Why does everyone have twenty oscilliscopes? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:14:24 pm
content: Are electronicists hoarders, or is there another reason why everyone seems to have a room full of test equipment?

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:15:30 pm
content: What if you need to fix your scope?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:16:45 pm
content: Because they can't ebay their used Siglent?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:23:13 pm
content: I limit myself to having two oscilloscopes!

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:25:34 pm
content: Because I could not afford 21.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pm
content: I only have two that I use. The other five or six are for historical value.This one's my favorite:Not sure what I'm doing with 150 tube testers though, again, I only use two of them.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:29:30 pm
content: Because I have no space for thirty

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:31:51 pm
content: Haven't you heard, one that dies with the most toys wins.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:38:52 pm
content: T&M is just like boobs, more bigger better.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:40:38 pm
content: Because there is a balance in life. 20 scopes and one woman...

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:41:23 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pmWOW, that is seriously cool.Does it work?Shit, stuff like that MUST be preserved.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:42:08 pm
content: I keep upgrading, different features/specs, toys are fun?

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:43:22 pm
content: Because you need 1 oscilloscope for every 10 DMMs.

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:45:38 pm
content: You can't be too rich, or too thin, or have too many oscilloscopes.I'm poor, I only have seven. Five working here in my lab, one here but non-working, and one working but in storage in a far-away place.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:48:03 pm
content: I think I have less than ten working scopes.I daren't count multimeters, but probably 200

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:49:05 pm
content: if i had more, I'd need to upgrade my power supply into the building.Quote from: alsetalokin4017 on October 29, 2015, 08:45:38 pm

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 08:49:37 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on October 29, 2015, 08:48:03 pmI think I have more scopes than multimeters, I guess I'm odd

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:15:26 pm
content: I only have five, but one has been broken for years and two are USB types.

author: John_ITIC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:18:49 pm
content: Personally, I have five scopes, ranging from 500 MHz to some 50 GHz. When busy doing projects, older scopes are mostly gathering dust and are not worth enough to be bothered sold off. Also, one might need an extra for some unknown future reason. However, I just bought a new 13 GHz Agilent Infiniuum so I will sell my older 6 GHz 54855A Infiniuum since too valuable as dust collector.I suppose one collects things one doesn't need when one has more money than time (to sell).

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:25:31 pm
content: Quote from: John_ITIC on October 29, 2015, 09:18:49 pmWhozzo.. can i ask what you use a 50Ghz Scope for, and how many gold bars you needed to pay for it?

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:26:41 pm
content: No luck with women?

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:36:06 pm
content: Quote from: SL4P on October 29, 2015, 09:26:41 pmLike. I have as many scopes as i have wifes.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:38:13 pm
content: I don't. Yet. But I'm working on correcting that hole in my test equipment collection...-Pat

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 09:41:43 pm
content: I have only 9. Gave one recently. Bought only one (rigol 1054z) all the others one were either given to me (1) or i found them in the dumpster and fix them, or still have to fix them.Its quite rewarding to fix a scope that comes from a dumpster.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:00:35 pm
content: Because as in Peter Pan with fairies every time you say siglent another oscilloscope dies.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:27:28 pm
content: Currently I only have 2, but my lab's always open to future adoptions.Quote from: Deathwish on October 29, 2015, 10:00:35 pmBrilliant!I may have tostealborrow this for a signature.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:27:47 pm
content: Just one scope, and 6 (make that 3 currently fully function multimeters).

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:30:18 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on October 29, 2015, 10:27:28 pmfeel free.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:51:24 pm
content: I feel inadequate, I only have 2, I will tell myself, I must do better.@DeathWish, great Riglent comment!

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:55:23 pm
content: Quote from: VK5RC on October 29, 2015, 10:51:24 pm2 here plus a hollow state Tektronics 535A as a conversation piece. I am secure enough in my manhood to only have 2.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:00:18 pm
content: Only have 3 and one of them is a handheld one. Use to have quite a few of them, decided to sell most the others that I don't need, or I repaired over the years as no point in sitting around collecting dust and rather it go to someone that has a use for it. Actually to come think about it, make that 4 if you count the USB PC based one as a oscilloscope.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:05:44 pm
content: mm let's seemso710454831a54831a ( yes two )54832d54645d54622a54622dnot quite 20

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:24:54 pm
content: abc123 ( figment of my imagination )mso8890-1 ( very rare model )kammakooza 30 ( you get them on alibaba )thingy-17 ( top secrect )Rigol 8710 ( pre-release )

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:27:19 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on October 29, 2015, 08:41:23 pmYes it does. Here's the signal generator that goes with it:Both are from around 1938/1939.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:35:27 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 11:27:19 pm2 WOW's SLJ.

author: John_ITIC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 11:39:14 pm
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on October 29, 2015, 09:25:31 pmWell, it is an equivalent time oscilloscopes so has an analog bandwidth of 50 GHz; however, only samples with 200 Ksamples/s!http://www.ebay.com/sch/Oscilloscopes-/104247/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=11801B&_sop=15However, the SD-50 (50 GHz) sampling heads are hard to find; the SD-24 TDR sampling heads (20 Ghz) are much easier to find and will turn the unit into a 17.5 ps differential TDR:http://www.ebay.com/sch/Test-Equipment-/4676/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=SD-24&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684Edit: The 50 Ghz sampling heads are actually called SD-32 and *are* available on Ebay:http://www.ebay.com/sch/Test-Equipment-/4676/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=tektronix+SD-32&_sop=15

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:06:13 am
content: I only have 3 oscilloscopes (2 analog, 1 digital), and 4 multimeters, which is adequate for my needs. But getting into more specialized projects takes specialized tools. The scopes range in age from 1971 to 1991, and still work. I think I spent a total of $175 for them.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:10:17 am
content: Quote from: nbritton on October 29, 2015, 08:14:24 pmI guess start young, stick with it and die old. I did give away the first scope I ever bought brand new last summer to a guy just getting started.

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:21:40 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on October 29, 2015, 08:16:45 pm

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:24:26 am
content: LOL, I wish

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:25:06 am
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 11:27:19 pmHaha. That looks much classier than the Advance E2 that we used back in college (late 80's early 90's).Art Deco styling vs World War 2 styling I think.http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56666As for scopes. I have a Hantek MSO5102D (with the 200MHz bw hack), and an old 20MHz boat anchor Kenwood CS1025.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:25:19 am
content: Quote from: nbritton on October 29, 2015, 08:14:24 pmBECAUSE I LIKE IT!

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:28:13 am
content: Not sure how many I speak for here, however, it's not as though we go out and spend tens of thousands of dollars buying scopes. Sometimes you come across a scope that is destined for the dumpster/a bargin on eBay/faulty scope from friend/colleague etcMuch like how you accumulate components and such over time, you also accumulate test gear.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:30:23 am
content: I don't know; define so many?Lets see...My Tek-466, my main squeeze.My Tek-321 It's portable.....My Navy surplus scope in the garge.... Use to be my main Squeeze. it is also 100MHZ BW.There is this B&K sitting on the floor that is good to 5MHZ (on a good dry day when the line voltage is high).There are two Tek-475s in the garage waiting for me to make one working one....Oh if you count them as scopes there are the two Heathkit SB-620 pan adapters.The scope on my IFR doesn't count even though it is a fairly capable scope....

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:45:11 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on October 30, 2015, 12:25:06 amSimilar meter designs

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:47:48 am
content: I love the old gear, it has class, the design of much of that stuff was easy on the eyes.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:08:29 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on October 30, 2015, 12:45:11 amWow I have that same advance signal generator that I restored to working order a while ago. I love old gear.

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:21:01 am
content: I bought the Rigol 1054Z to help me fix my Tek 2445A, when it develop weird problems on Channel A (readings wrong by several factor sometimes).... Now the 2445A is fixed, and I have an extra Rigol. Between these 2 scopes, I have (available channels.I really do like the one-shot capture and digital readouts of the digital scope.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:38:35 am
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on October 29, 2015, 08:15:30 pmWell, if you go back far enough in time - there were no oscilloscopes. If you then go forward in time, at some point there was the first oscilloscope. So, how did they fix the first oscilloscope without another oscilloscope

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:40:20 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 30, 2015, 01:38:35 amBuild the 2nd one.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:42:02 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on October 30, 2015, 01:40:20 amYea - like really fast before the first one breaks.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:50:12 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 30, 2015, 01:38:35 amSame way they wrote the first assembler/compiler ...

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:05:36 am
content: Quote from: nbritton on October 29, 2015, 08:14:24 pmBecause we can't afford two rooms full of test equipment.Seriously, what am I going to get for an old scope once it's old enough that I have to upgrade, especially now that you can get so much scope so cheaply? I'd rather just dedicate it to some sort of test station, or something like that.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:13:11 am
content: I have 4 scopes, well 6 if you count the diligent analog discovery and an FPGA based BeScope, but those two need a PC to work, the other 4 are stand alone.

author: -jeffB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:17:49 am
content: When I was a kid, I desperately longed for an oscilloscope. But I had little money, and didn't know where or how to find cheap used ones, so longing was all I could do, with the intensity that only kids can muster.As an adult, I got a well-paying job, and I could afford to indulge my childhood longings. Repeatedly.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:36:31 am
content: I'm just too lazy to get rid of my old crap. Still have to post my TDS-380 for sale before I can buy myself a new scope...

