AUCTION: (UK) Test Gear From NVIDIA - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 03:12:45 am
content: As the titles says.Tons of test gear from NVIDIAhttp://www.equipnet.com/auctions/exceptional-offering-of-electronic-test-measurement-from-nvidia/723/#utm_source=EEVBlog&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Nvidia102715

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 04:43:53 am
content: *DROOL*

author: anotherlin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 07:38:59 am
content: They have Agilent DC power supplies I would be interested.However, the problem is that they don't seem to ship. You have to go to their warehouse and pick things up.Is there somebody in the UK who can go do the pick-up would want to bid with me?I'll pay for shipping from UK to France, of course.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 08:09:45 am
content: I wouldn't get too excited - good stuff at auctions like this usually goes for crazy high prices once all the fees are taken into account.IME the only bargains can sometimes be found in the "weeds" of boxes of random oddments or really obscure & specialise stuff, custom-made test jigs containing interesting gear etc.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 09:39:52 am
content: You can always bid and hope the servers crash as in the Broadcom auction.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 10:56:46 am
content: Looks like you add ~40% to the price you bid, 16% fees, 20%VAT.The Ts And Cs state "Deposits:EquipNet, Inc. (“EquipNet”,or” EquipNet, Inc”.)mayrequire a deposit prior to bidding of not less than 400.00 GBP or twenty five percent (25%) of the Buyer`s aggregate PURCHASE PRICE estimate with the balance due upon successful bid.", my emphasis.Does anyone have any experience if theydoinsist on that?

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 11:15:12 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 24, 2015, 10:56:46 amThat will probably depend on the credit worthiness of your company and how much heritage it has with Equipnet.Some auctions have plenty of bargains, some auctions end up being very expensive. Some auctions have items available from reputable dealers on ebay in good working order available for less than the bid price. Some auctions have all the equipment in working order. Some are only selling things that don't work.I often fail to understand why some prices get to where they do, or why people bother paying so much for something with a very obvious fault.

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 11:27:37 am
content: I have registered to this auction, and they want me to fill the VAT id even if there were a "exempted" box during registration and want me to give a "valid phone numbers " to call me during the auction, want is it for to have a website if it can't be done there?Also I'm not a company, won't buy that on the name of a company, as I'm merely an hobbyist that need a few more gear and even with fee/vat the one that interest me will much more cheaper than buy a new one even from rigol.But I have the impression that if you are not a company you will just say be ignored and they will show you the exit door without any considerations...

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 09:31:11 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on October 23, 2015, 08:09:45 amYep, I had the same experience when the Marusa F1 team had an auction and thought I could bag me a cheap Makita Impact driver - it went for silly money and you couldn't even class it as a bargain after you add fee's.I never understood folk who do that - you may as well buy it new, least then you get warranty! its just defies logic!Will keep and eye on it though, those triple output PSU's look tasty, could be a good buy if 3 of us got together?

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 12:42:48 pm
content: How exactly does this site work? Is it like ebay? There are some items I'd love to have, but shipping might be a pain. I see some insanely cheap prices there for lovely stuff.Anyway, why do they use that site? They'd get a MUCH larger audience with ebay.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 12:51:44 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on October 23, 2015, 08:09:45 amUnfortunately often true, that's how I got this palletThe photos were crap and descriptions not complete, IIRC just had something like "custom frequency generator + misc" or something.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 12:56:01 pm
content: Quote from: daqq on October 26, 2015, 12:42:48 pmBecause big companies like NVIDIA only want to deal with a large auction house like this who will take it all off their hands and handle it all.The big auction houses do their own auctions. Using ebay would be a PITA for them, and they already have the big test equipment dealers as customers.The pecking order goes like this:Big Company --> Auction House --> Used Test Gear Dealer --> Ebay --> Youof if you are luckyBig Company --> Auction House --> You --> Ebay/keep

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 01:39:51 pm
content: If they sell via a trade auction to registered businesses there is no liability on the supplier should anything not work, be in a dangerous condition, etc. They have no need to package anything as everything needs to be collected, no problem with buyers bidding and not paying as if there is any risk then you either pay before bidding or just don't get an account with them.When a company buys capital equipment it will depreciate them over a period of years, so the starting prices often reflect how much the item has depreciated on the seller's books, hence the very low starting prices. As registrations were only granted for the auction a couple of hours ago then no-one has started bidding yet.I've no idea where prices will get to, I won't know until the last few hours of the auction, but there are plenty of interesting items there that I know I can find buyers for.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 02:12:22 pm
content: QuoteDamn, I hate being at the end of a pecking order

author: anotherlin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 07:49:55 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on October 26, 2015, 01:39:51 pmI'll definitely be interested by a E3631A PSU.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 08:50:36 pm
content: Quote from: anotherlin on October 27, 2015, 07:49:55 amIt looks like a lot of others are too

