A Workspace for Retro Radio and DIY Electronics

Karl Reiter, a retired service engineer living in Austria, maintains a well-stocked home workspace where he enjoys restoring old radios and repairing electronic equipment. He recently shared details about his home lab, which is an inspiration for curious DIYers interested in building their own equipment.
 
What do you do for work?
I retired in 2004. Prior to that, I worked for 32 years as a service engineer for instrumental analytics.
 
Tell us about your electronics workspace. What do you use it for?
I have a worktable with the measuring and testing devices. Next to it a computer, on the wall shelves with components and books. The workplace is used for repairs, building new devices and circuits and programming. Sheet metal or wood processing takes place in the separate workshop in the yard. The study is located in the attic of the house and takes up about 20 m².



How long have you had it?
I have had this space since I moved here (8 years). Before that, I had a space in the basement of my house.
 
When you designed and/or set up your space, what were your requirements and goals?
Since I use both old electronics and microcontrollers (AVR), all the parts and equipment are required to be there. Many of the measurement and test devices were manufactured in-house, as they are not available on the market, or they are only available at high prices.
 
What are your technical interests? Which kinds of projects do you work on in your electronics workspace?
 
I deal with, collect, and restore radios from the 1920s to around 1970 (currently a French jukebox from 1969 is in progress). I also repair electrical household appliances, control systems, and the like. For the balance, I deal with the programming of AVRs, but currently I do not have a specific project.
 
What sort of equipment and tools do you have in your space (e.g., soldering station, oscilloscope, 3D printer, etc.)? Can you tell us how and where you store the equipment and tools?

I have the following: a soldering station, hot air, oscilloscope (100 MHz), DVM 2x portable, power supplies for fixed and adjustable voltages DC and AC (self-made), a power supply for tube instruments, measuring transmitter for AM and VHF, tube measuring system (self-made), an insulation tester for capacitors, and various small devices that I developed for specific needs.
  What is your most important piece of equipment?
The most important tool is the 100-MHz scope. Also important are the tube measuring station as well as the two measuring and testing transmitters (one from Philips, the other homemade).
  
Is there anything special or unique about your space?
My workspace is special because it is suitable for processing electronic devices from the first half of the last century as well as for modern microcomputers. Since I've only been doing electronics as a hobby since I retired, I arranged the place in the way that suits me best.
 
Are you planning anything new for your workspace? Do you have any plans to purchase more equipment or tools?
At 77, you don't plan much anymore. I am satisfied with what I have. But if the need should arise to do something new, I will do it within the scope of my possibilities (e.g., design and build a new measuring device or similar).
 
Tell us about your favorite electronics-related project. What did you build and why? What components, MCUs, and/or kits did you use? Did you learn anything interesting?
My favorite object is always the one I am working on. The biggest project was probably the development and construction of the tube-measuring station. The construction of the heating control for my pellet heating system was also an interesting experience. I also enjoy familiarizing myself with the technology of the old radios from the 1920s and 1930s.
  Are you currently working on an electronics or programming project?
At the moment, I am working on the restoration of a French jukebox, which for decades was covered in an agricultural barn. It will be a project for the next few months, I think, especially since there is hardly any documentation for the device.
 
Do you have a dream project or something you'd love to tackle?
At my age, you don't have dreams anymore (at most nightmares at night). But what I would possibly do again, would be a control or an automation project with an AVR microcontroller, no matter for what.
 
Do you have any advice, tips, or encouragement for other engineers or makers who are thinking of putting together a workspace?
Incorporate as much as necessary, but as little as possible. I recommend a quiet place with lots of natural light and to relax either a coffee machine or a view of the greenery.
 

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