FS BE/EU: Agilent DAQ Card, Keithley 2001 DMM, Weston Cell [More] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 08:27:58 pm
content: Since I'm currently in the process of moving abroad for a year for a post-doc job I'm weeding out my home lab a bit. I'll add more items in the coming days, but this list is should summarize it quite well:Agilent U1081A (AP200) DAQ cardKeithley 194 High Speed Volt MeterKeithley 2001 7.5 digit DMMMuirhead Type D-402-A Weston Standard CellHP 5316A Universal Counter (with C channel)Rohde & Schwarz SMH 2 GHz signal generatorHP 1652B Logic Analyser with 2 scope channels (probes & cables included)Fluke 5200A Calibrator partsTwo analog scopesWayne Kerr impedance analysers (2 + one for spare parts)I'll be putting the items on eBay tomorrow and am willing to negotiate about the price of certain items. For shipping the most convenient options for me are PostNL and DHL, though bpost (Belgian postal services) is also an option. If you wish to pick things up in person, I live not too far from Bruges (Belgium) and quite close to an exit of the E40 highway. Couldn't find a charged camera battery, so took some quick pictures with my phone, I'll upload high resolution pictures of all items tomorrow.Agilent U1081A 500 MHz (2 GSa/s) DAQ CardI posted a full set of high resolution pictures over here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/agilentkeysight-acqiris-u1081a-acquisition-card-teardown/Asking price: 500 EUR -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Agilent-Acqiris-U1081A-High-Speed-Analyzer-PCI-DAQ-Card-Oscilloscope/274083508426Keithley 2001Asking price: 1000 EUR -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keithley-2001-7-5-Digit-Bench-Multimeter/274083217057Muirhead D-402-A Weston cellAsking price: 30 EURHP 5316A CounterAsking price: 250 EUR -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Agilent-HP-Keysight-5316A-1-GHz-Universal-Counter-Option-003/274083610024Philips PM2535 DMMhttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-PM2535-6-5-digit-Digital-Bench-Multimeter-DMM/2740848179666.5 digit DMM (actually 5.5 in terms of performance except for specific tasks!)Wayne Kerr 6425https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-Impedance-and-Component-Analyser-LCR-Meter/274084868090Needs further display calibration, but seems fully functional otherwise. Display module in the original was burned out.Parts for Wayne Kerr 6425 / 3425 (Pulled from a total loss 3425)Chassis:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-3245-Impedance-Component-Inductance-Analyzer-Chassis/274084951333Front panel:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6245-3245-Front-Panel-Parts/274084936256Boards:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-3245-Impedance-Component-Inductance-Analyzer-Boards/274084961958GPIB card:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-3245-Impedance-Inductance-Component-Analyzer-GPIB-Card/274084975124Display module (for parts):https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-6425-3245-Impedance-Component-Inductance-Analyzer-CRT-Display-Module/274084940440Some other trinkets:Practice locks -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABUS-Yale-and-Other-Practice-Locks-for-Locksport/274083551942Lock pick set -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Locksport-Lockpick-Set-Dangerfield-Praxis-Key-Extractors-and-Tension-Wrenches/274083594235

author: jogri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 08:36:13 pm
content: The Weston cell looks nice, but i suppose it won't survive shipping

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 08:45:27 pm
content: It already survived it once, I bought it from someone in the UK a couple of years ago. It's suspended from the top cover so there's relatively little mechanical shock transfer to the unit inside. But it's definitely an item I wouldn't ship without insurance.

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 10:00:47 pm
content: I'm interested in the Keithley 194 as I need some 16bit+ high speed sampling, what's the indicative price?Along the same lines with the DAQ card, did you have any luck programming it? Are the drivers in the normal keysight connect IO library?Looking forward to more information on the impedance analysers too like age/model number, how beige are we talking?I'm interested in the Weston cell from a voltnuttery perspective, but I'm too nervous about the mercury to buy it. On behalf of other more brave people do you have any idea of the current voltage of the Weston cell? Is this more paperweight than plaything?Again, not for myself, but regarding the 1652B, I believe these HP LAs are made or broken by the availability of the cables and pods (at least this is true for the 165XX and 167XX series). You should provide details on the accessories you have.I'm not going to ask about the 2001, no matter how much I want to.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 10:35:35 pm
content: Which courier are you going to use for the saturated Weston standard cell?Does that courier permit liquid mercury and Cadmium to be shipped? Look at the bottom of the glass envelopes in the picture of a D-402-A below!Be aware that a mercury spillage in an aircraft isverybad news, since it subtly changes the aluminium structure's properties.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 10:49:56 pm
content: Quote from: toastedcrumpets on November 03, 2019, 10:00:47 pmMy D-402-A is fine:https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/a-weston-standard-cell-an-introduction-to-voltnuttery/It is very low noise compared with a sense source, so can be used to assess a voltmeter's noise.

