WTB: First oscilloscope (preferrably analog) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: leroy_is_brown
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 12, 2015, 11:36:39 pm
content: Hi all, first-timer here! After putting it off I've decided it's time to get my first oscilloscope. I'd like to go the analog route, nothing too fancy - dual channel, ?20Mhz bandwidth should be a great start as it will be for home/hobby use.I've looked on ebay but most of the ones I've seen on there are out of my price range or are not in Brisbane/Australia, so if anyone can please help along these lines it'd be much appreciated. Cheers!Lee

author: RogerRowland
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 04:50:27 am
content: Quote from: leroy_is_brown on October 12, 2015, 11:36:39 pmSo, whatisyour price range?And have you seen this?

author: leroy_is_brown
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 05:19:03 am
content: Hi Roger, yep seen that one. I can go up to $300, which I know some currently on ebay are less than that, but the postage cost takes them well over my limit. I've also seen some in Sydney & Melbourne at great prices, but alas they're pick-up only. A downside of living in the Deep North (Brisbane) I guess. To be fair though, I haven't spent a great deal of time searching due to being at the pointy-end of the semester at uni - about 2 hours of solid searching over the last week.

author: RogerRowland
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 06:33:00 am
content: Ok, but as you're at uni, have you asked your University if they have any old/redundant 'scopes they'd part with? It's not uncommon.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 06:52:27 am
content: Quote from: leroy_is_brown on October 12, 2015, 11:36:39 pmI misread the "?" in front of your "20Mhz" as a "7" & thought you wanted a "720MHz" 'scope!As always,I will suggest asking some Amateur Radio Operators,or go to a "Hamfest"Often,Oscilloscopes & other Test equipment turn up at these events.It is a bit like the "Rivers" ad----"There may be many,or there may be none!'PS; There is a Hamfest coming up on the 14th of next month,if you don't mind a short Roadtrip to the Gold Coast.http://www.gcars.com.au/hamfest

author: SteveLy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 07:56:30 am
content: Quote from: RogerRowland on October 13, 2015, 06:33:00 amThat's great advice. Introduce yourself to lab tech staff at physics and/or engineering departments, tell them about any projects you've got planned and ask if they have any old unused CROs lying around that they'd be willing to let you use. If you ask nicely chances are they'll have something for you that they'll be more than happy to let go.You may have to do some minor repairs. Even if stuff doesn't work, just take it. I recently got a couple of non-working dual channel scopes (20 & 35MHz) from a uni in Melb: one just needed a replacement power switch, the other one a new focus pot. And some contact cleaner to get rid of the jitters in the controls. When I thanked them for it, I was told "you're doing us a favour".

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 08:47:37 am
content: Quote from: RogerRowland on October 13, 2015, 06:33:00 amOr just use theirs in their lab. I did, even though it was difficult transporting my 6800-based Altair-8080 clone on the back of my bike

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 08:48:02 am
content: Quote from: SteveLy on October 13, 2015, 07:56:30 amDon't neglect the Chemistry Dept----the one at UWA had their own Electronics workshop!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2015, 07:07:33 pm
content: Quote from: leroy_is_brown on October 13, 2015, 05:19:03 amIf that is your budget already I'd save a little bit more and get a new Rigol DSO. Spending $300 on an old analog oscilloscope is an utter waste of money!

author: leroy_is_brown
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 14, 2015, 12:01:17 am
content: Wow, thanks so much for all your replies - lots of avenues I didn't consider before! I will definitely look into heading down to the Hamfest as well

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2015, 01:13:30 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 13, 2015, 07:07:33 pmYes,I would agree,but you can get old analog 'scopes for half that,or even less if you shop around.Beware---some sellers oneBay.auask ridiculous prices for their stuff.Also,the days of $300 Rigols in Australia are long gone!

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2015, 02:07:57 am
content: Quote from: leroy_is_brown on October 14, 2015, 12:01:17 amYou sould be able to find something within your price including fuel.