Anyone?
I have a couple of the rarer Series II pieces but this one, never heard of it.
Never seen this one and can't find anything about it.
Just a cool light display piece?
These were made by Dan Kiefer when he worked at Phase Linear in the engineering/prototype department. These were never intended to be put in production and a handful were made in order to satisfy each one of the co-workers that he had to involve in getting them made.
Whenever Dan made some of these off-the record (unapproved) units he would use the month and year they were made (i.e. 681 signifies June 1981).
I can't recall if this unit or another unit was based on a Pioneer DTS-xxx series timer and unfortunately some of the other employees who might be able to help have passed away.
Dan had other units made including (one only) integrating a Honeywell home security system into a chassis with a Phase Linear front panel. From what Dan told me, Honeywell was none to happy about this. The security system box was stacked with all his other Phase Linear gear and if you didn't look closely you wouldn't have known there was a security system in the stack.
I sold a variety of these off-the-record units on ebay for his wife after his passing in February 2007.
I haven't been able to locate the picture of Dan with his wall of Phase Linear audio equipment and customized Phase Linear gear. Perhaps Dean still has a copy?
Dan was also a very popular guy at Phase Linear. He organized many parties including "The Great Phase Out of '82" at the Westin hotel in Seattle (around December 1982) when Phase Linear shut down the Lynnwood Washington plant. Can you imagine him getting $10,000 to throw essentially a going out-of-business party? They occupied the 1st and top floor of the hotel. Also doing some damage during the party.
NOTE: Jensen did keep some employees around for a year or two in Edmonds, WA after the Lynnwood plant closure. Operations moved to Laredo Texas after December 1982.
Dan at one time lived in Australia and helped create "Pro Beach Volleyball Australia" which was sponsored by Keebler. If my memory serves me correct, he also won a lottery worth somewhere around $750,000 USD. NOTE: If my memory serves me correct, there was also an outdoor volleyball court at Phase Linear.
Ed
