Tektronics 564b 3S7 TDR Sampler & 3T7 TDR Sweep Modules? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Aaronaaudio
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 08:26:26 am
content: I walked into my local second had store today and scored a beautiful Tektronics 564b auto-erase storage scope for $12 in great shape, The CRT looks new! everything looked great...Upon closer inspection (my initial reaction was OMG $12 take my money) it is equipped with a 3S7 TDR Sampler & 3T7 TDR Sweep modules/plugins(correct term?)... From what understand the modules are meant for use in radio transmission, or Co-axial cable inspection...no bnc connectorsIs there any way that this scope could be used as is with these modules with some sort of probe adapter? The inputs are what appear to be large unisex co-axial connectors. Should I look into acquiring a dual trace amp module & a time base module? Or sell it on CL and find a different scope to fulfill my meager needs.I have been into electronics as a hobby for years now, but have recently begun diving into TV repair. A scope would be nice.

author: JLNY
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 12:09:38 pm
content: I don't think that there would be any way to use a TDR plugin as a scope, unfortunately. You *might* be able to find amplifier and time base plugins for it, but they would probably cost as much as just getting a whole other used scope. Honestly, the Tek 564 is a pretty old scope and probably not the most convenient if you actually plan to use it for testing, and sourcing the right replacement tubes when they fail will be inconvenient and potentially expensive.Don't get me wrong, I love old scopes, but if I were looking for something to actually use as a daily driver, I would sell it off with the TDR plugins and put the funds towards something a bit more modern. Your call.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 12:18:22 pm
content: Aaron tell me how much is to pay to send the both plugins to me in germany,My offer to you is, I pay that and you will get a nice Time Base + a vertical plugin for your 564, tested good of coarsegreetingsMartin

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 03:03:23 pm
content: A working TDR is muchmuchmore interesting than a boring old oscilloscope20Mhz scopes for TV work are more or less free nowadays; my local hackspace will probably be throwing some out in the near future!I've used my portable equivalent to locate a fault in a TV coax feed. Radio hams really like that kind of capabilityI can use my portable equivalent to measure impedance variations on PCBs. Anybody doing high speed digital needs to measure those things to ensure signal integrity.

author: woodchips
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 05:42:16 pm
content: The connectors are standard GR874 type, they are hermaphrodite and easily obtainable.The Tek catalogue says that because the plug ins are low cost they cannot be used with anything else such as a smapling system.

author: tecman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 06:23:40 pm
content: Quote from: Aaronaaudio on May 19, 2017, 08:26:26 amThe 564 is a nice general purpose scope. Look for a 3A6 vertical plug-in (10 meg, dual channel) and a 2B67 or 3B3 plug-in for the horizontal. You should be able to find then for a reasonable price. They will make your 564 a "normal" scope. I see both for about $ 150 on ebay.Paul

author: Aaronaaudio
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 20, 2017, 08:56:28 am
content: Wow, Martin that is a really great offer! You do realize that this is a 564b and is all solid state. What plugins could you supply? Will the power supply in my unit be able to put out the needed filament voltage for a tube plugin? Or are you offering solid state plugins.In my area, It seems that most people selling equipment see a CRT and knobs that they wont understand, and immediately equate that to immense value. Im sure that with digging i could find another, better scope. But I really dont have the time. i put my career on hold to be a full time caregiver for my momma, and middle of the night soldering and tinkering is the only time that I have.I really appreciate the reply's folks. Its probably been 10 years since i have been on a forum. My questions as a teenager weren't always met with much understanding and acceptance. lol

author: inotarobot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2017, 09:10:53 am
content: That 564B Scope is a wonderful buy. I own one of these along with quite a number of Tektronix 7000 series scopes, and my 564B get regular use as the Output Display system, on my EAI TR-20 Analog Computer. Not only is it reliable but in the winter months give my workshop a nice warm feeling.Ok the TDR modules may not be suitable for general purpose work, but I see you have an offer to exchange them for a Amp and Time base module. Do your homework on the various Tek Amps and Timebases that are available for this series if Tek scopes and ask Martin what are model numbers of what he is offering. Then you can get a feel if you will find this a good deal.The valves in the 564B are not that difficult to get replacements for, and service manual is available on line, either as a pdf (http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/564/) or to buy a genuine hard copy. Personally I would recommend you check outhttp://www.etestmanuals.com/for a deal on a genuine manual for your instrument and plugin'sWhile it would be nice to get a more modern scope with TV Line and Frame sync triggering, its not that difficult to rig up such an external sync separator unit; and feed its output into the ext trig input of most scope timebases.I just went and looked at the modules I have installed in my 564B, one has valves and the other is solid state.Owning quite an assortment of plugins, I at times use the 564b with fully valve based plugings and other times both are fully solid state one. So you should not have an issue with your 564B running any of the family modules.download the Tektronix Catalog for 1963 and look at the info on the 564 and the moduleshttp://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/tektronix/catalog/Tektronix_Catalog_1963_%2322.pdfyou may choose also to look for a later circa 1968 or earlier athttp://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/tektronix/catalog/regardsDavid

author: inotarobot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2017, 09:54:35 am
content: Hi Martin,I just had a look at my 564B, and my 561's, my modules and the manual I have. I do have a genuine 3S7/3T7 Tek manual, so if you get these modules and need help ask me.regardsDavid

author: Aaronaaudio
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 20, 2017, 10:08:48 am
content: I do intend on taking him up on the offer. I sent him a PM.I dont see any reason for me to need this module in the near future. martin, just so you know. The plugins do have the initial NSCC engraved into them. I hope that this isnt an issue.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2017, 08:12:19 pm
content: this 3T and 3S plugins are a TDR set. It is fine for collecting but absolutely not useful at home.They are rare bec. not useful..My offer to him is a fast Time Base + a 3A6 vertical amplifier plugin to have the full 10MHz and 2 channels. Clean and well tested.He have to go to any friend with some equipments (Pulse generator, DC source, and a needle sticker like Tek 181) to calibrate the oldie, bec. the vertical and horizontal power stages of the 560 series are not part of the scope self, they are includet in each plugin. So this plugins needs to be calibrated to be 1:1 with the CRT. For audio service it may not be important, but 10MHz needs CAL.greetingsMartin

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2017, 06:31:57 am
content: Quote from: Aaronaaudio on May 20, 2017, 08:56:28 amOf coarse. The 564 is a long time build scope, there was 2 updates in the series.Tek 564, is a very glowing version.Tek564B there are only little tubes (soldet miniature, Type 5642) in the high voltage rectifie.The 2 versions are full compatible, you have there the last version, 564 BI have here a 561A, a564 and a 564B, also the big Dual Beams 565 + R565 in my collectiongreetingsMartin/edit: correction.my best friend Matt told me, there was no TEK564A. Only the glowing 564, and the later 564B. Excuse 4 the mistake. The text here is now correct.

author: sv3ora
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2024, 10:35:34 pm
content: Quote from: Aaronaaudio on May 19, 2017, 08:26:26 amThat's an old post, but I wonder if you still have this and you can sell me the 3S7 and 3T7. I can pay well. Thanks