New stuff found not even a clue to what it was used for - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:14:23 pm
content: yeah so again on my military base diving run. i found several of these today. i have seen the parts before, but never used for any application. so yeah here it is.. if you know what is was used for let me know. if anyone want to see my photobucket for this stuff, fluxcapacitor84 is the guest login.sorry on these it was getting dark, and i was on my way home. so i snapped the pictures real quick to post up.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:24:49 pm
content: HiIt is obviously some sort of microwave lash up. I'd bet it was a calibration or verification fixture. Once the test was done .... it's property of the government. It's also a test they never will run again so .... disposal. Easier to push off a truck than to fill out a bunch of paperwork for a gizmo that does not have much of a paper trail at all.Bob

author: sarepairman2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:30:57 pm
content: are you taking apart abandoned military hardware in syria?be careful you did not uncover some kind of autonomous CIA project or something. those components look expensive.

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:33:57 pm
content: no, i live in ALABAMA, there is a base i work at, as a roll off truck driver, they toss this into a dumpster, i saw it, waited for them to go away. checked it out. threw it in my truck and brought it home with me.I also have at my place of work, a guidence system out of a stinger missile. it was sopposed to be destroyed. but never underestimate the laziness of underpaid over worked custodal staff.BUT: what kind of test? what was it used for? casue i started looking up parts...those are some costly parts they are tossing..that whole pannel might of cost in the range of 500 to 600 dollars for just those parts.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:35:48 pm
content: Quote from: sarepairman2 on February 27, 2016, 11:30:57 pmHiIt does have some interesting stuff on the board. Every time I've gone dumpster diving for this sort of thing, I've been surprised at what people decided was worthless .... That's not just true of government stuff. It's been true everyplace I've worked.Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:44:36 pm
content: YEAH!but what dose it do? casue the more parts i look up the more i am intrigued by this stuff. casue it very very very very expensive stuff they got rid of, that looks to be working.I have been wanting to pack some up to send to Dave, but i am worried customs would confiscate some if not all of it. considering several items have CLASSIFIED stickers slapped on em.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 12:11:31 am
content: Quote from: Shadetreeprops on February 27, 2016, 11:44:36 pmHiIt is a xxxxxx that is used to xxxxxx a set of signals that emulate a xxxxxxx. The calibration portion of the first article test of the xxxxxx per contract xxxxxxx with xxxxxxxx was performed with this device. The results of the test are xxxxxxx.That's the official description of what you have as long as you do not have a need to know.It generates a set of signals at microwave that are used to check a radar / missile / drone / com system / uplink / downlink / seeker / navigation / command destruct / remote system. (pick any combination at random).Without knowing how the gizmos are all hooked up, there is no way to be more specific.Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 12:18:45 am
content: well good enough asnswer. Considering where it came from.other than dismantleing it to use in my props...i may want to see if someone want to trade for it. becasue it seems like it could be useful to someone who tinkers with it.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 12:23:52 am
content: You could start by making a list of the manufacturer name and model number of each of the modules.I would bet that you could look up most of them on the manufacturer's website to tell you what they are.Looks like pretty straightforward commercial microwave RF modules and some nice premium Acopian power suppllies.

