Affordable Personal Oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jrevard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 07:29:02 am
content: What is the best oscilloscope under $400?I lovehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTG6jWL0ZqA&feature=youtu.be(awesome personality), but itis6 years old so...Thanks!!!Justin

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 07:48:54 am
content: Quote from: jrevard on November 18, 2015, 07:29:02 amIf buying new the Rigol DS1054Z end of story. $375 from tequipment.net with free shipping (using the EEVblog discount code). 4 Channels 50Mhz 1 GS/S but "user" upgradable to 100MHz.There is a 100 page thread here on the forums about it please read this and use google before asking further questions because they have been answered many times.Oh and check out Daves videos on it as well.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 08:57:15 am
content: Quote from: jrevard on November 18, 2015, 07:29:02 amThat's the easiest question ever asked here!Answer: Rigol DS1054Z

author: znroot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 10:25:45 am
content: I have bought a new Siglent SDS1102X oscilloscope. I am pretty happy and it works fine for about 470€.Now i'm also waiting a good sds1000X thread on this forum!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 10:36:33 am
content: Quote from: nicolozilio on November 18, 2015, 10:25:45 amI'd never guess why.

author: SteveLy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 02:11:35 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 18, 2015, 08:57:15 amWhat Fungus said. There is no contest at present.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 03:02:59 pm
content: Quote from: SteveLy on November 18, 2015, 02:11:35 pmNormally on here it's like, "What 'scope should I buy for $300?"Answer: "Save up another $100 and buy a DS1054Z"....usually followed by a lot of whining/complaining.Or: "What 'scope should I buy for $200?"Answer: "Save up another $200 and buy a DS1054Z"...followed by even more whining/complainingandthe CRO crowd chiming in about how a used 1970's green-screen 'scope is a good buy for a first 'scope (hint: It's not!)But if you've actuallygot$400 to spend then it's easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Get a DS1054Z!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 03:10:37 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 18, 2015, 03:02:59 pmOk, I should probably qualify that before I get lynched: A 1970's green-screen 'scopecanbe a good buy,ifyou can get one really cheap, ie. no more than about $80 for 2 channel, 100MHz bandwidth. They're just too limited in functionality, take up too much desk space, and are probably about to die unless they've been refurbished (in which case you won't get one for $80).

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 03:24:43 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 18, 2015, 03:02:59 pmOh no, you did it now, now your in for it.

author: SteveLy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 04:36:40 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 18, 2015, 03:02:59 pmLOL, too true. Or even to: "Can anyone donate a scope or let me have one for $50?"@OP Don't waste your hard-earned on a DSO, get arealscope.You can pick up a nice analog scope for $50 or less! You can't beat the smooth display, high educational value, and general cool factor of a slick analog scope.Just kidding!If you have $US400 to spend, get the DS1054Z. Total no-brainer.

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 05:11:34 pm
content: I prefer my DSO for just about everything, but still I'm glad I learned on an analog scope. I felt it gave me a good appreciation for how the instrument worked, and there's still a few things it does better than the DSO.If I had to pick one, clearly it's the DSO. If I got to pick two, I'd have both the DSO and a 2465B (and a couple extra feet of bench space to accommodate it).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 06:11:35 pm
content: Quote from: smbaker on November 18, 2015, 05:11:34 pmDon't get me wrong, I like analog 'scopes. I like the clicky range switches, I like the glowing phosphor trails on the screen. Analog 'scopes are cool.Functionality-wise though, the bang-per-buck simply isn't there any more. Not unless you can get one for next-to-nothing.

author: znroot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 07:19:09 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 18, 2015, 10:36:33 amI think it's the best way to see if there are any new firmware, bugs, tweaks and any other things related to the new scopes!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 07:30:53 pm
content: Quote from: nicolozilio on November 18, 2015, 07:19:09 pmYou may not have noticed but the SDG2000X seies AWG has been BW hacked, this was what I was referring to.Maybe the SDS1000X series DSO will be BW hacked soon to?Keep watching the forum.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 07:46:45 pm
content: if I was a cynic I would design a scope for 100Mhz BW then restrict it to 50Mhz, then sit and watch laughing as people bought it, hacked it to it's original 100Mhz and watch as it sold like mad.In the meantime I will stick to torturing toads with dynamos, its way more fun.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 07:51:34 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on November 18, 2015, 07:46:45 pmWhy stop at 100MHz design BW?

