starnge equipment found from auction, guesses welcome what is it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 03:50:41 pm
content: Well, topic says it all: i found this from local auction, like ebay, but i dont know what is it. some could think me as stupid, but hey, it was only 12€, and considering metal case and stuff, i saved some. but, guesses are welcome. i wouldn't ask otherwise, but seller did'nt know either, probadly found it from junkyard or somewhere....or then its only stupid joke. and, no i dont have any idea what's INSIDE of this mystery box...but i'll soon find out, as soon as i get my hands on it.....ps. sorry if this wrong place for this thread, figured this is electronics related(?)http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u551/eboil/032-2_zps1ece66f0.jpghttp://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u551/eboil/033-2_zpsacdce51a.jpg

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 03:54:24 pm
content: maybe its a theramin

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 04:16:41 pm
content: My guess would be some sort of attenuator.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 04:47:40 pm
content: T'll guess it's an amplifier as it has a power connector on it.

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 05:22:47 pm
content: Possibly a foam generator for firefighting?Or else some behind the scenes pictures from the filming of the original version of Ghostbusters.

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 05:34:52 pm
content: watch out the google image search for this device a scary.https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&tbs=simg:CAESWhpYCxCwjKcIGjwKOggBEhTmBecFtgXpBaYEqgScB6sEmwewBBogYpgkzou2cWjgWXeImZSpl5ZAJIpIzDRsmElrj3XFguUMCxCOrv4IGgoKCAgBEgR-UOfRDA&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ziFXUYSGMYrE9gT2nIHABw&ved=0CDYQsw4&biw=1366&bih=667

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 05:48:49 pm
content: Quote from: peterthenovice on March 30, 2013, 05:34:52 pmaccoring to that, hmm, maybe it was indeed good buyat least pretty faces that is...

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 07:30:02 pm
content: can you open it up and post some pics

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2013, 08:07:44 pm
content: Quote from: peterthenovice on March 30, 2013, 07:30:02 pmsadly, i just won it, havent gotten my hands on it. i'll post interior photos as soon as possible

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 04:43:28 am
content: I like those 2 quick connect push connectors (I think they are push, could be screw type)It looks like the 4 jaws open up and you can put a wire inside, and the jaws clamp down.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 09:07:54 am
content: Quote from: codeboy2k on March 31, 2013, 04:43:28 amThose connectors are TV co-ax plugs for 75 ohm TV aerial co-ax. The jaws grip the outer braid folded over the plastic sheath. The plugs will pull out to reveal the sockets.http://youtu.be/Z44TBGhf6j8

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 09:55:57 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on March 31, 2013, 09:07:54 am

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 11:30:17 am
content: Belling Lee connector, also known as UHF TV connector. Those have a small screw in them to hold the centre conductor. I have come across many with a loose or missing screw, that still work, but do not pass DC to power the masthead amplifier. Tighten the screw ( or replace it if they have tightened it past tripping point) and they work quite well.

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 12:33:56 pm
content: maybe its a adjustable band filter

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 12:38:00 pm
content: I think it is a switched band pass filter.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 07:43:52 pm
content: Magnetic loop antenna tuner?http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/mfj-932

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 08:24:23 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on March 31, 2013, 11:30:17 amProper ones are made of brass (rather than the common aluminium) and soldered. Doesn't stop them being shit connectors, though!

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 09:27:47 pm
content: It may sound stupid but it may be a resistance box( 1,10 , 100 , 1k,10k,100k,1m 10m)it may was stupid but it may be true.

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 10:13:44 pm
content: I second the theramin. The funky handle thing on the top is a giveaway.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 10:52:06 pm
content: Since we are all guessing, here is my $0.05: It's an RF amplifier, the pot controls the amplification.Now what did I win?

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 11:00:24 pm
content: Your very own bike emf shield, congratulations.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 12:19:42 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on March 31, 2013, 09:07:54 amThose coax connectors are not used in my parts (North America). For TV we used the F style coax connector, and it was just a press fit with a crimp, or twist-on, both styles were forced between the outer sheath and the inner braid. Same with any BNC style, twist on or crimp. They are hard to put on, I often used the crimping tool to grip the connector and force it onto the coax, underneath the outer sheath.This style seems less stressful to the installerbut the guy on the youtube video did terrible job, he left half of the braid on the tabletop .

