[DE/EU] Group sale of 5 Anritsu MG3633A Signalgenerators (10 kHz to 2700 MHz) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 12:10:38 pm
content: In traveling fleabay I found this seller that tries to sell a group of 5x Anritsu MG3633A Signalgenerators, it seem that the units were set 110VAC (American Base ?) and some cognitive challenged chap fried 5 of them before they could stop him.The signal generators are of high quality, the seller claims that no repairs have been attempted and it accepts price offers ( I was thinking of something like 250-300EUR per piece).The idea is that I cand't afford to buy all 5 of them and he doesn't want to sell separately.Is there a nice organized German guy with some disposable income to get them and split them, or how do you think it's the best way to do it, I may squeeze 600EUR but there is still some until the sale price.Also if someone gets them and wants to repair and sell them for a profit, I will enjoy getting one of them at cost, for the tipBrochure:https://accusrc.com/uploads/datasheets/6331_MG3633A.pdfManual:https://doc.xdevs.com/doc/Anritsu/ANRITSU%20MG3633A%20OPS.pdfFleabay link:eBay auction: #https://www.ebay.de/itm/5x-Anritsu-Signalgenerator-MG-3633A-110Volt-10-Khz-2-7Ghz/292367119463Waiting for ideas on how can we do this (maybe we can organize a group repair as well).

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 12:23:09 pm
content: Quote from: DC1MC on January 04, 2018, 12:10:38 pmI read that only one was accidently connected to 220V", so the rest has yet to be seen problems:"Einen haben wir aus versehen an 220 Volt angeschlossen , mit dem ergebnis , dass die Sicherung rausgeflogen ist , er aber danach wieder geht , allerdings kein signal rauskommt.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 12:26:21 pm
content: I have a feeling that the other one may have had some similar fate or someone overloaded the output with some DC or something.I would still love to have one of them at around 300EUR.

author: philpem
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 01:05:59 pm
content: I'd pick one up at that price. Probably wouldn't be too unreasonable (price wise) to ship one to the UK either. I do like a good fixer-upperI'll be keeping an eye on this thread!

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 01:51:54 pm
content: Bear in mind it is Anritsu so the chances of diagrams are pretty much nil.That said, blown power supplies are my favourite sort of fault.Regards, Dan.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 02:03:13 pm
content: So, any idea how to do this properly, for each of us to have a nice generator ?It seems that there is a bit of interest in them, how do we split them ?

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 02:14:14 pm
content: I like and could use a nice sig gen but they appear to have gone?

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 02:18:12 pm
content: I've bought (and collected) some equipment from this guy. He'll tell you exactly what's wrong with the units if you call him up by phone and what's your options to negotiate the price. I don't think he'll sell them one by one, and he'll insist on you to collect them, otherwise he's a nice guy and tries to support you. ATM I'm not interested in these units, nor in shipping them, and I'm not as mobile as I should be to handle such stuff (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/how-much-vacation-do-you-take-in-december/msg1380701/#msg1380701)There's still an option that I might visit his shop in February (but this is completely open and ATM nothing but a faint idea, depends on many things), so if the units (and the one I'm potentially interested in, won't tell now) are still available then (or if I or someone talks him to keep them back until then), I could be able (but don't know yet if I'm willing too) to buy them and pick them up, but I really don't want to pack and ship them. I guess I'd keep one then, but I'm not in the need of such a signal gen. So if anyone is interested and willing to wait until then and I'll go visiting him, you'd be either really good in talking me to ship the units, or pick them up in my area (near Giessen, Hessen).Edit: they're still there, OPs link doesn't workSearch ebay for "5x Anritsu Signalgenerator MG 3633A"BTW. his main intention is to sell them in a bundle, and believes there's a chance that one could get a working one out of these by swapping modules. Component level repair appears somewhat difficult with this stuff, since there's no service manuals. So if he gave up on these, it isn't a simple or obvious repair, since he also runs a small repair shop.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 02:18:51 pm
content: Quote from: CJay on January 04, 2018, 02:14:14 pmNot if you use the correct link:https://www.ebay.de/itm/5x-Anritsu-Signalgenerator-MG-3633A-110Volt-10-Khz-2-7Ghz/292367119463I have my doubts, this is clearly a test equipment trader and I don't think they would offer them cheap if easy repairable... but you never know of course.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 02:32:23 pm
content: Quote from: capt bullshot on January 04, 2018, 02:18:12 pmOh, so you say that the guy is a bit dishonest, because the first sentence in the description is:QuoteThat I understand as: The devices have different issues andNO attempts to repair have been made.Are you telling me that he actually opened them and tried to repair them ? Is that confirmed, because I really don't want to support a dishonest seller, we have enough of these ?DC1MC