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 11:23:31 pm
content: OK, your results are very encouraging! I have a DMM7510, so I can set that to High-Z mode and read the voltage on the cell and see if its any good, then use it as a check standard for my lab.Jogri, if you don't want the Weston cell I'll take it. HalFET, please PM me instructions, I'm in the UK if you want to work out shipping. I would recommend triple bagging the cell and lots of padding. If the mercury gets out I'll need to be extra careful on cleanup.

author: jogri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 11:44:36 pm
content: I'd take the weston cell, both DPD and UPS offer shipping for hazardous chemicals if they are properly labeled (i can send you those labels).Btw, the mercury is the least toxic part of that cell: The cadmium sulfate solution is orders of magnitude worse than plain mercury.@tggzzz: Are those really saturated cells? I thought that almost all portable ones are unsaturated.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 11:45:17 pm
content: Shipping will still be a crapshoot due to the forces involved and the mechanical fragility of the crystals forming the electrodes.Mine were OK since I stumbled upon them in a school that was shutting down. Fortunately I recognised what they were and remembered their fragility from my schooldays. I carefully carried them home in the back of my car.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 11:49:04 pm
content: Quote from: toastedcrumpets on November 03, 2019, 11:23:31 pmDoes the high-Z mode of the DMM7510 have enough resistance for a Weston cell? I seem to remember that the high-Z modes on most DMMs still allow too much current to flow.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 11:50:28 pm
content: Quote from: jogri on November 03, 2019, 11:44:36 pmThey are saturated and they are not portable; their internal electrode structure is fragile, as well as the glass envelope.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 11:52:49 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on November 03, 2019, 11:49:04 pmShould be OK unless faulty: "an input resistance of > 10 GΩ in the low DC ranges (0.2/2 V)".

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:44:14 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 03, 2019, 11:52:49 pmI'm not sure what a suitable resistance for a Weston cell is. I think it was remarked that measuring a Weston cell with a DMM with a similar resistance isn't quite ideal as the voltage still drops. I won't pretend to really know what I'm talking about though.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/1000-my-(hi)story-of-the-weston-cell-of-the-volt-and-of-being-a-volt-nuts/

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:48:18 am
content: Yeah the DMM7510 has a very high input resistance mode, not quite an electrometer but getting there.Happy to hear jogri wants the cell. Would be good to hear what the 2001 reads on the cell anyway, it has the same high resistance input as the DMM7510 (but you'll probably have to turn it on).Transport may not break the cell, but it is looking very likely. Well worth the £30 gamble though I think!

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:53:36 am
content: Quote from: toastedcrumpets on November 04, 2019, 12:48:18 amThe lowly 34401A has a similar resistance in high-Z mode.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:58:55 am
content: Quote from: toastedcrumpets on November 04, 2019, 12:48:18 amI'd like to know which carriers allow Hg and Cd. All the ones I looked at a while ago had those substances on their forbidden list.I have a lot of sympathy with that, given the possible consequences of a spillage (e.g. personal health,subtlyattacking aircraft aluminium structures).

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:59:12 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on November 04, 2019, 12:53:36 amYou're right, I think I'm used to reading spec sheets on really old kit.That very interesting thread on Weston cells says hiZ mode is fine for measuring the cell voltage. Thanks for the link, tggzzz!

