AVO Multimeter survey - Page 5 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

rigsby27 · 3rd Aug 2005, 8:43 pm

My new baby,

Fully working with help from SPCh, Avo 8 Mk II serial No. 35373-C-655 after a clean looks the part against the yellow DVM's I normally use.

Tony.

Brased · 3rd Aug 2005, 8:49 pm

My three for the file.

Model 7 (no Mk no.) No.22528-A-251
Model 8 Mk 3 No.27246.1065
Test set multirange No.1 No.4433-15-1062

Edward

GW4FRX · 3rd Aug 2005, 9:23 pm

My much-loved 8 Mk II was intercepted just before being despatched to a BBC skip in the early 80s. Its serial is 104096-C360.

Come to think of it, this device could do with some TLC and recalibration. I'd be glad of any recommendations.

John

SPCh · 3rd Aug 2005, 10:03 pm

Thanks, guys.

Edward, your Model 7 is a Mk I (version 2) from 1951

For TLC instructions, consult contributions from PMMunro in earlier threads.

But I suggest that if it works, leave it alone. AVOs hold their performance almost indefinitely - often despite abuse. If you open them up, even just to look, you will allow dust ingress, moisture ingress, magnetic contamination/deterioration, and all sorts of handling-induced problems.
If it ain't broke ... resist the temptation to do what we all instinctively want to do.

calum · 5th Aug 2005, 3:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPCh

I am trying to compile an unofficial history of the AVO multimeter (unofficial beacause there is no official

interest in the project).

I don't suppose you're interested in my Avo 8 Mk.7 details, bit too new? Still, it must be almost 15 years old, so not *that* new

Is your history ready for reading anywhere? Looking forward to seeing it...

SPCh · 5th Aug 2005, 5:38 pm

All information is valuable & gratefully received.

Most of the contributions have been for Model 8, very few have been for the real oldies (pre Model 7).

Despite everyone's sterling efforts, there are still not enough (of each type) to make a "story", yet, except that hand calibration of the many thousands churned out during WW II must have run up an enormous number of man- (or probably woman-) hours. Can't imagine who was left to actually do any fighting !

Keep them coming.

calum · 5th Aug 2005, 6:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPCh

All information is valuable & gratefully received.

ok, then.

My Avo 8 Mk.7 has serial no: M7555901007 1092

I know that it was bought between in the early to mid-90s, so I can easily believe that 10/92 indicates the manufacturing date.

It also has the VC-1 10:1 voltage converter to do away with the need for the pesky 15V battery, but I think this might have been ordered as an optional accessory.

Works perfectly, of course, and so much more fun than my soulless digi meters.

Brased · 5th Aug 2005, 7:34 pm

Three more from a museum where I'm a volunteer.

Model 7 No.7246-25586.

Model 7 Mk II No.49823-A-1054. This one is still regularly used some 50 years after construction for repair of vintage wireless equipment.

GPO Meter Multirange No.14C (AKA Avo Model 8 Mk III) No.104536-969.

Edward

Neil Purling · 6th Aug 2005, 3:34 pm

I just collected the Model 8 I got on ebay.
It is a Mk 2, not 3 as the listing said. Sn:119696-C-361.

Paul Stenning · 13th Aug 2005, 7:15 pm

OT questions and responses moved to this thread. Please stick to survey responses here.

Lowemission · 18th Aug 2005, 3:47 pm

First of all four MOD AVO MK?, please see photo below, sorry about the poor quality.

I have been told that these are panclimatic models ?

7163.370

6259-15-667

13,104-3-72

3633,1267

Yes a few of the numbers them do seem odd

171716-C-266 conventional model 8, MOD

31883-C-255 model 8, civilian

68666-C-567 model 8, civilian

Finally I have two MOD model 40s which don't seem to have serial numbers, I've looked in all the usual places, battery compartment etc,

.

Julian

SPCh · 18th Aug 2005, 6:15 pm

Okay; a lot of food for thought there.

First of all the picture: it's a NATO Test Set No 1. Essentially a Model 8 Mark II, bit with a 1-3-10 range sequence, no decibels scale, and a metal jacket outside the normal plastic one, with earthing screw at the top. (A nice bit of kit, but changing to a 1-3-10 range sequence AND deleting the dB seems a bit bizarre).

The first four on the list sound like Panclimatic variants of the Model 8 Marks IV, III, IV and II respectively.