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 02:40:40 pm
content: Quote from: DC1MC on January 04, 2018, 02:32:23 pmNo, that's not what I wanted to tell you. IMO they've inspected them (turned on and tested, look at the notes with the "failure" description), maybe opened for inspection, but If he says "no attempts to repair were made", they didn't mess around with them or swapped modules. Usually you get a good description of what is the state of the units he sell. So you'll get the units without an attempt to repair has done. Probably they gave up because they're full, repair is outside their knowledge, or because there's no service manual. IMO they're trustworthy regarding this. You can call him (google Knopf-Hifi Düsseldorf), he'll tell you the truth.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 05:05:15 pm
content: OK then, if they didn't mess them we're still on, now even if they offer "Free shipping", in the body of the description it says "Only pick-up", pretty sure that this it's not according with the fleabay rules, and it's kind of bad but not unexpected for these heavy devices, we need to see how we move them out of Düsseldorf. Around 300Km to Mannheim, not completely impossible.Let's see if we get one or two committed takers and I should be able to organize something.P.S. => The Orthography of the bid description it's really strange.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 06:51:37 pm
content: So, can someone in Germany phone the guy and find out what the faults are?Funds are tight here but if the faults are reasonable I may be able to raise some money.@Philpem, maybe some sort of shared shipping to the UK?

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 07:15:35 pm
content: If I understand the post-it notes correctly all faults are either no output or incorrect output level.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 07:23:49 pm
content: Another pair of 0.01EUR, but first a disclaimer, I think it's necessary to be clear upfront: I have no connection whatsoever with the seller of this stuff, actually I had no idea who it is until Capt told me. I just wanted to have a performant generator at a nice price, replacing some euros with brain and eye sweat. Now that this out of the way, lets continue.- So after the middle of the month I can increase my share to ca. 800EUR, so I need some partner(s) to come with the rest. Even if we'll be able to haggle 1-200EUR from the seller, the costs of logistics will push the amount to the original 1.6KEUR.- The assignment of the 5 devices in the group will be done randomly, to keep the fairness, no cherry picking, no "I'll take the one with -15V regulator dead, you can have fun with the one unobtanium burned GaAs mixer...". We write the serials on a pieces of paper and we pick according with the contribution to the cost, so there will be 5 shares in this enterprise.Then we take our generators and try to repair them, the videos and forum karma will be yuuuge, and depending of the results we'll kepp them, sell them full or in parts, or use them as practice targets with bowling balls.If someone is interested, please PM me.

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 07:48:37 pm
content: That's an interesting plan, especially about the karma and the bowling ballsI can't put in personal support before mid February, that support could be like driving half way to Duesseldorf (since I live somewhere in between Mannheim and Duesseldorf). So if there are enough people but me to make the deal, I'd leave it to you, otherwise I would jump in for one unit at 1/5 of the lot price and said support. I'm interested in another unit from this seller, so it would be interesting for me in case the other unit isn't sold until then.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 07:55:46 pm
content: Well then, the initial public offering is open, 4 out 5 shares x 350 available, one is mine. This price cover the logistics costs as well, if something is left after acquisition, will be used for repair time fuel (Bier & Würstchen) or reimbursed.

