What happens to my test and measurement devices if something happens to me? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RK_aus_S
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:33:28 pm
content: Hello everyoneI've been thinking for many years about what happens if "it" happens? I'm talking about when something happens to me and I say goodbye to life?Maybe some people are laughing at me now, but I'm pretty serious.Over the years (and decades) I have accumulated many, many measuring and testing devices. Some quite new, some a bit older. Either way; When my wife has to "manage" this huge estate, she has neither the time, the desire nor the slightest idea what is worth or how much (!). And she probably has other worries too.These are the best conditions for valuable devices to end up in the bin, or at best for them to be ripped off by some "interested party" (if there is one)- i.e. bought for a few dollars and then sold again at a good profit.I would ideally like to be able to make all of the valuable equipment available to a school, perhaps abroad and/or in poor countries, so that young people growing up can enjoy it and perhaps have a future as electronics technicians or engineers or whatever.But how, where and to whom?Have others here in the forum thought about this - and perhaps have some advice for me?Or wouldn't it be nice if a kind of "hub" were set up via this forum for exactly this purpose?Best regardsRoman

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:39:05 pm
content: A friend or relative sells them or gives them away, that's what happens.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:42:39 pm
content: Last Will and Testament, get one. Otherwise the local version of the Probate Court [US name) decides. Your family will be miserable if you don't have one.It takes months/years for a court to do anythingEstate planning is essential. Here in Ohio for example, estate planning is the difference betweendone 5 years or more before passing can mean the difference between Medicade getting the house and assets, or your family being taken care of.Steve

author: RK_aus_S
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:48:30 pm
content: Quote from: LaserSteve on November 09, 2023, 12:42:39 pmSure, a last will.But my question would be, how do I find institutions in need - worldwide?I can't pass the whole thing on to my son or any friends and relatives, they can't do anything with it.I'm pretty sure that there would probably be many, many schools, educational institutions, etc. that would be grateful for an oscilloscope, power supplies, etc....

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:51:28 pm
content: I assume your wife will respect your last will.Look around locally, there might be a "right to repair" group, some HAM club, a tinkering workshop at the local university - contact them and ask them if they are interested. Inform your wife, leave a sticker on the equipment "Donate to xyz. Contact abc."Don't leave it to your wife, find a solution in time, that will certainly help her most.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:51:54 pm
content: Google: "engineering school near me"

author: RK_aus_S
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 12:56:36 pm
content: Quote from: LaserSteve on November 09, 2023, 12:51:54 pmEvery school, every company, every institution would probably open their hand if there was something to give away, right?But the point is not to leave it to those who can afford it anyway and/or already have everything, but rather to those who really need it, don't have it and simply can't afford it.Some of the answers here make me doubt whether I have expressed myself accurately or whether my "cobbled together" English is the problem...

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 01:17:01 pm
content: Quote from: LaserSteve on November 09, 2023, 12:51:54 pmI don't think any engineering school would accept random test gear. They are working with syllabus specifically written for the equipment they have, and 15 students or whatever many needs to use the same type of equipment. The student club at the university is a different topic.

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 01:21:28 pm
content: Made me think,"After I go please don't let my wife sell my stuff the the price I told her I paid".Sadly we have all benefitted at some point from somone selling off a relatives stuff for not a lot.But it is often a worry for us all. Might help to do regular valuation of your stuff for the contents insurance. Make sure your family is aware of that list so they have an idea when a person comes in a says I will pay you scrap value for it.In the past I have seen friends helping doing the selling.

