To save or not to save?   Fluke 6160B - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2023, 10:00:52 pm
content: I was in the back closet of an old surplus place today and spotted this on the shelf and was wondering if I should buy it and attempt to resurrect it. I know that it's been setting there for MANY years but it appears to be in good physical condition and un-tampered with. Does anyone have any experience with them? Have good are they and what known issues do they have?<https://www.opweb.de/english/company/Fluke/6160B>

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 03:44:31 am
content: https://xdevs.com/doc/Fluke/6160b.pdfWell i would say power it up and see ... hook up a scope on it

author: wn1fju
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 01:36:39 pm
content: I wouldn't spend very much for it, maybe less than $50. I have a 6160B and I will tell you my experience with it. First of all, the amplitude range is only 3 to 13 dBm, meaning if that you want to use it as an RF signal generator, you will probably need an external attenuator. Secondly, my unit had the ovenized oscillator option and I would be wary of the stability without that option.But the real problem is the serviceability. You will need a graduate degree in test equipment repair to successfully restore a 6160B. The modules are all contained in sealed boxes and you will need several SMB cables and a lot of jumper wires to be able to remove a module, open it up, and hook it back up so that you can work on it while the unit is running. Moreover, Fluke designed this thing with many hand-selected varactors and a ton of inductors. At one point, I attempted to adjust an inductor and it crumbled into dust. I ended up buying a second unit (for $20) and with a lot of trial and error, managed to combine the two sets of modules into one working unit.And then there's the "main" board that I needed to remove which had a 34-conductor cable soldered to it. Why Fluke didn't use a connector is beyond me. Not fun unsoldering and soldering the cable. And alignment? Forget about it.When I finally got everything to work, the 6160B is not a bad synthesizer. Maybe it was a marvel back in 1973, but I'm not impressed.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 01:53:58 pm
content: Thanks. That's what I was a afraid of. And I doubt that many of the parts are even still available, even the once standard TTL ICs. I have a functioning Fluke 6060B so the 6160 is totally unneeded so as tempting as it is, I think I'm going to pass on it.coromonadalix. I would if I could but I would have to buy it first.FWIW I was looking for some heavy duty PSU mechanical parts when I found this. But I did find a PSU with the parts that I was looking for and they GAVE it to me. It's an old Kepco rack mount SM-36-5W 0-36 VDC 5 Amp linear supply that dates from 1961 and weighs about 40 pounds. I plugged it in last night and the thing appears to work fine! This thing is definitely a SURVIVOR and I hate to tear it apart for the few parts that I need. It even still has the clear plastic cover over the metal toggle switch handle.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 01:59:24 pm
content: see Leo Bodnar GPS DSO UK £110..160Jon

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 02:19:14 pm
content: Quote from: jonpaul on March 02, 2023, 01:59:24 pmI've been considering one for a long time but shipping to the US (by FedEx ONLY!) is stupidly expensive so my ovenized HP 5343 FC is currently running open loop and everything else it synced to it. I'm not a T V nut and most of the better TE that I have has ovens in them already so the current setup is satisfactory to me.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 02:42:59 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on March 02, 2023, 02:19:14 pmNot sure why we are talking about it in this thread, but look again, Leo offers free shipping by mail. It takes 1-2 weeks.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 03:29:37 pm
content: I think it creep into this thread due to the mention about the ovenized Fluke 6160B.This is cut and pasted directly from his shipping page on his website. Note the last line.http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=shippinginfo&zenid=fd1cf3d71377799a86377d43c8e2ae5bI didn't see anything about free shipping but maybe I missed it.International ShippingOrders to destinations outside the United Kingdom are dispatched via tracked Airmail, UPS or FedEx. You can select your shipping option at the checkout page - click the Estimate Shipping button in the shopping cart to view the shipping option costs. Shipping cost depends on the total weight of the goods.Orders over £100 and heavy items may only be sent via FedEx.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2023, 03:47:41 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on March 02, 2023, 03:29:37 pmIf you put the GPSDO in your cart and get a shipping estimate, the tracked airmail option is free. I know that contradicts the £100 rule. Check with Leo I guess.