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 08:14:49 pm
content: My family lives near Düsseldorf and my aunt and uncle live in Solingen and work in Düsseldorf, so a pickup would be no problem for me. They could potentially even be brought to any place between Essen and Frankfurt am Main when I drive to them the next time.Sadly I have no need for beast like that, so no money contribution from me, but I would be happy to manage the pickup if I would be allowed to take a look inside one of those.For the errors written on the Post-Its:From top to Bottom:"Pegel" - level"Signal zappelt + 110V falsch angeschl." - Signal is jumping around + 110V connected wrong"Sieht aus wie Sweep" - looks like sweep"uncal Kein Signal" - uncalibrated, no signal"110V falsch angeschlossen" - 110V connected wrong

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 08:24:42 pm
content: Quote from: Ysjoelfir on January 04, 2018, 08:14:49 pmThank a lot for the translation of the defect descriptions, the pick-up offer is much appreciated, if you're willing to to drive to Mannheim from Frankfurt (extra 70Km) you'll get the gasoline reimbursed and we'll do the tear-down pictures/video together.Now we just need the funding for the beasts

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 09:49:39 pm
content: Quote from: DC1MC on January 04, 2018, 08:24:42 pmSure we can do that

author: philpem
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 10:37:16 pm
content: Quote from: CJay on January 04, 2018, 06:51:37 pmDefinitely willing to split the P&P costs. If this goes ahead, let's talk!

author: dundee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 11:27:28 pm
content: I would like to take one too, if someone of you can do the shipping.Found a service manual here:http://www.wirelessdesign.co.nz/DATASHEETS/AN-MG3633A/MG3633A_service.pdf

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 06:42:18 am
content: Quote from: DC1MC on January 04, 2018, 08:24:42 pmOK, that's great. I'm in for one. Of course I'll take over additional cost for dropping the unit at my home, or as I said, if it gets delayed until mid February, I can pick them up in Duesseldorf.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 08:21:27 am
content: Hello everybody, let's summarize what we have:- 5 "shares" of one generator each, at 350EUR/share- random generator assignment (no "cherry picking" )- The generators have the output routed on the back connector, no front output connector.- Existing nice service manual posted (inter-module communication viafiber optic cables, and the protocol is described, you can get cooler stuff at this price range), thank you a lot member dundee.- Member Ysjoelfir chimed in with help for transportation, Düsseldorf - Mannheim axis of good.- Member capt bullshot offered to negotiate with the seller (he knows him already) for a better price.Current allocation ( dear members, now is your chance to really confirm if you really commit)Member DC1MC 1Member dundee 1Member capt bullshot 1Two more available, any takers ?Let's try to finish this before some rich basterd gets them and laughs in our face.Cheers,DC1MC[EDITED for the output connector position]

author: dundee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 08:54:26 am
content: I think philpem and cjay will take one, too?Found this at page 17 in the service manual:Sounds good

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 09:00:54 am
content: Quote from: dundee on January 05, 2018, 08:54:26 amUp until we have a clear commitment, there are still two open positions, but it could be that if by the end of the week-end there are nocommittedtakers, that is putting their wallet were the mouth is, we may have a mystery angel willing to pick the remaining ones for later resale and close the deal, now that we have a complete service manual and it's proven that the power supply can be wired for 220-240V it may be not such a bad investment. The brochure promises really good performance.Cheers,DC1MC

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 09:28:12 am
content: Quote from: dundee on January 05, 2018, 08:54:26 amTentatively, yes, I want one but I need to know how much the total price would be including shipping to the UK, I think philpem and I would share the shipping cost?I'd very much appreciate a copy of the service manual as well.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 09:30:44 am
content: Quote from: CJay on January 05, 2018, 09:28:12 amThen get one from the reply 21?

author: dundee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 09:48:51 am
content: I don't know if it is cheaper to send them as pair to UK.Example shipping for one device in the attachments. They a very heavy (32kg).

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 12:03:15 pm
content: Good news:The seller confirms he didn't open the units and made no attempts to repair them. Though he cannot guarantee for whatever has been done to them before he got them. They all turn on, some have no output signal, at least one has a signal with wrong or unstable level. One was accidentally connected to 230V, fuse blown, tested afterwards with 110V, turns on but no signal. Unknown state before, so it may or may not have been damaged by the misapplication of 230V.Looks like a real good deal, especially because we have a service manual now.We have an option to get them, but this cannot happen before end of February. To seller took them on hold until then. I'll take one, and one is for DC1MC. So there's three of them available for forum members (maybe already taken, didn't read the details). Please make your commitment to DC1MC, conditions as told before, shipping not included since this looks quite expensive due to the weight.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 12:08:31 pm
content: Sorry, I'm out, that shipping cost pushes it out of my comfort zone for a faulty piece of equipment.I wish you all the best of luck in repairing them and hope you all get a really nice sig gen out of it.