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 04:02:32 pm
content: I registered and was approved for bidding and I think I won an item on this auction.However, I've not had any confirmation email or any onscreen update other than an onscreen confirmation that I was the highest bidder at the end of the auction.They sent me a stream of emails prior to this including one to tell me my bid was winning after I bid. AFAIK it kept on winning and the end price was less than my bid with me still as highest bidder. Each time someone tried to outbid me they added 5 minutes to the auction and this happened several times but still nobody outbid me. I'm guessing that they cancelled my bid.Anyone dealt with online auction houses like this one before?

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 04:33:39 pm
content: A glimmer of hope.... ?I tried emailing them and they did reply but it was a bit vague...QuoteI definitely was the high bidder and I think I won the tastiest RF item (tastiest to me that is) in the whole auction

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 04:41:50 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 28, 2015, 04:33:39 pmYou've probably won it then.Let me know if you want me to collect it, can probably drop it off with you on my way home. (unless it's huge)

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 04:44:42 pm
content: what organ/limb...I mean, how much did you part with if you don't mind me asking?

author: dkozel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:03:04 pm
content: Many thanks to Dave for pointing out the auction. I won three items and finally have a vector signal generator for a nice price. I'm not looking forward to the invoice with tax and auction cut, but it was definitely worth it. I've never been to Wales before, anyone have tips for the area?

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:12:43 pm
content: QuoteHi KevThanks for the offer of collectionA ex colleague of mine is (was?) an NVIDIA employee who lives near Bridgend and I was going to arrange something with him but if that doesn't work out maybe we can arrange something?I really hope I've won. I have bid close to dealer money for the item and I've been trying to buy one of these analysers as an ex rental for nearly a year now from places like Livingstone/Microlease. But this one is full spec with extras.My bid hung on to win (assuming that I have won) by a margin of just £7

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:13:40 pm
content: Quote from: dkozel on October 28, 2015, 05:03:04 pmDon't rely on getting lunch anywhere close. There's nothing worth seeing for a good few miles unless you have a low rent industrial estate fetish.

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:26:33 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on October 28, 2015, 05:13:40 pm

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:38:54 pm
content: QuoteI've done a few trips to south Wales on company business, eg to places like Axiom who build/test some of our stuff.You do have to watch out for speed traps if you end up on A roads or B roads and go near any small villages.Araf is welsh for 'slow' and they have illuminated signs and roadmarkings with this logo. On a typical trip across south Wales using A roads I can pass about 5 speed traps along the way and that is within about 50miles of welsh roads.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:48:12 pm
content: A brighter glimmer of hope...I just received an auction result email showing LOTS WON with a green status for my item with me as the high bidder with invoice to follow.Looks like I may need to clear some space for it on my workbenchBig thanks to Dave for spotting this (fairly) local UK auction

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 06:47:02 pm
content: The reason I'm excited is because in amongst the listed accessories with my item was one of these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Used-Agilent-N4431B-w-opt-010-RF-Electronic-Calibration-Module-Free-Shipping-/111737118485?hash=item1a040d1f15:g:ao0AAOSwd0BVxDzxThese N4431B-60006 13GHz 4 port Ecal units cost a fortune new and hopefully this one is healthy.It's definitely part of the auction because it's included in the text listing of stuff included in the sale and there is an image of it in the auction as an accessory

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 07:27:56 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 28, 2015, 06:47:02 pmI wondered who was going to jump on that VNA

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 07:57:27 pm
content: Quote from: hendorog on October 28, 2015, 07:27:56 pmI wonder how many other forum members bought items from this auction?It looks like KJDS and dkozel bought some stuff. I was tempted by the E4406A because it had the baseband IQ option and I was also tempted by the Marconi 2026 triple sig gen. But I ended up doing just one speculative bid on the 4 port VNA at a price I thought would be unlikely to win considering it was the 4 port version with the top options plus it had the Ecal module as an accessory. I now just want to pay for it asap to secure it.However, I'm still expecting it to somehow go tits up and fall through but nothing ventured, nothing gained

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:00:45 pm
content: I've got very little, most things were fetching far more than the level where I can make a profit on them. Still got a few bargains.The Agilent power supplies were over £500 + VAT, picking fee and commission for a set of three, which is almost retail but without any idea if they work.

