I just hit the jackpot! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2022, 12:39:47 pm
content: Being inclined to mess about with old TV's, of the CRT valve powered variety, I'm always surfing ebay for parts, test gear etc, here in the UK.So, I wanted a particular Philips TV pattern generator and had an auto search set up on ebay. One came up this week, and it was local, like about 5 miles away, that is a VERY rare event for any item on ebay, let alone a niche piece of test gear!Obviously I bid for it, very strongly, and won it at £25! Result right there!Being local I arranged to collect it and when I walked into the guys garage where he's kept it I saw the holy grail! Not the pattern generator, that was good enough, but 6 big plastic storage boxes full to the brim with NOS valves!! All boxed, unused NOS!! there must be about 750 at least!! Then another box full of vintage NOS pots, presets, components, pickup cartridges, styli, etc, etc. I was literally beside myself with excitement!We had a chat and it transpires that his mates Dad had been a TV engineer and had unfortunately died, this was all his working stock. There was also another couple of test gear items which I snaffled, and there is apparently tons more stuff!We did a deal on the valves and I bought it as a job lot, it's going to be a huge task to catalogue them all!I'm getting first refusal on all the other stuff, can't wait to see whats there!He's quite pleased because it means he gets to clear a load of stuff to one buyer without having to list it all, pack it, ship it etc.I cannot believe my luck, it's just a crazy find, and local! Going back to the Philips pattern gen, that is in fantastic condition, never been damp, no corrosion and cosmetically excellent. Amazing for a 40-50 year old piece of test gear!Still buzzing, please excuse the excited outburst!

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2022, 12:58:03 pm
content: What model Philips pattern generator was it?I had a few myself over the years and they can be very helpful, fixing TVs.What are you planning to do with it?

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2022, 01:35:50 pm
content: It's the Philips PM5508. Built like a tank and all discrete transistors, not one single IC!! Build quality is crazy good! It even came with it's original manual! I started out working for Philips so have an affinity with their test gear.So it's an essential thing for setting up monochrome and colour TV's, will save me alot of time and hassle!As for the valves etc, I'll be sorting out a working stock for myself, asking around some fellow TV geeks if they need any, then probably sell the remainder on.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 07:55:02 am
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on September 17, 2022, 12:39:47 pmDon't apologise! We're cheering for (and with) you!!

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 10:30:17 am
content: Oh, that is an older instrument.I had a more modern Philips Pattern Generator, but sold it when I stopped working on TV's.Maybe that was a mistake.

author: dl6lr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 11:08:04 am
content: Good job! Looks like a candidate for the Jammy git award

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 01:21:19 pm
content: Yes. Definitely Jammy Git territory.We need to see pics of what he's got - AND to see what else he takes up from exercising his "right of first refusal" to cement that position!

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 11:29:08 pm
content: This is a lovely story. I’m very excited for you, I feel like I was actually there with you, a very well written account. Bless him, you’ve saved him a lot of work, and have probably done more for him in that regard than the mere transactional value.

author: basinstreetdesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2022, 01:20:51 am
content: Congrats, unknownparticle. Wish I was there.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2022, 03:16:01 am
content: Quote from: eti on September 18, 2022, 11:29:08 pmThat is so true.It's bad enough having to work through that sort of cache if you know what it's all for - but if this seller is less than conversant with some or all of it, then you will have saved him one big headache.Sorting, listing, packing, dealing with remote customers and all the pain associated therewith - such as chargebacks - is no small consideration. Add fees to that and the sight of someone walking up the drive with cash in hand just makes the sun shine brighter!Then there's the added bonus that if you've made a connection with the seller and the gear has some sentimental value to it, knowing it will be appreciated will make parting with it all a bit easier - and this would most likely be reflected in more Jammy Git pricing.We are all excited for you .... but please give us some pics (when you can)!

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2022, 05:37:55 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on September 18, 2022, 07:55:02 amQuote from: Brumby on September 18, 2022, 01:21:19 pmQuote from: dl6lr on September 18, 2022, 11:08:04 amQuote from: eti on September 18, 2022, 11:29:08 pmQuote from: basinstreetdesign on September 19, 2022, 01:20:51 amQuote from: Brumby on September 19, 2022, 03:16:01 amThanks guys, seems that you appreciate the moment!The guy selling the stuff didn't have a clue what it all is, so he would have had a struggle to move it all on when buyers started to make enquiries. I did a bit of explaining about valves, the test gear etc and he was both confused and fascinated! What he found most amazing is that there are crazy old geeks like me still messing with the stuff!He mentioned that he had an old radio that needed repair, obviously anticipating I would offer to do that, which I did and quite happily!It turned out to be a fairly recent Roberts DAB retro style radio, no more than 5 years old! If only he could see some of my collection, some of it dating back to the 20's! That would space him out!I had a quick look and the coax from the external aerial had been snapped off, just needs re-soldering. It worked ok on FM but not enough gain for DAB. So, 5 minute job.He said bring it back when I go to view all the other stuff after he collects it from his mate. Indeed I will!There was other stuff there but outside my sphere of interest, like NOS, boxed, Radiomobile car CB's, which apparently were going quickly at surprising prices! Also, NOS VHS VCR's, pre camcorder video cams, some fairly modern radios's, etc.He couldn't really relate what all the other stuff is, but just that it was all instrument type things and lots of electronic components, I am REALLY excited!Will keep you posted!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2022, 02:21:15 pm
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on September 19, 2022, 05:37:55 pmYou could tell?Quote

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2022, 05:09:25 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on September 19, 2022, 03:16:01 amI can confirm this, from the other side. When I was packing house to move to Switzerland, with a heavy heart, I had to get rid of my collection of vintage Macs (and accessories and magazines), since moving them would have cost a lot of money, and one doesn’t typically have as much space in Switzerland as in USA). I put up a classified ad listing some of them, and promptly got a call from the owner of a local midsize IT services company, who wanted themfor the computer museum at his company HQ!(And it turns out I knew his wife, who worked at a college I had attended.) His assistant came by later with a large car and took it all as one lot.Not only did it save me tons of work, I can’t think of a better outcome than it going to a collector who appreciates them and wants to put things on display for people to enjoy.