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 08:07:06 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 18, 2015, 07:51:34 pmI was being cynical about the DS1054Z .... it would be a great marketing ploy though wouldn't it, all those thousands of people thinking they had hacked something and making it a best seller...

author: znroot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 08:15:17 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 18, 2015, 07:30:53 pmI wasn't following the sdg2000x threads but I've just read something good.I'll keep watching the forum for any news

author: znroot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 08:19:59 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on November 18, 2015, 08:07:06 pmI thinks it's cheap to design only one model of scope and then place the correct components to make different versions... but I am pretty sure that the cheapest way to achieve this is via software.You can see it with the decode keys and upgrades.So yes, if I was Siglent/Rigol engineer I think I'll make only one board and then work with firmware

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 11:35:14 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on November 18, 2015, 07:48:54 amGood luck on the "free shipping" if you don't live in the "contiguous United States"Alaska,Hawaii,& Puerto Rico need not apply!If you live in Oz,a DS1054Z is around$A633(approx.US$456),including GST,before it leaves the supplier-----plus not inconsiderable freight costs if you don't live next door to Emona!Actually,that isn't all that bad,as the "special" Tequipment price translates to about$A520before freight!Australians were horribly spoilt for imported test equipment in the halcyon days of exchange rates of US$1.30 to the$A!.00.They were lousy days for people in the USA,though!

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2015, 11:44:33 pm
content: QuoteHaha. I have wondered about doing the same thing for some of my projects. Release a youtube video showing how to HACK it to unlock extra features, and hope for a new market to emerge.FWIW, there's a hack for my Hantek. Guess what. I haven't done it, and I don't plan to unless I need the extra BW. In the meantime, there may be a useful new FW released by the manufacturer, and I rather not waste time redundantly hacking my scope just to say it has a higher BW I currently don't use, anyway.The gear don't excite me; I can't fall backwards into riches by having cool gear. The app does. When I need a higher BW scope, it'll be because I'm learning new tricks, and even buying new equipment may be justified, anyway.Buying/having and not needing is nice. Outgrowing your equipment is also nice. That's a good problem to have.

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 12:03:03 am
content: Quote from: KL27x on November 18, 2015, 11:44:33 pmAt the very least, they don't seem to care a whole lot. The DS1052E was hackable, and they bring out the DS1054Z with the same 'defect'.Either those who hack the scopes aren't significant enough to cut into the sales of the more expensive variants, or it is indeed a clever marketing ploy.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 01:31:03 am
content: Just looking at DS1054Zs on eBay.com.au.http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=RIGOL+DS1054Z+-&LH_PrefLoc=2&_localstpos=6108&_fcid=15&_clu=2&gbr=1&_osacat=0&_stpos=6108&LH_AllListings=1&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XRIGOL+DS1054Z+.TRS0&_nkw=RIGOL+DS1054Z+&_sacat=0It turns out that Tequipment is still the cheapest overseas source for Oz,when you take postage into account.For the miserable difference,though,I would buy from Emona .Not gonna happen anytime soon,though!$A600 may be worth less Internationally,but it still hurts just as much as ever in the wallet department!

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 04:50:19 am
content: Quote from: smbaker on November 19, 2015, 12:03:03 amFor individuals Rigol turns a blind eye and sells more units. If a company is buying 50 then it's another story I'm sure. I will say this, it is a good general purpose scope and I use one daily (to my surprise). If it was not then the discussion would be about another crap Chinese scope.

author: jrevard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 07:06:16 am
content: Haha! You guys are great. Yep I expected some flak (Fliegerabwehrkanone) for that question and hoped the moderator would put it through. I will say there is some back and forth between brands in some places on the web. And the video I found was old, as were the discussions.Well I could maybe have tried harder, but still may have made a dumb purchase in the end. Especially since I only trust Tektronix and now I am reading not all great things (rebranding..?).Anyone care to discuss pros/cons b/t TBS1052B and DS1054Z (thanks to video in orig post I am better versed in MHz and S/s)? Also, any must have accessories (e.g. probes, etc.) that are not included? And are the additional upgrades mentioned in the review available after purchase?BTW: tried EEVblog as a promo code, not valid. is the code something different?Thanks!!!*edit: added clarity to inquiries

