The **eTracer** is Ronald Dekker's earlier DIY tube curve tracer — the design that evolved into the [uTracer3/6](../uTracer6/CLAUDE.md). It uses the same core trick: rather than supplying continuous DC to the tube under test (which requires a bulky, expensive HV supply and limits the test envelope to what the tube can dissipate continuously), the eTracer pulses ~150 V – ~400 V into the tube for tens of microseconds while sampling Ip — letting it characterize tubes well above their continuous dissipation rating without damaging them. Host-side Windows software plots the curves and exports CSV / SPICE models.
Dekker's tube-tracer designs are the defining modern hobbyist tools for characterizing NOS and pulled tubes. The eTracer is the design that predates the more polished uTracer kit; both share the same switched-cap pulse architecture. This unit is paired on the bench with the [Heathkit TT-1](../Heathkit%20TT-1%20Tube%20Tester/CLAUDE.md) (transconductance go/no-go) and the [Supreme Instruments 385](../Supreme%20Instruments%20385%20Automatic%20Tester/CLAUDE.md) (emission tester) — together they cover the spectrum from quick triage to publishable curves.
A multi-volume deep dive on this instrument is in planning. When the first volume lands in the source project's 02-inputs/volume_sources/, this page upgrades automatically — no website code change required.