AVO Multimeter survey

[Norman Raeburn]

Hi, I have two avo8 mk3, the numbers are 51737.1166 and 39399.1055

[dallaslaff]

Hi, I've got 2 model 8 Avos both Mk.5's, both bought in the early 80's
Serial No.0043382 8V GB
Serial No.0539678 8V ED

I've always found analogue meters better for fault finding/ testing, digital ones better for accurate measurements.

[russell_w_b]

Another for your records:

AVO 7 Mk. II, steel case, S/N: 75989-A-458.

Do you enter all these serial numbers in a prize draw with the winner going on an all-expenses trip to Barbados?

[Vicboduk]

Hi SPCh

After Russell W B's suggestion "enter all these serial numbers in a prize draw" I thought I would increase my chances winning
So here is a list of AVO’s currently lying around our labs. This is not extensive, I’m sure if I knocked on a few doors I would find some more…
Unfortunately when I cut and paste I seem to loose the formatting but I'm sure you'll get the gist.

Vic


Model Mark Serial No. Comments

7 ? 16034-A-650
8 ? 11335-C-153
8 ? 17933-C-953
8 ? 3303-C-663D
8 ? 49317-C-756
8 ? 68663-C-1257
8 I 22403-C-354
8 I 34439-C-555
8 II 107710-C-560
8 II 107718-C-560
8 II 115780-C-1160
8 II 116041-C-1260
8 II 119014-C-261
8 II 134666-C-162
8 II 134918-C-262
8 II 14044-C-562
8 II 140539-C-562
8 II 146650-C-1063
8 II 147236-C-1062
8 II 147254-C-1062
8 II 147259-C-1062
8 II 147319-C-1062
8 II 147481-C-1062
8 II 150814-C-1262
8 II 158709-C-563
8 II 3326-C-663D
8 II 3420-C-663D
8 II 3504-C-763D
8 II 3754-C-763D
8 II 45011-C-456
8 II 48078-C-656
8 II 72316-C-358
8 II 78273-C-858
8 II 9246-C-1070 Number changed on scale!
8 III 3944-1064
8 III 45822-866
8 III 46027-866
8 III 46144-866
8 III 46214-866
8 III 90571-169
8 III 90708-169
8 IV 1453-1269
8 IV 2207-170
8 IV 24489 84/12/70
8 IV 24509 84/12/70
8 IV 32903 84/2/71
8 IV 32917 84/2/71
8 IV 32920 84/2/71
8 IV 51126 84/7/71
8 V 02906 8V/3/77
8 V 13970 8V/5/74
8 V 85112 8V/10/75
8 V 85130 8V/10/75
8 V 85133 8V/10/75
8 V 85134 8V/10/75
8 VI 0000952BE 8VI 6/84
9 II 11400-1067
9 II 12604-1267
9 IV 24487 84/12/70
9 IV 72767 94/7/72
9 IV 72772 94/7/72
40 405983-743
EA113 3110
PM3 718 ETM

[SPCh]

Magic ! Thanks.

It will take some time to enter them all, but they'll fill out the picture a treat.

I can't run to trips to Barbados, but I'll think of something....

[The sarge]

I learned my trade on mark 8`s in the RAF, they must have had hundreds of them....shame I didnt get my hands on one when we went "digital " !!! The memories of the dreaded cut out popper when you did a con check with power applied to the Cct...towards the end of my Technician training they would fail you if it popped.

[russell_w_b]

Three instruments from our station test-cupboard:

87019 8V/11/75 Model 8 V
64070.867 Model 8 III
37015.266 Model 8 III

All marked as BBC Instruments but now on our asset register. Sadly, all our AVO 40's and 7's were dispatched to Daventry several years ago, following a request for: 'all unused test equipment...'. I have no idea what they were going to do with them there, or what eventually became of them.

[hilitevr]

Just aquired an AVO Panclimatic Test set No.1 serial No. 8127-15 1264

With it came an instruction booklet for...

Panclimatic model 9sx.

Looks the same as Test set No.1

Is this another name for the same meter?

Thanks
Trevor

[SPCh]

Essentially, yes.

The TS1 was for NATO (so essentially English Language);
the Model 9s were targeted on "Le Continong" and used "international symbols" rather than words - except where they coudn't !
The NATO ones had a metal case with an earthing stud at the top
over the standard, brown, bakelite panclimatic case inside.