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 07:25:14 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 18, 2015, 03:02:59 pmAnd what about the 1970s orange screens? Something with a bit of persistence? This seems like blatant colour prejudice.Seriously, orange longer persistence phosphors were an option for a lot of scopes, and I was always surprised how few buyers chose them. The downside was minor, and if you were working on something slow you got enough persistence to follow what the signal was doing. A storage tube scope was obviously far better for this, but the cost difference was huge. People with green screens used a lot more Polaroid film than I used with an orange screen.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 08:49:43 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on November 19, 2015, 04:50:19 amWhy? They might look at the competition instead if you start trying to sell them $700 'scopes instead of $400 'scopes.So long as you're not losing money then a sale is a sale is a sale. Totally owning the market for entry-level oscilloscopes isn't a bad situation to be in.The hackable DS1054Z was just to test the water. Rigol just released a whole bunch of new models which can be software upgraded to MSO and even MSO+SigGen.$825 for something that can be hacked to 100Mhz, MSO and SigGen? Yes, please.It sells for $425 more than a DS1054Z but all they needed to add was some external connectors and a couple of chips in the blank spaces that were already on the PCB. Will it be hackable? Of course it will...

author: Orion12
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2015, 12:08:09 pm
content: The hackable DS1054Z was just to test the water. Rigol just released a whole bunch of new models which can be software upgraded to MSO and even MSO+SigGen.$825 for something that can be hacked to 100Mhz, MSO and SigGen? Yes, please.It sells for $425 more than a DS1054Z but all they needed to add was some external connectors and a couple of chips in the blank spaces that were already on the PCB. Will it be hackable? Of course it will...Looks like the Lowest Price Rigol MSO is here . . . Rigol DS1052D ( But Unfortunately only 2-Channels )50 MHz Mixed Signal Oscilloscope with 2 analog channels and 16 digital channels plus USB storage and connectivity and 1 GSa/sec samplingChannels: 2Bandwidth: 50 MhzSampling Rate: 1 GS/SSale: $610.00 ( tequipment )You'd have to goto this Level Range for 4-Channels . . . Rigol MSO1074Z70 MHz Mixed Signal Oscilloscope with 4 analog channels as well as 16 digital logic channels plus 12 Mpt memory and 1 GSa/sec samplingChannels: 4Bandwidth: 70 MhzSampling Rate: 1000 MSa/S (1 GS/S)Sale: $835.00 ( tequipment )IF You wanted a Built-In Signal Generator then you'd be in this range . . . Rigol MSO1074Z-S70 MHz Mixed Signal Oscilloscope with 4 analog channels as well as 16 digital logic channels, and a 25 MHz, 2 ch source plus 12 Mpt memory and 1 GSa/sec samplingChannels: 4Bandwidth: 70 MhzSampling Rate: 1000 MSa/S (1 GS/S)Sale: $1,068.00 ( tequipment )AFTER Doing TONS of Searching & Evals / Pricing Comparisons ect . . . I Ended Up with this ( Which SHOULD Arrive Tomorrow Nov 19th ) . . .Rigol DS1054Z50 MHz Digital Oscilloscope with 4 channels plus 12 Mpt memory, 1 GS/s...50 Mhz 4 1 GS/S$379.05 from TechEdu.com ( I over paid by ~ $4 ) lolAn Odd Kicker is it Shows at the Top of ( tequipment ) under their MSO Category Listings the DS1054Z . . . ( The jpg Attachment - IF it Shows Up, is a Screen Shot of this )My Last Scope was a Vintage Tektronic 35Mhz RM43 - 19" Rack Tube / Monster Scope ( ~ 125 lbs ) with a Dual Trace Plug-In . . . So the DS1054Z is a Fair Jump in Technology . . . lolInstead of going for a Built-In Function Generator Model I Went for this offering . . .http://www.ebay.com/itm/121478483178?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITDual-ch DDS Function Arbitrary Waveform Signal Generator + sweep +Software - Mine was $79.99 with shippingModel FY3224SSine wave frequency range0Hz~24 MHzSquare wave frequency range0Hz~6MHzTriangle wave frequency range0Hz~6MHzArbitrary wave frequency wave0Hz~6MHzThis combination totals ~ $459.04 including the ( Hackable 100Mhz 4-Channels DS1054Z Scope ) & 2-Channel 24Mhz DDS Function Generator . . . I'll know Soon Enough IF this was a "Good Move" . . .Cheers from Orion12