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 01:06:19 am
content: I found some more comments on what supposedly is the "right way" to measure a Weston cell below a Hackaday article.https://hackaday.com/2015/09/22/retrotechtacular-weston-electrical-instruments/

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 07:55:01 am
content: The key point about measuring Weston cells is that from when they were invented the only voltmeters were moving-coil meters.Goodsuch meters had a 20kohm/V specification, i.e. at FSD they took 50uA. That was clearly an unacceptable current to draw from the cell.The only reliable technique was to use a "null-meter" technique, where the meter was in series with the cell and there was zero volts across the meter. At that point there was zero current through the meter and cell.Up until the 60s that technique was the basis for all sorts of professional meters from companies like Fluke. I used it at school in physics experiments in the 70s.I am still interested in which carrier willknowinglyaccept liquid Hg and Cd!

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 10:42:59 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 04, 2019, 07:55:01 amI work at a university, I'll ask the lab what shipping services they use. At the very least I can find out who does the shipping for sigma-aldritch etc.

author: jogri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 11:22:42 am
content: DPD will ship you almost anything in quite sizeable amounts, but it seems like the process is a PITA in belgium as they want proof that you are insured before they send the package.I've found a list of what amount of substance they will ship to you (national transport in germany) in "limited quantities" (but even 5kg of liquid mercury qualifies as that): First link on that page, the list begins at page 16:https://www.dpd.com/de/en/support/versandbestimmungen/gefahrgutversand/And as i said, elements like mercury and cadmium are not that bad to transport as they are not that toxic. Soluble compounds that contain heavy element salts are entirely different beasts.

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 11:49:23 am
content: Just to echo jogri's comments, our lab uses FedEx when ordering from Fischer and we've ordered all sorts of toxic chemicals from them.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 11:59:53 am
content: Quote from: jogri on November 04, 2019, 11:22:42 amToxicity is only part of it. Mercury, including vapour, weakens aircraft structures where it can be difficult to find.The whole area is a minefield. It is very easy to read one document and to believe that X is OK. Unfortunately in other places it might state that Y is prohibited. If your shipment is X+Y in some way, is it then permitted or excluded? (Consider X= corrosive chemical and Y=notably fragile piece of glass)Fromhttps://www.dpdlocal-online.co.uk/prohibited-items:Fragile Items (All), Glass (DPD Local),Glass/Glassware, Hazardous Goods,Liquids/Creams/Oils,WaterNow some of those are the subject for discussion, but "glass" "liquids" "water" are pretty clear.Fromhttp://www.dpd.co.uk/classic-appendix.pdf:(ii) Dangerous goods, hazardous goods and flammable goods, including but not limited to: dangerous or hazardous wastes, medical wastes, hypodermic needles and syringes, firearms, weapons, ammunitions, explosives, fireworks,chemicals, acidic, corrosive or irritant substancesThen fromhttps://www.dpdlocal.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.jsp(g) "Dangerous Goods" means goods classified as dangerous goods by UNECE from time to time or by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) or goods which present a comparable hazard. Dangerous Goods are also goods which can cause direct physical damage, are capable of causing injury to people or to their health, or are physically dangerous to other goods.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:05:34 pm
content: Quote from: toastedcrumpets on November 04, 2019, 11:49:23 amQuite possibly, but:I'll bet they were packaged in robust containers designed to accomodate the shocks and vibrations during transitlook at the picture of what's enclosing the Hg. There is absolutely no way that could ever be regarded as sufficiently robust!UnsaturatedWeston standard cells, which were frequently designed for and used in portable equipment, are much more robust by design.

author: jogri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:55:25 pm
content: Glass is only forbidden if it is the only container capable of handling the chemical inside. If you encase ampulles in a container that can handle the chemicals and doesn't get pierced if the glass breakes it is completely fine. Otherwise no one could send samples as those are almost always packaged in ampulles as glass will not contaminate your product. The point of this rule is to minimize the risk of mailmen cutting themselves on damaged parcels.Yes, normally it is forbidden to ship dangerous goods on normal carriers but you can do that if it falls under the limited quantity (LQ) act: You are allowed to transport a well packed sample if the amount of substance is lower than a specific amount in weight/volume. The allowed amounts are such that no person who is transporting the package needs hazard gear and/or additional training. And since none of the chemicals in a Weston cell are extremely toxic or dangerous (UN packing code 2 at most), you can ship them, provided that they are packed properly.In this case, you would need to add padding to the inside of the case, make sure the bakelite case stays closed (it can function as your shrapnel guard) and put the case in additional, sealed bags.Someone on this forum has the same Weston cell and managed to dug up a datasheet of it (post nr.14 in that thread):https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/from-the-bin!-weston-cell/The manufacturer states that they are fit for transport, so they shouldn't shatter if packaged properly.Yes, mercury and gallium are completely banned on airplanes due to their tendency to form extremely soft alloys with the aluminum, but the chances of that happening are extremely small. But since a disintegrating aircraft is a potential hazard for the crew, they are completely banned.Btw, your links show the restrictions for sending parcels from the UK to other countries, but both DPD Belgium and DPD Germany are okay with dangerous goods.

