Good, and very expensive, piece of test equipment. Lived with one at a military site for years, starting in 1998. Useful in convincing the folks at tech control at the distant end that the fault REALLY is on their end.
I still use a few firebirds from time to time doing RS-232/422/485 testing on radio systems for the military. A lot of P2P data communication is still serial-based believe it or not. IP data is still a brand new concept for a lot of military radio nets.
Nope, absolutely keep it. You can test....I have tested satellite communications equipment with it. It outputs a bit stream in a loop, allowing you to determine error rates (e.g 1 in one billion) across synchronous and asynchronous serial communications links of all protocols.
Nice VFDs. By the way that big weird connector labeled V.35 is a standard type of high speed serial port used on T1/T3 and similar CSU/DSUs. It's probably a piece of junk other than parts value I would think. But quite a neat unit. :-)
$20?! These things are great! Ours have the lab interface on the back so you can get basic serial I/O for piping into other comm systems. They are pretty outdated for modern comm systems but work great for things like lower speed radios used in legacy systems. The clock generator isn't super stable so it's best to use a stable external source if you need it. There are other interface cards you can get but they are mostly to support outdated telecom interfaces (DSO, T1, V.35). I like the lab interface because it makes the fireberd much more adaptable to any serial interface.
A long gone company I worked for used a pair of Fireberds to test a Collapsed Central Office rack and power supply where the customer supplied the cards before we sent them out. They were super high tech in the early 90s.
It is a Treasure. Well worth $1000.00. It looks partly new. It can be configured with different cards. Tests BIT ERROR RATE TEST (BERT). Likely good up to about 15Mb.
I have one of these at work. You can get various interface cards for it. It’s neat in that it has an internal PRN generator with standard test patterns. If your equipment to be BER tested also transmits the standard PRN, this will synchronize and count the bit errors. No need for a loop back.
When I had a pair of T1’s installed in my basement in 1995 or so (I owned a small dial-up ISP and hosting biz), the Verizon tech brought a Fireberd in to test the copper based DS1 circuits. He said they had just received the latest model and the cost was around $20k. I have no clue but I do know I’m paying $400/mo for 1 Gigabit synchronous speeds now vs $3260/mo for the T1’s providing 1.54Mbps each. And my fiber connection is much more reliable. The only downside… Limited static IP addresses. Limited to 5.
i found one several years ago and saved it for its enclosure. couple of years ago i figured it probably have a very good frequency standard oscillator so i took it apart. a huge spider came out of it so i figured i will let him keep it and discard both.
I worked at a Regional ISP, I've seen one many years ago. As I understand they were for testing serial circuits similar to Frame relay, which are long gone in the US. There was also some special testing on SS7 control circuits that these may have been used on. We called that v.35 connector a Winchester connector, and may have been wrong. I really hated old serial circuits, that weren't T1 or greater, they always had weird connectors and were a pain to get working. The displays may be good, if you can reuse them, it probably has a pretty good oscillator in it.
Made me smile. I lived with several of these in years past. Not sure what it is good for nowadays. Do serial modems still exist? Are telco audio lines still used for data connections? Damn....I remember when I saw my first 9.6KB modem, and I was STUNNED with the almost incredible speed!! 50 years from now my grandkids will wonder what it was like in the dark ages of 1TB data connections.
Yes, in rural areas in the USA ADSL is still very common. Government regulations require telcos to lay copper to everyone regardless of location. Not so for newer tech, it has to be something a telco can use to make money for them to do it.
Used them quite a bit in the USAF to test balanced/unbalanced serial long haul lines such as EIA-530 etc. Links that may be put on a trunk down line or some other medium. Could be used for acceptance testing, quality testing, and also used as a troubleshooting aid. Probably not worth much these days, although I have not used one in decades. I could answer some questions about it's use. I have not seen the inside of one, but perhaps it's use may suggest what might be useful inside. The links I would have used this device on were up to 2 Mbps. EDIT: This was superseded by the FIREBERD 8000. Was much easier to carry around. If you had the 8000, a breakout box and some other pieces.. and some good mentors, you can isolate some really unique faults.
I did put a scope on the back and saw the data and could change the bit patterns and speed. Still not sure I have a use unless I do a fiber optics video. that might be fun.
@@IMSAIGuy I have an idea. Assemble a 232 or 530 loop-back cable, a long one if possible... set the test set for QRSS at some data rate and see if you can cause enough EMI to error the test... you will see the error counter increase in real time. Found a bad termination watching the counter once. I have no idea who made that termination. =)
Added to my watch queue. I used the heck out of various and sundry Fireberd testers back in the day as well as some other brands. Can't count how many hours were spent doing multi-day stability runs when releasing new hardware and software for Satellite Business System's 48 Mbit/s TDMA system back in the early 1980s, then later for other systems for GTE Spacenet (before GTE sold their satcom division and eventually became Verizon).