The last three "honest" Model 8s are almost certainly Marks III, I and III respectively.

maitiustandun · 19th Feb 2006, 11:34 am

hi head, my multimeter is an 8x , no. 170566.c.265, bought recently from ebay ,tag attached devonport royal dockyard ,weapon factory , f.a.o ray bulley , cost 7.50 gbp , posted to dublin at a cost of 30 euros , regards maitiu

reneblc · 26th Feb 2006, 4:48 pm

Several models from my schack (in Belgium) :
Model 40 - Part N° 10945-32A - N° 20887-B-1161
Model 7 MKII - Part N° 3284-144 - N° 101491-A-1266
Model 8 - Part N° 13574-3 - N° 36416-C-755
Avominor - N° U.15/134-843
EA113 Electronic Avometer - 2554-171 (on dial) - 2284 (on the rear)

Best whishes for your harvest ! René

harrybeadlebaum · 27th Feb 2006, 4:03 pm

Avometer Model 8, Serial No: 10725-C-253

Bought by my Dad, in London, sometime in the late 50's. Rarely used.

Tim B · 16th Mar 2006, 4:05 pm

Two more:

Avo 8 mk3, serial no. 89965. 1268. This was originally sold in Germany, and has the instructions plate in German. The controls and scale are in English however.

Avo 40 mk2, serial no. 20315-B-1260.

Chris_C · 16th Mar 2006, 6:28 pm

Model 7 Mark 2 serial# 83193-A-160

Jim - G4MEZ · 16th Mar 2006, 8:24 pm

AVO 8 MKIII Serial 11058.265

Zulu95 · 19th Mar 2006, 11:58 am

Avo Universal Avo Minor U 48422-742. Belonged to my grandfather, he kept it in an OXO box where it is still housed today. I figure it might be from the 1930s or 1940s.

percival007 · 19th Mar 2006, 12:52 pm

Hi SPch,
i've allready pm'd you with my serial numbers i think, if not, please let me know and i'll do so but allmost certain i have. Still adding more to my collection though, so will probably give you an updated list at some point!
How far are you away from finishing the survey (how long is a piece of string, i guess?!)? Any plans to publish? I would love to read a book on the development of the Avo meter and the company in general.
All the best and keep up the good work, Percy.

3rd Aug 2005, 8:43 pm	#81
rigsby27 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 64	Re: AVO Multimeter survey My new baby, Fully working with help from SPCh, Avo 8 Mk II serial No. 35373-C-655 after a clean looks the part against the yellow DVM's I normally use. Tony.

3rd Aug 2005, 8:49 pm	#82
Brased Hexode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK. Posts: 318	Re: AVO Multimeter survey My three for the file. Model 7 (no Mk no.) No.22528-A-251 Model 8 Mk 3 No.27246.1065 Test set multirange No.1 No.4433-15-1062 Edward

3rd Aug 2005, 9:23 pm	#83
GW4FRX Pentode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 149	Re: AVO Multimeter survey My much-loved 8 Mk II was intercepted just before being despatched to a BBC skip in the early 80s. Its serial is 104096-C360. Come to think of it, this device could do with some TLC and recalibration. I'd be glad of any recommendations. John

3rd Aug 2005, 10:03 pm	#84
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Thanks, guys. Edward, your Model 7 is a Mk I (version 2) from 1951 For TLC instructions, consult contributions from PMMunro in earlier threads. But I suggest that if it works, leave it alone. AVOs hold their performance almost indefinitely - often despite abuse. If you open them up, even just to look, you will allow dust ingress, moisture ingress, magnetic contamination/deterioration, and all sorts of handling-induced problems. If it ain't broke ... resist the temptation to do what we all instinctively want to do.

5th Aug 2005, 5:38 pm	#86
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey All information is valuable & gratefully received. Most of the contributions have been for Model 8, very few have been for the real oldies (pre Model 7). Despite everyone's sterling efforts, there are still not enough (of each type) to make a "story", yet, except that hand calibration of the many thousands churned out during WW II must have run up an enormous number of man- (or probably woman-) hours. Can't imagine who was left to actually do any fighting ! Keep them coming.

