AVO Multimeter survey

[Aitor Eneko]

A nightmare!!

[Phil G4SPZ]

Attempts to collect ‘just one of each’ are doomed to failure

Perhaps it would be something to consider as a display at a future NVCF - a hundred or more Avometers with no two the same. Between us, bringing a handful each, we shoud be able to put on a good show. Some of the really addicted collectors could almost do it single-handedly...!

Phil (recovering failed AVO collector)

[Sinewave]

Yes it becomes an addiction, I've probably got 150 or so of them and I've not finished.

[Phil G4SPZ]

I’ve got a few for disposal and I will send you a list by PM shortly - sorry it’s taken me so long!

[Superscope]

Hi Andy,

That's a very interesting List.

Do you have any further information on the
Model 8R
Model 8sv

I have never heard of these Models, never even heard rumors of these designations.
If they were official Variants, do you have any information on how these differed from
the Standard Models?

Also, is there any information on what the Avometer Model 7 (London University Special) was?


Ian

[AndyGilham]

Superscope,
I do have further information amongst the endless drawings I have obtained. I'm still in the process of collating it all.
But....
Model 8R, was a special variant for Roneo, who I believe were at the time owned by the vickers engineering group

Model 8sv was a Swedish special, with alternate ranges

the Model 7 (London university) was an education instrument with minimal ranges on it, down to just the basics.

I have been detailing the many changes to the movement assemblies..... And that now includes the Engineering change notes, and method detail construction sheets, as well.....so slowly piecing it all together.

Andy

[Aitor Eneko]

Thanks Andy, with a few unknown variants (for me) as the 8R, 8SV etc i have 86 variants in my collection sheet.

[Aitor Eneko]

Avo 7X with metal silver case and baquelite battery cover for 3 prods

serial nº68080-A-1056

[Pamphonica]

Avo 7 black aluminium case, no PF jacks
earlier version with "7" in a plastic button.
S/n 7345-20711 (1945)
Very tatty, open-circuit movement, cracked case. £1!

[Aitor Eneko]

Originally Posted by Aitor Eneko

Avo 7X with metal silver case and baquelite battery cover for 3 prods

serial nº68080-A-1056

Sorry, this one with PF


Another one:

Avo 7 (MK1) with PF, black paint on an aluminiun case, baquelite battery cover for 3 prods

serial nº 36937-A-1052

[Pamphonica]

Originally Posted by Superscope

Nice Haul you got there!
Would be interested to know the Case Style and Colour of the Model 7's.
Does the later one have Pf Sockets?

The model 7s are both aluminium black cases, no PF sockets on either.
Jeremy

[Aitor Eneko]

Avo 8X MK3 Panclimatic, baquelite case, metal battery cover

serial nº 61560-667M

[Sinewave]

Aitor, these daily additions, are these ones you've been buying?

[Aitor Eneko]

No!!

i just find them on internet (new or sold listed items) yesterday and today or so, when i have time, because i look for them to help on the survey.

I look for my collection only for certain models of Avometer. Also, same of the prices of those Avos are crazy!!!

I have only 15 different Avos in my collection and only one of each.

When i add a serial number of one of my Avos, i always say that it is new in my collection or something like that.

[Aitor Eneko]

Andy (and others) in your list i found apart of the Avo 7 braille, an AVO 40 Braille and an Avo 8Braille.

It sounds incredible (for me) that Avo make 3 braille Avos. As i think that Avo Braille was an useless device (how can a blind person "see" where to put the probs...?)

The model 7 is well known, the model 8 (i saw a photo of this model in a forum months ago that i am including attached, it is an 8 mk3) i think is not as "common" as the model 7, but the model 40 seems to be very rare. i have never seen a photo of this model.

So, Have you got photos of this model 40, and any idea why they continue producing this strange and ineffective device?

How long the produce them?, how many units of each model?

Is there more model Braille Avos out there? i mean 8 mk2 for example

Thanks

Aitor Eneko.

[Phil G4SPZ]

There are photos and much more information about the Braille Avo in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=87098 but I’m not sure the Model 40 is mentioned.

[Sinewave]

One has to wonder what on earth the braille meter would have been used for?

[Barnmead]

This was made for visually impaired people who would have had sufficient vision to repair a a radio or electrical equipment but not sufficient visual acuity to see a meter needle or the small writing on the front panel.

[AndyGilham]

The Braille meter was intended for ex serviceman, who had lost their sight, but we're still sufficient in the use of the meter. I have one of these meters, the Model 7 and it's an intriguing device. The document I have seen states that the instrument is restricted use to certain testing. I believe it allowed the user to read the meter, whilst a colleague probed.
I have some detailed correspondence between avo and the British blind society on the Braille alphabet and how it needs to be represented.

[Aitor Eneko]

That is very interesting Andy, have you seen a model 40 Braille?

I have a big curiosity to know exactly the system that connects the internal pointer with that strong external pointer.