LGR - Dictaphone 1680 Calculator from 1971

SuperTekBoy

You almost want to keep the case open and put it in a frame to hang on your wall. :)

I would like to take care of it for you. We've chatted before. It's totally fascinating and could also do video of the repair for you.

As others pointed out, changing caps could certainly help. If all else fails, I had good luck adding new solder or reheating solder joints. Holding a soldering iron on the joints for no more than 3 seconds, or until the solder flows correctly, could bridge the cracks. I would start with the IC legs, transistor legs, then the components in the vicinity of the burn marks on the battery. Any weird looking solder joints too, discoloured and etc. If you plan to do this, be careful with the wires, as the insulation on the component side can melt a bit, even with 3 seconds. No guarantees though, as I usually do this in desperation.

Ken Chalmers

Anyone else start looking for "Property of Black Mesa Research Facility" as soon as they saw the "Physical Testing Laboratory" marking?

John Covil

My dad could have used this in school for all I know. I don't know that he would have been in the Physical Testing Laboratory (?), but maybe I should ask. Of course, Physical Testing Laboratory is pretty dang generic, so who knows.

Woody's Retro Loft

Well it's too new to be a Star Trek TOS prop, but yeah, who knows! I don't see a kid in the 70s using this as a toy though. Too expensive. You absolutely should put that in your retro room!

LGR

You're so right, haha. Now I wonder if it was ever used as a prop in anything other than Ghostbusters!

Michael Sunseri

Now might be the time to talk to the 8bit guy or “The Tech Time Traveler” https://youtube.com/c/TechTimeTraveller He is very well versed in these ancient machines

Woody's Retro Loft

Honestly reminds me of a Star Trek TOS tricorder lol. Put a leather or pleather strap on it and it could be a specialized TOS tricorder

Jason Olshefsky

Very tempted to edit, but I should have added that "he has the tools; he has the talent!," paraphrasing Winston.

Jason Olshefsky

A creator I watch who definitely has the *skills* to do it is is CuriousMarc ( https://www.youtube.com/curiousmarc/ ). His passion lies with early HP measuring equipment (and calculators/computers), and he's in the process of doing an extensive project getting actual NASA lunar-landing radios to work again (well outside my skillset, but absolutely fascinating). You can reach out to him ... I did at one point to offer some measuring equipment (he declined), but I'm sure he would at least respond.

Mark Bender

This thing has such a classic Star Trek Tricorder vibe to it.

Mark Bender

I'd be tempted to give some sections a good soak in DoxIT D5. Especially on the corrosion between the gold and ceramic.

BastetFurry

Yep, when in doubt change the caps, they are most of the times the cheapest component you can try. I would do that for Clint, but sending something from the US to Germany and back might get a bit expensive. ^^'

stynx

The display seems to need high voltage. Maybe a capacitor is failing?

I know Ben Heck has a thing for calculators. I'm sure you have plenty of options for people that could help you out with this but he sure does know his way around old calcs