24-06-2011, 12:12 AM
I know that this may sound unpatriotic, but over the years I have slowly grown to appreciate the excellence of much (not all) of the electronic test equipment that comes out of the USA. Yes, I know that the AVO 8 is a timeless masterpiece, and that Marconi produced some wonderful quality bits of test gear (prior to the 1980's, that is) - and a few other U.K. firms did as well. But say the word "oscillocope" to most technicians & engineers, and the knee-jerk response is invariably "Tektronix". And in the general T & M arena, the phrase "HP" is frequently heard too. ( I just 
HP test gear!). And the names of quality communications receivers are legendary: Collins, Hallicrafters, Hammurlund, National, RCA, to name just a few. (Note: even the famous Racal RA-17 is based on the Collins 51-J receiver). Then there are the almost 'household' names like Amphenol, Amperex, General Electric / General Radio, Fluke, Zenith, etc. The one characteristic that seems to be so characteristic of much of USA kit (again, "much", not "all") is that it does not seem to have been 'built down' to a price, but rather 'built up' to the highest standards that were possible - but to still make a profit via its manufacture.
My chief regret, however, with all this is that when I do see such highly-desirable bits of electronc kit that is located in the USA for sale on e-bay, the P & P charge puts their acquisition way outside of my pocket! :@
But one day . . . one day . . . . when my ship comes in . . . .
Al.
HP test gear!). And the names of quality communications receivers are legendary: Collins, Hallicrafters, Hammurlund, National, RCA, to name just a few. (Note: even the famous Racal RA-17 is based on the Collins 51-J receiver). Then there are the almost 'household' names like Amphenol, Amperex, General Electric / General Radio, Fluke, Zenith, etc. The one characteristic that seems to be so characteristic of much of USA kit (again, "much", not "all") is that it does not seem to have been 'built down' to a price, but rather 'built up' to the highest standards that were possible - but to still make a profit via its manufacture.My chief regret, however, with all this is that when I do see such highly-desirable bits of electronc kit that is located in the USA for sale on e-bay, the P & P charge puts their acquisition way outside of my pocket! :@
But one day . . . one day . . . . when my ship comes in . . . .
Al.