author: Dan123456
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 01:28:31 pm
content: Firstly, just wanted to say, I hope you are doing OK mateYou could look for hacker / maker spaces near you if you want to donate itI imagine a lot of them would be more than happy to take it and you know it would all be usedPlus a lot of them run on donations so might fit your criteria for people who can’t afford it etc.Once you find a place that is interested and that you like, the you can pop a note in your will to donate whatever you like to themAnother option, you could provide your family with a list of your stuff and how much to sell it for etc. and they could pop it up on the buy/swap/sell here or on eBay or wherever for a fair priceI don’t know your financial situation but sounds like you have accumulated a fair amount of stuff so might be an option to help put a little bit of cash in their pockets p during a tough time once your goneHope that helps a little and please take care mate

author: luudee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 01:35:08 pm
content: Quote from: RK_aus_S on November 09, 2023, 12:48:30 pmRoman,Why do you want to look world-wide ? Look at your equipment, specially the older items.Think about how much they weight, and what a logistical nightmare it would be to shipthose items all over the world. And remember the recipients (possibly poor) still have topay import duties on those items.Find a local school or college, and tell your wife to donate everything to that place.Perhaps you have local friends who are in this field as well, you could ask them todistribute your stuff as you want to !I'm donating it all to my best friend, he'll decide what to do, lolGood Luck, and don't worry too much !rudi

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 01:38:08 pm
content: Quote from: RK_aus_S on November 09, 2023, 12:48:30 pmInstitutions??? You'll be fortunate to find an individual that will take your old TE. Institutions (other than perhaps a museum) don't want old TE, particularly that from an untested and uncertified source.I just picked up an entire carful of old TE from an estate a few weeks ago, everything that I got was very high end HP, Fluke and Tektronix gear but no one else locally wanted it. We literally filled a 28 foot truck with the rest of it and we took that to a large local hamfest but almost none of that sold. We literally paid more to rent the truck and rest the parking spot at the HF than we earned from the sales.If you want your TE to go to new homes world wide or even country wide, then you need to put it on E-bay or list it on one of the TE specific forums and you need to be willing and able to pack and ship it. Not something that most estate administrators are willing to do or that they have the time and ability to do, so unless someone is willing to sell it locally for what-ever you can get for it or just give it away locally then most old TE ends up in the trash.There was a thread on here a few months ago from someone in Virginia that was trying to dispose of some very nice TE but it didn't sound like he was having much luck. No one was willing to drive 800 or 900 miles or more to get it and he didn't want to deal with shipping.Arguably the best way to dispose of old TE is for the owner to rehome it while he is still able to. But I for one, don't intend to part with any of mine until I'm dead and gone. My children have no interest in my TE so unless they can give it away locally and someone will come and get it immediately, most of it will probably go into a dumpster.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 01:48:12 pm
content: Look for local hacker/makerspaces with electronics divisions, put a clause in your will that any test equipment (you may want to define exactly what, like model numbers) is to be donated free of charge to this institution.You don't need a lawyer to draft a will in most countries, as long as it's straighforward. There's the famous case of the farmer who was crushed under his own tractor, who died as a result of the accident whilst pinned down for hours. Before he passed, he scraped into the metal of the tractor "In case I die in this mess I leave all to the wife. Cecil Geo Harris". The will was upheld in court.https://romanosumner.com/blog/holographic-will/

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 02:18:03 pm
content: After an old friend died I helped the widow to clean out his ICT collection and to clean up a few internet related things (he did run a few servers). We sorted his collection into differents piles: stuff for family members, e-waste, things to sell, stuff for me and things too good to throw away. The latter pile was given to a local repair cafe which happily took everyhing.

author: Dan N
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 02:38:45 pm
content: With old tube based equipment there's 100x more people that will pay a few bucks for the tubes and leave the now worthless equipment behind. I can't blame relatives for taking the first cash offer.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 03:46:30 pm
content: Quote from: RK_aus_S on November 09, 2023, 12:48:30 pmBy that time nobody wants your old crap. You have to be realistic about this; I know it is tempting to see your own stuff as valuable as you may have spend quite a bit of money on it a long time ago. But by the time you pass away, it is just old crap. This is even true for 99.9% of jewelry no matter how much work went into it or how pretty you may find it; typically it is worth only the weight of the materials it is made off.