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 12:31:10 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on February 28, 2016, 12:23:52 amwell this is just one panel i took a shot of, i have 6 more, and each one has 2-3 of those power supplys on them. and since it seem that it could be useful to someone other than me ATM, i may look to trade for some basic gear to keep myself going. and it is no skin off my teeth casue i come across this and better all the time. sometimes i find it in a state of disrepair. so i take what looks good still and scrap off the rest. For either metal, or parts for non funtional props.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 12:32:44 am
content: Quote from: Shadetreeprops on February 28, 2016, 12:18:45 amHiYes, it has some value to somebody who plays with microwave stuff. The problem is that all the value is in the exact frequency range of each of the devices. Without that info a guy who is looking for 10 GHz (and not 1 GHz or 20 GHz) does not really know if it's for him. The difference is trading it for $40 worth of "stuff" or something some number of times above that point.There is the minor point of that MP jeep pulling up in your front yard as well ....Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 01:15:48 am
content: well one peice i have readsMINI CIRCUITSsplitterZFSC - 4-1-S+1-1000MhzDATA:www.minicircuits.com/model <data sheet i know looked up enough tubes to know.so that one of like 50+ parts..Hz)Total Loss1(dB)Amp.Unbal.(dB)Isolation(dB)PhaseUnbal.(deg.)VSWRSVSWR1VSWR2VSWR3VSWR4S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 1-2 1-4 3-41.00 6.60 6.60 6.60 6.60 0.00 34.76 31.08 34.88 0.18 1.18 1.58 1.58 1.57 1.572.60 6.53 6.53 6.53 6.53 0.01 35.90 36.14 35.85 0.06 1.13 1.40 1.40 1.39 1.395.00 6.48 6.49 6.48 6.48 0.01 35.80 38.16 35.39 0.06 1.12 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.338.00 6.47 6.47 6.47 6.46 0.01 35.80 39.09 35.17 0.04 1.12 1.31 1.31 1.31 1.3110.00 6.45 6.46 6.45 6.46 0.01 35.86 39.42 35.16 0.09 1.12 1.31 1.31 1.30 1.30124.00 6.51 6.51 6.51 6.51 0.00 32.51 37.88 31.70 0.21 1.13 1.31 1.31 1.31 1.31200.00 6.58 6.58 6.58 6.58 0.00 29.70 35.16 28.92 0.42 1.14 1.30 1.30 1.29 1.30314.00 6.53 6.53 6.52 6.53 0.01 27.20 32.16 26.36 0.61 1.15 1.28 1.28 1.27 1.27412.00 6.64 6.63 6.61 6.61 0.02 25.99 30.15 25.04 0.78 1.15 1.26 1.26 1.24 1.25500.00 6.76 6.75 6.73 6.74 0.03 25.45 28.75 24.45 0.91 1.15 1.24 1.25 1.23 1.23620.00 6.80 6.77 6.73 6.74 0.07 25.45 27.23 24.36 1.12 1.14 1.24 1.25 1.21 1.22650.00 6.85 6.83 6.78 6.80 0.07 25.58 26.96 24.49 1.26 1.13 1.25 1.26 1.21 1.23740.00 7.01 6.98 6.90 6.92 0.11 25.99 26.28 25.07 1.30 1.09 1.27 1.28 1.22 1.24800.00 6.99 6.96 6.86 6.88 0.13 25.91 25.75 25.35 1.56 1.05 1.29 1.29 1.24 1.261000.00 7.44 7.40 7.17 7.21 0.27 23.10 24.73 24.49 2.03 1.21 1.37 1.38 1.31 1.35L = low range [fLto 10 fL] M = mid range [10 fLto fU/2] U= upper range [fU/2 to fU]FREQ.RANGE(MHz)ISOLATION(dB)INSERTION LOSS (dB)ABOVE 6.0 dBPHASEUNBALANCE(Degrees)AMPLITUDEUNBALANCE(dB)fL-fUL M U L M U L M U L M UTyp. Min. Typ. Min. Typ. Min. Typ. Max. Typ. Max. Typ. Max. Max. Max. Max. Max. Max. Max.1-1000 25 20 23 18 20 15 0.4 1.2 0.6 1.5 1.6 2.5 4 8 8 0.2 0.4 0.7Outline Dimensions ( ) inchmmTypical Performance DataElectrical SpecificationsMaximum RatingsCoaxial ConnectionsSUM PORT SPORT 1 1PORT 2 2PORT 3 3PORT 4 4Operating Temperature -55°C to 100°CStorage Temperature -55°C to 100°CPower Input (as a splitter) 1W max.Internal Dissipation 0.250W max.Outline Drawingelectrical schematic4 Way-0° 50? 1 to 1000 MHzPower Splitter/CombinerREV. CM127604ZFSC-4-1+HY/TD/CPand the poor translated data sheet.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 01:20:32 am
content: Quote from: Shadetreeprops on February 28, 2016, 01:15:48 amHiOk so we ruled out "above 10 GHz" at that point in the circuit.From what I saw, I'd guess it's a 3 to 5 GHz sort of rig.When I need those bits and pieces (which is rarely), I can usually find them at auction for $10 or less.Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 01:40:45 am
content: Quote from: uncle_bob on February 28, 2016, 01:20:32 amwell that rules out a lot of im starting to think more on the line of radar test equipment.. they test radar and missiles in that area, sometime Laser tests..rarely do i hear regular explosions coming out of there.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 03:37:51 am
content: You have a lot more and better information than any of us in figuring out what this stuff was used for. You know what building the dumpster was behind. You can probably fairly easily figure out which programs work out of that building.There are a few bases in Alabama. The ones I know about are all Army. They work on Army stuff. So do a cross reference on Army programs and the frequencies you find from the part numbers.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 03:40:33 am
content: QuoteMore likely black Suburbans at 5 am