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 12:38:03 am
content: Quote from: codeboy2k on April 01, 2013, 12:19:42 amActually, they're fucking annoying to fit and unreliable. So many steps to fit one. I much prefer a crimp or twist on connector. I actually use F plugs and fit adaptors personally.E: And yes, that guy did a horrible job of terminating that cable. So called 'professionals' are the bane of the industry.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 01:07:19 am
content: Quote from: codeboy2k on April 01, 2013, 12:19:42 amThey are seriously horrible connectors.They were one of the earliest coax connectors,& have been around for pushing 80 years,about as long as the far better engineered,but clumsy, General Radio connectors.Unfortunately,they have not evolved over that time,& in fact the newer ones are probably worse than the old ones.The newer plastics don't melt at the sight of a soldering iron like the old ones,but the new ones have crappy little screws to connect the centre conductor.I think they do offer a constant impedance,so are better than PL259/SO239 in that respect.In Oz,the first generation of TV's used ribbon cable,so the only place we really used them was on some RF equipment.When colour came along,coax became the norm,so BNCs were everywhere!

author: lemmegraphdat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 01:31:19 am
content: Erik that right there is one heck of a weapon system. That stove looking thing is not just a mere power supply but a hyperspace linkup to a vast tract of exploding galaxies. You must place this thing well forward of friendly forces. Press the firing stud and you release really mind boggling huge quantities of raw energy from across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and then some. There are no warning shots with that baby.

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 06:32:10 am
content: it's a crystal radio

author: Gakex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 06:47:57 am
content: I'm guessing it is a electro shocks machine or it may be a time machine

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 11:22:40 am
content: Ok guys, i received my package today, it was well packed, screws are with metric threads, which is good. But, here's the photos i took from inside:http://oi48.tinypic.com/ohrf4n.jpghttp://oi46.tinypic.com/11sf29z.jpghttp://oi46.tinypic.com/1ihqpw.jpghttp://oi47.tinypic.com/2qlh21c.jpgand, if someone hopefully recognizes it, what are those jacks for? thanks.oh, and what is that huge selector-switch-looking-chunk?

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 11:46:34 am
content: decade resistance1k ohms to 10k ohms in 1k ohms steps

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 11:56:37 am
content: I think those are inductors so switch able inductor

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 12:06:23 pm
content: Ok, thanks for answers. i did make some testing, it does increase resistance in 1k steps, so it seems to be decade resistance box?.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 01:41:53 pm
content: QuoteBUT WHY !Coax Sockets/Plugs are British in design, and totally intended for Radio Frequency use at Mhz frequencies...the odd thing since you tested, and found it works as a decade box in steps, is the use of inductors, that you tested for a resistance of 1K each.The problem is, as these are inductors, they would produce more than just attenuation ? at any Mhz frequency input, a lot of harmonics from the fundamental frequency would be produced at the out-put, due there self capacity of wire turns... this is a high quality product, due the use of ceramic insulators for the inductors, and might suggest it was intended for low R.F. Wattage input to create wanted harmonics at the output.By saying that, a die-cast box-enclosure was, and still is the preferred approach for R.F. Laboratory screening, for test equipment when designed for in-house use.Otherwise, it's intended use was forDC onlyhowever, why the use of coax in-out sockets ! if so, then a specific need was required; maybe a small production of units for this requirement ?...Also, theREDTerminal looks like it goes to the box case via the coax socket mounting screw; if so,then for whatever reason it was"important that a possible positive potential-reference-or-earth"was required !!Curiouser and curiouser said Alice...

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 02:01:53 pm
content: Quote from: vlf3 on April 04, 2013, 01:41:53 pmhmm, good point, i did'nt thought how it would behave under AC voltage, newertheless from freguency....so is this actaully attenuator with 10 steps? i dont know anything about RF stuff so....

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 02:44:32 pm
content: Quote from: vlf3 on April 04, 2013, 01:41:53 pmI don't think they are, or at least not intended to be, it is resistive wire so the resistors must be more or less 'precise'But I agree there's a lot of weirdness left :-)

author: kfitch42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 02:54:03 pm
content: At least you know its awesome, on the inside at least... that is where the dial goes to 11!

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 05:27:59 pm
content: I believe it's ahigh precisionresistance box - maybe 0.1% or better. The switch/resistor assembly and the knob/pointer were probably salvaged from another piece of equipment and put into this case. Notice the size of the wire connecting the terminals to the switch assembly. Compare that to the size of the wire on the resistors. They don't want any resistance in the circuit other than the resistors themselves. It reminds me of a Leeds & Northrup device I've got. The resistors look very similar. The connecting wire in mine is 10 gauge solid. They don't have to support it, it holds itself up.As for the connectors, they may have wanted shielded connectors to exclude external interference. Even at DC, external interference can upset sensitive measurements.The red banana jack may not have any particular significance. This unit has a home-made look to it. The builder might not have had any black jacks in his junk box that day.Ed

author: Fezder
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2013, 05:46:00 pm
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on April 04, 2013, 05:27:59 pmhmm, from similar forums, they also said about L/N stuff, it was electrotech forum BTW, i hope its appropriate to ''market'' other forums?