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:07:48 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 28, 2015, 07:57:27 pmGood on you.Its great when things work out like that! I wish there was one of these auctions a bit closer to home.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:18:42 pm
content: One big risk for me is if the VNA is toasted. It's halfway through its two year calibration interval according to the cal sticker so at least it isn't something that's been left rotting on the BER rack for a few years or so. But it only takes a moment of carelessness for an engineer to kill one of theseSo I'm taking a big risk on this item. I'm normally very cautious on stuff like this but I'm unlikely to see a 4 port VNA with this spec and with the Ecal unit included for this price for several years.To me, it was the standout RF item in the whole auction but others will have spotted other gems.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:45:34 pm
content: I looked at that VNA briefly, but I've only recently bought myself a decent R&S VNA, and I've got too many others lying about in varying states to want to pay too much for another.

author: dkozel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 09:48:21 pm
content: KJDS, Which R&S VNA do you have? A dream item for me is a ZVL6. Most VNAs are simply too large for me to reasonably buy. This VSG is honestly a poor size for me, an SM300 would be far more reasonable.I'll be catching the train down so no worries about speed traps.Bet I'll get some very strange looks with just a massive padded suitcase. I'm considering trying to stretch it out to the auction on the 19th to try and catch the Agilent (Scientific Software Inc) SS420X 24 bit data logger, but I don't have the flexibility. It's hiding in a medical items auction, so someone can probably get a very nice deal on it.

author: Chris Jones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 07:17:25 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 28, 2015, 07:57:27 pmI'm down for the IFR 2042. Some buyer's remorse setting in now. I assume it is in need of repair judging by the broken cal sticker and lack of a newer one, and tags that are strategically out of focus / facing the desk in the photos. It will be interesting to find out what is wrong with it, and whether someone helpful has the service docs. I have always wanted to know what is in the "low noise tray" but would not have dreamed of opening up the one at my former workplace - now I may need to find out how this thing works, whether I like it or not. If it is repairable without going to the authorised dealer it might still be a good deal, if not, not. The amount of EPROM in the thing is a bit scary.The first challenge is going to be getting it collected, packed and sent to me - I had a couple of quotes from Bridgend / Bristol freight forwarders but that won't be cheap either. I have no idea whether the auction house will offer a reasonable option themselves.I'm envious of that VNA, but I have a long term goal of building one myself, and getting access to a proper one would probably stall that project permanently so maybe it's for the best that I can't afford one.Chris

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 07:48:59 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 28, 2015, 07:57:27 pmWell, I'm crossing my fingers for you.You could increase your Karma balance (thus chances of actually getting it, and it all working) by promising to do a teardown with lots of lovely pictures?PS. Does anyone else looking at that auction list, get the feeling that Nvidia may be experiencing severe mission drift?

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:50:52 am
content: Quote from: Chris Jones on October 29, 2015, 07:17:25 amMe too - but then of course you still need a real VNA to check if the DIY VNA is any good

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:42:10 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on October 29, 2015, 07:48:59 amIn times of stagnat growth, the only way the managers can get their bonuses is by "growing" the company by mergers and acquisitions.Osama bin Laden was an amateur compared to the "accountants of mass destruction".

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:55:17 am
content: Quote from: Chris Jones on October 29, 2015, 07:17:25 amI hope that shipping doesn't cost you a bomb, but I suspect it will

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:08:50 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 29, 2015, 09:55:17 amUPS will want £130 to ship it, that's without the picking, packing and paperwork. I could pick it up, but then you'd have to pay the VAT whereas if it were shipped by an agent there should be no need to pay VAT on the item, just the auction fee.

author: Chris Jones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:21:55 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on October 29, 2015, 10:08:50 amYep, I got the quotes before placing the bid, so I'm just moaning, not surprised. Provided I can get the thing working, I won't have done too badly. Thanks for the kind offer of picking it up - I hope that won't be necessary, unless the auction house starts being awkward about wanting me to use their own shipping service instead of the ones who have already quoted me including pickup and packing. If I did ask such a favour I would get you to drop it at a pack & send place on your way. The VAT terms and conditions seem to say it doesn't matter who picks it up, as long as I can provide an air waybill or equivalent to prove export within 30 days.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:36:57 am
content: Quote from: Chris Jones on October 29, 2015, 11:21:55 amPerhaps you could let us know if that happens and/or how much they quote.

author: Chris Jones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 12:12:26 pm
content: Quote from: hendorog on October 29, 2015, 08:50:52 amI think I will have to buy a real cal kit, probably new, but in most respects the VNA should calibrate itself.

