Signal Generator Troubleshooting Repair and Modification 

I would love to see you design a "Smart Nixie Tube Frequency Counter", if you have not yet done so in your presentations already. One that can be used to dial track a vintage analog radio receiver's vernier dial. I am most interested in building one of those for my older gear. Keep up the great work that you do Mr. Carlson. I think that you sir, are a vast living repository of in depth technical knowledge. There is no question in my mind that you are the embodied definition of Professional in the word Pro. I appreciate very much what you do, enjoy with avidity your work, and admire your dedication you have in helping other Electronic minded individuals such as myself to achieve and become more proficient with the craft. Electronics is my favorite thing of all. It is always for me a labor of love. I am sure that you agree that It remains one of the best fields one can be involved with. I am extremely proud of you. Thank you for helping to keep American Knowhow alive and well. Respectfully, Professor: Howard Daniel Rollins III Inventor and Scientist.

My Dad open a tv repair shop in 1949, he had that very signal generator, with a Precision Volt Ohm meter, a Heathkit signal tracer, Ico 5meg scope. Spent many hours watching him trouble shoot. Learned a lot.

This is like a piece of historical art that should be preserved. Glad you're working on it.

@8:30 "the osc. section alone could be an entire video..." I think myself and thousands of others would love to hear that ! You don't even have to limit yourself to repair/mods, just you tearing things down + narrating commentary on the topology of the era and construction would make some of yer fans weeks! Thanks Paul!!! edit: that 6sj7 is the single greatest engineering feat I've seen all month edit 2: Strike that - Your mod + delineating thought process supercedes the 6sj7. Work. of. art.

Paul Designing a frequency counter for a shortwave would be great. You have my vote for it

The man is able to channel the engineer that designed this unit in 1948. Truly amazing to listen to his thought process.

Your an inspiration to the next generation of repair technicians, if they still exist. Great job and lovely generator .

Mr. Carlson is more than a fountain of knowledge in the electronic test equipment operation and electronics design field. Much of what I learned watching "Electronics At Work in 1957-1959 on WQED TV, along with the booklets that were produced to complement the show I forgot. I also had some electronics training in the Army for missile guidance. In the 1970's I took a course in TV repair which was interesting and required taking tests periodically to finish the projects. Even with all of that training, I am still learning a lot from watching Paul's videos; - in particular, the vacuum tube info and especially the high voltage danger. As I have an old Zenith radio from the '30's or '20's that is a family hand-me-down, So now I am interested in fixing it, I recall it receiving signals from European countries about 30 years ago. Then it went south and it became a dust collecting novelty decoration. Wooden cabinet and knobs too.

One of the best educated around with good workmanship too. Hard to find those traits together.

I'm finding it hard not to hate this guy. He has the coolest toys. :)

Sir, you are a genius. Keep up the good work.

Another helpful and educational vid. Thank you Paul. Building the freq counter would be a fantastic video. I'm sure others will agree. Take care pal. Carl

Love the thoroughness of your videos! Almost every little detail, some people tend to overlook a lot of little important details, but some of the most important little details.

Another great video. Others have said it, but I will repeat, you videos are the best on the internet. Very clear and detailed, and no nonsense.

Hi Paul, wow, another great restore video, you must have been a professor in another life, or a great story teller. Each one is detailed and easy for anyone to follow. I agree with all the others, yes a video on a nixie counter for old receivers would be fantastic. What could be better? 73

Electrons should feel privileged travelling through that frequency counter buffer addition you made. Very nice job as always.

Your videos are excellent! You explain things clearly, and the care and pride of workmanship you put into your restorations and repairs really shows through. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

Thank you for the excellent tutorial on adding a freq counter test jack. As always your ability to provide insight on the design aspects of your projects is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to more of your future projects. Don

Once again a very informative and educational way of repair, modification and finally making the unit look like it was rolled off the factory floor. "Excellent Work"

If its possible to find someone that sparks your interest with creativity and intelligence...not to mention ability and to communicate on several levels...then you have an excellent teacher, one that helps you grow within yourself so that you become more then what you imagine. Mr. Carlson, you've done this for me and brought the fun back into electronics after my 77 years. An Elmer to be sure!

Thanks Paul, I try to follow along and I don't understand everything, but I pick up a little bit from each video. This is the best of the internet-taking us right into the workshop of an expert and allowing us to see things we would never get the opportunity to see otherwise.