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 03:49:06 am
content: This brings to mind an "off-topic" story I was told about a rocket test programme at Woomera back in the early '60s.The antennas on the rocket stuck out the side at a 90 degrees angle,so were horizontally polarised when it was standing on its tail.In flight,receivers at the launch site & further downrange compared readings,& if both saw the rocket's beacon,all was good.If one,or both lost it,it was press the "bang" button time.One shot happened just that way-----the signal dropped way down in level at both receivers,so to all intents & purposes,the rocket was lost.Push the destruct button!It turned out that when the rocket went horizontal,its antennas were effectively vertically polarised.Signal to the (horizontally polarised) ground antennas dropped by 20dB.This was enough to appear as a loss of contact.NASA would have immediately replaced the ground antennas with circularly polarised ones at the cost of mucho dinero.The Brits were made of sterner stuff--the EEs just used a rubber mallet to reset the rocket's antennas to a 45 degree angle,so they would get a similar signal level,no matter what its orientation was.Back on topic:-When the SWAT team comes to your door,just go quietly!

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:00:33 am
content: When the SWAT team comes to your door,just go quietly!or just like that " oh, poor guy, was trying do dumpsterdive and fell in and broke his neck...tsc tsc"

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:30:23 am
content: Quote from: RobertoLG on February 28, 2016, 04:00:33 amMy guess Shadetreeprops won't last long here. I think this forum is restricted in federal prisons. Too bad though, seems it could educate the population. So there is hope the OP can become an instructorthere.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:33:08 am
content: Quote from: Shadetreeprops on February 27, 2016, 11:44:36 pmQuote from: Shadetreeprops on February 27, 2016, 11:33:57 pmThese are the parts you should not be sharing with us on a public BBS.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:38:50 am
content: The guys who should be in the prisons are those who are discarding "classified" material in normal dumpsters. While it may not actually be classified for a variety of reasons, it should be marked appropriately. As someone working for civilian industry, loss of my security clearance would have been the least of the penalties I would have suffered for this type of behavior.There is of course the other possibility. That this is carefully planted "disinformation" to consume the time of any of a number of intelligence services.

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 05:04:35 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on February 28, 2016, 04:30:23 amand maybe he can make some good ahem..."friends" there

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 05:45:37 am
content: This reminds me of a show, I think called "Storage Wars". People bid on auctions of storage lots when not paid for.There was this storage space, about 10x10 completely filled. One bidder said he liked "military" looking stuff and way in the back was a peak view of a military looking box, so he outbid everyone and got everything for something like $200.When he opened the box there was a large coffee can looking thing. He did not know what it was but found someone who did. It was a cruse missile engine. The winner sold it for $30,000 to someone who was going to mount it in a glider.I wonder if it came from a dumpster.So to OP, keep your eyes open for coffee cans.

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 07:54:34 am
content: Actually i have a declassifed missle laucher, the mount went under a jet, i also got the 2 "DUMMY" not dummys just made neautalized. missiels that came with it. I just stuck in in a shed, and there it has sat for 4 years now.Im not worried about MP coming to my home. I sometimes ask a nice fella by the name of Mr. Stephen if he could set anything of interest out on top. Sometimes he does.But my Commander, thats what i call him even though im a civ, seen my stuff once or twice, he said hey they tossed it in our cans, the contract states, when it goes in the can it becomes our property. and i do not care if you take it.So the only ones at falut..the numbskulls who toss it.FYI already took all the sweet power supplies out of all the ones i had.12 total5 are 15Vdc3 are 5Vdc2 are 6.5Vdc2 are 24Vdcall ranging in price from 140USD to 180USD...they work...so i have use for these.also several of the other parts range from 10Ghz to all the way up to 30Ghzbut the more i look at it..it did not TEST RF, it step up signals to much higher ranges. and sent out microwave signals. becasue of how it was all connected. it has signal outs and the pathways were showing that as i was tracing it about.so it talked to something...Where everyone from ATF to FBI do training exercises...i am not absolute in its use.but as i come across more i will be sure to share with everyone now that i have somewhere, someone finds this of interest, not my wife who thinks im a junk horder. who make random stuff.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 09:09:09 am
content: Hmm, military base in Alabama. Wouldn't happen to be in the Dothan / Daleville area would it?If so, I installed the Air traffic control training system there back in 2002. I'm sure they've replaced it by now though.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 09:29:00 am
content: Well, for the single part you listed, people have paidhttp://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=minicircuits+ZFSC-4--S%2B&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&_salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&LH_Complete=1

