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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: jimmyc on 04-06-2011 -- 14:53:44

Title: counter model number
Post by: jimmyc on 04-06-2011 -- 14:53:44
does anyone know the model number for the counter that has a waterfall type display where the 10 digits fall down and stop at the reading?  i think it was an HP.  The only place i ever saw one was at Hill and they were still calibrating them.
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: Hawaii596 on 04-06-2011 -- 15:22:00
The only old one I can think of it the old HP 5245L that had the nixie tube displays.  It had the old type I case.  Not sure if that is it.  But that's my only guess.  I haven't heard the term "waterfall" in that context.  Maybe its an air force term.  You know us squids (Navy types).
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: chinman on 04-06-2011 -- 15:38:48
Quote from: jimmyc on 04-06-2011 -- 14:53:44
does anyone know the model number for the counter that has a waterfall type display where the 10 digits fall down and stop at the reading?  i think it was an HP.  The only place i ever saw one was at Hill and they were still calibrating them.

It is probably the HP 521C.

www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1957-07.pdf

I saw one at Patrick about 20 years ago.
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: Hawaii596 on 04-06-2011 -- 15:44:00
OOOOHhhhhhh.  I HAVE seen "waterfall" counters.  My dad was a ham radio operator and part of First Army MARS, and used to get old military surplus communications and test equipment.  He had some 60's vintage rack width "waterfall" type counter; although I have no recollection of the model.
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: michthai on 04-07-2011 -- 07:24:04
HP 524
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: metrologygeek on 04-07-2011 -- 08:12:02
Yes, the 524. I worked on them at Elmendorf after I evacuated from Lowry and went to my first duty station.
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: michthai on 04-07-2011 -- 12:50:19
The theory/tubes used in them was/is called phantastron(s).
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: RFCAL on 04-07-2011 -- 13:27:10
525 and the 5245L did the same thing with the tubes that had the numbers inside them.
Can u figure out my age now?
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: jimmyc on 04-07-2011 -- 13:37:07
thanks everyone, i was trying to explain the display to someone and couldn't remember what the model was. 
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: OlDave on 04-07-2011 -- 16:14:00
Quote from: RFCAL on 04-07-2011 -- 13:27:10
525 and the 5245L did the same thing with the tubes that had the numbers inside them.
Those would be called nixie tubes.
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: yonker08 on 04-08-2011 -- 10:50:54
In keeping with the train, what was the voltmeter that had 10 rows of plastic panels with the numbers etched in them. They were lit from below and clanked away till the measurement settled down. I think it was made by Dana.
Title: Re: counter model number
Post by: acstd90 on 04-30-2011 -- 23:04:35
Some of the meters were the NLS (Non Linear Systems) V series (V34, V35) and NLS 700 series