AVO Multimeter survey - Page 85 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Sinewave · 24th May 2018, 9:51 pm

I've just picked up another early Avo 8 Mark 1, with a date of 1952.

This one is serial 3704-C-252 and my other is
6832.C.752

So, could that be 3128 units apart? I'm not actually sure if they're numbered by the sequence of manufacture.

The Philpott · 25th May 2018, 10:01 am

I would have thought they are in direct production sequence plus or minus maybe 10 or 20 units. Depends which part of the assembly line was ahead/behind on any particular week.

Sinewave · 31st May 2018, 10:22 pm

Look what I've just added to my collection.

It doesn't work, it cost me two pints of beer

so I didn't expect it to.

I'm still pleased to be able to add it to my collection, even though it's a non worker, as otherwise it's in very good condition.

The Philpott · 1st Jun 2018, 1:25 pm

Is the LCD display dead or is that a camera anomaly?

Sinewave · 1st Jun 2018, 5:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Philpott

Is the LCD display dead or is that a camera anomaly?

No idea. I shall have to investigate. I'll be needing a circuit diagram, then I can determine if the meter is working at all, bar the LCD display.

I bet a working one of these would sell for a fortune at the moment.

Sinewave · 2nd Jun 2018, 1:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Philpott

Is the LCD display dead or is that a camera anomaly?

I've had a look today.

Yes it's the LCD which is blackened.

But, if I place a torch into the display and switch the meter on and through some ranges I can see that something is happening, so maybe the rest of the meter is ok, but the LCD isn't. How it would have blackened I don't know.

The Philpott · 2nd Jun 2018, 1:48 pm

Just aged, torsional stress,high temperature or solar radiation can cause or accelerate it. (It used to happen with car radio displays and mobile phones when left in the sun)

It's started to affect my metal detector and that's only 2yrs old (quality varies a lot)

Refugee · 2nd Jun 2018, 2:07 pm

Displays are sealed with a gel inside them.
They go to air and dry out if the seal fails.
I had an early LCD watch and the display could be taken to bits and cleaned but the case was sealed to it took quite a few years to fail but in the end it did die.

Sinewave · 7th Jun 2018, 9:59 am

I've missed a few opportunities to get one of these. Ok nothing different than any other Mk6 but always wanted a BT one.

Sinewave · 7th Jun 2018, 8:56 pm

So, whilst browsing I saw another DA116. Brilliant I thought, I'll take that one home as the LCD looks good, I can put it into my really clean looking one which has a failed screen.

Well, this one as it turns out is working as it is, so I don't think I'll make it a parts donor. That's a good result as this one cost me three pints of beer and is working which I didn't expect it to be.

avocollector · 14th Jun 2018, 5:14 pm

Just acquired another Avometer 8 mkV. Serial No 07791 and 8V/6/76 on label inside battery compartment. Amazed at the amount of sheer filth and muck on it.

avocollector · 14th Jun 2018, 5:23 pm

Another Avometer 8 mk V. Serial no 2215 and 8V/10/74 on label on right hand outside of case up near -ve terminal

Superscope · 21st Jun 2018, 6:31 pm

I think we would all agree, that this Thread has been absolutely
outstanding.
It has run for nearly 14 Years now, and although it was started as just
a way of obtaining and recording Serial numbers it became much, much more.

Unfortunately, the move to Google docs seems to have pretty much
killed off this Thread for the most part, which is a real shame.

In celebration of what SPCh started back in 2004, I thought I would share
some of this Threads Stats with you all.

1692 Posts at time of Writing.
1408 Unique AVO Serial Numbers submitted, by
388 Unique Forum Members

68 Model 40's
226 Model 7's
620 Model 8's
111 Model 9's
11 Unknown Models where the Forum Member gave a Serial but forgot
to tell us what Model it belonged too.

(only AVO's that actually had a Serial Number stated are included)

Don't ask how long this took!
And I'm still working on the Data.

Ian

Phil G4SPZ · 21st Jun 2018, 9:15 pm

Crikey! Has it run for that long? You've prompted me to look back to see when I first contracted the Avo affliction, and it appears to be in February 2008, on Page 5. At least, that's when I first admitted to it. Ten years! And I'm still a sufferer! Although I did manage to sell a few Avos - and not buy any more - at the NVCF. I'm hoping this will be the start of my rehabilitation.