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:02:07 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 30, 2015, 01:38:35 amWas probably more like a gradual process back then. Someone invented variable frequency audio saw tooth generator. You could use a speaker and ears to debug it. Then someone hooked it to the horizontal deflection plates of an electrostatic CRT and put unknown/test signals on vertical plates of that CRT. Adjust saw tooth freq to harmonic/subharmonic of test signal and you had stable display. First simple, untriggered scope was born. Simple to build and easy to repair, but quite useless in today's world. But better than a voltmeter for fast signalsThen they invented scope trigger, trigger holdoff, alternate/chopped sweep, second time base, calibrated timebase, variable gain amplifiers, increased bandwidth, CRT readout..... and you got the late analog beasts that are quite impossible to repair without second working scope, if the fault is somewhere deep inside.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:45:57 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 30, 2015, 01:38:35 amIs this like needing a tube checker to check a tube in your tube checker; so you can check a tube??

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:59:57 am
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on October 30, 2015, 03:45:57 amTry saying that 10 times out loud and fast...

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 04:42:26 am
content: I feel inadequate I only have 5 scopes But I am going to buy another one. rigol 1045 from tequiptment for $375.00 shipped.The only problem is that I have not used any of the other scopes for years, still I feel the need for something new.I will give away one or two of the old ones to make room.( yes I can be considered a nut case )bill

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 04:52:36 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on October 30, 2015, 02:05:36 amLOL

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 05:01:30 am
content: Only one here, but it's 4G one

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 05:03:19 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on October 30, 2015, 04:52:36 amBe glad that you do not have more room, I do and I have stuff I have not seen in years I was looking for something yesterday and found things that I had no idea that I had or where I got them fromAll I can say is my kids have a lot work to do when I die. I have decided to start giving away some of it , But where to start ?

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 05:06:37 am
content: I have just three:-A BWD511 that cost me $A225 secondhand back in 1989 or so.It doesn't work-----legacy of trying to find a triggering fault without another 'scope.("divide & conquer" technique using a DMM didn't work!)A little 10MHz "Digitech" single channel thingy that I bought to fix the BWD----cost me $A135 from Jaycar.I did find the BWD's problem with it,but other stuff had been disturbed,so I never finished fixing that instrument.The Digitech "croaked" too,but I fixed it with a DMM & a sharp eyeLast but not least,a Tektronix 7613 with 7B53A and two vertical plugins for $A135 at a Hamfest.Woo-ee! 4 channels!!All "goers" except the BWD,but I might have another go at it.I saw a Hantek 6022BE on "Gumtree" & thought of buying it to make up the number to four,& also so I could point at it & go into peals of insane laughter ----but perhaps not!I only have one functional laptop at the moment,so would be stealing this one every time I wanted to fire up the Hantek.

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 05:13:23 am
content: I have a Rigol DS2000 (2 channel, 200 MHz) series and a old Tek 754C (4 channel, 500 MHz). Between them, I more-or-less have:-- 4 channels-- 500 MHz-- Serial protocol decoding-- VGA output-- USB output-- Network output-- Lots of waveforms per second-- etc etcNow I challenge you to find a single scope that gives me the same functionality for less cost than the two scopes I have!

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 05:59:08 am
content: Quote from: rs20 on October 30, 2015, 05:13:23 amA hacked Rigol MSO4014, currently on sale at tequimptment.net for $2594. Has everything you said plus:-- 16 channel logic analyzer-- 4GSa/s-- 140 Mpts

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 06:03:07 am
content: It's actually something that has annoyed me in the past when I wanted to buy a Tektronix 7104. There are folks who sit on 3-4 of them and only ever fire one up to look at the trace and shut it down immediately because they're afraid to wear the screen out. The market is swept clean by collectors, and those who would use the scope as their main instrument are unable to get one. If you happen to ask if you could buy one of the extras you get replies like "it's not a scope meant for every day use" implying that for some reason you're not worthy of using it.I guess those with many older tek scopes are very often people who repair/restore them and/or used to do so in their professional life. I also think that modern scopes are powerful in so many ways that you simply don't need more than one good one at home (unless for some reason you need the # of channels maybe?). But given the opportunity, why not pick up another when it's cheap. You can always sell it again when you're tire of looking at it

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 06:32:52 am
content: What a funny topic. I laughed at first.. Then i counted scopes.9 counting usb daqs.When is that test equipment support group meeting again?

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 07:52:48 am
content: We ( I was going to say He who has the most stuff wins) that have the most stuff wins.but there seems to be women that has more stuff than me.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 08:12:35 am
content: I only have four (now).

author: Alex Nikitin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 09:50:07 am
content: Well, I have only four scopes. The oldest one (and probably the most treasured) is the Sony-Tektronix 305DMM portable, battery powered 5MHz dual-channel scope. I've bought it over 25 years ago and paid the price of a small car for it (about a year of my salary at the time). It is still on active duty on my bench paired with the Amber 3501 audio analyser.I also have Tektronix 2465BCT which is my main scope, Agilent DSO3062A for times when I need a digital one (not often, though it may see more use when I'll measure LF noise on my voltage references) and Tektronix 2213A (got it for free at work about 10 years ago, with completely blown input stages in both channels, repaired it and now it is a spare scope in the lab, not getting much use.Do I need sixteen more scopes? Not really, as I have a collection of over two hundred cassette decks, which takes some space already.CheersAlex

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:04:54 am
content: Quote from: Alex Nikitin on October 30, 2015, 09:50:07 amCassette decks !! , you collect them or is there another reason ?. A photo of the storage room would be interesting then followed by the other two storage rooms of tapes.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:23:25 am
content: Because..Oscilloscopes Start Creeping Into Living Locations, Owners Start Craving Oscilloscope Positions EverywhereAnd the recursion of an acronym that contains itself twice drives us all mad.OSCILLOSCOPE

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:24:15 am
content: To conclude the OP's statement... they don't.

author: Ivan7enych
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:24:32 am
content: 10 years ago, when my old the only one analog oscilloscope has died, I felt myself like a blind man... That's why I bought a second one. Then I repaierd it (zener diode in power supply died), then gave to my fiend...Now I have 3 scopes -rigol mso2072a (use it most of the time),old Tek TDS744a (hacked to 784a) - used sometimes for high frequency,and usb velleman PSU1000 scope - use it very rarely to do some repair in my car.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:29:06 am
content: I have more than 20 elephants in my house. Along with a varieyt of other stuffed toys that the grandies love.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:32:12 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on October 30, 2015, 10:29:06 amWe have just two carved elephants in our house, but from my days in telephony I still have a lot of trunks.

author: Alex Nikitin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:35:30 am
content: Quote from: lowimpedance on October 30, 2015, 10:04:54 amI collect and restore cassette decks - it is sort of a hobby, I suppose. I've moved house three months ago and most of my collection is still in boxes. And it is somewhat off-topic here (though I have build a special set-up for making alignment cassette tapes which should be OK to discuss in the Test Equipment section - perhaps I'll do a post on that subject).CheersAlex

author: Alex Nikitin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 10:47:43 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on October 30, 2015, 10:39:24 amIs there an oscilloscope with that number too?! It is a complete off-topic, please PM me and I'll reply with some suggestions.CheersAlex

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 11:24:28 am
content: I'm happy with just two scopes, a modern CRO (HM1508-2, got analog and DSO mode) and a DS1054Z. There are much more important things in live than having 20+ scopes to brag about.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 11:28:36 am
content: Quote from: Alex Nikitin on October 30, 2015, 10:35:30 amI use to collect antique radios but every time I brought a really cool one home to restore my wife would keep it in the living room so I switched to antique test equipment which I have more of an interest in since it's what I used at work. Fortunately she doesn't want that stuff in the house. Then a couple years ago I started collectingvintage soldering irons. So if you think you're a little crazy collecting cassettes, don't worry, there's always someone a little further out there.

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:16:26 pm
content: Quote

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:30:48 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pmFunny, the first thing that came to mind when I saw the picture was Bioshock.Really cool devices!

author: Groucho2005
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:42:57 pm
content: I heard that when you utter the word 'OSCILLOSCOPE' backwards 3 times in a row, a large sum of money will be withdrawn from you bank account without your knowledge and a mysterious package shall be delivered to your house the next day.EPOCSOLLICSO...EPOCSOLLICSO...EPOCSOLLICSO

author: GNU_Ninja
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:51:21 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pmThat is a seriously cool scopeand I just love Chicken Head knobs on test equipment

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 12:57:53 pm
content: Quote from: GNU_Ninja on October 30, 2015, 12:51:21 pmYeah,, I keep staring at that pict as well. Would love to see a video of that in action.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:54:50 pm
content: I dont. Then again, all the stuff I really care about in my life would fit into a cabin size bag. If everything else would be thrown away and I have to continue my life somewhere else, so be it. I'm not a hoarder. People and information is what really matters, the rest is just stuff.

author: swingbyte
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:14:16 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 11:27:19 pmLove art deco

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:27:20 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Nikitin on October 30, 2015, 09:50:07 amI collect and restore cassette decks and now reel to reel decksHere some picture of a Nakamichi Dragon I restored, consider to many as one of the best cassette deck madeA Nakamichi BX-300 another great deck

author: Alex Nikitin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 02:53:47 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on October 30, 2015, 02:27:20 pmShould we do a separate thread on that in the right section? I have plenty of pictures about cassette deck restoration and useful mods. The Dragon is OK, though not my favourite deck sound-wise, unless heavily modified.CheersAlex

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:07:33 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Nikitin on October 30, 2015, 02:53:47 pmThe main one I use is heavily upgraded electronic and EQ wise. My personal favorite is the ReVox, or Tandberg, as built like tanks.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:20:55 pm
content: Last one as a teaser before it goes to different threads, as have 1000's of pictures of different decks.This one is of a reel to reel deck. A TEAC X1000R