Finally got a chance to finish the video. You could do a collaboration with Ben Eater and some of his serial data communications videos with CRCs and Forward Error Correction (FEC). The FIREBERD can send serial data in various data patterns as selected on the left hand side, the longer the pattern the more pseudo random it looks to some communications systems. Some short patterns show up with some characteristic spectral signatures when sent through a communications system. Certain FEC types are better tested using different patterns, so you chose the one best suited or as required in the test specification. I could go on and on as could some others here in the comments. The Internet, TCP/IP, etc., and Ethernet and WLANs (WiFi), Bluetooth, etc., really killed the serial data interfaces that this equipment was designed to test.
It is clearly a Bit Error Rate tester. This was probably used for DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) data integrity testing by a telephone company technician. Fred
I doubt you could find a network connection to test using this test set.... T1s are going away and sub-rate channelized T1s are even more scarce. I say recycle it except for the case and power supply and perhaps the VFDs.... I doubt you will find any schematics, telecom test equipment companies worked on slim margins due to limited volume. They tend to be very limited on public service info. I did, however find a "reference" manual: "manuals.repeater-builder.com/te-files/TTC/TTC%20Fireberd%206000%20Reference.pdf" Hope this helps... Thanks for the videos!
if you could use it to send/receive HPIB commands it could be useful for that. I somehow doubt it does anything like that, though. A teardown would be interesting.
I don't know what it is, but I know I want one. It looks so cool. You should definately try to hook it up to something. Even if it's just the BNC clock signals. :)
I always wondered what was inside the "football" that POTUS has chained to his wrist in so many movies.....maybe it was one of these. All flashing lights, bells and whistles and still TOTALLY USELESS......
It might be worth a good bit of gold somewhere overseas where the technology could still be in use. Don't destroy it would be my thoughts, at least now. Thanks for the look. Another thought, could be Vegas investment!
I lived with these things for years doing BERT on adsl modems and ATM switchers. They were the standard test gear for BERT in the mid to late 90s.
Good, and very expensive, piece of test equipment. Lived with one at a military site for years, starting in 1998. Useful in convincing the folks at tech control at the distant end that the fault REALLY is on their end.
3C2's unite
I still use a few firebirds from time to time doing RS-232/422/485 testing on radio systems for the military. A lot of P2P data communication is still serial-based believe it or not. IP data is still a brand new concept for a lot of military radio nets.
Nope, absolutely keep it. You can test....I have tested satellite communications equipment with it. It outputs a bit stream in a loop, allowing you to determine error rates (e.g 1 in one billion) across synchronous and asynchronous serial communications links of all protocols.
Nice VFDs. By the way that big weird connector labeled V.35 is a standard type of high speed serial port used on T1/T3 and similar CSU/DSUs. It's probably a piece of junk other than parts value I would think. But quite a neat unit. :-)
$20?! These things are great! Ours have the lab interface on the back so you can get basic serial I/O for piping into other comm systems. They are pretty outdated for modern comm systems but work great for things like lower speed radios used in legacy systems.
The clock generator isn't super stable so it's best to use a stable external source if you need it. There are other interface cards you can get but they are mostly to support outdated telecom interfaces (DSO, T1, V.35). I like the lab interface because it makes the fireberd much more adaptable to any serial interface.
A long gone company I worked for used a pair of Fireberds to test a Collapsed Central Office rack and power supply where the customer supplied the cards before we sent them out. They were super high tech in the early 90s.
It is a Treasure. Well worth $1000.00. It looks partly new. It can be configured with different cards. Tests BIT ERROR RATE TEST (BERT). Likely good up to about 15Mb.
I have one of these at work. You can get various interface cards for it. It’s neat in that it has an internal PRN generator with standard test patterns. If your equipment to be BER tested also transmits the standard PRN, this will synchronize and count the bit errors. No need for a loop back.
When I had a pair of T1’s installed in my basement in 1995 or so (I owned a small dial-up ISP and hosting biz), the Verizon tech brought a Fireberd in to test the copper based DS1 circuits. He said they had just received the latest model and the cost was around $20k. I have no clue but I do know I’m paying $400/mo for 1 Gigabit synchronous speeds now vs $3260/mo for the T1’s providing 1.54Mbps each. And my fiber connection is much more reliable.
The only downside… Limited static IP addresses. Limited to 5.
i found one several years ago and saved it for its enclosure. couple of years ago i figured it probably have a very good frequency standard oscillator so i took it apart. a huge spider came out of it so i figured i will let him keep it and discard both.
🕸🕷
I worked at a Regional ISP, I've seen one many years ago. As I understand they were for testing serial circuits similar to Frame relay, which are long gone in the US. There was also some special testing on SS7 control circuits that these may have been used on. We called that v.35 connector a Winchester connector, and may have been wrong. I really hated old serial circuits, that weren't T1 or greater, they always had weird connectors and were a pain to get working.
The displays may be good, if you can reuse them, it probably has a pretty good oscillator in it.
Made me smile. I lived with several of these in years past. Not sure what it is good for nowadays. Do serial modems still exist? Are telco audio lines still used for data connections? Damn....I remember when I saw my first 9.6KB modem, and I was STUNNED with the almost incredible speed!! 50 years from now my grandkids will wonder what it was like in the dark ages of 1TB data connections.
