Build a electronics lab living abroad - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: crayon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 06:13:58 pm
content: Hello,So I just moved to Croatia from Mexico for work and could not transport my lab equipment.As a foreigner, and subject to the whims of my employer and new life, I am reticent to start acquiring stuff that could tie me down if I have to move again. But I would like to start building a functional lab for embedded systems design. I assume getting 2nd hand and/or cheap Chinese equipment would be my best bet... but would like to hear some thoughts and opinions (difference in prices, quality, availability).What would you suggest in this situation?

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 06:22:51 pm
content: Deleted because I reversed Croatia and Mexico. PARDON.STEVE

author: crayon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 06:25:34 pm
content: Quote from: LaserSteve on July 24, 2021, 06:22:51 pmNo señor, you got it backwards! I'm not in Mexico anymore, I'm in Croatia.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 06:27:17 pm
content: My dyslexia is acting up. SORRY! Tap into the Croatian Ham Radio groups, they do amazing work in the digital realm.Steve

author: crayon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 06:31:21 pm
content: No worries!

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 11:32:55 pm
content: Consider the Digilent Analog Discovery 2

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2021, 03:23:46 am
content: getting a scopemeter, fluke 289 and a multimeter with PWM output, thermocouple. the oscilloscopes are small now, so its not really a necessity to get a scopemeter anymore.if you need power supplies for systems work you can.. use batteries. For a 5V rail you can use a D cell bank, if you wanna ship it eventually, the weight is nothing, but its still highly useful and has extreme isolation and safety.The best thing I can recommend for anyone thats working with fixed voltages and has no space is batteries.good call not going to bed with your new employer, you never know what you are gonna run into, it makes sense to run cheap and light for a while

author: AaronLee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2021, 04:55:16 am
content: Having lived abroad in many countries myself, and while not having an electronics lab, I did have lots of computer gear, I'd recommend the following:Anything you feel the need to buy new, buy compact portable devices as much as possible, especially for your expensive gear.If there's an active used equipment store/exchange/online board, try to buy used gear for things that you can't get portable devices, and then if you find the need to move again, just sell your used gear before leaving.Don't overdo your electronics lab. Just get the bare minimum of what you think is necessary, and then if the need arises for more equipment, buy it as the needs happen.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2021, 01:22:45 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on July 25, 2021, 03:23:46 amOr just use one of the many USB batteries that have been commonly available for years.