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 03:50:49 pm
content: Now to get back on topicI have a GW Instek GDS-3254 as my main DSO, it a great DSO as does three Input Impedance Selection: 50ohms, 75ohms, 1Mohms and with option does measurements of power quality, harmonics, ripple, inrush current and serial decode bought with options at a closeout deal of around $1500 for the 250mhz 4 channel 3254 version. Don't need a LA as I use a separate 32 channel LA. My analog scope which I have two one working that I finish restoring and one that still needs work, as need to replace pre-amp IC on the broken one both are a Tektronix 2465 which I use the working one quite a bit still, also my main scope, my PC base scope is OWON VDS3104, is actually a good PC based scope that isolated unlike most I tried that pretty worthless. Then my new handheld Siglent SHS1102 going to be using that on my lighting and custom controllers and power supply projects outside. Have to find a good HV probe for it, or make one. I also have a new Navy surplus 2246 scope.Had a Siglent ADS 1204cfl scope, but didn't really care for it, I like the GW Instek much better and is quicker for bigger projects, much better then the Rigol I tried, as found the Rigol to be two slow and freezes and lockup at random and the fact that I had to return the first one due to one channel wasn't working correctly, had to hit the case for channel 2 to work, plus on the GW Instek can pull up functions more easier on the new scope with one hand.So have 4 working and 1 broken one. So 5 total. Don't need 15 more, so 15 short of 20.

author: EV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 05:31:49 pm
content: I have only 12 scopes. So I am short of 8.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 06:16:18 pm
content: I have so many scopes, I better do not count them.The first one was the most difficult one to get.After that, they found me!

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 07:40:13 pm
content: OldSchoolTechCorner....Now I am Jealous. Being a past owner of a pair of Ampex 755s, I can honestly say I am green eyed with jealousy.Okay enough on that subject.........

author: Joker2k999
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 08:21:55 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pmOwow. I can imagine where everyone gathers during your house parties. is the 64' Camaro and Whiskey cured during the great depression on the tour as well.? lol! Great piece.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 11:06:02 pm
content: Because insurance only covers limited amount of items.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 11:12:58 pm
content: Quote from: electr_peter on October 30, 2015, 11:06:02 pmThat is worth 50 Points

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 12:20:23 am
content: I have 20+ plugins for my Tek 547. Does that count as separate scopes?Granted, there are a lot of repeats there. The most useful ones are:1A4 4 trace1A5 differential1S1 1GHz sampler1S2 3.9GHz sampler +TDR1L5 50Hz-1MHz spectrum analyzer1L20 10MHz-4.2GHz spectrum analyzer1L30 10.5GHz spectrum analyzer

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 03:09:05 am
content: I'm pretty jealous of the number of scopes (and other test gears) you have. As a guy who lives in a f**ing third world country, hobbyist like me can hardly afford even cheap brands (as they say) like rigol or siglent. Just got lucky to know someone here on EEVblog who giveaway his dead scope at repaired it for me. And it's free. See this:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/the-saga-of-my-first-oscilloscope/msg737694/#msg737694I'm happy to own it. Guess I must endure the envy of not having adequate gear to learn from. Good for some of you who lives in first world countries where such gears can be easily acquired.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 03:54:47 am
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on October 30, 2015, 03:20:55 pmSuper awesome. Pioneer RT-909 and TEAC X-3 myself. Unfortunately Montreal is not the place to get local service/parts for them. They're both doorstops for now.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 04:07:46 am
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on October 31, 2015, 03:54:47 amI restore those and have parts available for them. The Pioneer RT-909 especially. Well worth getting restored, they are from a time when it wasn't all about cost cutting and profit margins.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 04:39:22 am
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 11:27:19 pmAmazing! The sig gen looks like the front of a classic Art Deco theater. I'm surprised the leather handles are in such good shape.BTW, I currently have only 2 'scopes (a CRO and a DSO). I guess I'm an order of magnitude below expectations.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 05:50:05 am
content: Quote from: elex_enthusiast on October 31, 2015, 03:09:05 amElex, I have the same B&K scope which I purchased new in 1991. It is a good basic scope and should give you good service. I have not had the problem with the +260V rail that was described in your link but there are 2 other items to watch out for especially since you live in a humid climate...First, the resistors in the focus divider circuit are subject in high voltages and tend to go open which causes a thick trace and inability to focus. They are spec'ed at .5 watt but I replaced them with 1 watt.2nd, the Ch1/Ch2 Volt/Div switch decks tend to get corroded contacts and will need to be cleaned every once in a while. Getting to the switches are difficult in that you must remove the upper circuit board. Then spray the contact cleaner under the shields or go through the trouble of unsoldering them from the lower board. But I have had good luck in just spraying the cleaner under the shields.

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 05:58:50 am
content: Quote from: med6753 on October 31, 2015, 05:50:05 amThanks for the tips med. So far the scope is doing fine and yes humidity makes me worry that the scope may show defects in the future. I bookmarked this page in case something gone bad with the scope.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 08:05:04 am
content: Quote from: elex_enthusiast on October 31, 2015, 03:09:05 amBtw, how is the Tek 475 shipping coming along? Shouldn't it have arrived by now? I've been meaning to ask...Then you'll have two. Well on your way to 20, just need to add a zero.

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 08:22:22 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on October 31, 2015, 08:05:04 amHaha funny!! Well I'm not dreaming of having 20 or more scopes (that's too much overkill for my needs). Having two usable scopes will be adequate for self education. It doesn't matter if it's old or modern fancy ones. So lang as it is usable.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 12:53:03 pm
content: Quote from: elex_enthusiast on October 31, 2015, 05:58:50 amYou're welcome!I should have included what resistors tend to go open in the focus circuit but I didn't have the schematic in front of me. They are:R526 (1.5M)R527 (1.5M)R528 (2.2M)R529 (1.0M)Be careful when working in that area. There's -2KV floating around and it will bite you.

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 02:27:15 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on October 31, 2015, 12:53:03 pmCopy that.. Good thing I already had a copy of both the service and operator's manual for future refence..

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 02:59:45 pm
content: This one's older than my Supreme scope I posted a picture of. This RCA from 1936 is not as nice to look at but it's got a smaller one inch display.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 03:51:32 pm
content: I love looking at these old scopes - this thread should morph into show all your unique scopes!I've got 3 of them, a DS4014, DS2072, and an analog BK 2120. I finally got a signal gen and could generate some signals for the X-Y which look really beautiful on the analog screen, the digitals don't do X-Y the same justice.You guys who have 20 scopes are lucky to have a place to store them all! I'd have a hard time trying to find room for them!

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 05:36:13 pm
content: I feel hopelessly inadequate.I only have 3. Top to bottom...Siglent SDS 1052DLB&K 2120Tek 2465 DMSOh that's right. 4! Soundcard Oscilloscope on my tower PC. I don't feel so bad now.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 05:47:50 pm
content: Talking about weird scopes...My first scope was made by Leybold / Germany and it just had ultra basic functionality.It came from the grade school, where I had my first physics classes at age 13, I think.Here is a picture that I found on the internet of the very same one I had.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 09:10:08 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on October 30, 2015, 01:54:50 pmWisdom. Myself, I think I'm kind of a hoarding relaxation oscillator; I accumulate until I hit a threshold point and toss a lot out.I need to work on that.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 09:16:32 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on October 31, 2015, 04:07:46 amSadly I took mine to some local "guru" that lapped the heads and did all kinds of mechanical stuff to it. It sounds like crap and the dampers arms are messed up. He didn't even have the right screws to put the new pinch rollers on. It looks like crap.New heads are unobtainable, and with the exchange rate it's a bad deal in any case.Now if I could find a Technics RS-1500...

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 09:39:00 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on October 31, 2015, 09:16:32 pmI don't know why people try to lapped the heads on these, you can't, it only done by machine with deep gap heads on professional decks, not on customer grade decks, as gap is not deep and will cause roll off. It the same that go for people who try to realign the heads when they are worn and have a groove in them, all they are doing is edging and damaging the tape, if heads are worn uneven then best to replace them. I do have spare head block for the 909, as restore a few of them and resell them. So I keep parts from damaged machine from shipping, thanks to FedEx, USPS and UPS and the sellers that don't know how to pack them.I have a Technics RS-1500 that coming up for sale soon. I am working on changing the all capacitors as they gone leaky and high ESR and a IC on the servo Capstan drive as quartz lock wasn't working correctly on a Technics RS-1500. Heads and tape path in good shape, no noticeable wear. The only issue is long term is no spare parts for Technics as they made the stupid decision to scrap all the spare parts and reason you don't see parts for these machines. It a shame as one of the best built reel to reel decks. Already rebuilt the motors and replaced the brakes pads on the shoes on it.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 09:43:28 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on October 31, 2015, 05:36:13 pmYou sure not care about what others think, as long as you can get what you need to get done. Plus that Tektronix 2465 is a pretty top end analog scope, one of my favorites.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 10:49:12 pm
content: I only have one scope at the moment, a Rigol DS1054Z. Sold off my Tek THS720. Will get another Tek in the near future though. I seem to be collector other gear instead, such as spectrum analyzers.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 10:55:51 pm
content: QuoteI've got two oscilloscopes, which I feel is more than enough. One of them is in storage.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 01:10:29 am
content: Having only one scope would make me nervous.