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 01:28:56 pm
content: Yes, all issues are avoided if you just enclose the Weston cell in a normal chemical transport container like a plastic bottle (one with a wide top). Pack the inside of the bottle with bubble wrap to fix it in place, then put the bottle in a tight fitting cardboard box to protect it. You essentially treat the cell as the chemical.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 02:53:41 pm
content: Quote from: jogri on November 04, 2019, 12:55:25 pmI'm a little bit sensitive since I've just received a package where the internal oil was visible on the external cardboard packing caseQuoteInteresting. I hadn't spotted that; thanks.I believe that your statement about is only partially correct. It looks to me that only the "cell elements" are suitable for transportation, and that nothing is said about "mounted models" being transportable. In other words, if the glass envelope is fully supported, it can be transported.Even so, some of the videos of how packages are treated in warehouses and over the last mile don't fill me with confidence that the electrode would survive. When that data sheet was produced the transportation might have been gentler.QuoteAnd a hazard for passengers and people on the ground!An aircraft is unlikely to disintegrate immediately, unlike with Li cells. It is more likely to be equivalent to a 737 pickle fork issue.I don't know how to ensure a package isn't transported by air. Sometimes that is done over short distances, e.g. inside the UK.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 04:19:03 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 04, 2019, 02:53:41 pmThat is confirmed by:from the three pdfs inhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/muirhead-std-and-ref-cells-all-catalogue-info-uploaded-!-(ayce)/msg1027699/#msg1027699plusfrom threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/muirhead-std-and-ref-cells-all-catalogue-info-uploaded-!-(ayce)/msg1027696/#msg1027696

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 12:22:55 pm
content: Sorry for the late reply, getting multiple vaccinations at once is apparently a good way to have a massive headache a few hours later.I've contacted DPD and asked if this would qualify as dangerous shipment or not, seems easier to ask than to deal with the aftermath of a potential breakage or overzealous inspection. Let's hope they get back to me quickly.Anyway, just started taking pictures of the devices and I'll put them up on eBay in a bit.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 12:58:33 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on November 05, 2019, 12:22:55 pmThe first time I had cholera and typhoid jabs, I soon realised the carrier fluid was dilute phenolQuoteThat does seem prudent.I don't know what sanctions could be applied if a problem did occur. At the very least you could be blacklisted, at worst prosecuted.I hadn't considered the (very real) possibility of inspection. That could result in items being improperly repacked.And then there's the habit of fleabay's GSP agents, who tend to remove "surplus" packaging leading to the item arriving badly damaged. Shudder.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 01:33:55 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 05, 2019, 12:58:33 pmI honestly prefer just shipping it myself instead of using GSP. I think they forgot a D in the acronym there, Global Shipping & Destruction Program would fit better. They destroyed a perfectly fine Solartron that I ordered a while ago. (That being said, I'm also fine with skipping ebay, but I figure it gives people some certainty.)Just finished taking pictures of some of the items. I also noticed I still have a stack of server PSUs, I'll put those up as well.This might also be an option for shipping, they specifically state that they accept "dangerous" goods:https://www.mikropakket.be/And in my case it's the Japanese encephalitis one that's giving me a raging headache. It's like a reverse flu shot, I got all the symptoms of the flu without the fever, heh.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 03:45:56 pm
content: First ones are up:Keithley 2001 -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274083217057Keithley 194 high speed voltmeter -https://www.ebay.com/itm/Keithley-194-High-Speed-Voltmeter/274083246925(Give me a prod with country and postal code if you want an exact shipping quotation, filled in a high number since I don't want to be screwed over by eBay.)