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 02:36:04 am
content: It's not just Rigol.HP/Agilent, Siglent, Hantek. They all have been doing this for a long time. BW, unlocking extra channels and software tools, etc.QuoteI (sorta) have this for $600.00ish. Hantek MSO5074FG. Exact same specs on paper. I think the arbitrary waveform generator part of the software isn't completely done, yet (or I'm just retarded). And the MSO half of the equation appears fairly primitive. But the scope menus and display are pretty good. I got the digital channels and waveform generator because it was only a pittance more, not that I needed them. So I got what I paid for, anyway. And future firmware and software upgrades are at least a possibility.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 03:33:47 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 19, 2015, 08:49:43 amHow will you recover your NRE? If you can sell a lot of crippled units for RE + profit margin, and some at full spec for (% of NRE) + RE + profit margin, you recover your NRE and can finance the design of next generation products. If you can't recover your NRE you wither and die, even if your are above break even on a day to day basis. Most design engineers feed their families from NRE. Its the most important part of part of the ecomonic package the most of us. Show proper respect for it.

author: Orion12
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 08:01:13 am
content: That Hantek Model looks like a Very Good Scope Design but appears to have Support & Buggy Firmware issues . . . ( According to the Amazon Reviews but Most Owners seem to Like it Anyway / Nice Clean Layout & Awesome Feature Set for that Pricing )I just received my Rigol DS1054Z / DS1104Z 100Mhz Scope in TODAY . . . I'm Quite Positively Impressed so far . . .I've still LOTS to LEARN about using it but I did an Interesting Experiment just to SEE what was the Shortest Duration Event that could be Measured . . .It's Pretty Tough to SEE but I Captured some Environmental NOISE using the 5.00ns Range & Discovered a 10.00Ghz Wave Form in it . . . Pretty Cool for a Day One Test.( Screen Shot Attached / The Cursor is surrounding a .1ns Wave Event ie.10.0Ghz) Kind of Fun Playing Around with it . . . I'm really really liking the Scope's Gradient Wave Form DISPLAY / Awesome )$379.05 & 100Mhz but No Wave Gen or 8-Chan Logic Analyzer.Have one of these is on it's way for Dual Channel up to 24Mhz Sine, Square, Triangle & Arbitrary Wave DDS Function Generator Operations . . .http://www.ebay.com/itm/24Mhz-Dual-ch-DDS-Function-Arbitrary-Waveform-Signal-Generator-sweep-Software-/121478483178?hash=item1c48ae8cea:g:4KsAAOSwyTZUWJ3PThat brings the total ~ $459 but Still No 8-Channel Logic Analyzer which would-have-been a Very Nice Addition . . .Onward & Upward with Cheers from Orion12

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 08:42:25 am
content: Quote from: coppice on November 20, 2015, 03:33:47 amThis is a simple bottom line issue. You need to make back all of your investment development counts as does advertising. Rigol has generated a great deal of free advertising with the hacks. If I'm buying for a company I pay for all the licenses / features. If I don't I'm risking the company and hindering future development.Rigol is doing a great job with their approach. I can't say it was intentional but certainly the sales are excellent. I look forward to seeing the next entry into the low end market. They will have to beat Rigols feature list and meet the 400.00 price point. I think Hantek may be next, may be very buggy. Siglent takes much longer to get to market but the hardware is well built. Not sure what will happen with Owon.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 06:59:07 pm
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on November 20, 2015, 08:42:25 amThe old DS1052E was hackable as well. They'll have looked at that as an example and figured out that it was a great way to sell scopes to hobbyists and get a lot of free advertising into the bargain...

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 09:03:20 pm
content: QuoteRe support:I had some initial problems. But I got support. When my emails went unanswered for several days, I used Skype to call Hantek in China and got prompt and courteous support. in English. And they sent a new firmware and a windows recovery tool, which fixed my problems.With the latest firmware, everything seems ok, minus the arbitrary waveform creator software. No more crashes, except for an occasional crash when doing a very specific thing on the scope. I can't remember exactly what, anymore, except it involves the scope being set on a very high timebase and possibly turning channels on/off. There's a way to do it without crashing the scope, if you change the order, and it doesn't always crash. So no big deal. I can't say it really sours the milk, when it's a 4 channel scope with (A)WG and digital channels for 6 bills.The Rigol crash bug seems to be similarly trivial.Out of my personal experience with a whopping two scopes, the Hantek menu layout is great and completely logical (vs Owon).

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2015, 10:35:07 pm
content: Quote from: Orion12 on November 19, 2015, 12:08:09 pmWhat new models are you talking about?

author: jrevard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 21, 2015, 03:06:57 am
content: Quote from: Orion12 on November 20, 2015, 08:01:13 amThank you for your contributions Orion12.I am certainly interested in how you like your function generator when it arrives. I will be putting an order in for a DS1054Z (Did you type "/DS1104Z" b/c you intend to hack?). Any response to my other questions in Reply #25? Namely regarding accessories and promo code.Thanks!