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 01:29:19 am
content: AS I said I feel left out I have only 4 But I have 200 tube radios and a boat load of tube test equipment.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 02:33:41 am
content: Someone way back on page one or two mentioned tube testers - I have indeed used tube tester number 2 to test a tube in tester 1 to determine it was bad.(Ok, who am I kidding, they are testers 4 or 5 or something like that)Scopes, I have a few, but I only have two that are useful - an older Rigol and a Tek 7000 series. I have a Tek 547 that does seem to work, and a few other tube scopes in various states from "shows a trace" to "completely dead."

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 03:53:14 am
content: I had one of these:https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/02/39/e0/0239e07d1101b1731bc0277bff2a735e.jpg

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 04:34:18 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on November 01, 2015, 03:53:14 amVery nice!I love all this vintage stuff!I have a Tek 2465, a Tek 2232 (analog scope and a DSO in one), a Tek T922, and an analog storage scope, the Tek 564, with some plugins. The 564 is my latest one, and I am still playing with getting it all dialed in. The analog storage tube is a really cool invention, and amazing for the 1950s.I also have a Bell & Howell scope in a state of repair, and one of those eyes little kit DSOs, that was fun to put together.

author: smgvbest
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 04:38:57 am
content: I've got only 2A MSO1174Z-S and a Tektronix 2467BI love both of them and if I had the money for more I would get more but reality doesn't permit it.Maybe I'll get luck with Keysights Drawing to win test equipment. probably not. I'm a hobbyist they probably reject my entry anyways

author: H-Man
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 07:18:02 am
content: I have zero oscilloscopes. I've been trying to get my hands on one, but so far nothing has appeared in my price range. As for the number of scopes I plan to limit myself to, to barrow a phrase used occasionally on a flashlight enthusiast forum: "The best solution for that is to not carry only one light. One is none, two is one, 3,4, or 5 will be so much fun"

author: Alex Nikitin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 08:28:16 am
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on October 31, 2015, 09:39:00 pmHave a look at my website, there is avery simple circuit modification for some Technics decks, including the RS-1500which considerably (about 30 times) reduces the distortion of the line output amplifier and improves the sound quality.CheersAlex

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 09:16:40 am
content: Quote from: Alex Nikitin on November 01, 2015, 08:28:16 amDon't encourage OldSchool to go off and do other projects. He's procrastinating enough with the rusty old 3458A that some of us are eager to see brought back to life

author: Alex Nikitin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 09:53:49 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on November 01, 2015, 09:16:40 amIf there is a competition for the simplest electronics project this mod should have a chance of winning it - it requires to move one end of one resistor to a different point in the circuit , so it should not task OldSchool too much.CheersAlex

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 11:29:57 am
content: I only got two scopes, but they are decent ones (Agilent MSO6034A and DSO9204H).I am what Dave would call a young whippersnapper. I haven't been exposed to the old school analog scopes a whole lot so i never really developed a love for it.(Sort of like kids these days have no appreciation for the NES and similar old consoles) As a result i never really jump at the opportunity of getting a famous model old scope for cheep. I do kinda want to have one analog scope just cause nothing says electronics engineering like a big heavy CRO. I just know that it would never really see much actual use so its a bit difficult to justify dropping a few 100 bucks on getting a good one.To be fair it is useful to have more than one scope as often certain scopes have special advantages in some applications. Like you might not want to risk the sensitive analog front end in a expensive 10GHz scope for every day use, or you work on physically large precis of electronics where its an advantage to have a small light scope that you can bring to the work instead of bringing your work to the scope. Sometimes its nice to have a scope that boots in a few seconds for quickly checking something etc. But yeah realistically that means owning about 2 to 5 scopes for regular use, not exactly 20

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 12:05:01 pm
content: On my high voltage bench I am using up to 6 scopes at once from time to time.All old school Philips / Fluke Combiscopes, switchable between Analog / Digital.

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 12:23:22 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on November 01, 2015, 12:05:01 pmWow!.. What a stack of "Hexaplets''!!!

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 01:38:07 pm
content: It is time to take stock.Fully working condition:Tektronix01 x 465B01 x 2235AHP01 x 1740A01 x 1725AHameg03 x HM60501 x HM1005 (BBC M6004)01 x HM1505Philips01 x PM3233 (phosphor long decay)01 x PM3094Not fully working.Tektronix01 x 2236For spare.HP01 x 1740A01 x 1715A

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 03:20:53 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on November 01, 2015, 12:05:01 pmOh, sure.... if I hadthatmuch space I'd have more stuff...(And that's only the "high voltage" bench?)

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 03:26:53 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 01, 2015, 03:20:53 pmIf we all had more space................../Sue still holding out hope some rich man will come along and sweep her up off her feet and build her the Lab of her Dreams.Like that is really going to happen.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 03:34:41 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 01, 2015, 03:20:53 pmWell, it is one of my high voltage benches, I have a second one for high voltage testing with a few more of the Fluke scopes.And then the digital and high speed bench with newer Agilent and Tektronix scopes.I have not counted in a while.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 08:57:34 pm
content: one scope not shown (rigol 4ch scope arrived after I took this photo)some never get used, though. I bought the b&k before I bought the rigol and hacked the rigol. the b&k has essentially no hours of use on it and I paid quite a bit for it, too, sad to say.the old analog b&k I bought new when I was a teen. a 30mhz dual trace scope was very high end back in the early 80's (for non pros).the 2 tek's I bought within the last few years.I have a pocket lcd scope, too, and a tiny oled toy scope that was from a kit, but those are not worth showing.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 09:12:19 pm
content: One of my newer scopes. A early 1950s Hickok service scope with a 3" display.Notice they call it an "Oscillograph".

author: dan3460
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 10:06:00 pm
content: For my wife I only have the 2 scopes on my bench, a digital and a Tektronix 2465. She can also see an old 1940 RCA, but she doesn't know what it is. I have another 8, all Tektronix, 3 of them I have fixed, working on one and 4 that are waiting to be fixed. I have bought many of this scopes on Craig List and they had to ride in the trunk of my car sometimes for weeks until I find the opportunity to bring them home. I know that I cannot win an argument "You have two scopes already, why do you need another one, bla, bla, bla" What do you say?; "Honey, I need this one to measure the backpressure of my farts".

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2015, 10:14:58 pm
content: My 5 scopesGW Instek GDS-3254. Great scope overall. My main scope. 1M ohms, 75 ohms , and 50 ohms input impedance for minimum loading effect. Did also get all the software options with it, as was a closeout deal.Tektronix 2246 Is new old stock and rebuilt with new capacitorsTektronix 2465 Is rebuilt with new components, HV side repaired, low hour CRT installed, rear fan replaced and power supply rebuilt and fully calibrated. I have two. One in picture keeping and other one I may sell needs channel 2 pre-amp replaced and calibration.Siglent SHS1102 Just received a lot of people know the story on this one, but will come very handy on large lighting projects and controllers I built. Is a isolated channel scope. Plus will be used on my HV projects as well. Be new videos coming soon.OWON VDS3104 is a decent PC based scope, as most PC based scope are crap. This is one of the only one out of many I tried that I kept and didn't return.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 02:30:22 am
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on October 31, 2015, 09:43:28 pmQuote from: KL27x on October 31, 2015, 10:55:51 pmI guess my attempt at tongue and cheek sarcasm didn't come across too well. No envy here.For many years all I had was the B&K scope. I'm sure THAT would have caused some to stay awake at nights. The Tek and Siglent are recent acquisitions.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 03:54:05 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on November 01, 2015, 12:05:01 pmI like how you have them labeled "Scope - 1" to "Scope - 4." In case you forget they are scopes?Added: Sigh. I counted mine. 23 I think, unless I missed some. Of which *most* don't work.My workshop development arc still hasn't reached the 'recommission all the old gear' stage. Soon.Frequent use:HP 1743A 100MHz, on main desk.Trio CS-2110 100MHz on other bench.6 x Tek R7903 & 1 x R7603 are in good condition but haven't been powered on for years and will need babying and repairs. These are mostly in racks, one per rack with other gear.1 x Tek 7104 (needs repair, had an unfortunate HV discharge accident due to me being stupid/clumsy.)3 x HP 54120B 20GHz (2 working with sampling heads, 1 mainframe only for spares)1 x HP 83480A Digital Communications Analyzer. (Its a scope really) 30GHz, optical + electrical. Works, but no plugins. Still looking for one or more cheap plugins for this. Didn't realize the plugins are also compatible with current model HP high end scopes, so the prices are always high.'For the museum' (Means they look cool, but not much actual use. All these were free scores, could not resist.)1 Tek R5030 dual beam. Works but needs new bulbs in readouts. Looking for suitable LEDs, not having much luck.)1 x HP 1201B 100uV dual trace old scope.1 x Tek 5103N D12 Dual Beam oscilloscope. Nice scope, only 2MHz BW, but huge screen.2 x Tek 5103N D13 Dual Beam Storage. Working, few minor problems.1 x BWD 530A. Needs work, can't find manual.Others2 wrecks (Tek 464 & 475) picked up free for parts.1 Tek R7633 storage. Was fine when bought but had a "packed by a moron" shipping injury and needs major rebuild of frame at minimum.Didn't count video waveform monitors and XY displays.Edit: 24. I forgot to count a Tek 465 on a trolley. Works, used now and then.

author: Tom45
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 04:58:21 am
content: This thread prompted me to take stock. I've never got rid of any scope.My first scope: an Eico 460 I built from a kit in the late 50s. It was hot stuff with a bandwidth of DC to 4.5 MC (mega cycles, none of this Hertz nonsense).Tek 2445Tek 7704Tek 7844Tek 7854Tek 7904Tek R7903Tek TDS210Lots of Tek 7000 pluginsOwon (I needed a portable 100 MHz battery powered scope for a project)Rigol DS1074ZSo I guess I'm pulling down the 20 scopes average with just 10 scopes.I live about 40 miles from Tektronix headquarters and grew up in the classic Tek era. I've used various 500 series tube scopes in the past but never owned one.Tom

