WTB/US (San Bernardino, Ca.) Oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: amtpdb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2014, 10:42:20 pm
content: Hi: Learning electronics on my own and would like a oscilloscope to learn with. Is it possible that one of you might be upgrading and would like to sell your used oscilloscope. A digital rigol or?Send a PM.ThanksDon

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2014, 07:09:02 am
content: Quote from: amtpdb on February 08, 2014, 10:42:20 pmFor your first scope I'd go analog. It's easier to use and there are benefits to CRO screens. After you have decently learned analog you can jump to digital where you know what you are missing because of digital (things like percent capture, random glitches, etc). Plus analog are much cheaper. Even a 20MHz scope is good to start with.Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2014, 05:05:44 pm
content: A good local source can be the HAM groups near you, a lot of HAMs have scopes and with the low prices for these digital some are upgrading so may have an analog scope to sell. If you're set on digital you will pay a lot more. I see 20MHz analog scopes for $25 on ebay.

author: amtpdb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 01:52:42 am
content: Thanks for the information. I tried a couple on ebay that they said worked. I had to pay the return shipping on both as the units would not work! I tried to find a ham group but did not have any luck.Thanks again.Don

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 04:35:45 am
content: SoCal Electronics Swap MeetsDoing anything Saturday morning? On the third, and last Saturdays of the month, geeks and HAMs alike gather bazaar style to buy and sell electronic wares.By the truck, van, box, bin or bag, you can have your go at random parts, various devices, cables, motors, sensors, cameras, radios, tubes, laptops, and anything else in-between.http://www.destruc.tv/socalswaps/

author: amtpdb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 05:38:01 am
content: Thanks:I have not heard of this before. I will see if I can get to Chino this Saturday. I need to see if I can shuffle things around.Thanks again.Don

author: amtpdb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 11:50:44 pm
content: Went to Chino to the Ham swap meet. Nothing there much this time I guess. I saw one 60 MHz scope for 75.00 that from a distance looked pretty good. Went to look at it and there was no handle and when I picked it up, it sounded like loose parts and there were missing case screws.Thats the way my luck runs! Maybe next time.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 01:09:27 am
content: Quote from: amtpdb on February 15, 2014, 11:50:44 pmThat'd be considered a universally bad sign. I haven't looked in a while but I have seen a lot of scopes under $50 on ebay. Just be careful and scrutinize the pictures, the seller and the description. And consider that many sellers will sell something "for parts or broken" because that's the safe way for a seller to sell something like an oscilloscope if you don't have the expertise. The seller is setting the expectations for the buyer as low as they can and often times those units will work. Yep, there's risk. Don't hesitate to offer a low-ball by contacting the seller and ask the seller questions.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2014, 04:37:12 am
content: This was mentioned in another thread and sounds like a better meet. The people there seem like red blooded enthusiasts. Keeping that swap meet going for over 40 years!http://w6trw.com/swapmeet/swapmeet.htm

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 05:45:17 pm
content: It's an awful catch-22: to fix a scope you gotta have a scope. Usually.I agree 100% with people saying that an analog scope should be your first scope. It's like manual vs. automatic transmission: it gives you a better feel for what's happening and what might be going wrong. You'll naturally be a better driver even if you don't realize it.That said, analog scopes are now so old that it's getting really damned hard to buy a decent one. I got rid of my Tek 7904 five years ago because I just couldn't keep it reliable. That broke my heart. Any 30 year old unit you buy will likely have twitchy switches and traces getting dim and blurry. Even if the seller claims it works 100%, they probably never tried delayed sweep or X-Y mode or ...So I may be in my own boat here but if you just can't get a reliable squigglescope, I'd suggest just buying a 1052e and get back to work. The SWEAR ON YOUR LINEAR APPLICATIONS HANDBOOK that within the next year you'll buy a broken analog scope, fix it, and force yourself to use it. Once you do, I think you'll naturally use it more than the 1052e. It'll be quicker and more pleasant to use.Don't buy a modern Agilent, Tek, or expensive Rigol yet... you'll never go back.

author: amtpdb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 03:10:34 am
content: Thanks for your input.Don

author: Legion
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 08:10:55 pm
content: As a beginner who's teaching himself electronics, I have to agree with Bronson. If you can get your hands on a decent, working analog scope, then go for it. However, there are practical problems for a beginner that can make this difficult. If you're just starting out, you won't have the skills to verify that a given scope is in good working order. I bought an old Tektronix 468 from a surplus store. Unfortunately, with my limited skills I was only able to verify that it turned on and properly displayed the calibration signal. It was only after paying $350 and getting it home that I found problems with it that caused the traces to cut in/out.Unless you're confident in your ability to evaluate a scopes condition, or know someone who could evaluate it for you, I recommend getting an entry level DSO like the Rigol 1052E. As a beginner I find electronics to be enough of a challenge without being thrown off by faulty test equipment.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 10:23:55 pm
content: The key to success with getting an analog scope is to pay the correct price. If the seller doesn't know what they're selling then the buyer has to assume it's not working. And the price has to reflect that. So many ebay sellers have no idea how to price a used analog scope (or just about anything). I even saw one scope and the seller quoted the 1980's price adjusted, blah, blah, blah. Really ridiculous.The OP has had some bad experiences buying but there are plenty of scopes to be had in California. Time and patience and trust your instincts. Also talk to the seller and let them know you're new to scopes. Yes, some will help out a new enthusiast.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 06:26:14 pm
content: if you considering driving up to norcal, there are a few surplus houses around here that could probably provide you with a bargain and working scope.excess solutions (milpitas), halted (santa clara) and maybe even weirdstuff (sunnyvale) come to mind.there's also some other places that sell on ebay are not are generally open to the public but they do allows visitors if you ask in advance. spectratest (mtn view) is a great place with HUGE stocks of lots of neat gear. maybe too high end, though. there's cogwell (santa clara) that also has some nice gear and allows visitors with advance notice.in general, I like to go to ebay and set the search to 'nearest distance first' and then, once I find something that looks good, I ask if they allow local pickup. if they don't, I usually go to the next one on the list until I find one that allows it.

author: amtpdb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 06:33:32 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestions.Don

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2014, 07:42:02 pm
content: Great info linux-works. I find that Weird Stuff values their stuff far more highly than I do but Halted is pretty good. I gotta check out Excess.Also, the De Anza swap meet starts again on March 8. I've found great stuff there in the past but it's very hit and miss. Of course, probably not worth coming from San Bernardino.http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2014, 03:59:19 am
content: halted is like my 2nd home. been going there for over 20 yrs, myself. good bunch of folks and the only problem is: its hard to leave the place without spending money