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 12:51:05 pm
content: How do these auctions work do you just bid online and arrange for it to be shipped or do you have to collect it in person?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 01:37:14 pm
content: Quote from: Aodhan145 on October 29, 2015, 12:51:05 pmThey don't care who picks it up, as long as someone does.

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 01:47:41 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 29, 2015, 01:37:14 pmThanks I might to try grab one of the PSU's from the pharma lab auction.

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 07:01:24 pm
content: Quote from: Chris Jones on October 29, 2015, 12:12:26 pmYes the cal kits are hard to find at low cost and with any confidence in the quality.I bought this kit for learning - It's the VNWA cal kit and is only characterised at lower frequencies, but uses 12GHz parts.http://www.sdr-kits.net/Webshop/products.php?96&osCsid=ofcjv79jl28onbno5dq1fhapc2This guy is a VNA nut and has developed his own cal kit. It's a lot cheaper than the brand name ones but looks like it could be quite good.http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-GHz-SMA-Calibration-Verification-Kit-for-Anritsu-VNA-cal-kit-/171394490598?var=&hash=item27e7e860e6:m:mtyHGbs-L9o_3iEvd3_08gw

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:15:01 pm
content: Just been sent an invoice for the VNA so I guess it's a done deal... I just hope I get the cal kit with it as a bonus. It's listed as an included accessory item but I suspect I'll just get the VNA as the accessories aren't listed on the invoice. It's still a nice deal.Kev (KJDS) Have you dealt with Equipnet before? They haven't sent me a pickup address with the invoice. Is this the right place?Equipnet, Waterton Bldg, Waterton Ind Estate Bridgend Cf31 3tr

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 06:13:29 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 29, 2015, 11:15:01 pmYou're too passive! Don't pay the invoice till it lists the same items as the auction listing. Phone them up, scream and shout, mention fraud charges, etc. You bid on the item set as listed, and won. They have no standing to alter what you get once you won.Also, if I were you I'd go there in person asap, and make sure you get everything you won. During pickup, things tend to be a shambles and small items go missing to other people.Also if the cal kit has gone missing, demand a large discount. Since you're not getting the items as listed.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 08:27:10 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 29, 2015, 11:15:01 pmI too would be on at them to change the invoice to match the description.It's been ages since I've picked up from there and do remember that there was something odd about the pick up being close to, but not at the published address.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:50:59 am
content: Yell and shout, that ecal is worth it.Nice VNAI hope you didn't pay too much for it.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:53:23 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on October 30, 2015, 06:13:29 amAbsolutely. You may also find a dumpster full of oddments they couldn't be bothered to list, or unsold stuff going for a songA few years ago I won a van-full ( I mean to the long-wheelbase, high-top roof) of components & other stuff at a tender sale. One item had gone missing - as well as offering me one un-lotted item as compensation, as the day went on I kept finding odd boxes and bins of stuff that hadn't be listed & they let me have all of it for nothing. All they cared about was clearing the place.For sales where there are lots comprising multiple items, there can also be scope for doing deals with other buyers for parts of lots.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 11:20:26 am
content: Quote from: Neganur on October 30, 2015, 10:50:59 amDon't worry, I'll make sure they log any missing items when it is collected. If it's missing, then it's missing and all I can do is renegotiate the deal.I paid for it yesterday and they said they would send collection info but I've not heard anything yet. Assuming they don't operate on Saturdays then it's looking like Monday for collection. They give you one business day to pay and 2 business days to collect which seems a bit unrealistic. I suspect the collection time window will be wider than this in reality.