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 05:24:44 am
content: Quote from: Tom45 on November 02, 2015, 04:58:21 amWell, rectify the part in bold and that'll get you to eleven at least...-Pat

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:09:34 am
content: My wife buys shoes, I buy scopes..Got a fluke Scopemeter 192B, and will get a decent DSO for my next project.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:13:08 am
content: Quote from: dan3460 on November 01, 2015, 10:06:00 pmHow many pairs of shoes does she own? How many have only been worn a couple of times...?(Substitute  for shoes, I don't know what her vice is)

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 08:20:45 am
content: Tek465B2465B2467B*TDS2024BMDO3054*HP/Agilent/Keysight54120B/54121A*54622D54642D54831D*MSO7104B*RigolMSO1074Z-S*HantekDSO1060BOwonHDS3102M-NPlus a handful of other useless purchases (USB based or anything with Velleman in the name)* Turned on at least once a weekBefore joining EEVBlog, I had just the TDS2024B and some useless USB/Velleman "scopes", although I'd had a 2465B and a couple of other CROs before this.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 08:24:31 am
content: Quote from: Howardlong on November 02, 2015, 08:20:45 amProven fact, its contagious ...

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 09:56:54 am
content: tek 468 (dumpster dive, repaired)tek TDS 460A (gift)Philips PM3208 (dumpster dive, repaired)Philips PM3209 (dumpster dive, need repair)Philips PM3335 (dumpster dive, need repair)HP 54601A (dumpster dive, repaired + another one given away)Rigol DS1054Z (bought)

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 10:53:18 am
content: You know what, this thread has shown just how mentally ill some people are.Take me for instance.I only have 2 scopes. An old analog Kenwood CS-4025 20MHz totally basic boatanchor and a Hantek MSO5102D.I keep wishing I had a Rigol DS1054Z instead, but that would mean selling the Hantek for peanuts and I don't fancy that, besides I will end up cursing myself when I need the 16 channel LA. But the Rigol has protocol decoding which the Hantek laughably doesn't, and it also has SCPI. Both things I could do with right now...As for the analog scope, it's worthless and hasn't been used in years. But I have always wanted a decent analog storage scope with proper vector traced annunciators ever since I was blown away by them in my first job a couple of decades ago.So I persevere with what I have. Like I said, this is a mental illness. I thank this thread for snapping me out of it.There is nothing wrong with owning four or more scopes. I've procrastinated long enough. I will shortly be ordering the Rigol and will be on the lookout for another boatanchor for local pickup.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 03:07:12 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 02, 2015, 08:24:31 amVery true!I would not have bought two 7000 series Agilent scopes, if it would not have been for the eevblog forum and the content here of how to enable all options.If Dave would have collected only a dollar for each sale that is resulted out of readings on eevblog, I think he might be rich already.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 05:16:54 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 02, 2015, 04:50:28 pmNice to see someone else with a GWInstek scope, I say this because apparently it is a sacrilege crime to have chosen a GWInstek over a Rigol.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 05:46:29 pm
content: Quote from: commie on November 02, 2015, 05:16:54 pmThe GWInstek is much better then the Rigol hardware wise, not sure why the Rigol's are so hyped up, only advantage I see is price and they can be hacked easy. I tried the Rigol for a while and didn't care for it for several reasons I won't get into as would require a whole another thread alone, not to mention it had lockup issues and broke where a channel started cutting out at random, but in all fairness did use it extensively for hours at a time and left it powered up, but still sure have not have broke in two weeks of time. The GWInstek 5GSa/s and High BW as i could get with low ppm and 50, 75 and 1M ohm selectable input impendence. You have to spend around 10k it seem to find one spec similar, as for me it not all about just having long memory. It would be nice, but will only sell the GWInstek and upgrade, if it actually a upgrade, otherwise just keep the GWIstek as have no issues with it.The next step up would be a keysight, or Lecroy, unless GWInstek comes out with something newer in the next couple of months that has long memory and same good features, not in a hurry, as has to have other features mention above to consider upgrading. The LA is not important as have a good separate 32 channel one with good memory and prefer a bigger screen. Plus scope sit on top of bench, so LA cable won't reach and you need short cables. So would have to move stuff around. Built in arbitrary signal generator would be nice, but has to have low THD and dual channels and doubt that any scope will have a good one built in.

author: guido
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 06:07:46 pm
content: Same disease here...TekTDS430A2430A24657704A On a chart, just for the looks7603 to run 7A22/7A13 diff amps7623A to run 7L5 SA5115 to run 5L4N SAThree and half 76xx boatanchors for spare parts (two are ~in running order)Iwatsu SS7810 with home build calibration pod.Most of the Teks needed repairs or at least replacement of the power supply caps and batteries.Not all is working at the moment; the 7603/7623A are getting the supply caps replaced and the 5115 combo needs further work.No modern scope; no need for one yet. E.g. I have several LAs, including a modern one for serial decoding.And two old ones to repair old stuffSo i guess i'm half way there

author: rickv14623
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 06:41:46 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pmOne of the coolest things I have seen here. Thanks for sharing

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 06:47:05 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on November 02, 2015, 10:53:18 amI thought I was the only one with a Kenwood CS-4025! I bought mine new in 1995.It then took me 17 years to get my DS1102E, and only two years to get my DS4014. I sold my DS1102E and I now have the same as you: two oscilloscopes.I have no space to store boat anchors, but I would really love to do that. But the eevblog gave me the itch to get many DMMs and the eventual old school calculator.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 06:55:55 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 02, 2015, 05:46:29 pmI bought a GW-Instek 2022E a couple of months ago and it is way better than my RIGOL DS1104Z, as far as hacking goes, everything is included standard with the GW2022E so there isn't any reason to hack.I noticed a couple of days ago GW-Instek have knocked 20% off their 'E' series model versions which have only been on the market for about 4 months. It appears as though GW-Instek are head to head with RIGOL's DS2000A scope series and vice versa.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:00:32 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 02, 2015, 05:46:29 pmThat's not enough? $400 for a four channel, 100MHz DSO with plenty of memory+features isn't enough for them to be worthy of a bit of hype...?

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:05:00 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 02, 2015, 07:00:32 pmI get that part as was unheard of for specs and feature for it price point before and know that the reason, just don't care for their midrange line up and the fact some consider it better then anything else, even scopes in a whole another class that is clearly better.

author: N2IXK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:23:41 pm
content: 20? I thought I was doing OK at only 5 of them:Tektronix 453--Oldest of the bunch. 50 MHz dual trace. Sharpest trace of any scope I have ever used. Freebie from dumpster.Tektronix 7904--Lab grade 500 MHz analog monster with a good assortment of plugins. Highest bandwidth scope in the lab. $15 at auction.LeCroy 9310C--400Mhz dual channel DSO. Another freebie from a dumpster. Needed only minor repairs.Rigol DS1052E--50Mhz dual channel DSO (unlocked to 100MHz). Only scope in the shop I actually bought new.Fluke 124 "ScopeMeter"--40 MHz LCD portable scope/DMM. $10 from hamfest w/dead battery pack. Lives in toolbox in truck, used for field/automotive work.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:24:39 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 02, 2015, 07:05:00 pmOK. I wasn't aware that anybody was "hyping" a scope other then the DS1054Z.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2015, 07:31:12 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 02, 2015, 07:24:39 pmStrangely enough I seen comments from some that compare that model to everything else and claiming it better.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 12:34:49 am
content: Quote from: dan3460 on November 01, 2015, 10:06:00 pmHahaha!Been there!

author: 5ky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 12:52:35 am
content: I could easily live with my 4 channel MSO, but can't get myself to get rid of my DS1102E as it was my first digital scope.

author: Weistek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 01:00:56 am
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on November 03, 2015, 12:34:49 amI face the same battles as well. Except I get caught more often than not.. sitting at work a large package arrives at home and I get a text "wtf did you order now!.."I currently haveTAS460 working great.A 500 series (in pieces)A rigal DS1054Z unlocked.Had a "newer TDS 50Mhz scope but sold it to a friend.And a TLA704 working with 7L4 and 7N3 modules, if you count that as a scope.Not to mention the various monster psu's abundant benchtop multimeters, function generators etc...Once you realize the older equipment ins built like a tank and still within decent calibration it's hard to pass them up.Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 01:42:28 am
content: A scope is such a versatile instrument. You can never have enough of them. I have 3, and I can see myself eventually getting a 4th, if a right deal/spec combination comes along. Although there are a few tools that are of higher priority on the list currently (laser cutter for one).I have a:- Hameg HM 605: old analog, with a component tester that has come in handy a few times.- HP 54610B: Highest bandwidth scope I own. Useful for high frequency repetitive signals, also I quite dig the simplicity of controls. It's my daily.- Rigol DS 2072A (unlocked): Necessity for when I need to single shot store signals.

author: Weistek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 01:55:12 am
content: Also as a side note I really want a tek 224 scope... would be great for my kids first scope. Just can't justify the $300 asking price on fleabay.Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 02:04:49 am
content: Quote from: Weistek on November 03, 2015, 01:55:12 amThat is a cute scope,

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 12:31:44 pm
content: Got a couple of these little 30 MHz 1970s Non-Linear Systems (NLS) portables in the collection also. Each is 6 1/4" x 2 5/8" x 8" deep.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 01:19:15 pm
content: Hmmmm...yummie.....tempting, my hand is hovering over my debit card.http://uk.farnell.com/hameg/hmo2024/oscilloscope-4ch-200mhz-2gsps/dp/2408770

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 02:56:33 pm
content: Quote from: commie on November 03, 2015, 01:19:15 pmI've been exceptionally happy with my Hameg gear, go for it.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 03:55:17 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 03, 2015, 12:31:44 pmThose are really neat, Steve. I hadn't seen portables before. How usable are they given the mini screen?