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 04:06:05 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on November 05, 2019, 01:33:55 pmISTR mention of that. Was it a 7075 or 7081?I have a working ex-RAF 7075 that I really ought to sell, including a custom-made wooden case. The twat that made the case put one of the supports in just the right place to crush one of the front panel switchesFortunately I had a spare board, so it is now a frankenmaschineQuoteAh, I've managed to avoid that one. Going anywhere interesting?

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 06:46:42 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 05, 2019, 04:06:05 pmOooooh, frankenmachines are awesome though! I think it was a 7075, I'd have to check again. It was also really lousy how the ebay staff basically tried to screwed over the seller by bouncing the issue to paypal.QuoteDepends on what you call interesting, going to spend a year in Seoul. There are worse places to spend some time, and I know quite a few people there. But I must admit, the post-doc pay isn't great, I could probably earn more here in a fraction of the working hours. But I'm still young and stupid, so why not, if anything it'll look good on my resume. (And it's better than having to deal with lying/cheating recruiters in Belgium.)Put the DAQ card up just now:https://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/Agilent-Acqiris-U1081A-High-Speed-Analyzer-PCI-DAQ-Card-Oscilloscope/274083508426

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on November 05, 2019, 06:46:42 pmEasy: real switches and lovely warm orange Panaplex displays => 7075, membrane switches and cold blue VFD displays => 7081I have 2*7075, 1*7081, 1*1061, and a couple of poorly Keithleys.QuoteNot my idea offun, but I'm ignorant.As for avoiding bastards in X by going to Y, just remember that "people are people, the whole world over".And learn how to exploit the lying bastards for your own purposesThatispossible since that breed of lying bastard is lazy and is not very intelligent.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 08:57:08 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 05, 2019, 07:35:34 pmHeheh, well I'm putting my poor Keithley 2001 up for sale since I don't want to put it on an attic where it'll see massive temperature cycles. Seems like a shame.QuoteWell I also have personal reasons (read: girlfriend), but I'd rather not plaster my personal life over the internet. But it's mostly incredibly stressful to arrange everything.But seems like it's simply a bad period to find jobs in the electronics industry here. I got rejected for several positions that I'm quite well-qualified for (i.e. I did research on it for 5 years), and then they list bogus reasons such as "not enough experience". And that was with referral from internal people. But what really got to me was that recruiters will post up a fake job advert and then when you go in for the job interview try to shove you into others. It isn't very pleasant, and mostly a huge waste of time.Anyway, someone already snatched up the high speed voltmeter, posting additional things tomorrow:Keithley 2001 -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keithley-2001-7-5-Digit-Bench-Multimeter/274083217057Agilent AP200 DAQ Card -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Agilent-Acqiris-U1081A-High-Speed-Analyzer-PCI-DAQ-Card-Oscilloscope/274083508426HP 5316A Counter -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Agilent-HP-Keysight-5316A-1-GHz-Universal-Counter-Option-003/274083610024Some other trinkets:Practice locks -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABUS-Yale-and-Other-Practice-Locks-for-Locksport/274083551942Lock pick set -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Locksport-Lockpick-Set-Dangerfield-Praxis-Key-Extractors-and-Tension-Wrenches/274083594235