Superscope · 21st Jun 2018, 10:21 pm

I know, it's incredible for a Thread on any Forum, but I guess
the AVO meter is a bit special whether you collect them or not,
and add the enthusiasm of so many people, but Two in particular.

A few more so as not to upset anybody:

153 AvoMinors (All varieties)
35 Early AVOmeter (Models 1 to 6)
25 MultiMinors (All varieties)
25 Air Ministry Model D's
30 Heavy Duty

Will knock out a few more Stats when I get the Data Sanitized.

Ian

avocollector · 22nd Jun 2018, 6:32 am

another Avo 8 mk 5 - serial no 17235 and 8V/10/76 on label inside battery compartment.

AC/HL · 22nd Jun 2018, 11:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superscope

Unfortunately, the move to Google docs seems to have pretty much killed off this Thread for the most part, which is a real shame.

Can you expand on this please?

Sinewave · 22nd Jun 2018, 12:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinewave

I've missed a few opportunities to get one of these. Ok nothing different than any other Mk6 but always wanted a BT one.

In this post, I should have made it clear that this is a new one I bought after missing out opportunities in the past. Otherwise it just looks as though I'm saying that I missed out on one.

Pamphonica · 22nd Jun 2018, 12:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superscope

Unfortunately, the move to Google docs seems to have pretty much
killed off this Thread for the most part, which is a real shame.

Ian

I am also intrigued by this comment, as I was the the one who found that we could keep serial numbers in perpetuity on Google Docs, and setup the database.

SPCh told me when we met a year before he died that he always wanted to make a proper database from the posts but never had time. I thought I was helping that objective.

If in some way I have "killed off" this thread I am sorry as that was not my intention. The thread has not been "moved" it simply has another feature. I can easily "kill off" the Google Docs database if that's needed, but prefer to leave it for people to contribute serial numbers in future.

The database has only 82 responses, from 6 forum members, by the way so we have a long way to go, as no-one has time to collect all the serial numbers we do already have on this wonderful thread.

I await feedback...

Jeremy

Superscope · 22nd Jun 2018, 1:29 pm

Sorry Guys,

I may have associated the drop in Serial Numbers in recent Months
on this Thread with the Google Docs initiative. Everything seemed to
go quite around that time.

Having looked at the GD this Morning, I can see this is not the case.
Indeed the Google Docs hasn't increased much since I last looked at it
Months ago.
Seems Serial Number submissions have drop in General.

At least my incorrect assumption has livened up the Thread a bit.

Ian

24th May 2018, 9:51 pm	#1681
Sinewave Octode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oxfordshire/Bucks borders, UK. Posts: 1,512	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I've just picked up another early Avo 8 Mark 1, with a date of 1952. This one is serial 3704-C-252 and my other is 6832.C.752 So, could that be 3128 units apart? I'm not actually sure if they're numbered by the sequence of manufacture. __________________ Avometer, vintage Fluke and Marconi collector. Also interested in vintage Yaesu and KW.

25th May 2018, 10:01 am	#1682
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 3,776	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I would have thought they are in direct production sequence plus or minus maybe 10 or 20 units. Depends which part of the assembly line was ahead/behind on any particular week.

31st May 2018, 10:22 pm	#1683
Sinewave Octode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oxfordshire/Bucks borders, UK. Posts: 1,512	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Look what I've just added to my collection. It doesn't work, it cost me two pints of beer so I didn't expect it to. I'm still pleased to be able to add it to my collection, even though it's a non worker, as otherwise it's in very good condition. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Avometer, vintage Fluke and Marconi collector. Also interested in vintage Yaesu and KW.

1st Jun 2018, 1:25 pm	#1684
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 3,776	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Is the LCD display dead or is that a camera anomaly?

2nd Jun 2018, 1:48 pm	#1687
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 3,776	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Just aged, torsional stress,high temperature or solar radiation can cause or accelerate it. (It used to happen with car radio displays and mobile phones when left in the sun) It's started to affect my metal detector and that's only 2yrs old (quality varies a lot)

2nd Jun 2018, 2:07 pm	#1688
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,526	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Displays are sealed with a gel inside them. They go to air and dry out if the seal fails. I had an early LCD watch and the display could be taken to bits and cleaned but the case was sealed to it took quite a few years to fail but in the end it did die.

