courier port-a-lab 500d manual needed

Warbird said:

I can probably hit the high points and get you going with it.

RFS - Relative Field Strength, raise the internal antenna and take readings around your transmitting site to check antenna pattern (nothing needs to be hooked up).

MOD - Modulation - It can only be used while using the internal dummy load and is therefore limited to radios 50 watts and under (the internal dummy load is rated @ 50 watts). Disconnect any external antenna, turn dummy load to ON, hook up radio to TRANS., set SELECT knob to CAL and key the mic, adjust the RF LEVEL knob to 100% modulation, set SELECT knob to MOD and check modulation.

RF POWER - This one can either be used with the internal dummy load or with an antenna attached. Set SELECT to RF POWER and RANGE to one of the wattage levels and read output wattage.

SWR - Make sure the dummy load is OFF, and your antenna is connected set the RANGE to FWD, key the mic and adjust the SWR CAL knob for the highest reading on the SWR scale which is 30. Set RANGE to REV and read the SWR of your antenna.

I think that should about cover it. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Click to expand...

How about the monitor plug on the front? What range/scale is it supposed to be used on? I found a brand new ECI port a lab in the original box on ebay with no paperwork. It's pretty much the spittin twin to the courier.

Ronnie

Did you ever find how the Oscope and Monitor connections are used?

Give this a try:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Copy-1965-...228038?hash=item23de49b606:g:Yl8AAOSwfo1fPsOp

Thanks ....I saw that on ebay a few days ago but passed it by as there is no mention of the 500D model and/or nothing of the Oscope not Monitor port usage. Figured it was just for the lesser model.

That unit was made under many brand names:
E.F Johnson...Lafayette Radio...Courier...Think maybe even Royce or Robyn/Allied Radio had a version...only think the name plate was changed...
It was fairly common in the early 1970's.
I sold quite a few at the shop till mid 70's, and recall the manual was maybe 4 pages.
One page was schematic and calibration info, another was safety info.
The usage info was on SWR/Modulation and power meter usage. They did not want to be responsible for much more info than that due to warrenty liability.
I think it may have been made by Panasonic/Japan (or the contractor for them)
They also made the larger relabel versions of the of the tube radio...Comstat/Gemtronics/Robyn etc transceivers...
I know this helps ZERO but the manual for that tester may show up under many names, but it truly had very little in the way of diagnostic information included.
My 2 Cent's worth
All the Best
Gary

Yep....I've owned a couple of the standard models many years back but not the 500D (Watt meter also goes to 500 and has a small built in dummy load, aside from the Oscope and Monitor ports).

I can pick up a brand new, in box still, 500D but no manual/schematic.....guess I'll just backwards engineer if I pick this one up....correct papers would be nice...Thanks for the reply

I had 2 versions...EF JOHNSON and Layfette Radio branded...Both were the 500 watt versions.
The Dummy Load was rated I think like 25 carrier(PEP) watts MAX!!! 10 seconds
May have been only 15w...
Seems like I remember.
The O'scope port was nothing more than a coil twisted around the interior coax with a By-pass cap (If my memory recalls)
The paperwork work I think stated something to the point of saying ...
Only use appropriate probe supplied by your specific manufacturer and stated some rating as to the value of the "pick-up" signal via that port!
Again I know this helps ZERO but just trying to remember from that far back.
Maybe someone still has one floating around can help further.
I see those at Hamfests ALL the time for $25-50 USD depending on physical / cosmetic condition.
Seen one still in the BOX last time maybe 2 years ago... vendor wanted like $100 (LAYFETTE VERSION)... it was still there end of day...if that tells you anything.
73
HNY
All the Best
GARY

Just picked one up also. I like different things you don't see every so I should probably expect not to find any documentation on it haha.

That "manual" has been looked for by many...Those units were sold under so many versions(brands)...You think someone would have save one...But alas...I have seen them sell on EPAY for like $20.00USD...but the whole unit when we sold them was like $49.95 USD Retail...so don't think they (manual) worth that.

BJ radionut said:

That unit was made under many brand names:
E.F Johnson...Lafayette Radio...Courier...Think maybe even Royce or Robyn/Allied Radio had a version...only think the name plate was changed...
It was fairly common in the early 1970's.
I sold quite a few at the shop till mid 70's, and recall the manual was maybe 4 pages.
One page was schematic and calibration info, another was safety info.
<snipped>
I think it may have been made by Panasonic/Japan (or the contractor for them)
They also made the larger relabel versions of the of the tube radio...Comstat/Gemtronics/Robyn etc transceivers...
I know this helps ZERO but the manual for that tester may show up under many names, but it truly had very little in the way of diagnostic information included.

Click to expand...

I realize this is a bit of a necro, but...

Gary, your post was immensely helpful! And the additional historical input is very helpful (*especially when it comes from first-hand sources who were there*, even IF the memory is a bit foggy at times! lol
Ask me how I know.)

The Courier Port-A-Lab 500D was made by Cybernet Electronics Corporation (as were many other brands.)

"Cybernet, for example, manufactures C.B.'s marketed in the United States under the labels of Lafayette Radio Electronics, RCA, General Electric, Midlands and Craco, along with more than a2dozen other brand names." - credit to a 1976 NY Times article (that AI pulled up on a Google search) *spelling issues left intact.

Courier, Kraco are obvious, and I *strongly believe* that Eico also belongs in that list: compare for example the Courier Port-A-Lab 500D (controls, layout, meter, and dummy load) to the Eico 715 Trans-Match!!

Been looking for a schematic and operation manual for the 715 for a while now, when I stumbled across the Port-A-Lab (which I was previously unfamiliar with). The idea instantly struck me that these two probably came out of the same factory when I saw the face, and then compared models of varying age. (Some Port-A-Labs have the RF connections on front, and others on back)

Anyways, just wanted to say thank you for your contribution to the thread. It still proved fruitful. (Hoping mine does similar for others)

Lastly, I'm still looking for a pdf manual for the Eico 715 if anyone has one! Would be all too happy to have the one for the Port-A-Lab though! As I can't imagine there'd be that many drastic differences between the two.

Best regards!