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2015, 03:25:44 am
content: jrevard, to get the eevblog promo code for tequipment just ask in threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-members-discount-at-tequipment/. Someone will PM the code to you.

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2015, 10:00:17 am
content: @jrevard, PM sent.

author: Orion12
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 02:28:45 pm
content: Thank you for your contributions Orion12.I am certainly interested in how you like your function generator when it arrives. I will be putting an order in for a DS1054Z (Did you type "/DS1104Z" b/c you intend to hack?). Any response to my other questions in Reply #25? Namely regarding accessories and promo code.Thanks!Thanks . . . It's always good to hear some positive feedback ( lol ) I just checked on the Shipping Status for the Function Generator & it's NOW in country so should arrive soon . . .There' a thread in this forum with more Info on it . . . I think if your Search on FDY3024S ( my ordered model ) or FY3200S / FY3224S you will can find more Detailed Reports from other users who have done testing on their units . . . Another feature I like is INSIDE the Case, it LOOKS like it has some Extra Room which I might use to ADD a Low Impedance Driver / MosFet Power Amp - Output Stage.I liked the IDEA of Having EVERYTHING Built-In to the Scope but for a 100Mhz 4-Channel that started looking like a $1,000 bill. ( Unless I Missed Something ).On the DS1054Z side . . . I did TONS of Research & Just couldn't find any 100Mhz Competition with Proven Performance in that Price Range with 4-Channels . . . + Some of the Scopes like the newer 70Mhz Hantech with Function Generator & Logic Probes ( ~$650 ) LOOKED Pretty Good SPEC WISE but had some Sketchy Reviews . . . Like Not being able to Use the Function Generator or Logic Probes ect . . .It's looking like I could ADD a USB / 16-Channel 100Mhz Logic Analyzer which can use a full Hi-Res Display for ~ Under $50 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-USB-Logic-100MHz-16Ch-Logic-Analyzer-for-ARM-FPGA-/321770205940?hash=item4aeaffb2f4:g:ZhEAAOSw0JpV6llC) . . . Just some Early Research / I'm Not Sure what I need or want yet in the Logic Analyzer Department.I can't believe how much Time, Research, Reading Reviews & Watching Videos this "Finding the Best 4-Channel Scope in the $400 to $700 Range" took . . . So Far I'm REALLY HAPPY with my 1054.1104 Rigol.I picked up mine from TechEdu.com with their "Teacher's Discount" for ~ $379.00 which I believe is about $4 Higher than from Tequipment with the eevblog promo code . . .Best of Luck & Cheers from Orion12

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 01:57:55 am
content: Quote from: Deathwish on November 18, 2015, 07:46:45 pm^+++

author: Orion12
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2015, 07:45:56 am
content: "Thank you for your contributions Orion12.I am certainly interested in how you like your function generator when it arrives. I will be putting an order in for a DS1054Z (Did you type "/DS1104Z" b/c you intend to hack?). Any response to my other questions in Reply #25? Namely regarding accessories and promo code.Thanks!"WELL . . . I received my FY3200S / FY3224S Function Generator in TODAYNot Much Time for TESTING Yet but it's Positive So Far . . .btw the Square, Triangle & Sine ALL goto 24-Mhz albeit the Square & Triangle / Arbitrary Waves ( to 23Mhz ) do Start Degrading past ~ 6-Mhz . . .Tech Note : the Square Wave / Duty Cycle .1 to .99% are Well Behaving ONLY Upto ~ 100KhZ where they Start Becoming Non-Linear & Soft Shaped . . . SINE Looks Good ~ 24Mhz but does start to Attenuate ~ 10Mhz to 24Mhz . . .At the $80 Price Range WITHIN It's Limitations it APPEARS to have a lot of Functionality / Definitely Capable of Generating a HUGE Range of Simple & Complex Waveforms.Cheers from Orion12

author: SteveLy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2015, 09:07:48 am
content: If you're bandwidth limited to 24 MHz then you can get 24 MHz sine waves but at that same frequency your square waves should also be sine waves. That's because a 24 MHz square wave contains many higher frequency harmonics. But these will all be beyond the bandwidth limit. So all you end up with is the fundamental frequency, which is a 24 MHz sine wave. If you get a half-recognisable square wave at 6MHz from a sig-gen limited to 24 MHz, you're doing well. I have the same sig-gen and it's damn impressive for the money. Feels like atoy and most of the case is empty but it's definitely up to the task.