Tektronix 1411 PAL Generator (With Options) Circa 1977-1980
Introduction
Here we have the latest addition to the museum, I have been looking for this particular Tektronix 1411 PAL generator for a while. I’ve seen quite a few but most not fully populated, this one has all six bays populated. Some of you especially those that worked in broadcast engineering of the past 50-years will most likely have come across this and know exactly what it is. For those not familiar, a brief description.
The Tektronix 1411 PAL Generator Extracted from manual
The 1411 is a PAL generator and as such, it is both a system (when it contains a Sync Pulse Generator (SPG) module and Test Signal Generator (TSG) modules) and an individual instrument. The 1411 generator, excluding SPG and TSG modules, contains the system power supplies and an accurate subcarrier reference oscillator. The sub carrier oscillator is accurate to + /- 1Hz.
The heart of the system concept is the 1411’s interface circuit board. It provides the flexibility required to allow for the loading of a wide range of TSG modules, plus the choice of one of several SPG modules.
The device I have obtained as shown below, is configured thus, I also state whether I have the service data.
Starting with the Tektronix 1411 PAL Mainframe Signal Generator
Date Released:1976
Service manual obtained
Modules Fitted to the mainframe unit are as follows:-
SPG12 PAL Sync Generator Module
Service manual Required
TSG11 PAL Colour Bar Test Signal Generator Module
Service manual Required
TSP11 PAL Switcher / Convergence Pattern Generator Module
Service manual Required
TSG13 PAL Linearity Test Signal Generator Module
Service manual Required
TSG15 PAL Pulse & Bar Test Signal Generator Module
Service manual Required
TSG16 PAL Multiburst and Sweep Test Signal Generator Module
Service manual Required
I’ve no idea as to the working condition, hoping for the best but expecting the worst or maybe somewhere in between. One thing is certain I’m going to need the service manuals.
I searched Vintagetek.org and found they have the missing service manuals listed either in print or Microfiche. I have made contact and they have responded, fingers crossed it looks like I may be able to obtain them, I will report back on this due course.
For now some initial photos of the device, power up coming soon. I will admit upon removing the lid there was a sharp intake of breath and I muttered, “boy that is tightly packed in, looks super complex and I can see why I might the extender cards to fault find should the need arise. Don’t suppose anyone has a spare extender? Thought not.
Assuming this either works or I can get it working, it will be installed into my museum signals rack (see here) and will be used, not just a static exhibit. As a note of interest, I don’t think this ever saw real service in the true sense of a broadcast company, it came out of the Marconi College.
Initial Photos
There are an absolute bucket load of logic ICs within and what’s really nice is most of the transistors are socketed.
Plan of Action
First thing is to check over the power supply.
Update 25th June 2025
All the PSU rails were present and correct, so I connected the monitor and scope up to J2, the output of TSG11, the colour bars. Low and behold perfect output. I then proceeded to connect the the other modules via the rear terminals.
Output of TSG11
Here are just two of the selected options out of the TSG11 module.
Other Modules Output
It would appear all the other modules are working, these all give very interesting outputs but honestly I’ve no idea what on earth I’m doing with any of them. They give various patterns on screen which will make sense to broadcast engineers but at the point in time without the benefit of the manuals, don’t mean a lot to me. The various controls on the front of all these other modules appear to allow you to bring in and out all manner of presentations to the screen.
Just some of the outputs from J3, J4 & J5 all can be adjusted via the front panel on corresponding module.
I can see me wanting a bank of six monitors for this.
Hi, I have used the Tek 1411 test signal generator for about 1/2 my broadcast life. They were very relable. I used to take one to carry out manufactures acceptance tests. This was on things like 1″ Ampex and Sony tape machines, Betacam SP tape machines and Panasonic MII’s and Grass Valley vision mixers amongst others.
Thames Television had this as the main acceptance testing unit. The last time I remember using one was at COX Electronics on accepting Vision Mixers for BSB/Sky in 1990.They where excellent for doing differential gain and phase measurements, especially relating to VTRs. All this work that had to be carried out to produce the best results for all the peoples television sets and of course to pass the IBA’s Code of Practice.
The IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority) would turn up to do station testing from sources to transmission output. This could be with only a days notice. When path testing it would be Pulse and Bar that would initially be used including Chroma Pulse. In simple terms the Pulse and the Bar should be at 100%. You would also be looking for ringing if the bottom of the pulse this being the “K” rating using a “K” rating graticule on your waveform monitor. If the pulse was low in level then the h.f. response of your system is low.
The bar was used to see if you had i.f. problems. The chroma pulse would be used to look for chroma/luminance delay problems. The pulse and bar waveform measured just about all main system parameters.
To understand this more you need the Weaver book on Television Measurement Techniques, can be heavy going, but the publication I recommend is the Tektronix Television Measurements (PAL System) which will explain how all the waveforms this unit generates are used. If you cannot find it I can send a pdf of it.