Modern valve testers

[Mike Watterson]

Email from Ronald Dekker today:

The number of uTracers around the world has been slowly growing

to almost 850 in no less than 45 countries!
The support of all these uTracers has been keeping me quite busy,
while also my regular job is putting an increasing demand on my time.

This does not mean that there haven't been any new developments!
I myself am experimenting with a tube tester/tracer circuit for
higher voltages and higher currents. This concept is however very,
very far from becoming a kit the coming years.

In the meantime Filip Van Kenhove and his 15 year old son Michiel
have been quite busy! Filip complemented his uTracer with a Bluetooth
interface, while his son made an Android app that implements the
Quicktest function. They wrote down their experiences and even
made an extensive manual that explains the installation and use of
the app. I am sure that many uTracer users will be interested in this very useful extension of the uTracer!

http://dos4ever.com/uTracerNotebook/Notebook.html#app1

A Bluetooth interface for the uTracer

There are two ways of installing a Bluetooth interface to the uTracer:

1. By connecting a HC06 module direct to the Tx and Rx of the PIC processor.
   
2. By interfacing a HC06 module via the RS232 connector.
   

Then you need an app, there is a "quick test" app for Android.

Since it's Serial over Bluetooth, it's possible the Windows program might work with a suitable laptop instead of USB to serial adaptor.

Alternatively it your Android tablet or phone already has a USB to Serial adaptor cable installed, then that might work?