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 04:18:47 pm
content: Make a spreadsheet with all your stuff. Add a column After I'm dead, I would like to pass it on to XXX [for a price of yyy].For the XXX, contact now the most favourable organisations in your opinion in a range of about 100km.If money is important, state: never sell the whole lot in one go.If speed is important, state that the item can be given away people have to come and get it. If it is not picked up after two months, bring it to the local disposal centre.Make this part of your will, where you can add a special directive: I would like that person Z to take care of the activities as described in the spreadsheet.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 04:32:26 pm
content: Dealing with an estate is a huge burden. Just finished one, and even with all the proper legal work done by the decedent it was two years and hundreds of hours of tedium.If you want your gear to get used you will have to do it yourself,, before you die (or become incapacitated).There may be third world institutions that will value your gear, but as others have pointed out first world institutions outside the hobby world won't. The third world ones will have few resources to acquire your gear so you will have to arrange for all export compliance, shipping, duties and any other costs.Recognize that your older gear probably won't be of interest to many, possibly nobody. A VTVM was once wonderful, is now a heavy, power hungry and limited piece of gear. GPIB was once the marvel of automated data collection and is now disdained by those who demand Ethernet or USB or even Bluetooth connections.My advise is to go through your collection carefully to examine what you will likely use in your remaining days. Keep in mind that energy and capability are unlikely to increase. Climbing that 150 ft (50 meter) tower and heaving around that 80 lb (40 kg) signal generator will be activities that are going away. Take the rest and start disposing of it now. Write to aid agencies and educational ministries in the areas you think might benefit. Start a local club and teach electronics. Recruit others for your club. Sell on eBay. These activities will keep you busy for quite a while and you will have reduced your stockpile to a core that you use regularly.I'm doing this and it is a long job. There are many things that end up getting trashed because no on wants it. The hardest part is realizing it really isn't too good to throw away.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 04:42:33 pm
content: They get sent to a farm to measure and play.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 04:44:05 pm
content: Best thing is to get rid of the things you don't use ASAP as a general principle.Any T&M equipment keeps value some time, as long as it is in active support from manufacturer.After that is still valuable to you if it performs function but resale value is fraction what you paid for.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 05:20:14 pm
content: This is a standard problem with no easy answers.Dealing with an estate isa major time-sink, and most beneficiaries will balance the money they get with how much of their remaining life they are prepared to spend on things that don't interest them.I doubt a college etc would take anything old: won't fit their curriculum, won't want to deal with unknown functionality/safety issues.A hackspace/makerspace might take it, iff they have room. Their (young) members won't be interested in anything "old". If/when they bother to play around with it, theywilldamage it. Damage can include forcing wrong connectors together, floating a scope etc etc.Your beneficiaries won't want it, and will simply want a clear empty house that can be sold. They will use "house clearance specialists", who will either dump it or take it to a local auction house.The local auction house knows how to classify some things so they can be found when browsing. Such classifications include china/silver/taxidermy/tools/cameras/"scientific instruments"/radios. It won't fit into any of those, so it won't be classified, and will be difficult to find by browsing. They won't know what a "spectrum analyser" is, and will probably mis-spell "oscilloscope" and brand names, thus reducing the ability to search for them. Since it is unlikely that two people will notice and bid for an item, they will sell for the starting price, at best. Test all that by visitinghttps://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/search-results?searchterm=oscilloscopeand then trying to find the similar items in that auctionA better bet is an auction house that specialises in surplus equipment, e.g.https://www.ramco.co.uk/orhttps://www.ppauctions.com/or a local equivalent. They will at least classify things sensibly, but purchasers won't be able to see them switched on and working. Your beneficiaries will still have to go to the trouble of getting all your "rubbish" there - iff they can be bothered.Hamfests in the UK are now little more than flea markets, with only a few people that only want to spend a pittance. It is unlikely they would have more than £100 cash on them, so even if they want something decent, they won't buy it there. I've recently picked up microwave sources for £5 and 200ps risetime (1.7GHz) sampling scopes for £25.I've been through all that recently with my parent's treasures, mainly antiques and taxidermy. We looked at several neaby auction houses, and settled on the one that would come to the house and catalogue items decently, and then take them all to the auction house. It took several people several days to do the catalogue, and the removers over a day to load and move the stuff. Even though that auction house did a decent job of cataloguing the items, they do struggle with test equipment - to my benefitFor my stuff the only thing I've been able to do is point out to my daughter that the items are worth far more than she guesses. They aren't just bits of wire and boxes. I keep a document listing the points above, the principal items and the likely selling value, in the hope she will pass that on to an auction house.Other people I've seen have decided to gradually thin their herd so their beneficiaries haven't got the hassle.i also have a terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side

