Lots of Rigol! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:07:45 pm
content: I took a job recently as the lead electronics instructor at a local community college, and was given the opportunity to order new equipment for the lab. The first part of the shipment came in this week:1xDSA815-TG12xDP83212xDG10224xDM3058EThe rest is expected in 6-8 weeks and will include 8 more DM3058Es and 12x DS1102D. Hopefully, the students will appreciate this updated version of the lab.-Clayton

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:12:21 pm
content: And here's some of the older equipment that's being replaced (although I'm going to hang on to most of the scopes for the lab.)In the picture of the scopes, you can see an old HP-130C. I believe it is the oldest piece of equipment in the lab (early 60s.) It doesn't power up, though. I'll have to open her up when I get some time.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:15:12 pm
content: wow so much rigol.it must have cost a fortune

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:18:02 pm
content: Quote from: electronics man on February 06, 2014, 06:15:12 pmNormally, I would not have had the budget to do this. Fortunately, though, there was some grant money that needed to be spent fast.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:28:52 pm
content: Looks like you are due for a computer upgrade, too!

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 07:07:52 pm
content: Quote from: commongrounder on February 06, 2014, 06:28:52 pmI was wondering if anyone would notice that. That computer is one of many that is being sent to surplus/storage.(It actually boots up to Windows 95.) I feel like I'm on episode of hoarders cleaning all this up!

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 07:19:56 pm
content: You have a ton of F-gens. Is this the EET side of the schooling?

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 07:59:03 pm
content: Quote from: bandgap on February 06, 2014, 06:07:45 pmSo YOU are the sole reason I now have a 3 month wait for my Rigol DP832 and DM3058E from TEquipment.A pox on thee, foul villain!

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 08:16:06 pm
content: Huh... how pushy Agilent & Tek dealers are going to survive this?Their perfected marketing speech as well as FAMOUS SUPPORT!!! for overpriced products did not work this time

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 08:19:02 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on February 06, 2014, 07:59:03 pmDo they even sell to the uk

author: Co6aka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 08:30:02 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on February 06, 2014, 07:59:03 pmActually, the Chinese need time to sober-up from New Year festivities.(They don't have Scottish blood in 'em, so...)

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 08:33:26 pm
content: Please post a link in BUY/SELL when the old equipment goes to auction. I'm betting that, unless forced, the students will not want to go near the old scopes much, if at all.What's the gender ratio in your classes?One question, why didn't you order one of the Hello Kitty*DP832?*See Dave's video on the DP832 for a Hello Kitty mock-up

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 09:02:44 pm
content: Quote from: electronics man on February 06, 2014, 08:19:02 pmYes, no problem - but they appear to prefer paypal. Even with USPS airmail and 20% import VAT they are a lot cheaper than rigoluk.co.uk or the Chinese ebay/aliexpress sellers. However the lead time is a PITA. Difference is they are upfront about it, while chinese sellers claim to have stock but are liars in my experience.If I pay by credit card then TEquipment just want a scan of the card and a scan of the most recent statement. I don't think that is too onerous so long as they have an SSL upload facility. Indeed I may go for that as I get 1% cashback on my ASDA credit card. I only did paypal because it was so easy and I didnt expect a stock problem.

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 09:18:05 pm
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on February 06, 2014, 08:33:26 pmI'll keep an eye out when the old stuff goes to auction and post here. Gender ratio is all male (that needs to change!) I actually intend to try and do some summer camps here to get the youngster's interested in electronics (hopefully both boys and girls.) NONE of the students I have do electronics as a hobby. I find that both surprising and sad. This needs to change as well.Yeah, I have seen that Hello Kitty mock-up. Very funny. I'm sure if there's really something like that the students would have gotten a kick out of that.-Clayton

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 09:19:50 pm
content: Quote from: Vgkid on February 06, 2014, 07:19:56 pmYeah, it's currently the "Electronics Engineering" program although it's changing soon to be an Electronics track within a larger program called Electrical Systems technology.-Clayton

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 09:21:11 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on February 06, 2014, 07:59:03 pmOops!