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 05:36:25 pm
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on November 03, 2015, 02:56:33 pmThere is something funny going on at Farnell, the 2 channel is more expensive than the 4 channel scope, also the y amp controls are multiplexed between the 4 channels.My Rigol ds1104z does just that and I don't like it, I much prefer separate controls.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 05:57:46 pm
content: And the memory depth is only 2 Mpts for that Hameg. Not that impressive at all!

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 06:52:31 pm
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on November 03, 2015, 05:57:46 pmI was thinking HAMEG,4 trace, 200MHz £1.4k...thats impressive.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 07:15:46 pm
content: Commie, before you buy new, there might be an interesting sale for you on mikrocontroller.net:https://www.mikrocontroller.net/topic/377639#newDouble bandwith/sample rate for less money. I have no connections to the seller and too little money, but if you're willing to spend 1600€, it might be for you. I'm sure that guy also understands english, if you ask him nicely.

author: dan3460
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 07:42:38 pm
content: Quote from: Weistek on November 03, 2015, 01:00:56 amNow you did it, I started laughing at your comment. Did not realized that the Wify was reading over my shoulder...The inquisitor as summoned me... trying to get my stories right. HELP.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 07:50:30 pm
content: Sorry, I only deal well with circuits and computers.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 08:03:39 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 03, 2015, 07:19:36 pmYeah, I thought that too, I elaborated on this very issue on an earlier post.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 08:04:45 pm
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on November 03, 2015, 05:57:46 pmit's a 200 MHz, 2 GSa/s scope.... why do you need more than the 2 Mpts? For what? Lately I think this is more a "pentium 5 is better than Pentium 4 because 5>4" thing.But there's a good chance that I'm just ignorant and don't see the forest for the trees, so apologies if that's the case.I think the 'new'HMO series was launched 06/2011and cost 1150 EUR for the 70 MHz model back then (that's probably the price for the 2 channel...?)To fill those 2 Mpts at the full 2GHz sample rate you're looking at some 100us/div. Above that and the scope has to lower the sample rate. But that's 2*10^9 samples in a 1.2 ms capture span. What are you trying to look at if the scope only has 200 MHz? Even at the highest setting (50s/div) it will sample with some 3.33 kSa/s to fill 2 Mpts (=600 seconds total span). I don't think you'll be looking at 200 MHz signals while in 50s/div, so what is the point?I do get that the Rigol is cheap and has much more memory. But I really wonder if that makes such a huge difference while the overall capability of the Hameg (hardware fft, good MSO, low noise etc if you trust the advertisement) is of greater quality. In my eyes it comes down to the price and there's nothing to argue. But just to pick on the memory... I don't know, weak argument in my eyes.

author: -jeffB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 08:46:08 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 03, 2015, 12:31:44 pmOh, man, I remember drooling over the ads for those that used to run inPopular Electronicsback in the 1970s. Never had one, though.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 08:51:06 pm
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on November 03, 2015, 02:56:33 pmI must be getting old or dumb... Instead of "Hameg" I read "Hantek" and was dumbfounded by the lavish support demonstrated in this and the following posts...

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 10:50:25 pm
content: How much do all you reckon you've spent on oscilloscopes for personal use?

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 11:08:10 pm
content: Quote from: bitseeker on November 03, 2015, 03:55:17 pmI would use them for signal tracing in the field maybe but they are a little small for bench work.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2015, 11:16:30 pm
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 03, 2015, 10:50:25 pmVery little, far far far less than VNA's and that's dwarfed by the amount I've spent on impractical cars.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 12:09:27 am
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 03, 2015, 10:50:25 pmAbout £700 total spread across 30+ years on 4 scope purchases. Still got all 4 scopes and they still work!

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 12:13:30 am
content: Quote from: nbritton on November 03, 2015, 10:50:25 pmI don't think many, if any buy them for personal use, as consider a tool for work, I could be wrong. As some of the nice vintage ones seen in this thread are quite nice and collectable.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 12:21:28 am
content: My scopes are as follows:Tek 585 100MHz scope bought when I was a student in the 1980s.Solartron A100 30MHz scope bought around 1990Tek 465 bought in the mid 90sTek TDS2012 bought about 10 years ago?I use the last two on a regular basis. The 585 and the A100 get switched on when I'm feeling nostalgic. (maybe once every few years?)

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 02:05:58 am
content: Quote from: Neganur on November 03, 2015, 08:04:45 pmThis is one topic I think deserves it own thread alone on long memory. I notice a few, especially those getting into DSO's don't understand long memory vs sample rate and ETC and other aspect of like hardware fft, good MSO, low noise and ETC. Long memory is useless on a fast timebase without a high sample rate to pretty much fill it all. It only nessacry on hard to trigger on the phenomena, or if the scope has crappy triggering, long record length is great, as you don't have to setup triggers and grab data. But you also need fast sample rate. For example a 2.5kpoints scope would be a pain for analyzing slow signal with fast edges the edge will be under sampled and a 200MS/s scope would be a bad match for a 3.5ns single shot edge, undersampled, again.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 02:50:19 am
content: Wow. I've only got a Tek 2440 and a Philips PM97. Different scopes for different folks I guess. I suppose an old dual trace analogue would be nice, but it's at the bottom of a very long wish list.

author: Rupunzell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 03:22:19 am
content: The current O'scope fleet.Four Tek 7104 (1Ghz real time micro channel plate CRT), three are use often, one of the three is a daily user. The fourth is a parts unitAll have been totally reliable for past decades of daily workMore Tek 7000 plug-ins than I'm willing to discuss.Tek 7094A, works but sits.Tek 7844, dual beam,Tek 7834, storage. hardly used these days.Pair of Tek 7603A.TeK 2467B Portable, used only when a portable is needed.Pair of Tek 485. Purchased on impulse at a local E- recycler.Tek 547 (owned for decades now) with several plug ins. Currently 1A4 installed.hp 1200A.Beyond this, there have been many, many others that have cycled in and out of the labs over the decades.Also owned a Tek 585 back in the late 1970's. This was one of the first Tek scopes owned among others.Then there are probes (lots of probes)... adapters, and all those other widgets that can make all the difference.O'scope is not the most commonly use instrument, depending on what is being worked on and measurements required.One of these days I'll consider a DSO, LeCroy is down the street from work. Easy to stop in for a demo most any time and they keep sending me invites for their new product offerings, seminars and demos and ....Bernice

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 04:08:50 am
content: I've been watching a couple of TDS220s on eBay.com.au,as they are a nice looking DSO,although old & with poor memory depth.Actually,they are a couple of Dave's ones--one OK,the other doesn't pass one of the startup tests.I've been thinking that maybe I've been a bit harsh with my bashing of early DSOs,& it might be fun to play with one at my leisure.I found this review -----actually of a TDS210,but they are pretty similar.This bloke doesn't like them a lot--the clip is definitely NSFW!I still like the look of 'em,though,even with the "leaky fountain pen" display!I'm an Old Fart now,& I haven't really got the time before I "fall off the perch" to buy every Oscilloscope in the world,as that's just more junk for my wife to dispose of,so perhaps I should be selling,not buying!

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 04:55:49 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on November 04, 2015, 04:08:50 amI hated using this model and pretty much collected dust while analog scope was used pretty much daily. Tektronix pretty much just milk it with this model and stop innovating and was overcharging for them. Then thankfully Rigol came around and changed the market for the good.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 05:58:58 am
content: I bought a new 210 back in the mid 90s, still use it to this day. While I don't totally disagree with the above, it does have it's place, and has a couple advantages to any Rigol. Mostly notably it's never once locked up, and it dead silent with no fan.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 08:52:56 am
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on November 04, 2015, 05:58:58 amRoughly the same but with colour, I've had a TDS2024B for nearly ten years, for six or so years it was my only scope, it is super reliable, I still have it although now I have other scopes. While it is a little painful to use now I've used other more feature laden scopes, as my first DSO it was simple to use coming from a CRO background and it did the job. It helped me make some successful products and make an unexpected but welcome change of career path in my late forties. As a result it has some sentimental value now.