author: harerod
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 06:29:03 pm
content: QuoteWell, at last, in the end Marvin was at peace.I am also managing an estate at the moment. A certain relative who never cared about his family by now has become rather eager to get his lawful share. He wants to know the value of the furniture and relics in the abandoned home. As my wife commented rather dryly on the estimate of the clearance company: "Now you can tell him, how many minus Euros that stuff is worth."The whole experience also reminded me to start getting rid of my own stuff rather sooner than later. Rather sobering thought.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 09:07:50 pm
content: You often find out the real value of people, when they think they can financially gain from the death of someone who they cared so little for.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 09:14:23 pm
content: Quote from: RK_aus_S on November 09, 2023, 12:56:36 pmYour english is impeccable, do not worry. To add to all the good information above:If you gift something for nominal or no cost the recipient may not value the item the way you (or others) would. Equally if you sell something onward with good intentions for a friendly price, the buyer may well sell it on at a profit and there is nothing practical you can do to stop this (asking intrusive questions to buyers will put them off).Once the items are out of your ownership they are out of your control. I have sold off all sorts of "valuable" assets for friendly prices, most buyers reply with thanks and kindness and warm feelings are shared by all, a minority of buyers will make you feel bad about it to try and extract even more value from you (can you add some more freebies, or deliver it for me, or cut the price in half) which is why most people I know don't even bother selling things and just dump them in the bin or donate to charity.

author: Microdoser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2023, 10:38:36 pm
content: At some point, you just have to let go of your stuff or make sure it goes where you want it to. Having recently undergone a minor version of dealing with my stuff, being downsizing home, and having to decide 'sell, keep, or throw' for everything, I realise better the final destination of all the items I own. That end result is either someone else has immediate value for the item, the item has sale value, or it will end up in the bin or a skip.If there are particular items you wish to have specific homes, I would advise including them in your will after arranging transfer of ownership, because knowing how these things go, anything not explicitly in the will is just included in the 'crap I gotta deal with' for your relatives, and they either keep, bin, or sell.

author: Oldtestgear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2023, 01:16:17 pm
content: I suspect that I am in a minority as I do not mind what happens to my test equipment when I am gone. I will have no further use for it. I do have some very nice equipment (new Keysight etc) as well as old (HP, Tek, Datron, etc) but I appreciate that it will be a pain to dispose of simply because of the sheer bulk. I am also fortunate that having bought the stuff over nearly 20 years it has actually cost me nothing except my time which is freely given to my hobby. I have benefitted form company closures and some very generous donations of fun stuff.My family will arrange for the lot to find a new home -- if that is courtesy of a dealer expecting to make a profit this is fine by me. My family will not have the dreadful task of trying to maximise value at the cost of time spent which should be used for something more important. If it goes to recycling that would be a shame but may be the only option in a few years if the environmental lobby has its way.The number of people interested in test gear does seem to be shrinking in the UK which will also restrict the interest. Better to enjoy now than worry about the future, just make sure your family has at least a few options for disposal.Just my opinion!