author: M4trix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 09:42:55 pm
content: Quote from: bandgap on February 06, 2014, 06:07:45 pm

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 09:50:25 pm
content: Quote from: bandgap on February 06, 2014, 09:18:05 pmMaybe the school could turn it into a fundraiser and use the funds for an electronics-career reach-out to the girls.QuoteI think having them get involved at a younger age is the key. A simple breadboard class in elementary school would go a long way.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 10:32:28 pm
content: QuoteI would totally agree with this. The hacker mentality is something I found encouraged as a male child, and I see no reason why young girls can't get involved either. Here is an interesting article I just read todayhttp://www.linuxjournal.com/content/girls-and-software

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 04:06:45 am
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on February 06, 2014, 09:50:25 pmYeah, the people organizing the camp would like to see me do something robotics related I believe. However, everyone and their brother are doing robotics (which is good, but it's everywhere.) I'm thinking of doing something like "creating music with electronics" since synthesizers have been an interest of mine since I was a kid as well. I think the kids could really get a lot of enjoyment out of making some kind of "musical" device even if it were nothing more than a simple 555-timer atari punk console. Plus, it could give them something to take home to annoy their parents!

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 04:12:58 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on February 06, 2014, 10:32:28 pmThat is an excellent article.. thanks!-Clayton

author: leafi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 06:17:04 am
content: SO the real question is are you going to unlock all of the options? lol

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 07:07:36 am
content: Did you not have to get 3 quotes for tender etc?Did you approach Agilent, Tek regarding equipment. Curious what they say.I did not see any new DSO."something to take home to annoy their parents!"- electronic harmonica or that cricket LDR thing?

author: mainman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 07:30:52 am
content: Could you please order me a spectrum analyzer.BTW where are the DSO

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 12:42:14 pm
content: AWESOME!

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 12:46:11 pm
content: Oh, even the multimeters? Those look nice!Even at my non-community college we're still mostly using Keithley 169s...

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 12:53:10 pm
content: Quote from: nowlan on February 07, 2014, 07:07:36 amHe did say 12x DS1102D are still in backorder.Makes sense to have a mixed signal budget model if you need 12 for college classes. Arduino's are everywhere, and even with the grand I am sure budget had to be watched.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 01:06:46 pm
content: Quote from: bandgap on February 06, 2014, 06:07:45 pmAmerican school and Chinese instruments:In French Rigol(er) mean laugh:

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 01:51:53 pm
content: Quote from: nowlan on February 07, 2014, 07:07:36 amNot if each individual piece of equipment is under a certain amount. This was one of reasons I went with Rigol (plus the fact that it is easier and faster to order from all one place since it each quote has to get approval to order.)And yes, as others have noticed I do have 12xDS1102D's on backorder. I would have liked to get something a little better, but these will be more than adequate, and it will be nice to have the mixed signal capability.And no, I don't plan on unlocking all the options in the lab at school. (Not to say that I have not done that at home, though!)-Clayton

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 10:50:38 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on February 06, 2014, 10:32:28 pmShe used slackware at 12! A good read. Some kids are interested in details like programming and electronics and some aren't, some like Star Wars, some not.So the schools need to offer the classes and pitch them properly. No girls only or boys only.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 10:53:20 pm
content: Quote from: bandgap on February 07, 2014, 04:06:45 amLike it, please share your plan if you do this. What would be the cost estimate, roughly, per kid for materials?

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 08, 2014, 01:05:45 am
content: My BSEE was in 1968, and we had HP-130 'scopes in lab then--first lab course would have been 1966. Along with 200C audio generators.Photo is from one of my EE lab classes in 1967 - I'm the skinny guy with black rim glasses.

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2014, 02:39:43 am
content: Quote from: JackOfVA on February 08, 2014, 01:05:45 amI love seeing old pics like this - thanks for sharing!

author: bandgap
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2014, 02:40:51 am
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on February 07, 2014, 10:53:20 pmI haven't really thought that much about cost. I'll definitely post a thread about it when the details are more concrete, though.-Clayton