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 10:16:41 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on November 05, 2019, 08:57:08 pmI never enquired when I wasn't offered the job, similar can't comment on whether it has changed. Having said that, that reason is probably false and is merely a reason they can state without fear of being sued for discrimination.I found that once I got past the HR droids and talked with the hiring managers, it was easier. And if the HR droids had too much say in the hiring process, it was unlikely to be a good company work in.QuoteYou are the product the pimps are selling. They need to have lots of product to sell to their customers. Hence more CVs = better. They don't understand the product they are selling, and the HR droids don't understand what would be technically good for the company - and don't really care.The principal objective of an HR droid is to not be blamed for hiring someone that becomes a problem. That makes them risk averse and only receptive to average candidates.I never went to an interview for a non existent job, but I saw many many adverts designed to harvest CVs for sale. They are easy to spot: too vague and demanding too many buzzwords that will never be found in one person.If you obssively observed pimps' adverts, occasionally you will occasionally find one with a lot of detail in it. They have probably simply copied from the hiring companys' job spec. That's great because you can either Google forms specific phrases, or simply guess the company. In either case, approach the company directly. That makes you look both proactive and cheap (because they don't have to pay the pimp several months of your salary).OTOH, if you are filtered out by the company's HR droid, maybe the pimp can bypass them and talk directly to the hiring manager.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 01:17:41 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 05, 2019, 10:16:41 pmThe "improper qualifications" excuse is actually a massive legal liability, you could sue them for discrimination based on that (if they use it as excuse for rejecting everyone). It'd be qualified as "reasonable suspicion" which requires the company to then provide proof they are not discriminating in some manner. But some companies actually take the effort to inform you of the reason why you were rejected, which is rather nice of them in a way. One even gave significant feedback on my resume and test scores. I lost out on that job because they had a person with 20+ years of experience apply for the position, which I perfectly understand.QuoteThat ain't a guarantee to get in, I've had several cases where I never even got to the interview stage after an internal referral.QuotePretty much. Interestingly enough, I've had several cases where the company forwarded to the HR pimps. If they do that, you pretty much know they aren't interested.QuoteYes, but it's so easy to torture them once you figure them out, GDPR is a godsend when you wish to make CV farms suffer. Wait a couple of days and demand that they provide all data they've gathered on you, it's surprising what they harvest sometimes. Or better yet, demand erasure of the data.QuoteYeah, they're quite easy to bypass, but I was also in the unique position where I knew many of the owners of companies who's jobs they were pitching. That's how I know they weren't really my cup of tea. (I hate sales, and I refuse to be involved in it.)QuoteNot a guarantee anymore, especially at larger organisations you still have to go through HR. It's part of the reason why I was unemployed for so long. I had a nice job offer lined up which would start in September, my friend/the hiring manager forwarded the order to hire me to HR in June, and then it suddenly disappeared in the administrative blackhole and by the time it reappeared the budget was somehow reallocated elsewhere. In short, HR screwed us both over.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 08:20:16 am
content: Unusually I can't argue withanyof thatIt is a game involving dice, and the dice are sometimes hidden. There are no guarantee; all you can do is bias things in your favour.I've always said there are two equally valid career paths, with different advantages and disadvantages: be a jack of all trades and master of none, or a world expert in a niche field. Despite working in an industrial r&D lab, I've always been a jack of all trades. Sometimes I wish I had been a world expert, but there are too many interesting topics out there!As for moving, there's and old story...Man is thinking of moving to an area, and goes into a shop and asks the shopkeeper what it's like. Shopkeeper asks what it is like where the man is currently living, and the response is "people are miserable and unfriendly". Shopkeeper says "yup, pretty much like that here too".A week later another man is thinking of moving to an area, and goes into a shop and asks the shopkeeper what it's like. Shopkeeper asks what it is like where the man is currently living, and the response is "people are happy and friendly". Shopkeeper says "yup, pretty much like that here too".Short form: you can take the man out of Germany, but you can't take Germany out of the manAs I tell my daughter: "Have fun, safely"

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 07:14:05 pm
content: Added more items:Philips PM2535 DMM -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-PM2535-6-5-digit-Digital-Bench-Multimeter-DMM/2740848179666.5 digit DMM (actually 5.5 in terms of performance except for specific tasks!)Wayne Kerr 6425 -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-Impedance-and-Component-Analyser-LCR-Meter/274084868090(Needs further display calibration, but seems fully functional otherwise)Parts for Wayne Kerr 6425 / 3425 (Pulled from a total loss 3425):Chassis:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-3245-Impedance-Component-Inductance-Analyzer-Chassis/274084951333Front panel:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6245-3245-Front-Panel-Parts/274084936256Boards:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-3245-Impedance-Component-Inductance-Analyzer-Boards/274084961958GPIB card:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-WK-6425-3245-Impedance-Inductance-Component-Analyzer-GPIB-Card/274084975124Display module (for parts):https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wayne-Kerr-6425-3245-Impedance-Component-Inductance-Analyzer-CRT-Display-Module/274084940440

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 07:29:02 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 06, 2019, 08:20:16 amYeah, in the end of the day it's all pretty much the same. However, given that the other choice was the US, this seemed like a better option.

