has a big meter on it. I imagine there was a lot of real estate to fill, hence the big meter.

[@trainliker100]

It was (is?) VERY nice to have a large meter like that if doing repetitive testing or calibration 8 hours a day as a job. Most of us use meters sporadically for troubleshooting or occasionally maybe calibrating something and don't mind a little difficulty reading a meter (or small and/or dim and/or non-contrasty digital display). So, we don't tend to think "size matters".

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I agree!

[@terrypokorny3858]

I have a question off this topic have you ever restored a National NC 300 Receiver if so did you replace the dial chain and if so where did you get the chain

[@johnparichuk8367]

I like that this vtvm has a DC Zero Center function.

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

With a nod to Terry over at D-Lab, that VTVM is definitely Boat-Anchor class. It's HUGE.

[@rádiosantigos1958]

Nice video and good tips. We want to see both, the power supply and the oscillograph. Thanks.

[@jerrypeal653]

It’s definitely a stark contrast to the other meters !

[@hestheMaster]

At 11:35 the Hickok VTVM with large meter is a model 225K. No need for reading glasses there either. The power supply looks like a next look see.

[@TheDrunkenMug]

Awesome video, I would like to see the Oscillograaf next ! 😀

[@bengrebla9637]

Hi Paul, the power supply for sure! 😁 Great video as usual!

[@keitha.9788]

Mr. Carlson, have you ever examined a Heathkit IT-1121 Semiconductor Curve Tracer???? Not too many of them around, but seems like a worthwhile instrument.

[@Richardincancale]

How about digging out that Eddystone receiver you showed us in your lab tours a while ago? Please!

[@daveyoder9231]

I'm a sucker for power supplies. I often buy them at hamfests, but I haven't worked on an HV supply. So that gets my vote.

[@chrisp190]

How do you get the audio in your videos so perfect?

[@montygore]

What a great vtvm to have on the bench.

[@TeslaTales59]

Now that's "crazy big"! Does your meter display "OU.CH" on an open ?

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Yes, The designers had a sense of humor.

[@sveinarnenetteland797]

Great video. I vote for the power supply. By the way Paul, where are all the ladies in electronics community?

[@gidderman]

I too would like to see the power supply, and then perhaps the scope? They both look quite tasty :)