[Rob Lines]

Hi SPCh
Another ser no for you. 50916-C-856.
This is on a Model 8 (according to the instruction plate on the back). It is in a black bakelite case with the unusual (to me anyway) feature of a number (3-4/0202) engraved on the very top edge of the front panel, dead centre above the meter face. This is in the same typeface and white colouring of the rest of the front panel engraving which makes it look like an original manufacturing feature rather than an inventory identification added at a later date.

regards
Rob

[SPCh]

This is a standard Model 8 from the period - it might just be a late Mark I from a big order, but is probably a Mark II. The engraving at the top IS a stock number - whose I don't know - and there are two possibilities why its engraving matches the AVO typeface.

1) Many institutions, regarding AVOs (rightly) as expensive and venerable bits of kit, actually took the trouble to match the typeface when they engraved their own acquisition- or type- numbers on (what is effectively) the only available place on the front panel.

2) Some institutions actually asked AVO to deliver them already engraved as part of the bulk order contract.

Yours could be either, but if the engraving is seriously deeper than necessary it's probably explanation 1) rather than 2).

[pmmunro]

Rob,

Does your meter have terminals in the form of black straight-knurled knobs - this is the style of a Mark I, (although ACWEECO did not use this designation)? The Mark II has red and black plastic caps on terminals which can be used with hooked leads or 4mm plugs.

This information will help in determining exactly when the change took place. However, this is not certain as, for the reasons which SPCH suggests, odd batches, possibly for large customers such as ministries, may have continued with an older style after the commercial model became the Mark II.

PMM.

[Rob Lines]

Thanks PMM. I guess this must be a Mk II as it has red & black terminals to take both the hooked lead and a 4mm probe lead.
The meter face also has Model 8 printed on it, on the opposite side to the serial number. Judging by the quality of the engraving of the 'stock number' I think it must have been put on at the time of manufacture.

rob

[sonix]

Hi,

I have an avo EA113, the number are 5935.

Best regards
Sven

[Aussie66]

Hi All,

I have the following models,

Model 40 MkII s/n 16195-B-458
Avo 7 MkII s/n 82827-A-1259
Avo 8 s/n 36580-C- 855
Avo 8 s/n 42906-C-156
Avo 8 MkII s/n 105207-C-360
Avo 8 Mk III s/n 47977- 966
Avo 8 Mk V s/n 33877-8v-3/73
Avo 9 Mk IV s/n 1686-IV-1069
Avo 9 Mk IV s/n 23038-94-1270
Avo 10 s/n 05164 10/12/77

Of the above 4 are undergoing restoration.
Also have 2 Multiminors will have to dig them out and find s/n's.
Cheers from Downunder.

[pmmunro]

66,

It's interesting to see you have a Model 10 on your list; I suspect that's a first in this survey apart from my own which took me several years to find.

I know the Model 10 was primarily designed for export but even allowing for that they seem to have disappeared into a black hole.

For those who don't know it, the Model 10 is a conventional analogue moving coil instrument in the same style of case as a DA116/7 digital Avometer. Unlike the DA116 & 7 which have a two-tone grey case, my Model 10 looks like two shades of tobacco stained cream, except that it goes all the way through so must be the colour originally chosen.

If anyone is interested, I can post a picture when I get the chance.

PMM

[tresyla]

Hello

I inherited from my father[a radio amateur], AVO 7 s/n 7146-33044.
I [also a radio amateur] bought for spares, AVO 7 mk II s/n 5411-A-1262.F.
I also have an AVO Multimeter Mk 4, but I'm not sure where the s/n is.
Any idea when the two 7's were built?
Cheers
John

[hilitevr]

Yes please PMM

I would very much like to see a picture of model 10

Thanks
Trevor

[Aussie66]

PMM
I thought they must have been just rare in Australia as I have not seen any others or been able to finnd info on them. This model 10 was purchased with some other Avo's and various test gear about 20 years ago when Racal closed their Australian service section and the T & M was auctioned off. Prior to my collecting the gear someone removed leads and handbooks etc. I have never been able to use the unit, one lead plugs in okay, but the other has a fitting missing which I assume is not only the socket for the lead but also a fuse holder, can you confirm this?
Thanks,
Aussie66.

[Mikey405]

The AVO I have to hand is a Model 8 Mk 5 and the serial number is: 03104 8V/7/77