Canadian Wireless Test Equipment

[David Dunlop]

I ran across a tidbit of information on this company this morning.

Measurement Engineering was producing precision electronics items (type unknown) during the war. They were located at: 104 Lombard Street, Toronto, Ontario. The SG-1 was their very first product aimed at the postwar commercial radio servicing market and production of the SG-1 started in 1945.

David

[Rod Salter]

LeaderLSG10.jpg

I have a LEADER LSG-10 made nowhere near Canada
not as many functions as David's

The dial faded away, I was able to download a clear picture and after many print attempts eventually had one the correct size to glue over the face

cheers rod

[David Dunlop]

Rod.

Thanks for posting.

There are no date references I can find anywhere on my LSG-10A, or in the manual. The data plate on the back shows the usual model and serial number information and the Stark name and address in Ajax, Ontario.

However, on closer inspection, I just noticed ‘JAPAN’ is stamped into the outer rear chassis, just below the AC Mains Line exit grommet.

I wonder if Leader was a postwar electronics company in Japan which developed a line of Signal Generators that eventually caught the attention of Stark? Perhaps not built here in Canada by Stark, but assembled, so the model number system stayed the same.

David

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Rod Salter

Attachment 111576

I have a LEADER LSG-10 made nowhere near Canada
not as many functions as David's

The dial faded away, I was able to download a clear picture and after many print attempts eventually had one the correct size to glue over the face

cheers rod

I have seen similar LSG signal generators around at hamfests. These cheaper or basic signal generators tend to leak RF energy out of the case, the shielding is not that great. As an example, if you need a radio frequency signal that is down in the low microvolts region, these cheap generators are not the ideal instrument for aligning receivers because of the leakage.

[David Dunlop]

Go figure.

After finding a very nice Hickok 209A to go towards my 52-Set Project, a very nice Stark VT9 shows up for sale on Kijiji out of Coronation Park, which I am assuming is in Ontario. The item was part of a national search result and I did not register the exact location.

As is typical of a lot of vintage test equipment, no leads or probes are with the meter. The seller has identified it as a VT9, but it could be a VT9A. there are no show stopping differences between the two models.


David

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Go figure.

After finding a very nice Hickok 209A to go towards my 52-Set Project, a very nice Stark VT9 shows up for sale on Kijiji out of Coronation Park, which I am assuming is in Ontario. The item was part of a national search result and I did not register the exact location.

As is typical of a lot of vintage test equipment, no leads or probes are with the meter. The seller has identified it as a VT9, but it could be a VT9A. there are no show stopping differences between the two models.


David

These are VTVM ?

I guess like me you are a fan of Mr Carlsons lab on utube. In one of his videos, he describes how these older VTVMs are actually better than the modern Digital multi meters for certain measuring parameters. He recently did a series describing the detailed rebuild of a AR88 receiver , including showing the complicated alignment procedure.

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Stark VT9 shows up for sale on Kijiji out of Coronation Park,

Is this the listing - I didn't find Coronation Park (rather Confederation Park, listed under Saskatoon)?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-general-elec...ter/1665563325

[David Dunlop]

Hello Grant.

Yes, that is the wee beastie! Thanks for tracking it down and posting the info.

Interesting that it is the earlier VT9 as opposed to the later VT9A. I suspect the differences would be subtle and very likely, the leads and probes from both the Hickok 209 series of meters and the Stark series of VT9 meters would be fully interchangeable.

For comparison, I have attached a photo of my Hickok 209A. Note the main difference is a minor relocation of a few controls by Stark and that Hickok had the functions rotate with the switches against fixed markers on the front panel, whereas the Stark version of the meter used the switch as the indicator with the functions fixed on the front panel.

If you are familiar with typical vintage VTVM equipment, these two photos will be deceiving. This Hickok/Stark meter is 16.5 inches wide, 13.5 inches high and 8.5 inches deep, weighing in between 15 and 20 pounds. Notice the Hickok handle is a basic bent steel rod format, whereas Stark went with something a lot more comfy.

David

[David Dunlop]

This bit of test gear came from Marconi Ltd in the UK and it came in two versions: the TF957 for the European Market and the TF957/1 for North America. In US Military Service, it was known as the ME 5005/U.

This meter is what is used to test the Sender output of the 52-Set when it is in Low Power Mode. The meter comes in a large cast aluminium case with removable cover. The cover opens up to access the manual and the two test leads.



David