<VV> misc notes

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

>Actually, they had an analog computer kit out in 1956. Here's a link  
>to a nice description.
>
>http://www.retrothing.com/2006/08/classic_analog_.html
>

Actually programmed one of these for some simple task  during my college 
days ... don't remember much about it except for the machine.

And speaking of programming and Archer -- Radio Shack, as well as Allied 
and Heath (I still have a Knight tube amp somewhere) was very big in the 
early days of the personal "kit" computer (RS 70 ?), as well as kit 
radios, kit radar detectors, kit stereo, and other DIY projects.

Utmost care (and good luck) needs to be used if one resorts to wire to 
check the air bleeds and vac bypasses -- at the very least, use brass or 
plastic -- preferably, use WD-40 or such to check them and nothing but 
air to clear them.  It is likely that someone using steel wire (or tip 
cleaners) is what messed them up in the first place (which sounds like 
the problem), if they aren't plugged.

Bill Strickland