Antique Test Equipment Page

It is not at all clear how one would measure Quality Factor without a Q-meter. These are remarkable devices. They include a thermocouple and measure the amount of energy dissapated in the device under test. The less energy dissapated in the device, the higher the Q. For further information, see the following references:

The Boonton Radio Corporation Page

About Q (Quality Factor)

The Boonton 260A Q-Meter

In the 50' through maybe the 70's, General Radio Corporation of West Concord, Massachusetts, made a wide variety of test equipment. One of their most successful products was the impedance bridge. These devices are still useful today.

The General Radio Impedance Bridge Page

NOTE: I have had a number of emails from folks seeking manuals for this or that piece of antique test equipment - Boonton, General Radio, HP, Heathkit, and others. When I can't find a manual, I generally go to Consolidated Surplus. Carla has the most complete supply of manuals I have ever seen. They are pricey, but you get manuals you can't find anywhere else.

Also, Ed Matsuda has quite a good selection of manuals. He specializes in HP manuals, but he does have others. You can send email to him to ask about manuals. You can also write him at P.O. Box 3728, Visalia, CA 93278, or call at (559)739-8489.

Happy hunting!

If you get any obscure manuals that you think should be shared (and aren't too long), let me borrow it for a while so I can scan it and post it on the web site.