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 10:47:33 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on November 04, 2015, 04:08:50 amWhere in oz are you? I have a TDS220 that I never use and wouldn't mind selling it on if you were interested.

author: xwarp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 11:18:07 am
content: Tek 2246ATek TDS460ATek Type 422 x2. One is A/C only and the other is battery operated with an additional A/C supply as a spare.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 05:45:10 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on November 04, 2015, 08:52:56 amWas the first DSO I learned on and purchased. So in a way do have a soft spot for it and did still manage to still get the job done and was reliable as it was simple, not much to go wrong, plus didn't have any fans.Quote from: dr.diesel on November 04, 2015, 05:58:58 amDon't care for Rigol scopes as had tried a couple and first one was defective after about a week, as channel started cutting out at random and second one kept locking up issues at random. One thing I do give them credit for is they changed the market and pretty much forced HP and Tektronix to start innovating again.

author: Orange
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:01:41 pm
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 04, 2015, 05:45:10 pmNot really, Tek has still scopes that have a whopping 10k points of storage, and the Agilent scopes are expensive as always, and their memory is also very limited.Innovation is not always using the latest technology, but also create better/cheaper products. This were both companies still fail.

author: OldSchoolTechCorner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:37:28 pm
content: Quote from: Orange on November 04, 2015, 06:01:41 pmExpensive as always is a understatement, Rigol DS1054Z is pretty much the best value for the buck, when it comes to budget scopes. That one thing both Agilent and Tektronix are both failing at, is coming out with a good budget scope. Good example is the Tektronix TDS2012C at $1430.80 and only 2.5k point Record Length on both Channels? The only decents model they currently have out cost 4k plus. They do have some good models, but only on the higher end of the market.Not saying that HP and Tektronix has to be at the same $399 price point as Rigol, as do realize that they could be very well cutting corners and rushing stuff to the market to get at that price point and is from China, but come out with a decent refreshed model budget scope at around and no more then 1k price point. They seem to only be after the fat margin and rebadging stuff.Rigol I am no fan off as like I stated before, I think they after the quick buck. To me stuff is just rush out the door with bugs and all. I had alone myself had one defective scope and another that just kept on locking up.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 06:52:30 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on November 04, 2015, 04:08:50 amMy thought is to get at least one analog scope, one modern DSO, and perhaps a hybrid, like the Tek 2232, which I find myself using first most of the time (unless I need more channels). It is an analog scope and a DSO in one. Sure, it lacks all the little auto readouts and stuff, but it has a great CRT display, and can be used either in analog mode, or digital mode.

author: Weistek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 09:56:52 pm
content: Quote from: dan3460 on November 03, 2015, 07:42:38 pmLol, it's like their shoe collection.. right? Ask her to justify all the shoes (if in fact she has a collection of sorts.)Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

author: Weistek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 10:01:04 pm
content: Just picked up a hp 1660c, I know not really a scope and old as hell. But it came with everything disks, flying lead cables all 6 pods and 5 nano clips. And a few other things. The nano clips alone justify the purchase plus I can use the flying leads etc on my tla704.I think my next scope will be a tek 2400 series. Also have a tek 1GHz 4 channel coming my wayso that will make 6 or 7 scopes so far..Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 11:26:42 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on November 04, 2015, 04:08:50 amThe aliasing thing is overplayed as a problem, it's a contrived test that would very rarely happen realistically. While occasionally you might encounter it, in practice it's rare, after all in almost all cases you should at least have some idea of the order of magnitude of the timing you're probing. You need to be aware of it, but I can't ever remember it being a problem.The very fact you have single shot and pre trigger viewing makes this a better investment than a CRO of similar or even greater bandwidth. When I was having a clear out a few years back and had to decide between a 2465B and a TDS2024B, it was the 2465B that went. I have since moved into a bigger lab and made up for it though :-;

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2015, 12:01:38 am
content: QuoteYes, I still use my old TDS2012 as my daily scope. I also have a trusty old Tek 465 analogue scope. I don't think I'd like to choose between them as they are both very useful in their own way and I really do like the old Tek 465.For basic everyday stuff the little TDS2012 is much nicer to use than any of the £££ modern scopes we have at work. Sure it has some serious performance limitations but as a basic scope it is easy to use and it is small, light and totally silent in operation. So for doing simple MCU related stuff it is great because you can move it around easily on the desk and also it produces no distracting or tiring fan noise. Having total silence in the room helps with concentration when debugging code etc.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 02:35:07 am
content: I notice Dave's working TDS220 is sailing along well in the eBay bidding.The most recent was $297,so they still seem to have a loyal following---------a bit too rich for my blood!The dead one was withdrawn due to a "listing error".Are you going to re-list it,Dave?

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 02:53:30 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on November 07, 2015, 02:35:07 amI'm pretty sure Dave already re-listed it, there's one he's selling that says to read the description.This one:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/272037200427

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 03:39:22 am
content: Yep! I found it after I posted!I just went for my regular trawl through eBay.com.au.You see some funny things there from time to time.Like this bloke:-http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Atten-Single-Channel-10Mhz-Analog-Oscilloscope-and-Probe-/111653168791?A Digitech QC1920 clone at that price?"Tell 'im he's dreaming!"

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 08:28:50 am
content: sorry I don`t know how many scopes I have exactly, there are some nice oldies (all are fully restorated and ready to work)this little Tek invasion I have done in a radio museum for a small time, in my home is the space really small now..the only problem is to use more the 3 of them in same time, that can blow out the fuse from the working room by overloadgreetingsMartin

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 09:27:23 am
content: Is that another one in the box? Are you alright?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 09:31:20 am
content: Quote from: crispy_tofu on November 07, 2015, 09:27:23 amYou'd better check out Martin's Tek thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vintage-tek-restoration-pictures-by-martin/

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 09:55:29 am
content: I have no words.

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 10:24:03 am
content: Damn, I only have 3 scopes, guess I have to save some moreLet's face it, some of us have more scopes than we (can) use. Its like having a large car collection, but more affordable. Some have their strengths, or their cool or unique features.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 10:42:06 am
content: So far I think only a couple reached the 20 scopes.The median is about 3 or 4, not 20.But I'm guessing, not going to tabulate it.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 11:46:41 am
content: Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 04, 2015, 05:45:10 pmI'm sorry but aside from sticking a poor spec Spectrum Analyzer in an entry level scope Tek hasn't really been innovative for a very long time. Which is no surprise considering it's part of the Danaher "family".In terms of innovating in DSOs it's to a large part LeCroy who has been and still is pushing technology ahead, even more so than Keysight (HP doesn't do scopes or T&M for almost two decades now so there's no point calling them "HP"). Especially in the extreme high-end there's pretty much LeCroy and nothing else, not even Keysight.Tek has been pretty much trailing LeCroy and Agilent/Keysight for the last 15 years or so. I wish this wasn't the case as more competition is always better for buyers, also Tek had some of the best analog scopes ever made. However Tek always seemed to struggle when the world moved to digital scopes, and they still do.Quote from: OldSchoolTechCorner on November 04, 2015, 06:37:28 pmI don't know, the Keysight DSOX2000 is still a pretty good entry level scope scope, and there's also Rohde & Schwarz with theirHamegR&S Value Instruments HMO Series which includes some really nice low-end scopes. And some of them aren'tthatmuch more expensive than a Rigol DS1054z.QuoteNot really. Tek's higher end is pretty dire, too, aside from the DPO70kSX which has a nice form factor for ATEs (which on the other side makes it a poor bench scope). They're essentially milking their old DPO7k/70k scopes which were't great when they came out (sluggish UI, slow processing) and by now are now pretty dated in comparison.QuoteThere's a certain price point where coming out with their own product just isn't worth it, so big brands like Keysight and LeCroy just re-badge cheap Chinese scopes and Tek essentially milks their stone-age entry level designs. Some got bitten (i.e. LeCroy with their crap WaveAce Siglent rebadges), others like Agilent/Keysight had more luck (because Rigol is still somewhat better at firmware than Siglent).QuoteI'm not a fan of Rigol myself, but the fact remains that the DS1054z is incredible value for money, and despite its problems its still a very good beginner's scope.However, the thing to remember however that we're no longer in the analog scopes era where Tek and HP were pretty much the only vendors worth considering. The market has changed a lot since then. Tek has been pretty much left behind technologically due to a long-term lack of innovation (which will be difficult to overcome). Keysight offers great scopes but especailly the larger models are regularly very expensive. LeCroy offers the most advanced scopes on the market (and for some stuff are the only game in town), however their low end (everything below the WaveSurfer 3000) is made of rebadges and pretty much sucks. Rohde & Schwarz offers some very nice and mostly decently priced entry level scopes under their 'Value Instruments' label (formerly 'Hameg') and some really good but really expensive upper mid-range and lower high-end scopes (RTM/RTE/RTO). Rigol offers the cheapest 4 channel scope on the market (DS1054z) which is a real bargain, however its larger scope models (DS4000/DS6000) pretty much suck. Siglent also offers some bottom-of-the-barrel scopes at low prices (although most of them are 2ch) but they have shown to be pretty much incompetent at writing firmware and tend to bring products to market which are full of bugs.That means these days it's not enough to look atHPAgilentKeysight and Tek because that means you pretty much miss out on most of what's available out there.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 12:00:34 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on November 07, 2015, 10:42:06 amI just counted my scopes for the first time.... and I barely make the 20...But it took many years to get here...15 scopes hooked up in the lab on different benches7 used scopes stored away for future projects2 brand new Hameg scopes not used in boxes1 really old leader scope brand new in original box4 Handheld Tek scopes, stored away in their case1 Agilent USB and1 Pico USB scope1 stupid (iPhone size) miniature scopeAnd most of them are used on a regular basis.What can I say, I just love scopes

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 12:19:49 pm
content: I would like to see a handheld Tek scope in action,bec I am interested to buy one for my collection.greetingsMartin

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 12:59:10 pm
content: Just counted and I'm at 10. Two I use, a Tek 465 and Rigol DS1074Z. The other eight are the vintage and antique ones in my test equipment collection.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 01:10:11 pm
content: Quote from: Martin.M on November 07, 2015, 12:19:49 pmI have to look for some action picturesHere is my collection of my Tek Handhelds.One of them is brand new, never turned on

author: Weistek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 04:04:26 pm
content: I want one...Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2015, 05:32:43 pm
content: I have used a lot of scopes. I only really hated the LeCrap scope (can't remember the type, but it was quite expensive).I used to love the Tek scopes, but nowadays you get less scope for more money. Tek has never been the same after the Danaher group ruined them. Old Teks have such a high degree of quality, they are as nice to use as they are to repair.I have been quite pleased with the Hameg HMO. It lacks fast waveform updates, but everything else works like a charm.I only used the 6104 from Rigol, but quality was far better than I and others expected. Everything was working so much better and faster than my 15k Tek DPO4104 (2,5 times as expensive).Never really liked the (cheap as well as expensive) USB scopes in general.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 01:10:06 am
content: I think I can now be classified as a junior scope collector as well. 5 scopes:- Hameg 605 (that will need some repair soon, I think it's finally time for recapping).- Rigol DS2072A- HP 54610B- R&S RTM 1054- Tek 465B (also needs work).

