Wanted (UK) Oscilloscope  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Falney
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 08:38:58 am
content: Hi.I am just starting into electronics after wanting to do it for around 25 years but I am broke as muck so I am looking for a cheap or a hand me down oscilloscope. I can pick up from the midlands or pay for shipping outside of the midlands. If anyone can help out it would be awesome.It doesn't matter if it is digital or analogue but I would prefer 2 channels if possible.ThanksKen

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 08:48:13 am
content: Your local Hackspace/Makerspace may have one you can use.Packing a CRT scope so that the CRT and knobs survive shipping isn't trivial.You can do an awful lot of electronics with a PSU, a DMM, some switches and LEDs and potentiometers. They were sufficient for me to build my first microprocessor design, which was loosely inspired by the Altair 8080. That's behind the aphorism in my .sig

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:10:33 am
content: Definitely. I go sometimes a couple of days without touching a scope. DMM and PSU are essential.Keep an eye peeled on gumtree for test gear though. Lots of it turns up for silly prices. I regularly pick up scopes for between £5-10. I've had at least two a year.Recently got a Thandar "stack" of DMM, scope and counter for a total of £15 delivered to my door. Meter was hosed due to battery leakage and the scope needed a minor repair due to a dry joint but a couple of hours debugging with a DMM and sorted.Occasionally you strike gold: I got a working Marconi 2019A for £10 a couple of years back!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:13:57 am
content: Quote from: SingedFingers on February 05, 2017, 10:10:33 amThe OP needs to be aware that all CRT scopes contain 2kV-3kV, and usually contain 7kV-17kV. Singed fingers indeed

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:45:01 am
content: This is true. Hurts as well

author: Falney
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 12:54:24 pm
content: Thanks for the advice. I am watching a scope on Ebay that looks fairly promising.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142259657754?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITone of two channels doesn't work. On the other side of it though, one of two channels DOES work. And I can always debug the other.I have brought a cheapo soldering iron and ordered parts I need to build a PSU and a soldering station. I am getting the 907 knock off soldering handle and will be getting proper Hakko tips for it. DMM though is something I am going to invest in. I am looking to spend around £100 on one. I have one already, a manual ranging one that I have had knocking around for years but it was a £20 deal from Maplin so I wouldn't be surprised if your responses involve scoff'sAlso, my mother likes to talk and I have a long list of people wanting repairs for free locally before I have even set up.ThanksKenEdit.On a side note. I am only trying to get a scope on account of how Dave raves on and on about everyone needing one

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 01:38:57 pm
content: Quote from: Falney on February 05, 2017, 12:54:24 pmWhen bidding on used equipment one of the factors that I take into account is the availability of schematic/circuit diagram. Ideally I like to find full service manuals but sometimes the operating manual (with schematic) is adequate.

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 01:44:31 pm
content: £20 Maplin one is probably fine. I use a £2.68 one from CPC for a lot of things so it's hard to scoff at that. Don't stick it near the mains. My daily driver meters are a Fluke 8021B I paid £16 for, a Philips PM2425 I paid £25 for and a Micronta analogue one I have had for years. Lots of good deals out there! TBH it's better to get two cheap meters to start with.That scope is fine for a starter scope. I've had an older Goldstar branded variant (£10 gumtree about ten mins drive from me). They're chock full of standard parts and are easy to service. I wouldn't pay a huge amount for it though. I've seen the rule of £1/MHz mentioned on here and it seems valid bar any exceptions like odd or rare scopes.You don't need a scope from day one. I'd lurk and wait for a good one to come along for a stupid low price. This is an example of one I picked up on eBay. Seller had it advertised as broken, buyer collects, but you could see a trace on it and it was set in X-Y mode so it looked broken:http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127596As said above. Make sure there's a service manual available for anything you buy.As for soldering irons, I never had any luck with the knock off Hakko ones and used Antex firesticks for years (C15/XS25). I recently plugged the £200 to buy a new Weller WTCP51. No regrets on that.Edit: I've just seen the carrier on that scope is Hermes. They will break it. Definitely pick it up if you can!

author: Falney
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 01:58:28 pm
content: Ok then, I will hold off on the Oscilloscope for a while. I will keep trawling gumtree though and ebay looking for them on the off chance something nice comes up.There is also this one I sawhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152416687046?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITwhich I live in Shropshire and this is in staffordshire so a tenners petrol and a sunday afternoon will get it for me.That being said, I have never heard of the brand in my life and a google search for Hameg 203-4 doesn't bring inspiring results to my novice eyes.Also on the DMM I will try and buy a second of the same model then. Also I am not interested in killing my self so I had planned on staying away from mains. The only time I want to get close to it for the time being is when testing how many volts my re-wrapped transformer outputs.Oh, thinking of mains, I keep meaning to ask some one if I can use a roll of 3 core flex I have had in my shed for the last 10 years not being used. It is .75mm/20awg and I am hoping that it will do as hook-up wire then I can skimp on buying thatThanks,Ken

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 02:05:42 pm
content: Look on bitsbox.co.uk. They do hookup wire packs for a couple of quid. They're a pretty reliable and decent company with a good stock of standard parts from experience. I use 7/0.2 between boards and 1/0.6 for static wiring on protoboards. ALL of this came from bitsbox.co.uk parts and the board (apart from the test points from RS):Hameg made pretty good quality scopes. That's a pretty good bit of kit. German company so occasionally the service manuals are in German is the only warning. I'd pick that over the Kenwood one.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 03:20:30 pm
content: Quote from: Falney on February 05, 2017, 01:58:28 pmYou might also consider this one. It's in your area. It has an intermittent switch and specified as collection only - which may suppress the price.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252755461231Edit: Actually, having had a closer look at the photos, it's not in the best of conditions on the outside.QuoteThey're solid scopes, but not too exciting in the style department. Also, the brand is still a going concern.

author: Falney
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 04:46:18 pm
content: Ok thank you. I am watching that other scope. If it doesn't go too high I may bid on it. They say the repair manual is available for it so that's a plus. I will go look for the repair manual for the other scopes as well.As for bitsbox.co.uk I wish I knew of them 2 weeks ago. Their prices are barely higher than Aliexpress prices. And I would already have my stuff. That sucks. Ah well, I will use them in future, you live you learn.Thanks for all the help guys.

author: ProBang2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 02:02:22 am
content: Perhaps interesting (in case your google-fu is not strong enough):Hameg 203-4(only)Manual, test and service instructions in englishHameg 203-4 Manual, test and service instructions in german, but adjustment plan and schematics in englishhttp://youtu.be/ghQYRv68qrU