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 12:12:09 pm
content: Regarding shipping to the UK - There is a vague chance of me visiting the UK by car later this year as a vacation. However I won't promise that, it all depends on money and SWMBO.

author: stevelup
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 12:24:08 pm
content: If you find someone with a UPS account that has 'negotiated rates', it should cost around £50 or possibly less.

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 12:32:32 pm
content: Quote from: Ysjoelfir on January 05, 2018, 12:12:09 pmCheck the Federal Jewish Mail Administration. They have been VERY kind to me, shipping a big ass TDS754 from Vienna to the USA for 71.25€. I took the Tek from Slovakia to Vienna on the train, and it still was much cheaper than Slovenska Posta.www.post.ator something like that. And I can also hit up a friend of mine who has a shipping account with GLS, if this is wanted.

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 12:33:06 pm
content: What happened? He doubled the price of the package o.ohttps://www.ebay.de/itm/5x-Anritsu-Signalgenerator-MG-3633A-110Volt-10-Khz-2-7Ghz/292367119463

author: philpem
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 12:58:50 pm
content: Well that's me out then.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 01:01:26 pm
content: Even if the seller raised the EBAY price, the price for the forum members remains the same for a while (until middle February latest )So please hurry up to fill the order !!!

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 01:05:52 pm
content: I am in the UK. Is the total price 350 Euros for 1 unit including shipping or is shipping to UK extra?

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 01:31:28 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on January 07, 2018, 01:05:52 pmShipping to UK isn't included, see reply 33 for some possible options. On the other hand, there is the possibility for safely storing them in different areas of Germany after sale until shipping or pick-up can be arranged.Cheers,DC1MC

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 01:59:09 pm
content: Quote from: Ysjoelfir on January 07, 2018, 12:33:06 pmThese units are now reserved for us until about mid of February (I can't drive there before due to my damaged achilles), the seller increased the visible price to keep others away from the generators. Our price is still the same.The plan is DC1MC and me are driving up to Duesseldorf then, inspect and buy the units, then distribute to all buyers (including ourselves) by random drawing as DC1MC explained. As we cover this part of the logistics, the unit price includes our cost to pick them up, but doesn't cover shipping.The generators are large and heavy, so shipping won't be cheap or easy anyway (that's the main reason the seller won't ship them) and difficult to calculate a total unit price ATM if the shipping would be shared among all buyers (in case everyone agrees to that). There's still some time left to find ways to distribute them (e.g. probably I'll be visiting the embedded world fair at Nurenberg a few days after picking up the units, so we could arrange a handover for southern Germany).

author: Ero-Shan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 07:50:17 pm
content: Ouch!Looks like I'm too late to join in ... I'd certainly need a nice signal generator. I could afford the 350 €, but - having no car -, I'm severely hampered when it comes to picking it up (but I could give a kind soul adequate compensation for driving it home to me, some 25 km east of Stuttgart).AndI have some serious doubts I would be able to fix that guy ...Just in case you need another buyer. If not, please disregard.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 08:21:51 pm
content: Quote from: Ero-Shan on January 08, 2018, 07:50:17 pmHi, if you're a bio-German, like native speaker and stuff, you should be able to find somebody to come to Mannheim and pick it up, I'll shelter yours until you find some transport. I mean Stuttgart to Mannheim should be doable, anyway, if you are committed, please confirm, don't forget that we'll allocate them via a lottery and you may be lucky and get one that is not that badly damaged.About repairing, you need to have a project to improve your skills, this and having a real professional signal generator should be worth the risk, in the worst case you can sell parts of it and get back some money, it's pretty modular. Think about it and try to confirm, if you take one, then there is one more left and that's it.Cheers,DC1MC

author: Momchilo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 01:07:09 pm
content: Not interested, but shipping coasts with GLS from Germany to GB would be 30€ for a big package. It can weight 40kg and the size could be120cm x 60cm x 30cm. Other sizes are possible too, for the same price. Just a tip for you guys.

author: Ero-Shan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 01:27:23 pm
content: Quote from: DC1MC on January 08, 2018, 08:21:51 pmAh, I didn't quite get that lottery part (I'm always losing out on these, anyway). But yes, Iamcommitted, so please do add me. In the improbable case that I get one I'll have to ask a friend to make a foray to Mannheim (never really was there, anyway, besides switching trains).Thanks! (My native speaking isverynative, i.e., I can't hide my swabian heritage.)