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 02:41:30 am
content: ummm .... errrr .... was I supposed to *stop* at twentyI mean, they were just *sitting there* .....(Yes, for the record, I'm well over 20, along with numerous piles of other sorts of test gear )

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 03:34:02 am
content: Quote from: SLJ on October 29, 2015, 08:28:28 pmThat is super cool!

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:06:34 am
content: ^ +1 That and the matching signal generator are works of art, not mere electronics.I feel so inadequate after reading this thread, 1 scope and 2 multimeters (not counting the half dozen free HF ones I use on model railroad stuff).I keep looking for a decent 20MHz or so Tek analog scope for a decent price, mostly just to have a quality analog scope.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:13:36 am
content: It's OK, rrinker. I only have two scopes, an analog and a digital, and the analog one needs work. So, effectively, I have one.On the other hand, I have 11 multimeters at the moment. Oy! Gotta start a separate thread.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:18:44 am
content: I suppose it is some consolation that I am considering purchasing another multimeter....

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:23:06 am
content: I only have seven.

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:35:38 am
content: 20 oscilloscopes? Well you see I can't afford a really high end scope, so I figure that I can simulate one with a bunch of cheap scopes.I find that if I hook up my twenty 50MHz scopes in parallel that I can divide the incoming signal among them for an effective aggregate bandwidth of 1GHZ. And since some of them are two-channel and some are four-channel scopes, if I hook them all in parallel I can get an aggregate bandwidth of more than 2.4GHz which is enough to troubleshoot WiFi routers and microwave ovens.Or if I hook all the inputs in series I can either use them to handle higher input voltages, such as those generated by my Tesla coil, or get ultra-high resolution on very weak signals. Why I can even peer into the nanovolt signal range to monitor the heartbeats of amoebas under my microscope. Pretty cool!Of course it's kind of awkward having a waveform split across all those displays, but sometimes you just gotta do with what you can afford. Amirite?

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 05:22:11 am
content: Bill, you forgot to set them up in a grid for more visual real estate.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 10:24:13 am
content: Quote from: billfernandez on January 29, 2016, 04:35:38 amBut really that's pretty much how the 100GHz scope from LeCroy works. Its 4 really fast scopes put together, each one of them built from 4 interleaved ADCs that are in itself built from interleaved ADC blocks internally.

author: Addicted2AnalogTek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 12:02:19 am
content: Well I don't quite have 20... yet. I do have 9 Teks and also intend to add a Rigol DS1054Z within the next two weeks. There's also a possibility that I will be getting my hands on a Tek 561A.Inventory:(1) Tek 454A(2) Tek 465(2) Tek 468(3) Tek 485(1) Tek 7613

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 12:17:54 am
content: Quote from: rrinker on January 29, 2016, 04:06:34 amDon't worry. Once you've got one, the next few come along to join them. Pretty soon you're wondering if you should stop (no, of course you shouldn't).

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 12:28:02 am
content: Quote from: Addicted2AnalogTek on February 12, 2016, 12:02:19 amHiI didn't realize we had to be able to *count* them all .... yikes ...465's at least two475's at least two2465's more than four2465A's more than four2467B's at lest three working, about a dozen total.7xxx series, had a dozen or so, sold them to a kid for next to nothingprobably another 5 or 10 that I'm unable to spotDo we have to count the digital scopes as well? This is getting tiring ....Bob (heading back to my beer)

author: Addicted2AnalogTek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 01:27:54 am
content: Cheezus, Bob! Sell me a 2467B !! haha

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 04:01:39 am
content: Me too! haha out of the 9 non-working there has to be enough parts to get 2 or 3 working ones!

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 04:07:59 am
content: Quote from: billfernandez on January 29, 2016, 04:35:38 amHave you considered hooking them up anti-parallel?

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 04:23:23 am
content: Quote from: CustomEngineerer on February 12, 2016, 04:07:59 amThat would just result in one giant flat line across all the displays as the waveforms all cancel each other out.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 04:47:18 am
content: If I had 20 scopes I'd be very tempted to so something like this.And then I would would be drawn and quartered.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 04:52:24 am
content: As a quick followup.Anyone with 20 scopes, video camera, youtube account and enough room to do some oscilloscope dominoes?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 06:31:56 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on February 12, 2016, 04:52:24 amThat's just sick.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 07:12:42 am
content: Quote from: tautech on February 12, 2016, 06:31:56 amIn my defense, they would not be my oscilloscopes, so I can enjoy the event without risk. I can't ask Dave because it could be career ending.It would work with multimeters (dominoes) but there is no real danger there.Take a new Fluke DMM and and a new Rigol ds1054z drop off a roof. Set up a poll, the lowest count item get's to live. Will it be the Fluke or the Rigol? If it's a tie they both go.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 07:30:01 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on February 12, 2016, 07:12:42 amThen just drop the fluke since it would just bounce anyway.

author: Keysight DanielBogdanoff
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 06:50:52 pm
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on February 12, 2016, 04:52:24 amDon't tempt us.

author: Keysight DanielBogdanoff
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 06:52:15 pm
content: And before you ask for one, register to win one atwww.scopemonth.comIf you win this, you won't need your other 19.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 11:25:20 pm
content: Quote from: Keysight_DanielBogdanoff on February 12, 2016, 06:52:15 pmHiI registered. One can *never* have to many scopes !!!Bob

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2016, 11:29:27 pm
content: As I said it is because we can.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2016, 07:13:22 am
content: Quote from: uncle_bob on February 12, 2016, 11:25:20 pmEspecially when one (this one) is nowhere near 20, yet.Also registered.(Of course, Daniel, anytime you need more space, I'm happy to adopt a scope or three.)

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2016, 10:37:53 am
content: Quote from: Keysight_DanielBogdanoff on February 12, 2016, 06:50:52 pmWOW!!!Now there are more than just 20 counts..

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2016, 03:32:58 pm
content: Quote from: Keysight_DanielBogdanoff on February 12, 2016, 06:52:15 pmI don't know what people have to do or provide to enter the sweepstake, but following from the official rules seems to be a little bit disturbing:Quote

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2016, 06:32:37 pm
content: Quote from: madires on February 13, 2016, 03:32:58 pm(I am not a lawyer, but) taking the preceding text into context with that statement, this simply means that anything you provide to Keysight by entering can be freely used by them (e.g., for promotional purposes). Unfortunately, legalese is typically over the top in the way it's worded and sounds extremely overbearing and excessively overreaching.So far, all I had to submit to enter was basic contact information including name, company name, and email address.

author: WackyGerman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2016, 07:09:28 pm
content: I don t have 20 scopes . My old Grundig GO15Zlast week so I only have my Fluke 123 left . But this has 20 knobs

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 10:44:36 pm
content: @Sebastian. Fuck that is seriously cringeworthy.

author: Helix70
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 07:06:08 am
content: Poor Sebastian, the winner of Scopemonth? Yeah, I will shed a tear.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 09:11:35 am
content: Ok... Ok.. Lets make a deal. Have them send it to me in the USA and I'll ship it to you for a significantly reduced amount

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 09:47:58 am
content: Quote from: SebastianW on March 10, 2016, 10:21:12 pmReally? It seems to me that you're the one being arrogant. You entered and won a competition, depriving someone else of the opportunity to win. Keysight offered you a great prize and it sounds like they're trying to be as helpful as they can minimising winners' tax burden.You realise that tax doesn't go to Keysight don't you? The German government want it. Not only have Keysight given away their product for free, but you expect them to pay to the German government on your behalf for the privilege.I hope that next week they tell you to go poke it.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 01:43:10 pm
content: Quote from: Keysight_DanielBogdanoff on February 12, 2016, 06:50:52 pmI like the sign on the pulse (step) generator.

author: 1xrtt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 05:44:41 pm
content: Yeah..., clicked the link, entered all my personal data, and then:QuoteOn a second thought, if I win, I would be crying even louder than Sebastian...With this thing costing over 3K, it goes to a completely messy taxation schema and I would end up paying around 100% customs tax over the declared price and shipping, and possibly would need to hire an accountant to sort out the paperwork.So, thank you, good guy Keysight, for not allowing us, poor third worlders, to get poorer!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 06:17:33 pm
content: Quote from: SebastianW on March 10, 2016, 10:21:12 pmThey got a marketing boss called Dave? I like the BBQ idea with a different scope though.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 06:40:24 pm
content: Quote from: 1xrtt on March 11, 2016, 05:44:41 pmI think you can thank your own government for that. With regret, Brazil is up there and beyond Russia for exporting to as far as I am concerned. I will no longer send items via my usual tracked route. The 100% tax is frequently refused by recipients and I risk having items returned by the shipping company at my expense.You need to start looking at your own government's actions and those "tips" (cough) government employess frequently demand just to do their jobs, both of which are playing a key part in isolating your country, rather than immediately blaming everyone else.