Is this oscilloscope a good deal? For newb - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: taco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 06:58:29 am
content: Hi my loal ad has a HP 1201A scope for $25 says it powers on but display won't come on? Worth getting to fix or not?Thanks

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 07:26:56 am
content: I wouldn't buy a broken scope if you aren't familiar with electronics. It may be necessary to use one scope to fix this one

author: LA7SJA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 07:49:05 am
content: +1 Maybe not so easy to learn how to repair a scope without a scope, but it could be working only not trigging without a signal and correct setup. I would arm my self with theManualand some sort of a signal generator NE555 orthisand a DMM and check it out before buying it. If you read the manual before you go and do your homework you would give the seller the impresion that you know what you'r doing (and this can help when bargening the price).PS this scope is from the mid 1970... and it's one of the early "digital" scopes frome HP.

author: mij59
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 08:07:47 am
content: Even $25 is way to much for a probably broken scope with a bandwidth of 500 kHz.You'll end up spending a lot a money to get it working, specific parts may not be available any more.

author: dtnicholls
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 09:44:40 am
content: Depends on what you want out of it...If your goal is to have a working scope without spending a heap, then probably not.If your goal is the challenge of fixing one, then it could be perfect.

author: taco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 02:45:09 pm
content: Thanks,I'm looking to buying a beginner scope to learn on. Any suggestions?

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 02:58:47 pm
content: Quote from: taco on March 17, 2015, 06:58:29 amI have an -hp- 1200 (rack-mount) non-storage CRO, which I find very useful at audio because of the good differential inputs (with low bandwidth).However, if the display "won't come on", I would worry that the CRT is shot (blown filament), which would be very expensive to replace.Back in the day, I found the -hp- storage-tube "variable-persistence" oscilloscopes to be problematic, with "blooming" and other problems in the storage system. This was before digital storage: the actual scope trace was stored on an internal structure of the cathode-ray tube and read out onto the fluorescent screen, but the readout was somewhat destructive of the stored charge pattern.

author: mij59
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 03:47:53 pm
content: Something like the Rigol DS1054Z, a used DS1052e, or an Agilent DSOX2004All depends on your budget.

author: taco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 04:36:31 pm
content: I will opt for a decent scope then. My budget is $300 or maybe a little higher. Thanks

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 05:58:11 pm
content: Quote from: LA7SJA on March 17, 2015, 07:49:05 amNo, this is an old-fashionedanalog storageoscilloscope. Whendigital storagescopes became available, few had much nostalgia for the original storage oscilloscopes.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 07:52:36 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on March 17, 2015, 05:58:11 pmPlus the tubes wear out quickly, and need more complex electronics to drive the tube, ie, difficult repairs.

author: extide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 06:54:31 pm
content: Quote from: taco on March 17, 2015, 04:36:31 pmDefinitelyget a Rigol DS1054Z then