Lavoie Laboratories - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2013, 09:24:56 am
content: Picked this lot of goodies up on Sunday in a little country town 110km away. One Tektronix 545B oscilloscope (already have one but figured it can't hurt to have another), one Type L vertical plug-in amplifier, one 067-0521-00 plug-in calibration fixture, two Type K vertical plug-in amplifiers, and, finally, the real curiosity in the package; two LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifiers. With the exception of a 6DJ8 in the 545B having a broken envelope, which I have replaced, every item seems to be more or less fully functional straight up, but just internally dusty as fark from sitting around for years in a shed. However nothing has been battered or abused and they should all clean up real well. Yahoo.The LA-265-CA plug-ins were not made by Tektronix and are badged "Lavoie Laboratories, Morganville N.J.". From what I've found with Google, Lavoie was a Military contractor, who manufactured a few items that were very close copies of Tektronix products. Anyone ever seen one of these before or know how rare they are? I haven't had any luck finding any substantial technical data (schematics, etc) but for a quick visual inspection it does seem to be very similar in tube complement and control functions (and presumably circuitry as well) as the type CA plug-in by Tektronix. However, if this was supposed to be an improved second source of that venerable old Tektronix design, it's disappointing they didn't add a GND position to the input coupling switch! It's a real pain having to re-connect the cro probe to earth every time a ground zeroing is required. Especially so as the Type CA, being an entirely tubed design, slowly and continuously DC drifts a substantial degree, even when fully warmed up (I know as I operate a pair).

author: N2IXK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2013, 12:20:36 pm
content: Quote from: GK on April 15, 2013, 09:24:56 amYep. Close enough that Tektronix sued the US government and the clone manufacturers over the situation, and won after nearly 2 decades in court...http://www.plainsite.org/flashlight/case.html?id=784183http://www.vintagetek.org/2011/03/tektronix-court-of-claims-case-est-finis/#more-493

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2013, 12:39:17 pm
content: That's amazing. This site here:http://www.edelpro.com/TektronixScopes/tek.htmlhas a picture (towards the bottom) of the Tektronix 500 series oscilloscope-compatible LA-265-CA vertical amplifier plug-in, along with a Levoie LA-265A oscilloscope, which is almost an exact replica of the Tektronix Type 545A oscilloscope.

author: dbacon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 03, 2015, 01:22:49 am
content: Hello N2IXK,I am currently working on rebuilding a Lavoie LA-265A oscilloscope. It's in pretty rough shape as it's been stored in a barn attic for the past 35 years. It looks as if it were used as a hotel (and bathroom) for mice all those years. But considering the interesting history of this oscilloscope I think it's worth cleaning it up and bringing it back to life.The LA-265A probably isn't worth very much, but I'm sure I'll find great value in the journey to learn about it's inner workings and to restore it.I already have an original service manual for the LA-265A which will be a huge help.The biggest issue I have is that it didn't come with any vertical plugin units. Would you be willing to sell me one of your LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifiers? Or would you know where I could get one? I also have a service manual for a LA-265-CA vertical plug in amplifier so it doesn't need to be in working condition.Thank you for your consideration,Dave B.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2015, 04:12:37 am
content: This bloke has one of the Lavoie clones among his collection:-http://jvgavila.com/Jose's website is enjoyable reading for Test Equipment freaks,as is Kurt's Tektronix page:-http://www.w140.com/kurt/tek.htmlKurt has an interesting comment regarding a " Hughes Memoscope",which appears to have very similar plugins to those of the 500 series Tek Mainframes.

author: EB5AGV
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2015, 04:46:59 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 03, 2015, 04:12:37 amI takeblokeas a nice wordYes, I got that Lavoie some years ago. Now I don't recall if the plug-in it has is a Tek or not. Now I need to go to look at it. More to come!Regards,JOSE (EB5AGV)

author: EB5AGV
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2015, 05:06:27 pm
content: I have checked and my unit has aTektronix 1A1plug-in. It came that way, so for sure it is compatible.Acloneis acloneRegards,JOSE

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2015, 10:42:22 pm
content: "Bloke" is definitely a nice word in your case,JOSE!Great to see you on this forum.Folks,this "bloke" is a font of information on repair of Test Equipment,Ham Radio,or whatever!