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 10:37:42 am
content: I bought the Keithley 194 from his Ebay. The unit arrived extremely well boxed/packed. It was actually double boxed which was excellent. The unit passes all self-tests and seems to be reasonably within cal, so very happy thanks!

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 11:47:11 am
content: The K2001 for 1000€ is a nice price, I do not know why it is still there.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 12:09:21 pm
content: QuoteIs this one still available?Shipping to Germany possible?

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 12:41:44 pm
content: Quote from: zucca on November 22, 2019, 11:47:11 amIt's a nice unit thats had 20 years to stabilise but for similar price you can get a brand new 6.5 digit meter.The volt nuts that *need* that extra digit are a much smaller market.Still tempted tho

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 01:05:44 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on November 22, 2019, 12:41:44 pmIn a new 6.5 you don't have the full schematics and the service manual. Plus you can't convert it as a Nanovoltmeter or a Data aquisition system.Moreover there is a lot of known hacks like the MEM OPT2 and so on.I got mine for 900€, now it has leacked and I am goinging to fix it.Don't get me wrong I agree with you but to me when I have the full documentation for a device, the value double in my head.

author: toastedcrumpets
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 01:30:30 pm
content: I think the feature set of the DMM6500 undermines the economic case for a lot of old and new meters. Its such good value money for a 6.5 digit DMM AND digitizer, with a slot for a mux card and pretty awesome instrument scripting. Whenever I think I want another 7.5 digit meter I think about what I can achieve with another DMM6500.

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 08:55:01 pm
content: Quote from: jogri on November 04, 2019, 12:55:25 pmDon't we tend to overreact? They used to ship glass mercury thermometers. And Mercury battery cells. Etc. And planes did not fall out of the sky... And now it is banned forever.BTW - most mercury compounds are allowed according to the FAA including pesticides, etc. Also, mercury in manufactured items is allowed so forget Grandma being shoved in a cell on account of her hearing aid. See:https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6a4d3e87a61feff6cadf169dfc0ae9cd&mc=true&node=sp49.2.172.b&rgn=div6According to the FAA list above - The Reportable Quantity for pure mercury is 1 pound (one very small bottle). But this is substantially more than the entirety weight of the cell (excluding the bakelite box).So a bottle of mercury may be out. (but a thermometer may not land you in jail - they may confiscate it though).But how much mercury is in a standard cell? Lets take the one fromhttps://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/bulletin/04/nbsbulletinv4n1p1_A2b.pdf.Muirhead (according to the specs) usually used about 1cm OD tubes for the H shaped cell. Assuming worst case: filled with mercury to 1 cm height (as in the NIST manual). So the volume of mercury would be for each tube 1cm^2*pi*1cm=pi cm^3. So for two tubes it would be 2pi cm^3. Specific gravity of mercury is 0.013 kg / cm^3 so that means there would be 0.09kg of mercury. Less than the pound needed to be reported.But even that is gratuitous... The septa is sintered to keep the chemicals in place. So only part of the volume is taken up by mercury. So I'd say very much less or the mercury would run.Now the real risk is a FAA employee suspecting that this is banned. But I can't see them ever realizing what this thing is - at worse they'll discard it. Muirhead (the old Muirhead not the aerospace servo division) doesn't exist so I don't expect them to pull up an SDS in your face.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 09:47:25 pm
content: Note that Assafl makes no mention whatsoever of the metallurgy of aluminium and mercury, nor gives any indication that he has any experience (or understanding) of aircraft maintenance and maintenance procedures.I am reminded of the Dunning Kruger syndrome.

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2019, 12:39:32 am
content: You are right. I don’t. That is why I went to the FAA website to look up shipping Mercury.That is what I did when we had to ship all kinds of strange batteries in the military. But back then no website.And deferring metallurgy and aluminium to the FAA helps Mitigate the need for a psychologist.Oh - and quantity is important. A drop of Mercury, a bottle, a jar, a keg, a barrel or a pallet. Not the same thing. Mercury fulminate through? They hate that stuff. Not for weakening the aluminium. For blowing a hole through it.