Old Oscilloscope

[graygun]

Some of you guys have electronics backgrounds. Would an old piece like this have any value other than scrap?


Tektronix 585: vacuum tube technology for the most part...working condition last time I checked years ago.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Since I grew up with Tektronics pretty much in my backyard, lots of friends had family members that worked for them back in the heyday. I have forwarded a link to a friend and forum member that may know something about them.

 

[speedsixman]

It probably would be of use to an electronics guy or hobbyist who works on some older equipment.

Myron

 

[RoninPA]

It's a fairly low frequency unit by today's standards but for a hobbyist it might have a little value. I repaired, aligned and calibrated those types of o scopes in my USAF career. Started with old Hickock 1805's, and Tektronix 545's.

In fact, when a CRT went bad, we would use the bad CRT as a base for a lamp.

 

[graygun]

I think it might be a 5 Mhz scope. I also have a Tektronix 465 dual trace,100 Mhz,scope (1970s era) and some other test equipment. The 585 was given to me by a guy to check and then he said he didn't want it back.

 

[kd4rgwml]

local ham radio operators would have some interest

 

[AJGUNNER]

Forum member Justice B. Swift (AKA Just BS) sent me this reply. He is having issues logging on.

My mother worked on the assembly line building these units early in her career at Tek. She constructed the CRT (cathode ray tube). My grandfather had two of these units that he used in his sideline business repairing TV's and electronic equipment. In today's world they have very limited application and would serve more as a novelty than as a useful tool. It may well have some use to a hobbyist but does not have range enough for testing most equipment in use these days. In their day these were a good oscilloscope and had a reputation for durability and accuracy.
Justice B. Swift

 

[exavid]

Some of you guys have electronics backgrounds. Would an old piece like this have any value other than scrap?


Tektronix 585: vacuum tube technology for the most part...working condition last time I checked years ago.

Not worth much today. I spent a lot of time in the early sixties sitting in front of a Tektronix 545 keeping VORTACs and instrument landing systems working right. Let me tell you those things were heavy lugging them up the gangways from seaplane docks at low tide in SE Alaska. Not to mention wrapping one up in tarps preparatory to taking it to the Kotzebue VORTAC in a freight sled behind a snowmobile.

Modern ones are so much better with calibrated sweep speeds, much higher frequency response and most importantly small and light with a better display. That 585 will however be a decent anchor for a bass boat.

 

[graygun]

Yeah,it is very heavy and ebay has just about everything. Agreed,it would be at home in a 50s-60s sci fi movie.

 

[Imissedagain]

I read its 85Mhz.
I keep a Fluke 199C (200Mhz) around but the old CRTs are nice.
eBay or check some guitar/music amplifier websites.