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2023, 07:22:21 am
content: A wife or relative selling it off for "not so much" may not be so bad. After all, it could just get thrown out by someone who has no knowledge of it at all.I am getting there and have a plan in the back of my mind. I want to photograph the more valuable items in my "pile of junk" and add written description along with the price I paid for it with the date and a reasonable price that I think it might be sold for. That way whoever has to dispose of it will have some idea of what to do. The written description would help if they put it on E-Bay or some other on-line sales site. This information could be recorded on a USB drive and stored with my will as a codicil.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2023, 08:58:27 am
content: Quote from: EPAIII on November 12, 2023, 07:22:21 amYes, except it may be better to put it on paper and store it in a "known place" with the many other important documents you have. If the ink is pigmented (not a dye) or plastic (toner) then that should not fade over time. The longevity of the information on a specific flash drive over decades is more questionable. Or store the documents on paper as well as electronically.

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2023, 09:05:41 am
content: But hopefully, the OP has some more years ahead, during which things change.Make it digital and sign it digital. Is that accepted in court in your country?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2023, 03:02:39 pm
content: Different jurisdictions will vary. In my case one of the difficulties was that many of the institutions involved wanted original signed documents. Which could not be located. Probably were in the keeping of the lawyer who had retired and disappeared quite a while ago. If ease and comfort for your heirs is important to you quite a bit of effort is necessary to prepare appropriate documents in the quantity needed in your situation.

author: duckduck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2023, 05:37:43 pm
content: The only way to ensure that it goes to people that will care about it like you is to give it away while you are still alive!My address is:234 Main StSpringfield, MO 90210Seriously, though, put it in your will to make a post to the EEVblog TEA thread (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/). Someone will be round to collect it.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2023, 11:30:17 pm
content: Quote from: duckduck on November 14, 2023, 05:37:43 pmThat is true. There are usually legal arrangements that allow you to donate something while you are alive and still keep the benefit of using it yourself until you die. This way you get to keep your gear but are sure where it's going when you leave.Be aware that if the value is significant and you're not donating it to your direct heirs, that may be a problem under some laws. So check that.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 16, 2023, 11:44:44 am
content: Even though my health is good (mid 60's) I have started trimming things back, with the exception of the kill and maim tools for woodworking. Mrs GreyWoolfe knows that my son gets first crack at all tools and he will help unload what he doesn't want. He also gets all my firearms that she doesn't want to keep. Unfortunately, there is no makerspace where I live to donate the TE to. Most all of the TE was bought second hand and cheap so no big loss if she doesn't get much. The kids will help her sort it all out.At the end of the day, after you take away all the toys for playing with wood and DIY projects around the house, I don't have a ton of possessions, even my gun collection is small. Most of the woodworking toys were also bought second hand and fairly inexpensively, so if the stuff has to be sold, there won't be much money loss. I would hope my son decides to keep my prized possession in the garage, a Delta contractor's saw with a 52" right had cut.Duckduck, I like your idea to post the TE on the buy and sell forum. I will leave a note for doing that.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2023, 12:06:20 pm
content: Quote from: duckduck on November 14, 2023, 05:37:43 pmYep I came to the same conclusion. My friends and in-laws don't have a clue - NONE - what all this test equipment is AND COULD NOT CARE LESS. I would not even not trust them to sell it to the right people.The only way is to ship it to people who know it's true value and can actually use it. I'll probably start getting addresses from members here when the time comes and ship it out free!

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2023, 08:24:03 pm
content: My only 'treasure' trove is my (beloved) WOOD WORK tools; T-square / drill bits / Dremel tools, etc.Which reminds me to comment:Looking back through your work space, don't forget any other or associated tools, such as drill press, lathe. There might be a treasure, such as a large planer, that is of value.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2023, 08:51:10 pm
content: Actually I'm far more interested in passing the family heirlooms on than test equipment that is dated. I'm quite sure my heirs are much more interested in those AND wood & metal working tools. One of the rare items in my collection is a children's wood working set with tools that are actually sharp. I hope that one day I can get one or more of my grandchildren interested in wood working using those smaller sized tools.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2023, 12:41:45 am
content: Passing it on before you go is great advice. Knowing when to do that is hard. According to my financial advisor I have two to three decades left to plan for. The actuaries say it is a decade or so. And I have already lived a decade more than my father.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2023, 09:38:48 am
content: Without comment....fromhttps://vintagetek.org/dual-beam-oscilloscopes/