I have to admit that your channel is one of my favorite. I really like that videos are around 1-2hrs so everything can be shown in detail and well explained. Keep up the good work! And thank you for sharing with your knowledge :)

I restored my E-200-C three months ago, but just did the calibration yesterday. I was thrown by the fact that the output waveform isn't a nice, clean sine wave, but looks clipped at the top. I learned from another RU-vid video that this is normal, in fact desirable, due to the need for the harmonics in the highest ranges. Knowing that, I was able to proceed adjusting the trimmers for the correct frequency reading. I even had to do a bit of plate adjusting on the big tuning cap to get it to track better with the dial, something I've never tried before. Acquisition of a Tek o'scope that displays waveform frequency helped immensely. Following your lead in the video, I experimented with the resistor and capacitor values in the 6C5 grid circuit to bring the audio frequency closer to 400 Hz. I'm only about 7-10 Hz low - close enough. As I said once before, your video gave me the courage to tackle my own E-200-C. Now that it is done, I'm ready to use it to align the 1938 Zenith radio I just finished restoring.

I wanted to take a moment and thank you so very much. At 59 years old I've been laid up for almost a year with an ankle fracture. So I get to lay here and watch RU-vid videos. You have taught me quit a bit about electronics. Although most of it is above my head I have learned quite a bit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep it up, Please.

Many clever design features on this unit! Thanks Paul!

I had just finished upgrading mine last June. Recapping , new tubes and cleanup.one day last week it blew a fuse. The fault was in the transformer , within a shorted secondary 6 volt filament winding. It's truly a boat anchor now. I was so glad that I still had my EICO 324. It's in original condition. I'm going to leave it alone.

Sir, you are a genius.Your understandings of amplification circuits, loads AC current is astounding !

Great video, you are a breath of fresh air added to electronics

My dad has an old Heathkit Sweep Generator. Now I want to go to GA to get it and fix it up. Sure do enjoy your videos.

I have always been a fan of vintage electronics and seeing you restore them to like new condition is amazing to me. This project came out flawless! I love the cabinet restoration tip! Never thought of that... Thanks much for sharing your expertise with us... 😃👍

Thanks for this great video. I've had a later version (mid 50s vintage) of this same signal generator on the bench for at least 35 years. The craftsmanship inside is unbelievable. I noticed that the last time I powered it up maybe ten years ago, it's internal modulation was not working. Even though I no longer use it, you have given me the push to bring it back to life again!

Like the idea of building freq counter. Your attention to detail is inspiring. Thanks

I like the vernier on the scale, a beautifully desinged and constructed piece of equipment.

Great restoration,your videos are professional! Thanks

Thank you Mr Carlson for a detailed explanation of this project. Just finished my E-200C restoration project and just want to add a comment about B+ filtering and 60 Hz ripple found in the RF signal. I had to increase filter capacitors 4A and 4B to 22 uf., and 4C to 50 uf., in order to have a ripple free RF output. In my E-200C, using C4 factory values, the 60 Hz ripple is noticed very high.

Paul it would be great to build a frequency counter from scratch. Outstanding as always Thank You

Wow! This is probably one of my favorite videos of yours. What a great piece of test equipment. I especially like the Yaesu Nixie tube frequency counter. Don't forget to sign the inside!

Beautifully drawn schematic!

Great video Paul, thanks for sharing! I just won an auction on an E-200-C and this will help me service it when it arrives. Really nice work on that cathode follower there, looks/works great!

Another fantastic job Paul. Your explanations are great and so is your workmanship. A first rate video and upgrade job.

Thanks for this video. It gives me the courage to restore my own E-200-C. Rick Walton Antique Radio Collector ("antique" fits both the radios and the collector)

Enjoyed your discussion and the circuit design for the digital display.

Lets build a Nixie Tube counter from scratch. that kind of thing is right up my alley

I have a 1957 version of this unit, paid $15 for it at a hamfest last year. It works perfectly and I have done nothing to it restore wise. It is on my project list for this fall when I have more free time. Glad to find this video for some helpful tips. These are incredibly well made units.

all hand assembled & done with pride.

Thank you again for this wonderful content! I'll definetly appreciate the video about the frequency counter, you can add my vote!

I imagine the 80 tubes were used because the market was flooded with tubes after the war, they probably got a good deal on a load. awsome as always Mr. Carlson, as Wayne said "party on excellent!

Great work, Paul! Thanks for the teaching. I noticed the shield side of a capacitor marked:) I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us.

Hi Paul. I very much enjoyed your analysis of the workmanship and fabrication methods used in building this generator. Thanks for another outstanding video.