Yes, in rural areas in the USA ADSL is still very common. Government regulations require telcos to lay copper to everyone regardless of location. Not so for newer tech, it has to be something a telco can use to make money for them to do it.
V.35 is how you connect your DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) to your DCE (Data Communication Equipment. 😋
Ha, I still use those aeroflex BER testers. Only for the HSSI interface commlinks.
I think I'd tear it down for components. I'm sure there's lots of great stuff in there besides the obvious VFD's, buttons, knobs, and switches.
Used them quite a bit in the USAF to test balanced/unbalanced serial long haul lines such as EIA-530 etc. Links that may be put on a trunk down line or some other medium. Could be used for acceptance testing, quality testing, and also used as a troubleshooting aid. Probably not worth much these days, although I have not used one in decades. I could answer some questions about it's use. I have not seen the inside of one, but perhaps it's use may suggest what might be useful inside. The links I would have used this device on were up to 2 Mbps.
EDIT: This was superseded by the FIREBERD 8000. Was much easier to carry around. If you had the 8000, a breakout box and some other pieces.. and some good mentors, you can isolate some really unique faults.
I did put a scope on the back and saw the data and could change the bit patterns and speed. Still not sure I have a use unless I do a fiber optics video. that might be fun.
@@IMSAIGuy I have an idea. Assemble a 232 or 530 loop-back cable, a long one if possible... set the test set for QRSS at some data rate and see if you can cause enough EMI to error the test... you will see the error counter increase in real time. Found a bad termination watching the counter once. I have no idea who made that termination. =)
Added to my watch queue. I used the heck out of various and sundry Fireberd testers back in the day as well as some other brands. Can't count how many hours were spent doing multi-day stability runs when releasing new hardware and software for Satellite Business System's 48 Mbit/s TDMA system back in the early 1980s, then later for other systems for GTE Spacenet (before GTE sold their satcom division and eventually became Verizon).
Finally got a chance to finish the video. You could do a collaboration with Ben Eater and some of his serial data communications videos with CRCs and Forward Error Correction (FEC). The FIREBERD can send serial data in various data patterns as selected on the left hand side, the longer the pattern the more pseudo random it looks to some communications systems. Some short patterns show up with some characteristic spectral signatures when sent through a communications system. Certain FEC types are better tested using different patterns, so you chose the one best suited or as required in the test specification.
I could go on and on as could some others here in the comments. The Internet, TCP/IP, etc., and Ethernet and WLANs (WiFi), Bluetooth, etc., really killed the serial data interfaces that this equipment was designed to test.
It is clearly a Bit Error Rate tester. This was probably used for DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) data integrity testing by a telephone company technician. Fred
I want to see inside it. Please - I know nothing about them so I can't say treasure or junk. Cool though
Very cool! Take it apart and save the goodies
I guess the concept of doing a Google search for an operating and / or service manual is unheard of.
I did get the manual but without anything to use this thing on it is hard to determine if it is treasure or junk. So far some say yes some say no.
so is it a 'modern' TIM tester? I have an HP3551a, so it looks like this is a more modern version which handles digital comms (?)
i got one 6000. no A for $13, i thank it would be useful at world war 3. i will keep it !!!!!☺
U did what with bert?
I doubt you could find a network connection to test using this test set.... T1s are going away and sub-rate channelized T1s are even more scarce.
I say recycle it except for the case and power supply and perhaps the VFDs.... I doubt you will find any schematics, telecom test equipment companies worked on slim margins due to limited volume. They tend to be very limited on public service info.
I did, however find a "reference" manual:
"manuals.repeater-builder.com/te-files/TTC/TTC%20Fireberd%206000%20Reference.pdf" Hope this helps... Thanks for the videos!
Here is a data sheet:
www.testequipmenthq.com/datasheets/TTC-6000A-Datasheet.pdf
Great value, just for the case!
if you could use it to send/receive HPIB commands it could be useful for that. I somehow doubt it does anything like that, though. A teardown would be interesting.
The HPIB is to control the Fireberd 6000 tester remotely if it was in a test rack. And get the status of the test results remotely as well.
@@fjamato Ah, I see, that makes sense.
Do you still have this device by any chance and would you be willing to sell it to me perhaps?
Very heavy the shipping will be expensive. I would sell
I don't know what it is, but I know I want one. It looks so cool. You should definately try to hook it up to something. Even if it's just the BNC clock signals. :)
I love the name 🤩
Recycle it definitely. But diagnose how it works. Those vacuum tube displays, now trying to reuse them.. there is a challenge..
I always wondered what was inside the "football" that POTUS has chained to his wrist in so many movies.....maybe it was one of these. All flashing lights, bells and whistles and still TOTALLY USELESS......
It might be worth a good bit of gold somewhere overseas where the technology could still be in use. Don't destroy it would be my thoughts, at least now. Thanks for the look. Another thought, could be Vegas investment!