Supreme Instruments Radio Diagnometers

Supreme Radio Diagnometers were designed to give the radio service man all the test instruments he would need in one portable service unit. Supreme Diagnometers generally contained the functions of tube testers, RF signal generators, voltage, ohm, and milliamp meters, and condenser testers. 400B Antenna Larger Photo I have never seen the term "Diagnometer" used by any other company in the era of early radio and can only assume that Supreme Instruments coined the phrase and used it to describe their combination vacuum tube tester/multimeter/signal generators from the 1920s through the late 1930s when they produced their last Diagnometer. In their literature, Supreme also describes their radio service men in the early 1930s as "Supreme Diagnotricians". You can read a Supreme paper on the development of the Supreme Diagnometer here. Below are Supreme Radio Diagnometer models I currently have in my collection.

Supreme 400B Diagnometer A Supreme 400B in its service case

Supreme 400B Diagnometer (1929) The Supreme model 400-B Radio Diagnometer has the capability to test radio tubes in and out of the circuit. It is one of the first mutual conductance tube testers and also contains a built in RF oscillator (note the unique external transmitting coil top left) and measured AC volts, DC volts, and milliamps. It also measured condensers. A light bulb connected in series with the AC power cord was used to protect circuits by limiting current in case of any shorts or improper settings. It is very similar to "Dim Bulb Testers" used on many of today's antique radio workbenches to help protect a radio under test. The 400B was also capable of tube matching and tube "rejuvenating". It was originally offered with or without an optional service case. The case also contained compartments for parts and tools and held spare tubes. This is the earilist example of a "Tube Caddy" I have come across. A 400A was produced first with only three tube sockets. The 400B Diagnometer measures 17 ¼" X 5 ¼" x 4 ½" without the service case.

400B Sales Flyer

400B Larger Photo 400B Larger Photo (back) 400B and 100A In Optional Service Cases RF Oscillator Antenna Photo 1929 Supreme 400B Radio Diagnometer Sales Flyer 1930 Supreme 400B Radio Diagnometer Ad from Radio-Craft Magazine (February 1930) 1930 Supreme 400B Radio Diagnometer Review from Radio-Craft Magazine (February 1930) 400-B Operations Manual 400-B Schematic

Supreme AAA-1 Diagnometer Pronounced "Triple A One" (1932-33)

Supreme AAA-1 Diagnometer has a built in RF oscillator, tube tester, multi-range ohmmeter, and capacitor tester. The factory oscillator calibration chart for this unit is dated 12/9/33. This Diagnometer is built into a large wooden case that measures 18½" X 11¼" x 7". Notice the storage compartment built into the top of the case for storing the power cord and test leads. Larger Photo (w/case) Large Photo (meter and oscillator control) Letter to RCA and photo of AAA-1 in use on a 1932 RCA test bench AAA-1 Tube and capacitor testing data AAA-1 Schematic 1933 Catalog Listing

Supreme Standard Diagnometer (1934)

The Supreme Standard Diagnometer has similar capability to test radio tubes in and out of the circuit as the earlier 400B model above. It has a built in RF oscillator and measures AC volts, DC volts, DC milliamps, resistance, and tests condensers. The factory oscillator calibration chart for this unit is dated 11/16/34. Unlike the 400B above this model has a jack for using an external antenna lead for testing with the RF oscillator. This Diagnometer is built into a large wooden case that measures 19" X 14" x 6". Larger Photo (w/case) Larger Photo (face) Instructions and tube data Factory RF Oscillator Calibration Chart - pdf file

585 Diagnometer (1938)

The Supreme 585 Diagnometer Deluxe Series The last model of the Diagnometers, the model 585 has similar capability to test radio tubes in and out of the circuit as the earlier models above. It measures AC volts, DC volts, milliamps, resistance, and tests condensers. This Diagnometer has an etched brass face with dual "Quadri-meters" and is built into a large wooden case that measures 21" X 16" x 8". This one has a different panel layout than the 1938 catalog photo. Larger Photo Tube Data and Schematic 1938 Catalog Listing 1938 Catalog Photo

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