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 11:41:52 am
content: This looks like UHF radio stuff rather than radar/microwave. May be a test set or demonstration rig although all the test sets I worked with in the UK were racked and bussed not lashed up like that.SINCGARS?

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:26:14 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on February 28, 2016, 09:29:00 amHiWell .... maybe, but not a lot of them. I have bought many of those same splitters for < $10. There is always a "buy it now" premium.Bob

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:40:59 pm
content: Quote from: uncle_bob on February 28, 2016, 04:26:14 pmWell ... certainly, that is whatsome peoplehave paid (cf the advertised price). With that information the OP goes from being blind to being one-eyed.Q: what's X "worth"? A: whatever someone will pay for it. I now return you to your pile of uncooked eggs

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 04:51:07 pm
content: No, no you misunderstand.I was looking at the reatail, unused price of what a new power supply or part would go for.but on ebay, far less, but still pricey..but price and cost is besides the point of the whole thing.But i just am not sure what to do with it at this point. Hang it on my wall as the best EE porn, or trade it to someone who can use it. personally i need some 12v DC yankee wall jacks. so i can power a prop lamp i am making without it behing battery operated.but reguardless i kept the ACOPIAN power supplies out of it. they are pricey NEW or on EBAY and i can use them to make a more reliable bench power supply.

author: Tinkerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 05:05:33 pm
content: Even at the shipyard near here they dont allow people to dumpster dive, they keep it watched or closed or something so that people cant just readily access it.Yea, I would be careful when grabbing stuff. If someone sees you the jokes about getting a visit might become more real than you wish. hahaWith all that said, cool stuff, too bad they cant put it to use elsewhere instead of just throwing it away.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 05:37:51 pm
content: Quote from: Tinkerer on February 28, 2016, 05:05:33 pmHiThe put it to use part is problematic. Everything on that board that I can see is commercial off the shelf bits and pieces. Once it's on an assembly, things like warranty and "known good" are out the window. Putting a part like that into a mission critical system ... yikes. Something bad happens and you are in big trouble.Now, as "training material" you would think there would still be a use. That sort of "learn to solder" troubleshoot training went out the window for most specialties a very long time ago. It has also gone out the window in a lot of manufacturing settings (crazy thought that may sound).It's a "figure out which box is broke / swap it out / send it back" process these days. That makes the already complex training easier. It gets systems back online *much* faster. It gets things repaired at a factory set up to do that sort of thing (swap a board). Not such a perfect solution at a 1,000 foot depth 30 days into a 120 day "pleasure cruse". There are always exceptions ..Bob

