What Testgear am i missing?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 09:38:50 pm
content: Hello community,I recently got my first scope ( an Agilent 54622D ) and i'll get my lab bench powersupply in a few days. As i have a little bit of money left, cause i got good deals on the scope and the psu and had not have to by new ones. I am wondering what should i get, or look after in terms of testgear?By now i have a Bryman DMM, (and a cheap Chinese one for DC stuff too), a Scope and the Psu. (I do not count parts or soldering equipement)What should i look after? Or better said what should not be missing? I have approximatley 1k left and wanted to ask if i can get an advice on what testgear to spend it, or what brands to look out for. And i do not mind buying used or old stuff, as long as it works it is fine.Oh i nearly forgot it, by this time i am mostly experenting, or dicking arround with uC and wireless communication (433/868 mhz).Thanks for your help.

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:01:32 pm
content: I'd get some kind of logic analyzer. Even the $10 USB 24MHz, 8 channel ones are invaluable sometimes. From there, you might decide that you need something faster someday, but I'd at least get that and learn how to use it.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:08:18 pm
content: Save the money for when you actually need another piece of gear and then buy exactly what you need,However good probes and cables always come in handy, get an assortment from a reputable manufacturer and they will bring a lifetime worth of joy, when treated right.And maybe you could use a cheap logic analyzer and a sdr receiver just to get a feel for it and buy proper equivalents if you are held back by them. (could be weeks, could be years).In the end all gear are nothing more than tools for the craftsman, it is about getting the job done!

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:13:51 pm
content: Might consider a couple of rtl2832u USB TV receivers (double as SDR receivers), a cheap logic analyzer as above in any case. Add a HackRFOne and a cheap VNA if you're insistent on spending money a little bit ahead of time. That should leave you some change from the $1K for some assorted cables and adapters and still some change for whatever's next.

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:59:25 pm
content: First and most, I would recommend a good basic function generator. Preferably an analogue model, if you like, with inbuilt counter. Should have AM/FM/Sweep. Close behind would be an LCR meter. And on from there.

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 06:13:25 am
content: Thanks for the tipps sofar. I have a 16 Chanel LA build in the scope.The tipp with good probes is something i will consider and i will look out for a function generator, maybe i'll find a good deal on one too.

author: djnz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 07:14:07 am
content: If you do not know, the answer is probably 'nothing'.Hold on to your money till you get a better idea of what you need, then get that.There can be some unexpected surprises - for example, if you end up doing a lot of SMD soldering, a good pair of tweezers can have a much higher impact on your happiness than, say, a fancy multimeter.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 07:24:47 am
content: Start reading the TEA thread - YOU need ALL of themMuch has been written about the failings of the Feeltech 6600. BUT The rebranded and ungradable Feelelec 6800 (and now it seems 6900) for not a lot of $ it would add a 'reasonable' Function generator with arbitary wave generation and an ok Frequency counter to your kit. Can be improved with a better oscillator but consider it to be what it is a gateway drug for later.You could do worse than start with the $7-20 Evilbay Chinese LCR meter too.Save the rest of your $ until you really need it or find a bargain on Evilbay.

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 11:12:04 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on June 09, 2019, 07:24:47 amI will have a look at it.Quote from: beanflying on June 09, 2019, 07:24:47 amYeah i think that is something to worry aboutQuote from: beanflying on June 09, 2019, 07:24:47 amYeah thats definetly something i will do. But what are good brands to look after?

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 12:22:18 pm
content: I would after maybe after looking at those few things do some reading for a while until you have an actual 'need' for a bit of kit.Something that will never go amiss is having another power supply so keep a casual eye out for one on your local secondhand sites. A quality bench multimeter is another but then you are really starting down the dark side of TEA - We will be waiting for you

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 12:30:28 pm
content: Do you have cookies? 😋

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 12:49:44 pm
content: A waveform/function generator. You can use them for everything from servos to power supply design to opamp design.A good SDR radio if you want to do wireless projects , I like the products from noelec.https://www.nooelec.com/store/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2019, 01:38:45 pm
content: Quote from: Neomys Sapiens on June 08, 2019, 10:59:25 pmNo, not an analog function generator. These suck badly because the frequency is hard to set and wildly unstable. Besides that a simple Feeltech generator is already cheaper and better.

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 09:08:07 am
content: A few days have passed and due to a change in one project i need 2 more analog channels on my scope and even yeah so i need a 4 channel scope.I would intend to use this as my main scope for the analogue probing and the LA of the Agilent for the the digital stuff.Can you recomend a scope (preferably a used or older model) in the 500€ price range? Or gibe just a recomendation on what to look out for on ebay or other sites? In terms of BW 100-200Mhz would be enough i think.I had a look at the Siglent Sds 1104x-e and the rigol counterparts but i really would prefere an older model. Maybe i can get other functionality for the price too.I even have played with the thought of just buying an 2 channel analogue scope but that woukd be another story.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 09:18:38 am
content: One option is see what member Ice-Tea has on offer in his evilbay storehttps://www.ebay.de/usr/m.ice-teaOne problem with going to old can be a lack of 'features' rather than a lack of bandwidth. Also go newer and lose a chip and you have a dead scope so it is a double edged sword

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 09:35:20 am
content: LCR meter.A cheap DE-5000 should do the trick.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 09:41:35 am
content: Just start browsing random testgear on eBay, follow all the suggestions. I'm sure you'll findsomethingyouneed.After you click "buy now" you can head on over to the TEA thread for other ideas.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 09:42:04 am
content: One of those USB power monitors is real handy these dayshttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32880908871.html

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 10:22:58 am
content: One of the $20 component testers is waaay too handy and waaay too cheap to be without.And maybe $20-$30 RF power meter for those times you are wondering if there is any power "going out".As for other gear, I'm with the save your money until you know what you need camp.

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 11:14:39 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 17, 2019, 09:41:35 amAs is said, i need 2 more analogue channelsbut it is not urgend. By now i work my way arround it.---------Basically i need to find the correlation between:First: the voltage generated by a piezo at a certain level of vibration,Second: the level of aplification of this first signal by an OpAmpThird: the efficiency of various filters for the PiezoFourth: the duration of a high pulse, held high by a RC Network, together with one or two logic channels to get the "exact" timing when the pins change state.But all of that is/will be the content of another thread------------By now i am not that headless to just by random gear or better said i am thinking if i really need it before i buy something.Oh i am browsing eBay but it seems like all the good and reasonable priced stuff is located in the US. But i have time something will pop up.Quote from: beanflying on June 17, 2019, 09:18:38 amYeah like the missing decode functions on my agilent but it helps to visualize stuff.Quote from: EEVblog on June 17, 2019, 09:35:20 amThat looks nice and i will put it on my "to buy" list together with a usb powermeter.--------------------The other Instruments recommended here are on my "whatchlist", as everything that is recommended here because i think in the long run i will need them but i will buy them if i need them.

author: Wigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2019, 05:39:26 pm
content: As my initial question is answered to my full satisfaction, and i will take the advice to get an LCR Meter and everything else will be bought if needed or if i can get a good deal on eBay or other platforms, i want to say thanks to all people involved.Thanks for the tipps and i will stick to them.