Is this worth anything? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 08:28:43 pm
content: I have an old Bell & Howell Console 80 from Devry Institute of Technology. My ham radio club is having a tailgate party next weekend so I have been doing some cleaning out. I have searched the interwebs and can's seem to get a handle on what it's worth. Everything works on it though the function gen only goes up to a little over 10 kHz. Any suggestions? Is it even worth trying to get a buck out of it or should I just recycle it.As a side note, when I turned on my Hantek DSO5102B to test it, I got a white screen, then black, then I heard the pop and smelled the smell. Luckily, only 1 no name 1000 uF cap on the main board popped. It didn't leak, thank God and I also found another 2 bulged. I did have 3 replacement caps to put it back in order. At some point in the near future, I will write up a list and place an order with Digi-Key and replace all of the electrolytics, including the power supply. Nothing like the smell of cat pee to get your attention.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 08:36:12 pm
content: What is it? I've never heard of a Console 80.Surely it's worth *something*, I would suggest giving it away rather than simply recycling it, even if somebody only takes it apart to see how it works that's better than just throwing it in the bin.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 09:51:07 pm
content: James, it's an Electronics Trainer. It has a couple of breadboards, a +/- 15VDC adjustable power supply, a fixed 5 volt power supply, 6.3 VAC and a function gen that goes to a bit over 10 kHz. If I can't get anything for it at the tailgate party, I will see if anyone in the club wants it.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 09:57:45 pm
content: Sounds like something I would have loved to have when I was a kid. I'm sure somebody would want it, it's probably worth $20 or so to anyone who likes to prototype stuff on a breadboard.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 10:34:33 pm
content: That's just about the price I was thinking.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2017, 06:21:03 pm
content: There is little to be found if you search for this Bell & Howell Console 80 device. If you could take some pictures and post them here just for the historical informational value, it might be useful to someone in the future.

author: DBecker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 12:08:50 am
content: I think that might have been included as part of a Bell and Howell course.There is probably someone here that has a more informed memory, but here is my impression. These were courses offered in the 1970s, perhaps earlier and later. They were expensive, but most people that took them were using the GI Bill and thus the cost wasn't a factor. If you progressed through the courses you could build stereo equipment and even a color TV many rebranded Heathkit. When the course cost was paid by the government, there was quite a bit of motivation to take them just for the equipment.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 09:41:10 am
content: Photos and a quick teardown, so it will be remembered at least.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 06:18:55 pm
content: Most Bell & Howell stuff is just re-branded equipment. I once had a Bell & Howell oscilloscope that I believe was a rebadged 1970s Heath. This thing may be a rebadged Heathkit analog trainer.Found page with info about the scope I had, it was indeed made by Heath.http://bunkerofdoom.com/lit/bellandhowell/

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 10:20:09 pm
content: The Heathkit microprocessor trainers are well known, particularly the ET-3400, but they also made at least one for basic electronics. Searching for Heathkit trainer, I found this.http://www.heathkit.nu/heathkit_nu_ET-3100.htmlMaybe the B&H 80 is a variation?

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 11:13:29 pm
content: Those heathkit trainers have essentially the same functions, but they're not the same thing.Ebay sold listings for the console 80:http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=bell%20and%20howell%20console%2080&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1Gives you an idea, anyway. Given the price of shipping, if you have a local audience that might want it (your club members?), that might be the way to go.