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 06:47:23 pm
content: There are many pitfalls to recovering government material. One example, the two cycle engines used to power small target drones. Many of them have been recovered with the full blessings of the local commander (who may or may not have the authority to release them). They are all serialized, and the manufacturer regards any not in the hands of the government as stolen, and refuses to service or sell replacement parts. While the label of thief may not stick, being labeled as such by a major figure in industry is not the best thing that can happen to you.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 06:57:11 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on February 28, 2016, 06:47:23 pmHiNot to mention the hassle of the "guilty until proven innocent" nature of a lot of these proceedings. Even with full paperwork and a proper disposal process, there are all sorts of binds people get into with this sort of thing. A friend once came across part of an atomic bomb trigger system at a hamfest ..... talk about fun ....yikes !!! (no comment on how he knew exactly what it was)Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 07:15:50 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on February 28, 2016, 06:47:23 pmI know that your not saying im a theif, and i would not like to be labled as one, if its not in the trash i do not take it. even if its setting next to the trash container, as it was full, i will not take it. If i feel that they might be watching, we have a place called the drop yard, hidden off the the woods for all the empty cans we are not using, i take the can there, and rummage away. Thats the pluse side to being the one that services their large haul away dumpsters.If anyone want to know, its US ARMY GARRISON REDSTONE ARSENAL. I have been working out there now for 5 years. Before the EE bug really bit into me, i used to take stuff and repurpose it for Ebay. mostly selling the gold as scrap for people who wanted to use gold recovery processes. I did that for a bit, but found the time, to do it and correctly was out of the time i had to work on it.but if i find anything cool tomorrow or this upcoming week i will post it for you guys to see. But i am fairly certain they are not interested in getting me for taking vacuum tubes from some old bunker they were cleaning out.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 07:26:47 pm
content: reminds me of the story of Craig Breedlove building a jet powered car to beat the land speed record, he had bought a surplus J-47 engine from an F-86. When he started calling around to get a service manual lots of people in uniform showed up telling him he shouldn't and couldn't have it, but some how he got to keep it

author: sarepairman2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 08:09:14 pm
content: I think he is fine unless someone threw out some classified equipment by accident. And even so, if the equipment is classified, but you found it in a dumpster and took it apart, and have no idea of the systems engineering / name of the subassembly etc, then its not like you have any useful intelligence.Even in that case the fault lies on the the people who organized the decommissioning process and the people who executed the decommissioning process. I don't think the military would fault you. They would likely just confiscate the equipment and possibly apply knee jerk policies to unreasonably secure the dumpsters because they would look really dumb if the media got wind of it. Like when they found the hard drive filled with classified materials behind a copy machine in some MIC related company (stealth bomber technology I think, under the Clinton administration)Unless you are like a known undesirable (criminal) in the area and the base commander owes the police a favor (i.e. they can't get any other charges to stick and they just wanna bust you for anything). Even if you were some criminal the whole county wanted to bust it would still look really bad on their part to try to apply those sort of charges. I don't think you have anything to worry about unless you are a serious scumbag that everyone hates. Keep in mind though that the MP's and such probobly do have a relationship with local law enforcement.I would just enjoy taking that stuff aparthere is a video that is very relevant to the stuff you foundincludes teardowns

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 08:41:54 pm
content: HiI would agree that regardless of how it may seem when the jeep pulls up, you are not going to Leavenworth for something like this. The problem is the goofy hoops you will have to jump through. There always have been *tons* of this stuff showing up at ham fest type gatherings. If passing it around put you straight to jail, a lot of us would be in jail by now.Now, if as you rummage around you notice parts with radiation symbols or hazmat labels ... pass them by. Not because of some specific DOD rule. Only because there are very normal everyday rules on that sort of thing and you don't want to be in the middle of them.Bob

author: sarepairman2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 08:44:17 pm
content: Quote from: uncle_bob on February 28, 2016, 08:41:54 pmi think if there are hazardous radioactive materials left out in a public dumpster then the base commander should be notified that he is running a chicken shit outfit. stories like that make the army look retardeddangerous stuff like that bears cradle to the grave responsibility

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 09:19:45 pm
content: Quote from: sarepairman2 on February 28, 2016, 08:44:17 pmHiAll absolutely correct. However stuff still shows up often enough (not just DOD) that the caution is worth repeating. Dumpster diving at the local hospital can be full of those perils, generally when they are doing renovations, but still a problem.Bob

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 09:29:18 pm
content: Yep:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goi%C3%A2nia_accident

