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United Kingdom
Presenting some of LIFE's ODDITIES and plenty of RANDOM JOTTINGS

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Thursday 14 October 2010

Pub Signs, Notices, Instructions

As we travel through life we come across many Signs, Notices, some serious, some humorous, some just plain Wierd.

Here are a few I have seen in my travels 
In the Lake District for cats that CAN read


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Seen in a Lake District public house


OK, I admit I added the last lines
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Then there is this for DOG-OWNERS that should be able 
TO READ


Sent to me on St Patrick's day is there a message here?




And, finally for animal lovers...





Monday 23 August 2010

1923 - 2009 AVO (Amps-Volts-Ohms) Measuring meter.

Produced from 1923 up until 2009, various models developed for the electrical, telecommunications and wireless industry used by the military and at one time found in nearly every radio workshop worldwide, a standard measuring instrument.

In my working life I have used many different test instruments, my first real experience of the AVO was using a model 7 though I never owned one. The model 7 was more suitable for use on power and telephony circuits as it drew quite considerable current to give a reading compared to the later AVO's, it was never really suitable for use in normal radio receivers as true readings would be distorted by the current required. Sensitivity was 1000 Ohms per Volt compared to the model 8 which was 20,000 Ohms per volt.

 Some examples of AVO dials showing the main differences


                                           AVO 8:




Note the ranges are based on 1-10 and 1-25, the antiparalax mirror is at the bottom of the scale on this version.


                                           AVO 9:


                          This is the military version




In this model the scale is calibrated 1-30 and 1-100 this change was made to allow easy Decibel ratio readings.
The antiparalax mirror now sits between the Ohms and the linear scale calibrations.

The controls of the AVO have remained very similar through the model 8  - model 9 range,  until the latest model 8's


                                    AVO 8 controls:






AVO 9 Controls:





These meters were a main standard measuring tool in many industries, the use of the 3000 Volt feature presented some safety hazards resulting in the provision of a metal cased version provided with earthing facilities and international symbols for the AC and DC switches.

The Metal cased version



Complete with earthing terminal on the top of the cover

(Thanks to Bill Curtis of Kent for this photograph)

Both of these meters had the same basic sensitivity of 37.5uA full scale and were fitted with a shunt to read 50uA full scale, giving a sensitivity and circuit loading of 20,000 Ohms per Volt on the Voltage ranges.

The resistance ranges were powered by two dry cells contained in the case, a single "D" size cell for the lower Ohms ranges and a special multi-layer 15V pack for the higher ranges, the "D" cell is still available today as a standard item, however the 15V is not produced by most main battery suppliers, only a few specialists thus it is rather expensive.  

Hobbyists usually replace this with a pack of modern  lithium 3V cells as used in computers to make up the 15Volts, or use a 12V electric lighter cell, which does work when very new but soon loses the ability to adjust the meter to a full scale deflection when measuring high Ohm values.


AVO 8 Circuit



The AVO 8 in it's last few production years gained a much more modern look to the casing, The rather restricted look of the dial went, the opening taking on a wider look with the MK7 models also considerable changes to the legends on the AC & DC switches which became easier to operate.

I do not own a late model 8 AVO so I am looking for some pictures of one to complete this section, I have located suitable ones on another site 

AVO 8 Mk7 dial









AVO 8 MK7 switches






Thanks to the original photographer for his excellent source for these clear images

(Russell W. Barnes)





/\/\/\/\ a MYSTERY ITEM /\/\/\/\


Classic radio components
Tuning capacitors (condensers)



These were produced for military radios in the 1960's-70's
by JACKSON Bro's a well known British electronic company.

This example is a twin gang of 23pF and 28pF although it looks to be a differential it is not, the fixed plates are mounted on opposite sides. I have no idea which radio this was intended for, I'd guess one of the VHF military radios made by Racal, probably in the 50mHz region, if anyone recognises it I'd really like to know.  I have kept this because it is a classic quality design of a bygone era, not that far gone but from an era when radio's were made from discrete parts instead of lumps of silicone, REAL serviceable stuff.





















Sunday 22 August 2010

YORKSHIRE DALES HUBBERHOLME CHURCH

View from the East


View from the West



Tree flanked Church entrance


The Kissing Gate access


A Rood Loft (rare in churches, one of only two in Yorkshire)



Some fine examples of stained glass work
Commemorative placements



See the next posting for more information.

Nice COUNTRY SEAT

 


Hubberholme Church with cedar tree before it was felled for the safety of the Church 
(this picture courtesy of)






Come in, take a seat but watch for the WET

An example of recycling, a 100 year old Cedar tree that was potentially dangerous to the Church nearby has been tastefully converted into a 5-6 person seat. Such is the magic of  the chain saw, sad to see such a lovely tree go though, but at least this is a tasteful re-use of this giant, far better than being grubbed out and left to rot where it fell.

Cedar tables for all, I have no idea where the upper part of the trunk went, my guess it is too valuable to waste, I hope the rough sawn planks are maturing in some wood yard, ready to be used for some classic Yorkshire Dales heavy furniture, or even as constructional timber in a barn conversion.

When these trees are felled like this, they often re-grow, like coppiced hazel or pollarded willows, so I expect on my next visit to see some green shoots emerging from the bark.






Where is this to be seen?
In the Yorkshire Dales village of HUBBERHOLME near Buckden

The seat in juxtaposition with the Church, and some classic Yorkshire "Bedframe"  Four Chest tombs.





For those wishing to visit.  The Church information board