TDS3054B with (all?) options - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 12:03:35 pm
content: This is kind of interesting. TDS3054B scope is being sold by Tektronix (Ebay ID chipxs)Note the option module that's plugged in - it's marked "ENG" presumably Engineering...http://www.ebay.com/itm/151742281076?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITI wonder what TDS3BTA does?Jay

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 12:19:15 pm
content: It looks like something that is hand built, based on hand writing on the module.Would be interesting to reverse engineer this module.

author: Alphatronique
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 12:51:19 pm
content: HIthat a plain 24C I2C EEprom and option was in clear Text ,just rewrite the one you needat least that trick worked long time a go

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 01:24:25 pm
content: "ENG" is a known license module hack that turns on every option, even those that are experimental.It's been discussed before:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/tektronix-tds3000-oscilloscope-modules-tds3uam/msg153033/#msg153033

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 01:45:57 pm
content: Very interesting. I have not used my TDS3000 Scopes in a long time.It seems I will be building an ENG module soon.Or does anyone offer them for sale?

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 03:02:25 pm
content: Quote from: Jwalling on July 11, 2015, 12:03:35 pmWhat makes you think "chipxs" is Tektronix?

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 03:44:12 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on July 11, 2015, 01:45:57 pmEasiest way is to reprogram an existing module.A particularly good candidate would be a TDS3FFT or TDS3TRG module, since FFT and advanced triggering are included options starting with firmware v3.39.

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 12, 2015, 09:53:21 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on July 11, 2015, 03:02:25 pmI've bought from them a few times. After winning a bid I'd be contacted by email from a woman named Carol with a tektronix.com domain. She would send ITAR forms to fill out with Tektronix logos on them. And the purchase comes in a Tektronix box.You can actually visit and buy direct if you're in Beaverton:http://www.bluefeathertech.com/technoid/tekstore.htmlJay

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2015, 10:24:54 am
content: Interesting, that they would not mark the seller account as an official tektronix store.More interesting, if it really is sold by Tektronix, that they would sell it with such an engineering module installed.Hmmm..Thanks MarkL, I will look in to that.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2015, 10:43:50 am
content: Quote from: Jwalling on July 12, 2015, 09:53:21 amThat's strange, as the owner is listed as "BNC Surplus Electronics". If what you bought previously was new or factory refurbished stuff then it could be that they just forwarded your contact details to Tek for fullfillment, but if it was for 2nd hand gear then this is quite odd.Then there's this on the auction page:Item is not covered by any warranties and is NOT eligible for Tektronix service or supportI'd really check twice if this is indeed coming directly from Tek, which I doubt (Tek is unlikely to sell a scope in that condition, i.e. with a felt marker scribbled on the model label).Alas, I wonder why Tek doesn't go the way Agilent/Keysight is doing, i.e. using their own branded ebay store.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2015, 10:57:33 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on July 12, 2015, 10:43:50 amPerhaps this is a 'Skunkworks' type of operation from dedicated Tek folks with the mission to avoid usable test gear go to dumpsters? I have seen similar initiatives before in large corporations...

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2015, 11:07:12 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on July 12, 2015, 10:57:33 amCoprorations usually sell unused/old gear off to recyclers and resellers, which then either scrap them or sell them on. It may well be that the seller is one of these resellers. The scope may even have come from Tek themselves, but it's apparent that it is sold off under the same conditions (no warranty, no support) than similar scopes, so it doesn't really matter where it came from. However, considering that these TDS3kB Series scopes still fetch some money, you would think that Tek would not just sell it off to a reseller but put it back into its refurbished devices program, where it would have been cleaned, the scribbled-on label replaced, and then re-sold with some kind of warranty and support.

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 13, 2015, 10:15:29 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on July 12, 2015, 11:07:12 amI took a look at my last purchase from them in Jan. of this year. The Paypal transaction lists them as:Seller:Recycling and Material SalvageRams-Ebay@tek.comWhich coincides nicely withhttp://www.bluefeathertech.com/technoid/tekstore.htmlIf anyone were really curious, they could always send an email via Ebay and ask...Jay