author: Godzil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:02:32 pm
content: Arg, I should have then reply when they asked me about that stupid VAT number and for my phone number

author: Chris Jones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:08:35 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on October 30, 2015, 11:20:26 amI read on the listing for my item that the collection must be done before "11/27/2015". They really should honour this since I think it forms part of the contract, though I would agree with previous posters' suggestions not to leave anything easily pocketed (like an e-cal), for a second longer than necessary.My invoice said "shipping arrangements must be made within 2 business days from the time an auction invoice has been sent." The way I read it, the collection has to bearrangedwithin 2 business days of the invoice being issued, but as long as it is arranged within that window, the actual pick-up could be later.Still, I feel that they would be being unreasonable if they expect me to arrange delivery when they still haven't given me the address where the goods are to be collected, nor quoted for their own delivery option to allow me to compare with my quotes. They said they would tell me after I have paid, but now I have paid and they still haven't told me anything more yet. I guess they won't be back until monday.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:57:50 pm
content: Hi ChrisThanks for clarifying about the delivery windowSome good news about the Ecal module. I have been in touch with Equipnet and the Ecal unit is definitely with the VNA as one of their staff has kindly checked the VNA and it is all there ready for me. So it all looks goodI'm hoping to collect it on Monday.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:34:29 pm
content: Chris,I've pm'd you with email and phone contact details for Equipnet both at the warehouse and in the USA.The staff at the Bridgend (UK) warehouse seem very helpful and may be able to offer you advice about efficient methods for shipping to NZ.Check your private message box

author: dkozel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 07:27:53 pm
content: I'm going to head down to do a pickup this week, assuming I schedule a pickup and figure out transport. Is anyone else planning on going this week? I'd be free and interested in grabbing a coffee or lunch if so.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 05:14:54 pm
content: Update:My payment cleared this morning at the UK depot so I ended up doing a mad dash to Wales to collect my VNA. The alternative was sorting out a friend to collect it and have it here by the end of the week. I just couldn't wait that long....Sadly, it's not all good news. My heart sank when I unpacked the VNA because it had a label on it saying 'intermittent step attenuator'However, the step attenuator seems fine. I've repeatedly tested it across -55dBm to +10dBm in 1dB steps for the last hour or so and it seems faultless even if I tap the VNA case to give it some vibration. Maybe it's been repaired or maybe the mechanical step attenuator was just sticky through lack of use and someone marked it as faulty. It seems fine now.The Ecal unit seems to work as well although it took about 20 minutes to click the 'READY' LED to show it's internal temperature was warm and stable. So that was a worry until I read the manual and this is the typical time it takes to warm up.The Ecal units are brilliant to use because you can do a full 4 port calibration in a few seconds. To do it with a mechanical cal kit like an 85033E would take about 15 minutes of wrestling with short/open/load terminations and a torque spanner and a LOT of button presses.The VNA is in nice condition and the touch screen seems perfect as do all the front panel buttons. So I'm relieved that it all seems to work and the VNA looks tidy. Not sure I'd want to go through this experience again though...When I was there I saw Chris Jones' sig gen waiting to be packed up. I had a quick look at it and it seemed OK in a cosmetic sense. it's obviously been in a busy RF lab and it's in similar condition to a lot of our sig gens at work. Not mint but not scruffy either.I'm copying across all the cal/restore files to a secure archive at the minute but see below for a quick image of it. It runs Windows 2000 as the main OS and it has several USB ports allowing connections for a mouse, the Ecal kit and a thumb drive etc.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 06:47:28 pm
content: Quote from: dkozel on November 01, 2015, 07:27:53 pmI went today the moment the money cleared partly through impatience and partly because of concerns about the responses I was getting from Equipnet. I would recommend you go and collect as soon as you can.Also, make sure you take time to check your items because they may be tightly wrapped "fetish style" in clingy bubble wrap making the item hard to recognise at a glance. So before you leave the premises, check your item's serial number tallies with the invoice etc.

author: dkozel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 08:51:10 pm
content: I'm catching a train from Glasgow so unfortunately can't just make a dash.I'm glad your pickup went well. I'm emailing with them now to coordinate a pickup tomorrow or Thursday.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 11:17:29 pm
content: Glasgow! wow... it's going to be a long day for you by train/taxi .I just tested the other accessory that came with the VNA and this seems to work fine although I can't quite work out why this was included with the VNA. It's an HP 87405A preamplifier module designed for use with their various portable spectrum analysers.http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5091-3661E.pdfThere isn't much point using this with a VNA and there is no power connector on the VNA anyway. However, I did try it on my E4406A signal analyser and it seems to work fine as it has the required power socket.See below with it being fed a test signal at -40dBm at 50MHz via a long piece of coax cable with about 1dB loss. So the preamplifier has about 24dB gain in this crude test. However, I can't see me ever using this with the E4406A. I think it may also work with the HP8568B analyser and some of the HP859x series analysers. I'm probably going to stick this on ebay.

author: dkozel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 05:07:42 pm
content: More of those R&S CMW500s. How on earth could they have needed this many?http://www.equipnet.com/auctions/catalog/select-offering-12%2b-rohde-and-schwarz-cmw500's/729/

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 04:54:05 am
content: Wow, and pricey too! I wonder how much the units from the original auction sold for...