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 10:12:05 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on February 28, 2016, 09:29:18 pmHiIt's far from a "far away and never here" sort of thing. The guys I know who do scrounge hospital equipment *all* have stories. Much of it is a matter of interpretation. How *should* an x-ray machine be disposed of for instance. I stay away from that stuff ....Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 10:42:23 pm
content: Quote from: sarepairman2 on February 28, 2016, 08:09:14 pmI am loving taking it apart, and studing each part, and its functions. its like oooooo look at that..and AWWWWW look at that...and OH MAN that looks amazing...and actually i am on great terms with many of the MPs on the base. they love me, i do my best to make em laugh every time i go on and off base. they do not even look at my bage anymore. and they even let me pass other people in like and cross the closed gate to get ahead of everyone.and at christmas i give them all gifts..hats, cups, shirts..I gave one fuzzy cuffs for the ladies...LOL he loved it casue that was his sense of humor..but on a serious note, if i do notice anything that seems as if it could be hazardous to my health i avoid it. i have in a few occasions refused to touch a dumpser when i see something that look like its toxic harzard. i have 5 years worth of nightmare stories that have taken place due to icompentent people.just becasue i drive a truck dose not mean i am of a lower intelligents. I do it becasue of the PAY which is really really good.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 11:30:12 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on February 28, 2016, 09:29:18 pmI started reading that - and I just couldn't finish. It was a matter of

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 11:49:04 pm
content: I found this, and gave it to my brother. along with some other stuff. but if a dumpster i grab at has anything in it that looks to be hazardous or dangerous, i wont touch it.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2016, 11:57:54 pm
content: The immediately dangerous stuff isn't usually radioactive. Beryllium Oxide, Mercury, Asbestos and my least favorite having had it explode in my face before: toner!

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2016, 01:51:56 am
content: Quote from: MrSlack on February 28, 2016, 11:57:54 pmYeah i got into some toner once..worst day ever, i looked like a walking rainbow, had to leave work early to get home and srub down. our company will not haul asbestos, and they actually shut the landfill down from anyone accessing it when they have a hazmat team dumping it..till its been covered over from the pit area.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 12:33:24 pm
content: Quote from: uncle_bob on February 28, 2016, 08:41:54 pma while back i took apart a liquid scintillation analyser i bought off ebay from a electrical disposal company, i was quite pleased to find it's reference barium 133 source still in place!It easily pegs out my ludlum counter and that reads to 400,000 CPMthat said, i have no idea of the 'rules' about this sort of thing but i doubt very much it should have been sold to me like that

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 04:36:41 pm
content: Quote from: Shadetreeprops on February 27, 2016, 11:33:57 pmMan, oh man! Every base that I've been to they will throw you UNDER the jail if they catch you dumpster diving! Speaking from experience, it HURTS to see the stuff that they throw out but I never thought that it was worth going to jail for! YMMV.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 04:55:54 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on February 28, 2016, 06:47:23 pmEXACTLY right! A friend of mine recovered some laser ring gyros and sold then on E-greed. Shortly afterwards both he and the surplus shop that he got them from got visits from some rather unfriendly folk that demanded the parts back since they were GFE (Government Furnished Equipment) and were still considered US Government Property. It costs him a dammed fortune (5 figures) to get the stuff back from the people that he's sold it to and he had to return them to the USG at no costs. I deal with a LOT of surplus property and take my word for it, sometimes (FREQUENTLY) it's better to simply bury some items rather than talk about them or to post about them in a public forum or especially to sell them on E-Greed.Note to OP and others. just because this stuff is made of commercial parts, doesn't mean that it's not classified. AND a lot of commercial items are also export controlled and sometime even classified. The parts may come from a commercial company but OFTEN when you try to look up the part number you won't find it because those items were made expressly for the USG so you could be treading on thin ice there!

author: rfeecs
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 06:01:57 pm
content: The amplifiers are from Ciao wireless. The CA78-xxx is around 7-8 GHz. These amps are bought typically in low quantities and made to order. Several hundred dollars each, up into the thousands of dollars each depending on the spec. You also have mixers, filters, attenuators, etc. Each of those little parts can be hundreds of dollars. So our government spent thousands on that stuff a few years ago and then threw it in a dumpster?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 06:57:47 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on March 01, 2016, 04:55:54 pmQuite right.When I imported a piece of HP test equipment (a fancy DDS) into the UK, I had to go through hoops because - for export control purposes - it was treated as amunition.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 07:22:39 pm
content: Quote from: uncle_bob on February 28, 2016, 10:12:05 pmNothing wrong with x-ray machines - the only hazard is sometimes beryllium tube windows ( but probably not on normal hospital x-rays) nothing radioactive.It's rather unfortunate that the same radioactive hazard symbol is used for completely different types of equiment - x-rays which are harmless when not powered, and stuff with radioactive materials inside.