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Old 7th Dec 2021, 4:17 am   #1
ianbatty311
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Post AVO VCMs - photos needed

Hi, folks,

I am writing an article on the AVO Valve Tester, the VCM MKI~IV, CT160 and VCM163. It is currently some 10 pages, with half a page of references.

It will appear in Silicon Chip, Australia's premier electronics/hobby magazine.

You can get an idea of the depth and quality of my work here:

https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Issue...–+Quadruplex

I have my own photos for the Valve Tester, the VCM MKII and MKIV and the CT160, but not for the MKI, MKIII or the VCM163

Can anyone help with good photos? I would like a resolution of 1200 pixels minimum, and good lighting without excessive glare or reflections.

I will be paid for the article. The publisher is able to pay a usage fee to you, and we always give full credit to any contributor.

Please let me know if you can help with this important piece of historical research and publishing.

Ian Batty, M.Ed.

Victoria, Australia.
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 8:39 am   #2
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

I can take some more photos of the Mk1 I restored if it helps.
What sort of background would be best.

Peter
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 9:24 am   #3
ianbatty311
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

Hello, Peter,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you have a photo/can you take one of the instrument in its case?

Mister Picky tells me that this is the Valve Tester, and the Valve Characteristic Meter MKI is the single unit with the sloping front and the sockets on top, but *without* the skids and the valve data manual underneath.

Is the case you show an original? There is some confusion about how it was originally supplied by AVO.

Please let me know.

Ian.

Last edited by ianbatty311; 7th Dec 2021 at 9:25 am. Reason: typos!
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 9:59 am   #4
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

The photos Peter has posted show strong shadows from clear sunlight. Shooting on an overcast day will give more uniform visibility of the VCM. (taking comments on UK weather as-read!)

For product shots I use a small 'tent' made of translucent plastic, lit by two large soft-box lights. But the one I have is only big enough for car radio sized products. The tent has a hole for the camera to look in, the product having to be repositioned within the tent to give other views. It was a kit by Bowens (now a defunct firm, sadly) that Calumet used to sell (and they've been taken over now).

David
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 4:51 pm   #5
David Simpson
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

Note - the two panel tester is just that - a tester. Sometimes called the "No1".
Ian says his article is on VCM's MK's 1 to 4, etc. That is "Valve Characteristic Meters". Although strictly speaking the CT160 is called a "Tester"(although it's really a VCM MK3 squeezed inside a military clam-shell case). The 163 is called a "VCM163".

Regards, David
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 5:52 pm   #6
cathoderay57
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

Here's a couple of my VCM163. I can have another go to try to eliminate the glare if this is the sort of image that you want.

Cheers

Jerry
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 6:54 pm   #7
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

Quote:
Originally Posted by ianbatty311 View Post
Hello, Peter,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you have a photo/can you take one of the instrument in its case?

Mister Picky tells me that this is the Valve Tester, and the Valve Characteristic Meter MKI is the single unit with the sloping front and the sockets on top, but *without* the skids and the valve data manual underneath.

Is the case you show an original? There is some confusion about how it was originally supplied by AVO.

Please let me know.

Ian.

My misunderstanding, the 2 panel is often called the "Mk1".
The case is not original, its a spare parts case from WW1
I can re-photograph with it out of its case if it is of interest but it is probably not what you want.

Peter
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Old 7th Dec 2021, 10:26 pm   #8
ianbatty311
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

Hi, Peter,

Thanks for the clarification.

I already have my own pix of the VT, thanks, but a photo of yours in the case with less shadowing would be good to have.

Your thoughts?

Ian.
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Old 8th Dec 2021, 8:20 am   #9
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

No problem I will re-photograph it against a neutral background with no shadows.
Since the forum downsizes images it may be best if you PM me your e-mail address and I can send you full resolution ones.

Peter
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Old 8th Dec 2021, 2:39 pm   #10
Robert Gribnau
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Default Re: AVO VCMs - photos needed

Maybe this is usefull. The photos are from the internet (most likely Ebay), so that may be a problem.

MkI: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...HF6vB9icUyla59

MkIII: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...GBzwF3wJtXg9Wb

V.C.M.163: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...UdM_FQJiY-ysFB
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