Recently me and a partner agreed to sell off a gentleman's collection of radios, parts, etc. Needless to say it's been an absolute fantastic journey into the past. We each have spent a good deal of time learning to test and repair the equipment as well as the history on much of the equipment (Considering I was born in '76, pretty much everything I'm dealing with is older then me). I'm stuck on a few items I could use some help with, both for selling his stuff, and for personal knowledge.

I have a rather large amount of cartridges, sapphire and diamonds needles primarily. Because of the foam used in the packaging, many collected moisture over the years and some contacts oxidized and such. I think cleaning sure work fine, but I'm at a loss to test them. I was told to hook them up to a oscilloscpe and tap the needle, which would be a simple yes/no test. But I don't have a osc., nor know how to use one properly.

I also have some vacuum tubes that I am currently unable to test. I have a Sencore Continental II, a Simpson 305, and about 8 other testers. My difficulties are mainly a few older tubes, such as 3 Western Electric 242's that use a jumbo 4 pin base. I also have a large Eimac style tube. Any of these in good working order are worth several dollars, and would hate to lose money for him because I didn't do my job properly. I was wondering what type of equipment might be necessary, or if I can make shift a test using leads to the pins as apposed to directly pluging them in.

My personal goals are to build a 33/45/78 with a preamp and two monoblock amps. Guess I caught the bug dealing with all these radios, transceivers, etc.

Thanks for any advice you could lend.

Phonograph cartridges of the crystal variety may be tested simply by wiring them to the AUX input on your stereo. They should be fairly loud. Magnetic cartridges (usually look high end because they are high end and rather expensive) require much more amplification. They can be wired to the MAG. PHONO. jacks on your stereo, if you are privileged in owning a stereo with these jacks. They are becoming rarer and rarer to find on the back, sadly.

Some of the early crystal cartridges use a special salt crystal that is easily damaged by moisture and heat.

You can check the internet for various cartridge and needle sites, and cross reference your cartridges with their numbers to get an idea of what you're working with.

Personally I'd be interested in purchasing 3 mil 78 rpm needles. They must be 3 mil and must be saphire or diamond.

Thomas

:Recently me and a partner agreed to sell off a gentleman's collection of radios, parts, etc. Needless to say it's been an absolute fantastic journey into the past. We each have spent a good deal of time learning to test and repair the equipment as well as the history on much of the equipment (Considering I was born in '76, pretty much everything I'm dealing with is older then me). I'm stuck on a few items I could use some help with, both for selling his stuff, and for personal knowledge.
:
:I have a rather large amount of cartridges, sapphire and diamonds needles primarily. Because of the foam used in the packaging, many collected moisture over the years and some contacts oxidized and such. I think cleaning sure work fine, but I'm at a loss to test them. I was told to hook them up to a oscilloscpe and tap the needle, which would be a simple yes/no test. But I don't have a osc., nor know how to use one properly.
:
:I also have some vacuum tubes that I am currently unable to test. I have a Sencore Continental II, a Simpson 305, and about 8 other testers. My difficulties are mainly a few older tubes, such as 3 Western Electric 242's that use a jumbo 4 pin base. I also have a large Eimac style tube. Any of these in good working order are worth several dollars, and would hate to lose money for him because I didn't do my job properly. I was wondering what type of equipment might be necessary, or if I can make shift a test using leads to the pins as apposed to directly pluging them in.
:
:My personal goals are to build a 33/45/78 with a preamp and two monoblock amps. Guess I caught the bug dealing with all these radios, transceivers, etc.
:
:Thanks for any advice you could lend.

Thanks, that sounds like that will work. I'll just have to look up the pinouts on the various cartridges. I had found alot of those cross reference sites, just nothing in the way of an 'Idiots Guide to Testing'. You can shoot me an email about those 3 mil needles, and I'll keep you in mind, just give me a bit of time to go thru them all. Are there particular brands you are looking for? I have Transcriber, Sonotone, Qualitone, AMR (Admiral) and a couple others. Only Shure needle I have I had picked up for myself at a fleamarket. Only one I purchased that came in a wooden box. A V-15 TypeII, I paid $3 for it.

Well, again thanks, and will definately keep you posted.