Impulse Purchase or Why Did I Buy That? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 12:41:29 am
content: Well today I made a impulse purchase and ended buying a Polarad 1605E-FWTJ Signal Generator. Did I need this? No and I see no immediate use for it or maybe in the foreseeable future too. Gee, I do not even know if I can use for any thing at all, it may be obsolete. I bought it because it looked so cool, old school! Hundreds of years ago when you wanted to buy quality, there were two immediate things one needs to check for. First, is it made of heavy metal; Two, is it heavy. This signal gen looks cool, its made of heavy gauge metal, and very heavy.Anyone else made an impulse purchase? Using it? Still Have it?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:06:21 am
content: Mmmh, would've been great if it had a few decades' range. An RF generator specifically for the UHF-SHF band though, pretty narrow application.Love the crank frequency dial and counter.How much, if you don't mind?You'll be supplying pictures of the internals as well, of course?Tim

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:08:31 am
content: I paid one hundred dollars for it.

author: divelectservices
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:38:27 am
content: Wow...now I don't feel so dumb! I purchased something very similar to that. It is a really old, obsolete, and monstrous, HP RF signal generator. Not sure of the model because it went right into storage after I picked it up! I bought it at a local college auction without even checking the model number... big mistake!Yours looks like it is at least somewhat usable...mine is just a big boat anchor!Someday I will tear it down and take some pics because it does have some amazing mechanical gizmos inside.I guess that will be worth the $75 I paid for it.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:40:12 am
content: Quote from: divelectservices on August 25, 2015, 01:38:27 amDo you have a boat?

author: divelectservices
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:45:33 am
content: Unfortunately no...spent all my money on the signal generator (anchor!)

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:46:08 am
content: I am glad I was not the only one. I think we all have done a dumb purchase in one time or another with some of us more than once that would care to admit. Maybe I can use it as a conversation piece? If it wasn't a new piece of gear that was never used, I think I would salvage the parts and scrap the rest.

author: Sbampato12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:49:28 am
content: I don't see as dumb purchase, at least not soo dumb, but I've scored two rubidium clock, used. With no immediately use...

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 01:54:09 am
content: Quote from: Sbampato12 on August 25, 2015, 01:49:28 amNow that is something usable. I would be very happy to perhaps take one of those off your hands...

author: warp_foo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:51:02 am
content: I bought one of these because it looks so cool:Datum 9300 Time Code GeneratorIt was less than $50.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 03:54:10 am
content: Quote from: warp_foo on August 25, 2015, 03:51:02 amI like the segmented display. Rather have that than a LCD screen.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:39:57 am
content: Same here, even though I already own a decent handheld MastechMS5308 LCR meter, last month I blew a big gaping hole in my electronics "hobbyist" budget.Its way too tempting, scored a bench LCR (they called it RCL) Fluke PM6306 for < $300.Apart from the infectious disease buying T&M devices when hanging around here too long, also I don't know why I'm so obsessed with inductance and capacitance.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:51:43 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on August 25, 2015, 12:41:29 amWow! She's a beauty! Good to see that it's happy running off 400hz lest you need to use it whilst flying away on holiday...Get it opened up! Is it valve (or toooob) based?

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:30:25 pm
content: Not test equipment but my girlfriend is terrible at impulse purchases. A few years ago we were driving past a car dealership and she suddenly decided to change the car, twenty minutes later she had picked the one she wanted (without a test drive) and within half an hour we were driving off the forecourt in our new vehicle. She will however spent five or six hours trying to find a pair of pants in the clothes shops and up to forty five minutes in the tea shops selecting which particular brew she wants to purchase.One day I might arrive home with something big. Lots of flashing lights are a basic requirement and it must go 'beep'. If she asks I'll just say I liked the color.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 05:50:39 pm
content: Don't get me started here. I've got piles of stuff I bought 'because it was there'. I was going though some boxes today thinking WTF WTF WTF (When Where and Why TF).I think I've got some OCD thing going on, I just have to buy 'stuff'. Luckily I sell enough of it to pay for all the 'stuff' that's left and generate enough money to buy some more 'stuff'.I should dig deep and post pictures of some of the more obscure 'stuff'.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 08:21:45 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on August 25, 2015, 12:41:29 amlol, yea i have loads, usually bought to see what was inside, most have given me interesting parts and ideas for projects (that never seem to get finished!), but some are still here, doing nothingbest one yet though, the other day i put a bid on an old cosmic ray detector... i meanbut hey, you have to do what makes you happy

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 08:43:10 am
content: Personally i have a thing for function / signal gensQuote from: TopLoser on August 25, 2015, 05:50:39 pmyep.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 09:00:00 am
content: Quote from: Deathwish on August 27, 2015, 08:43:10 amseconded, i have a vision it's like the end sequence of Indiana Jones, with the warehouse full of boxes

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 09:11:30 am
content: Come on, foot storage! How cool is that!

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 09:19:20 am
content: Polarad but does it work ....

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 03:51:40 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on August 27, 2015, 09:19:20 amWell I took it to a calibration lab for an assessment and was told no adjustments needed to be made and dead on with the manufactures specifications. They were going to charge me but in the end said it was on the house.What next? Maybe sell it or trade?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 04:27:05 pm
content: You'll be doing a teardown of it, right?

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 05:13:35 pm
content: I dont think I will be doing that. I think I will see if I can trade for voltage calibrator.

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 05:57:45 pm
content: it seems the rack handles are installed backwards.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 08:14:50 pm
content: Quote from: fivefish on August 28, 2015, 05:57:45 pmI think you are supposed to turn them around for rack mounting. I like that.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 08:21:44 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on August 28, 2015, 08:14:50 pmThat is correct. You need to flip them to install into a rack.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 09:35:58 pm
content: I'm big on ergonomics and the front panel of that signal generator is bugging me for a number of reasons:1) I count four different types of knob on the front panel, find one you like and then stick to it.2) The delta-f control doesn't line up with the other three.3) The left meter isn't labeled.4) There are two power switches and the second one in the middle of the panel looks weird.The whole thing looks like it was designed by a committee

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 10:50:37 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on August 28, 2015, 09:35:58 pm1. The different knobs remind me of the aircraft I flew in the military. There too were also many different types of knobs, switches and functions to remember. There is a reason for that, its called memory association by touch since there many many switches to remember and they were also grouped by function just like this device is. Hmmm...2. Lining up the knobs delta so they all appear the same. Not a big deal for me but may be for others.3. I do not know why they did not label the analog meter. Gee! I wonder if that knob below it has something to do with it? Hmmm... I guess I could buy some rub on letters like those used in drafting and put clear coat on so it will not rub off.4. Well, one power switch is the modulator and the other for the signal generator (see item 1 above).