I just finished making a Carlson Ultra Probe. I mostly followed Paul’s construction and assembly methods. Some differences from Paul’s version:
– I used a smaller oval speaker and different enclosure to suit.
– Used braided sleeving on the probe to amp cables – I think that looks quite neat. Used an SMA connector and a mini XLR connector for the probe to amp cables.
– Used a different probe body and made an internal metal shell to shield the probe circuit board. The probe body is insulated.
– The probe wire connects to the probe circuit board using an SMA connector so the wire is easy swapped to a different wire – for example to change the length of the protrusion of the centre conductor from the shield, or to change the wire type or length. The current wire I am using for the probe is blue RG402 which is similar to the RG400 that Paul uses, but the RG402 is semi rigid with a solid core wire centre conductor so you can for example put a bend in it to get into tricky spots. I find having a slight bend in it is quite ergonomic for general probing.
– I use a black banana socket for ground so the ground wire is detachable removed link I added a red banana socket connected internally to battery positive so I can check battery voltage without opening the case. These sockets can also be used to power the unit if no batteries are installed.
– I hate using alkaline batteries in anything due to leaks, so I used two lithium 18650 batteries instead of the AAs. There is no charging function so I need to do charging separately.
– I added chunky rubber feet.
– I wanted to protect the circuit board traces but could not justify AU$155 for a small bottle of liquid tin, so I just used flux and solder to carefully tin the traces and removed the excess with solder braid removed link It was not as cleanly coated as using liquid tin but was good enough.
– the Avery clear shipping labels are crazy expensive where I live. Couldn’t justify paying AU$80 to make a label for the enclosure so instead I painted some coated glossy paper with the same spray paint as the enclosure, then laser printed the graphics onto the painted paper*. Took some trial and error to get it to print properly. I glued the paper onto the enclosure with PVC glue and covered the label and enclosure with clear acrylic spray paint. Since it is paper it is probably less robust than a clear shipping label. I later learned about a product called “water slide decals” that I can get for a reasonable price so they probably would have been a better option than painted paper.
*This could destroy a laser printer so I used a spare laser printer that I was ok with the risk of destroying it but it worked out ok and the printer seems fine.
Some pictures:
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe complete”] removed link [/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe feet and bent probe wire”] removed link [/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe amp internal”] removed link [/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe amp internal2″] removed link [/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe probe internal”] removed link [/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe probe SMA connector for wire”] removed link [/img]
demonstration video:
[bbvideo] removed link [/bbvideo]
link to video if attempt at embedding it above does not work:
[url] removed link ][/url]
If you want to make your own Carlson Ultra Probe, sign up to be a Patreon of Mr Carlson’s Lab and you can get instructions there [url] removed link [/url]
@plurn : I see that your post is long and detailed with lots of links that by the looks of it, they were removed and if I’m not mistaken this is your very first post. Well, I think that you might have either been banned (automatically) or your account is still active but the site’s security algorithm has “automatically” filtered out all of those links. The most logical explanation could be the following:
MCL (himself) has explained (on Patreon site) to another Patreon user (namely: David Kuhn) that he has been banned HERE automatically because he has posted a link on his very first post and the algorithm thinks that he might be a spammer therefore acted upon this logic. He also goes on to explain the solution to it. See the mentioned comment and solution on Patreon’s site below the latest video. Chances are, you’ve encountered the very same problem and if that’s the case you might have to send a PM to MCL (via the PM system on Patreon) and explain the situation so it can get fixed. i hope it helps.
repost of the end of my first post above hopefully with the images included this time:
Some pictures:
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe complete”] 
[/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe feet and bent probe wire”] 
[/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe amp internal”] 
[/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe amp internal2″] 
[/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe probe internal”] 
[/img]
[img=500 alt=”Carlson Ultra Probe probe SMA connector for wire”] 
[/img]
demonstration video:
[bbvideo] http://sitemedia.loophole.biz/mrcarlsonslab-com/ultraprobedemo.mp4 [/bbvideo]
link to video if attempt at embedding it above does not work:
[url] http://sitemedia.loophole.biz/mrcarlsonslab-com/ultraprobedemo.mp4 ][/url]
If you want to make your own Carlson Ultra Probe, sign up to be a Patreon of Mr Carlson’s Lab and you can get instructions there [url] https://www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab [/url]
Oh yes… 🤗 this is a nicely put together project. I see that you’ve used the kind of “bradding” that I usually see on todays “High Teck” computer PSUs to bunch up the cables. Can you actually buy such things separate ? If so, I wasn’t aware of it. Nice probe head enclosure “variation” as well. A good choice of suitable main box “feet” as well. Like I said, a nicely put together project. Well done and, Thanks for sharing and revealing new ideas with the community. 👍 👍 👍
Thank you Ovi4.
Regarding that bradding, you can buy that separately. It is typically called “braided sleeving” or “expandable sleeving” or “expandable braided sleeving”. It is made of PET plastic. If you use this in a project – watch some videos on how to use it or it might be frustrating. You have to heat seal the cut ends before fitting it on your cables or they will fray, and there is a technique to sliding it onto the cables. It is really expensive at some places so shop around as it should be able to get some for much less than US$10.
@plurn Good to the point info… I’ll surely give it a go. Again. Tnx for sharing new ideas. 😉
I do like the brad idea and will be adding to my probe.
Very nice job and thank you for the pictures.
I did not think about blurring the parts and wish I had did the same and may just add some to my posting.
Larry – N7LUF
Thanks Larry
Since my attempts at embedding the demonstration video earlier did not work, just posting a link to it here. It is showing the probing of the components and pcb traces of an integrated amplifier with music playing through it. No speakers attached to the integrated amplifier – sound is from the ultra probe speaker:
[url] http://sitemedia.loophole.biz/mrcarlsonslab-com/ultraprobedemo.mp4 ][/url]
@plurn Yes excellent job on your build! I have some sleeving somewhere, can’t remember where I got it, I will have to look it up.
Radios + Tubes + Scopes + Cars= Nothing better!
Just finished my Ultra Probe:
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With the added stainless tilt bail:
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@indirtwetrust oh, yeah !!! That’s definitely well executed. Nice black appearance and nice bracket adaptation. Good job. Tnx. for sharing.
One question though. Looking at the holes it seems that you might have used some kind of machining tool to make those oval looking holes for the Pots and possibly for the speaker too. Anyway, whatever you used to do it with is impressive and certainly looks very professionally executed. 😉
PS: I like the paint’s texture too. It looks to have some fine grain in it. and nice rubber feet/bumpers
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