Thanks Paul, another great lesson and a very interesting video on how to upgrade old apparatus..

A great video and a beautiful restauration/modification. i love your old test bench series and am looking forward to every video. and i'd love to see the frequency counter design. the only thing more fun than restoring something is to build something useful yourself :)

Thanks again, your videos are informative, helpful and your descriptions of circuit paths etc are very easy to follow. Regards Steve.

Hi, Mr Carlson, i like to watch your great fixes and smart upgrades and technics. I dont understanding a great deal of electronics but i'm a fan. keep up the great work.

Nice job, Paul. You have it working and looking really good! Thanks for the video.

I am totally with you on using a 2-line cords only...it is my preference as well. People forget that the ground is connected directly to the Neutral line at the breaker panel. If there is an issue elsewhere in the house...or even on the incoming mains lines...you can have a very bad day. Not to mention that the older cords are usually not polarized...with could mean the hot being connected to ground.

Precision Apparatus also made kits under the PACO name. I built the VTVM. I also worked briefly for them At that time they were making field telephones for the Army.

Wow Paul. Simply amazing. I really like the detail on the circuit and how you fixed the audio circuit. That buffer circuit was also great. Very well done Paul. I really enjoyed this one. Another relic working like new with additional use!

That signal Generator the Precision apparatus company was bought out by B& K and they have the solid state one of course but you have that tube one working as good as new Paul great job and video.

Nice job! Yes, would love a frequency counter project.

I own one of these generators. It's a super piece to have in the radio restoration shop / lab.

Wonderful tutorial-so rich with information on every single step!

Another great video. Yes a nixie tube counter/display would be awesome.

Another great video! I love the added buffer circuit. The first time I worked with one of the older tube-type signal generators, I actually thought something was faulty, because the output was not a perfect sine wave. Later, I came to understand the purpose of the "dirty" signal was to expand the frequency range of the device via harmonics. Unfortunately, those harmonics wreaked havoc with my frequency counter! This is a great solution. Thank you for taking the time to do this video!

Thank you for the inspiring explanation. As for crinkle-coating, it sounds just the thing for my latest project, I’ll give it a try. I recall there are other ‘old’ finishes, like black crackle paint, producing a kind of crystalline texture when left to dry. A hammered finish was (and maybe still is) obtainable using coloured ‘Hammerite’ paint. I think these paints are cellulosic with special additives.

Beautiful work as always :) I have one of these PACO's which is an early E-200 (no suffix) and has the dual fuses in the power-cord's plug. It was brought back to my bench in a big box of old test-gear from the TV-transmitter site where I used to work - they said I could keep what I wanted or throw it all away. Of course, I brought all of it home hehehe.

This generator also works well as an AM transmitter. When I was 17 (1967), I plugged a crystal cartridge turntable into the external modulation jacks and a long wire dipole antenna into the high output RF jack. I was able to pick up the signal a half mile away. I was lucky I didn't get caught by the FCC!

Oh wow! That's absolutely awesome. So much effort went into this episode. Thank you so much. It was very interesting to watch. I love the point-to-point wiring in the small Hammond box. I am using hammond 70009 aluminum enclosures for EVERYTHING. In tube amps, wiring boxes, RF projects, and so on. In combination with Tektronix solder strips. The 7308 from German production is a Siemens E188CC, which is basically a E88CC / 6922 but factory selected for matching triodes. And the E88CC itself is a high quality long life version of the ECC88 / 6DJ8 . Or in other words, you've got the best of the best. As is your video.

Just picked one up im hoping to restore thanks to your videos im learning a lot please keep them coming

Hi Paul, that was an absolutely fantastic refurbishment, repair and of course modification. I agree it looks like a manufacture mod. Very well done looks awesome and works perfect. Like it! Take care 73

Wow following along your videos really brings back the tube theory schools I went through in the 70’s . Back then you had to work your way up from tube Theory to transistor theory and then digital (TTL) Theory.

what an amazing looking device !

why would anyone down thumb any of these projects?? , they are all awesome!! Love watching Paul's videos...would love to see more reel to reel stuff.

Great video, Paul. I have an E200C from my father and cannot wait to incorporate your modification. Doug

Another great rebuild Paul. Really like your buffer circuit for the FC output. Mike

Another great video Paul, many thanks. I really enjoyed it and learned along the way. I'll add my vote for the nixie tube frequency counter - would definitely have a go at that! Cheers, John

Yes it's true. Not only did Canada invent greatest game ever played, Canadiens know a thing or two about electronics as well. I'm glad your are our ally . ~ thank you from a proud owner of a series E signal Gen.