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 12:05:23 pm
content: OK, to summarize on where we are and repeat some stuff.- We are discussing about 5 defective Anritsu MG3633A Signalgenerators. I don't have any connection or pecuniary or other type interest or relation with the vendor, I just want one and want to organize the pickup and distribution, together with forum member "capt bullshot" that know the vendor and made him reserve for us.- You're not buying the devices from me or capt bullshot, you're buying from the EBAY guy, as "defective, for parts only" devices, that means no returns.- Lottery stuff: the devices have a paper with some kind of defect description, to avoid cherry picking and infighting we'll put the serial numbers on 5 pieces of paper, make 5 nice little balls and everybody will pick one (the non present guys with have the first draw). Whatever S/N you get this your device.- One device costs 350EUR, they will be put on an invoice and me and the support team will get strictly what is necessary to cover transporting them to our places where they will wait for the owners to pick them up, if there are some money left afterwards they will be reimbursed, no further shipping or handing is included.- For repairs there is a good service manual posted ( a rarity foe Anritsu) and the wonderful support of the forum.- Member Ysjoelfir promised some help wt logistics or I'll go on 19.02 with capt bulshot to pick them up, I can hold some in Mannheim for later pick up.Up until now we have:1 - DC1MC (me)1 - Capt bulshot1 - dundee1 - Ero-Shan1 - (still available, if it get past the next week, we'll see if one of us will take two so we can proceed)That's it, lunch break over, gentlemen on the list please select either me or Capt and PM for the money/pick-up issues.Cheers,DC1MC

author: Ero-Shan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 04:37:58 pm
content: Thanks for the concise summary.I just took a look at the service manual, which made my heart sink. It's quite obvious to me that I can't hope to repair anything but the most trivial or obvious fault. This thing is GHz over me head! I'm also lacking a spectrum analyzer, a power meter, modulation analyzer, and my none of my counters goes to 2.7 GHz. Apart from that, you'll probably going to need a dozen different extension cables and some exotic tools (certainly not cheap, if at all available).(The obvious TEA reply will be that this is a perfect excuse to get all that gear.)But then, even without function, it might look rather impressive on the workbench.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 06:23:45 pm
content: Quote from: Ero-Shan on January 10, 2018, 04:37:58 pmThe generator part is organized in a group of isolated modules (I mean, really isolated, they are controlled via fiber optic links). If these things haven't been hit by lighting, extraordinary power surge or some square a-hole didn't try to repair them with the characteristic clumsiness of people that don't know that they don't know and also don't have to pay for their mistakes, then the chances are the issues will be:- power supply, caps and related (55%)- digital control malfunction, corrupted eproms, dead logic (25%)- output overload, shortcircuit, back-power, bad attenuator ( 15%)- unobtanium super rare GaAs chip that controls everything on the analog side and related strange stuff that not even manufacturer can repair( the rest).Of course the numbers are pulled mostly form my behind, but they seem to mirror my real life experience.I mean, the device has independent generators and if one of them is gone, the other can still work. I'll take my chances and we'll see what comes of it.

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 04:40:18 pm
content: Bumping up this thread.There's a plan: DC1MC and I will visit the dealer on Saturday, 17th of February. We'll have a look at them and most probably buy then. Units are available for pick-up or handover at ca. 290 ... 300 EUR or may be shipped at additional cost (we'd have to buy appropriate packaging material).I've written PM to all members that were interested in buying a unit, please check and answer to my email account (or PM if you didn't get one from me).

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2018, 10:55:47 am
content: Quote from: capt bullshot on February 07, 2018, 04:40:18 pmJust in case someone sent email to me and didn't get a response until now: I've had some technical problems receiving email, so your mail may have not been delivered to me. If you miss an answer from me, just try again, thanks.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 07:48:15 am
content: Hello dear interested members, I'm bumping this thread for the interested to let us know their latest status.As @capt bullshot said, on Saturday 17 we're going to pick them up, please PM me or him, there is still on unit available.Cheers,DC1MC