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[tigers_gonads]

Avo 8   

Still have one of those in the loft somewhere 

[Rods2]

Slightly off-topic, Rods2, but in line with your comment - do you remember how much a revered Avo 8 cost back then, compared to a far more capable DMM of more recent times? Eye-popping price, yes?

Ron.

Used and abused as an MOD apprentice, yes we were aware on £££ costs. The payback was working as a junior and then mid-ranking scientist that was involved in the development, adoption and deployment of world class military systems, some of which are still used on the frontline today. The support and introduction to UK industry of leading US standards, resulted in them 'exporting coal to Newcastle' and today, 10% of global arms sales are by UK companies. Something in these days of minimum wage jobs we should all be proud of.

[Kevin Wood]

You could buy a new AVO 8 until fairly recently. If memory serves they were about £600!

[tigers_gonads]

You could buy a new AVO 8 until fairly recently. If memory serves they were about £600!

Are these still the same basic design as the ones I used to try and blow up in the early 80's 
What are these things worth second hand ?

[tigers_gonads]

Slightly off-topic, Rods2, but in line with your comment - do you remember how much a revered Avo 8 cost back then, compared to a far more capable DMM of more recent times? Eye-popping price, yes?

Ron.

Used and abused as an MOD apprentice, yes we were aware on £££ costs. The payback was working as a junior and then mid-ranking scientist that was involved in the development, adoption and deployment of world class military systems, some of which are still used on the frontline today. The support and introduction to UK industry of leading US standards, resulted in them 'exporting coal to Newcastle' and today, 10% of global arms sales are by UK companies. Something in these days of minimum wage jobs we should all be proud of.

These got a name Rod ?
Via PM if you feel its necessary 

[zirk]

You could buy a new AVO 8 until fairly recently. If memory serves they were about £600!

Are these still the same basic design as the ones I used to try and blow up in the early 80's 
What are these things worth second hand ?

Anything from 40 to 160, dependent on which model 8 and condition.

One of my old Biddy Neighbors picked one up a few years back at a Car Boot Sale a few years back. Get a knock on the door, Hello Chris, you used to work for BT didn't you, me "No", but you all about there stuff though, me "No", oh anyway got one of these, what is it, is worth anything, handed me a big leather case with BT stamped all over it, opened it up and there was a almost brand new Avo8 with all the leads etc inside. She only paid 50p for the damn thing.  , she sold it on the Bay for over £100, told her she probably would have got more if she lost the case and didn't mention the word BT. 

[Kevin Wood]

Are these still the same basic design as the ones I used to try and blow up in the early 80's 
What are these things worth second hand ?

The internals have changed a bit over the years in order to make them easier to mass produce. The earlier ones must have been quite labour intensive!

Here's a good resource: http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/avo8.html

Functionally, they remained pretty similar. As to value second hand, I've picked well used examples up at radio rallies for around the £20 region, cheaper at a car boot sale with less enthusiasts. Rare models probably fetch more from the right person. I guess your £600 price tag would have been subject to heavy depreciation!

[Rods2]

Slightly off-topic, Rods2, but in line with your comment - do you remember how much a revered Avo 8 cost back then, compared to a far more capable DMM of more recent times? Eye-popping price, yes?

Ron.

Used and abused as an MOD apprentice, yes we were aware on £££ costs. The payback was working as a junior and then mid-ranking scientist that was involved in the development, adoption and deployment of world class military systems, some of which are still used on the frontline today. The support and introduction to UK industry of leading US standards, resulted in them 'exporting coal to Newcastle' and today, 10% of global arms sales are by UK companies. Something in these days of minimum wage jobs we should all be proud of.

These got a name Rod ?
Via PM if you feel its necessary 

MIL-STD-1553 databus which was first used in the UK on Merlin helicopters and MIL-STD-1750 standard military computer instruction set. Marconi used both these standards on their winning bid for an F16 HUD.