Wow !!! Brand new box and Signal Gen.

Grat video. Indeed I would love a from-scratch build of frequency counter.

On those chicken head knobs, and any other knob that may have paint down inside for marker use, there are "paint sticks" in many colors that can be used to repaint those knobs, you clean out the groove of any dirt, grime or oils in them then rub the paint down into the groove and then wipe it off. It leaves a nice, fine colored line in that groove.

Once again you I was amazed at how well you explain and teach. Learning a lot. Thanks.

thank you once again for your helpful and informative videos. You have given me some tips for repairing my Marconi tf signal Generator. Cheers Steve

Another Detailed Fantastic Job Paul... Thanks !!! Lloyd - DigiTek

I have one of these and have refurbished it years ago. I wanted sine wave output instead of pulse so coupled the oscillator to the output through a resistive adder taken off the coils. This gives sine out instead of pulse. I may go back and change it back to original. Just as you noted, Precision Apparatus Co. made good equipment. I love my 10-12 tube checker from them.

Another outstanding restoration and extremely educational as well. I went looking for Nixie tubes recently for a piece of old gear and was shocked by what they cost..maybe because I recall when thy were pretty reasonable..way back when. I have an old Heathkit Digital Clock(my first Heathkit project, still going strong) that uses the Beckman(I think that was the maker) Filament Seven Segment Display...again very expensive if you can find them, and like Nixie Tubes either NOS or removed from other gear.

Well Paul, you did it again. Wonderful project, I learned a lot, and I am always amazed at you knowledge and design skills level. Thank you once again.

Jeeze, your videos are so freaking good. They teach me things I didn't even know I needed to know... Keep your stick on the ice!

Another excellent vid. YES please do some vids on nixie tube counters - restoration and scratch build would be awesome!

You inspired me go to out to the shop and find my Precision E200-C and start cleaning it up. I am from the tube generation but getting too old to do much anymore. I should have all the required parts somewhere. LOL...I enjoy your work.. 73

Very refreshing to view a pro at work. I have just starting watching your videos and alto i do not know alot, feel i am learning please contine

Dude, you do beautiful work, your knowledge and craftsmanship are exemplary. thank you.

I have a Hickok 288x military version. I went ahead and put in a 3 prong cord as well as a recap job, alignment, and printed a new frequency scale. This Supreme looks like a sweet little machine, but I tink the 288X is probably a better machine. Although I do like the mod control and AVC control that my Hickok doesn't have. Thanks.

Mr. Carlson, Your videos are so very informative and entertaining. Being a self made engineer and senior technical instructor for a company that makes atomic particle accelerators ( now retired ) I can really appreciate your methods of presentation as well as your hi level of knowledge of troubleshooting and electronics. Your presentation of safety and common sense is second to none. In my work our machines had voltages greater then 300,000 volts and very large and heavy mechanical moving parts so safety was primary to our instruction. Your presentation reflects the importants of careful and safe operating procedures. I am also delighted that you are an amateur radio operator and this reflects in your presentation methods. Keep up the good work. Regards and 73 Dave KD1NA

I enjoyed this video. I used to own one of these and the companion E-400 sweep generator. I purchased them in 1967 when I was 17. At the time, The E-200-C was selling for $120.00 in the Allied Radio catalog, way out of the price range of a 17 year old kid! I purchased both generators for $10.00 each from a gentleman whose brother, a TV/radio repairman, had passed away. These units were bulletproof! I used them for quite a few years, but sold them when the U.S. Navy transferred me to Japan. By the way, the E-200-C was advertised as "hand calibrated". Accuracy was given at +/- 1% of the dial reading.

Excellent video Paul. Keep em coming!

Brilliant, fantastic, fabulous, engaging, entertaining, educational, delightful, impressive, unmissable!

Cool repair video i had one of those signal generators when i was younger but i did not know how to use it needed repaired thanks bring back fun times with a neighbor and a load fm receiver.

I was a ham radio operator as a kid I actually built receivers and x mittees that amaze me to examine from scrap telephone wire for inductors to tv salvaged parts I find it hard to believe I did this as a young teen used no formulas no meters I understand everything he speaks about and I’m completely self taught

Hats off to the designers of this beauty! I almost expected to see selenium rectifiers rather than tubes.

Beautiful job !

awesome video..its like being in an electronics class but much better...thank you for your time and keep the videos coming