5th Aug 2005, 7:34 pm	#88
Brased Hexode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK. Posts: 318	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Three more from a museum where I'm a volunteer. Model 7 No.7246-25586. Model 7 Mk II No.49823-A-1054. This one is still regularly used some 50 years after construction for repair of vintage wireless equipment. GPO Meter Multirange No.14C (AKA Avo Model 8 Mk III) No.104536-969. Edward Last edited by Paul Stenning; 13th Aug 2005 at 7:12 pm. Reason: OT question deleted

6th Aug 2005, 3:34 pm	#89
Neil Purling Nonode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,078	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I just collected the Model 8 I got on ebay. It is a Mk 2, not 3 as the listing said. Sn:119696-C-361. Last edited by Paul Stenning; 13th Aug 2005 at 7:13 pm. Reason: OT question deleted

13th Aug 2005, 7:15 pm	#90
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,968	Re: AVO Multimeter survey OT questions and responses moved to this thread. Please stick to survey responses here. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

18th Aug 2005, 3:47 pm	#91
Lowemission Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Merstham, Surrey, UK. Posts: 98	Re: AVO Multimeter survey First of all four MOD AVO MK?, please see photo below, sorry about the poor quality. I have been told that these are panclimatic models ? 7163.370 6259-15-667 13,104-3-72 3633,1267 Yes a few of the numbers them do seem odd 171716-C-266 conventional model 8, MOD 31883-C-255 model 8, civilian 68666-C-567 model 8, civilian Finally I have two MOD model 40s which don't seem to have serial numbers, I've looked in all the usual places, battery compartment etc, . Julian Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Lowemission; 18th Aug 2005 at 4:15 pm.

18th Aug 2005, 6:15 pm	#92
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Okay; a lot of food for thought there. First of all the picture: it's a NATO Test Set No 1. Essentially a Model 8 Mark II, bit with a 1-3-10 range sequence, no decibels scale, and a metal jacket outside the normal plastic one, with earthing screw at the top. (A nice bit of kit, but changing to a 1-3-10 range sequence AND deleting the dB seems a bit bizarre). The first four on the list sound like Panclimatic variants of the Model 8 Marks IV, III, IV and II respectively. The last three "honest" Model 8s are almost certainly Marks III, I and III respectively.

19th Feb 2006, 11:34 am	#93
maitiustandun Pentode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland. Posts: 157	Re: AVO Multimeter survey hi head, my multimeter is an 8x , no. 170566.c.265, bought recently from ebay ,tag attached devonport royal dockyard ,weapon factory , f.a.o ray bulley , cost 7.50 gbp , posted to dublin at a cost of 30 euros , regards maitiu

26th Feb 2006, 4:48 pm	#94
reneblc Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Braine-le-Comte, Belgium Posts: 26	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Several models from my schack (in Belgium) : Model 40 - Part N° 10945-32A - N° 20887-B-1161 Model 7 MKII - Part N° 3284-144 - N° 101491-A-1266 Model 8 - Part N° 13574-3 - N° 36416-C-755 Avominor - N° U.15/134-843 EA113 Electronic Avometer - 2554-171 (on dial) - 2284 (on the rear) Best whishes for your harvest ! René

27th Feb 2006, 4:03 pm	#95
harrybeadlebaum Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Sussex, UK. Posts: 43	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Avometer Model 8, Serial No: 10725-C-253 Bought by my Dad, in London, sometime in the late 50's. Rarely used.

16th Mar 2006, 4:05 pm	#96
Tim B Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Staffordshire Posts: 1	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Two more: Avo 8 mk3, serial no. 89965. 1268. This was originally sold in Germany, and has the instructions plate in German. The controls and scale are in English however. Avo 40 mk2, serial no. 20315-B-1260.

16th Mar 2006, 6:28 pm	#97
Chris_C Hexode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Darlington (DL3) North East U.K. Posts: 394	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Model 7 Mark 2 serial# 83193-A-160 __________________ Chris C G8TJR

16th Mar 2006, 8:24 pm	#98
Jim - G4MEZ Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 95	Re: AVO Multimeter survey AVO 8 MKIII Serial 11058.265

19th Mar 2006, 11:58 am	#99
Zulu95 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA. Posts: 31	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Avo Universal Avo Minor U 48422-742. Belonged to my grandfather, he kept it in an OXO box where it is still housed today. I figure it might be from the 1930s or 1940s.

19th Mar 2006, 12:52 pm	#100
percival007 Heptode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 851	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi SPch, i've allready pm'd you with my serial numbers i think, if not, please let me know and i'll do so but allmost certain i have. Still adding more to my collection though, so will probably give you an updated list at some point! How far are you away from finishing the survey (how long is a piece of string, i guess?!)? Any plans to publish? I would love to read a book on the development of the Avo meter and the company in general. All the best and keep up the good work, Percy.