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 07:37:31 pm
content: Has anyone else got their test gear back from the auction? My VNA is working fine and so is the Ecal module. I'm really pleased with it.It's possible to add extra software features to the VNA via a simple flex licence/keycode and I've worked out how to do this so I've added the option 010 to mine which adds the time domain. I've also added option 008 (Frequency Offset Mode) so I think it is now fully loaded. See the image below for the options it came with and the second image shows the added options.I'm going to have a play with the time domain option this evening. It seems to be unlocked OK so I'll be deep in the manual this evening

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 08:19:53 pm
content: Another FLEXlm bites the dust, good work

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 08:32:16 pm
content: It took me a bit longer than I expected... I was too scared to try and do any debugging within the analyser itself so I worked out how to (forcibly) run the entire VNA program on an old Win 2K laptop.Even then it wasn't easy because the program supports several models and I had to hardcode it to run in E5071B mode and I also hardcoded it with my serial number. Then it was easy to find/get the keycode to put in a licence file using an old version of softiceIt was a bit weird seeing the VNA screen running on a PC but you can see that this program was written to be simulated on a PC because you can still operate all the usual stuff via the tab menus at the top of the screen using the PC mouse. So it's possible to navigate the various menus as if it was the real VNA. So you can get into System\Service menu\Enable Options and play with the options menu etc

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 09:10:40 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on November 14, 2015, 08:32:16 pm[sustained applause!]Well done! It's always fun to read about DRM schemes being defeated, and that deserves a detailed writeup.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 10:32:35 pm
content: ThanksI'm quite pleased because I don't really hack about with software much these days. So maybe I'm not as rusty as I thought.I've had my first play with time domain mode and it's extremely impressiveI stuck a 3mm wide strip of sticky copper tape to a single sided piece of (A4 sized) FR4 PCB and put a couple of SMA launcher connectors on each end. I then calibrated the VNA (in 2port mode) with the Ecal unit up to 8.5GHz.I then put the PCB inline and put the VNA in TD mode. I found I could place a small metal object on the PCB trace and move it and see the discontinuity as a sharp peak on the VNA display. The resolution is pretty good. Good enough for PCB based work.I assumed the resolution would only be good enough for cable faultfinding but it appears to be much better than this. I'm definitely going to recommend we buy this option for one of our ENA/PNA analysers at work.I spotted that Agilent have posted a cheesy video on Youtube promoting TDR mode using the ENA analyser .See below.

author: Chris Jones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 12:08:46 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on November 14, 2015, 07:37:31 pmYes, I received the 2042 sig gen today.As expected (and corresponding to the price), it is faulty, but could be a lot worse. When I turned it on at 5GHz, it was missing about 10dB of output power. This got worse and worse at lower frequencies, so I suspect an open-circuit somewhere in the signal path that is being bypassed by capacitive coupling. When adjusting the output level up and down, one of the mechanical attenuator steps seemed extremely un-repeatable, so I think an attenuator's microwave relay has a contact problem. I hope it is just dirty, but it is possible that someone has had this thing in an automated rack thrashing the relays all day for years, in which case the plating might be worn off which might require a more adventurous solution. Anyway a good excuse to take the covers off, in which case I might as well dump the roms in case it forgets one day. Also I might find out what is in the "low noise tray" that the 2030 series doesn't have.If anyone has a service manual for the 2042, I'd be very grateful. The service manual for the 2030 series is on the web and that should be a big help but the correct manual would be much nicer.Chris

author: PioB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 02:40:16 pm
content: Hi dkozel,do you know if some simple data acquisition software is available for the SS420x (or the 35900) or do both of them have to be operated with Agilent ChemStation or OpenLab in order to get data digitized? I wanted to play around with some high resolution data acquisition and found these two boxes used (the 35900 with GPIB/RS232 Interface card this time).Otherwise it'll be some DAC board where one can get the data off easier...Attached: the insides of the SS240xQuote from: dkozel on October 28, 2015, 09:48:21 pm

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2017, 09:53:08 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on November 14, 2015, 10:32:35 pmThread necromancy time: What measurement is actually being made in this video? I've never seen a VNA -- or a TDR, for that matter -- used to render an eye diagram before.