7th Jun 2018, 9:59 am	#1689
Sinewave Octode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oxfordshire/Bucks borders, UK. Posts: 1,512	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I've missed a few opportunities to get one of these. Ok nothing different than any other Mk6 but always wanted a BT one. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Avometer, vintage Fluke and Marconi collector. Also interested in vintage Yaesu and KW.

7th Jun 2018, 8:56 pm	#1690
Sinewave Octode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oxfordshire/Bucks borders, UK. Posts: 1,512	Re: AVO Multimeter survey So, whilst browsing I saw another DA116. Brilliant I thought, I'll take that one home as the LCD looks good, I can put it into my really clean looking one which has a failed screen. Well, this one as it turns out is working as it is, so I don't think I'll make it a parts donor. That's a good result as this one cost me three pints of beer and is working which I didn't expect it to be. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Avometer, vintage Fluke and Marconi collector. Also interested in vintage Yaesu and KW.

14th Jun 2018, 5:14 pm	#1691
avocollector Heptode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, New Zealand. Posts: 650	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Just acquired another Avometer 8 mkV. Serial No 07791 and 8V/6/76 on label inside battery compartment. Amazed at the amount of sheer filth and muck on it. Last edited by avocollector; 14th Jun 2018 at 5:16 pm. Reason: Incompete remarks

14th Jun 2018, 5:23 pm	#1692
avocollector Heptode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, New Zealand. Posts: 650	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Another Avometer 8 mk V. Serial no 2215 and 8V/10/74 on label on right hand outside of case up near -ve terminal

21st Jun 2018, 6:31 pm	#1693
Superscope Heptode Join Date: May 2017 Location: St Austell, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 972	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I think we would all agree, that this Thread has been absolutely outstanding. It has run for nearly 14 Years now, and although it was started as just a way of obtaining and recording Serial numbers it became much, much more. Unfortunately, the move to Google docs seems to have pretty much killed off this Thread for the most part, which is a real shame. In celebration of what SPCh started back in 2004, I thought I would share some of this Threads Stats with you all. 1692 Posts at time of Writing. 1408 Unique AVO Serial Numbers submitted, by 388 Unique Forum Members 68 Model 40's 226 Model 7's 620 Model 8's 111 Model 9's 11 Unknown Models where the Forum Member gave a Serial but forgot to tell us what Model it belonged too. (only AVO's that actually had a Serial Number stated are included) Don't ask how long this took! And I'm still working on the Data. Ian

21st Jun 2018, 9:15 pm	#1694
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,575	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Crikey! Has it run for that long? You've prompted me to look back to see when I first contracted the Avo affliction, and it appears to be in February 2008, on Page 5. At least, that's when I first admitted to it. Ten years! And I'm still a sufferer! Although I did manage to sell a few Avos - and not buy any more - at the NVCF. I'm hoping this will be the start of my rehabilitation. __________________ Phil “The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum” - Henry Havelock Ellis

21st Jun 2018, 10:21 pm	#1695
Superscope Heptode Join Date: May 2017 Location: St Austell, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 972	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I know, it's incredible for a Thread on any Forum, but I guess the AVO meter is a bit special whether you collect them or not, and add the enthusiasm of so many people, but Two in particular. A few more so as not to upset anybody: 153 AvoMinors (All varieties) 35 Early AVOmeter (Models 1 to 6) 25 MultiMinors (All varieties) 25 Air Ministry Model D's 30 Heavy Duty Will knock out a few more Stats when I get the Data Sanitized. Ian

22nd Jun 2018, 6:32 am	#1696
avocollector Heptode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, New Zealand. Posts: 650	Re: AVO Multimeter survey another Avo 8 mk 5 - serial no 17235 and 8V/10/76 on label inside battery compartment.

22nd Jun 2018, 1:29 pm	#1700
Superscope Heptode Join Date: May 2017 Location: St Austell, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 972	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Sorry Guys, I may have associated the drop in Serial Numbers in recent Months on this Thread with the Google Docs initiative. Everything seemed to go quite around that time. Having looked at the GD this Morning, I can see this is not the case. Indeed the Google Docs hasn't increased much since I last looked at it Months ago. Seems Serial Number submissions have drop in General. At least my incorrect assumption has livened up the Thread a bit. Ian