Wanted: Oscilloscopes to troubleshoot and learn about circuits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: thomasb9511
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 04:09:04 am
content: I know this may not be the right place to ask,but does anyone have an old Oscilloscope that is gathering dust that could use a new home? I was looking to buy one but medical bills got in the way and now it would be about 6 months or so before I can afford it again. I know they are expensive but I hope someone might have an old they could donate to me so I could learn more about electronic circuits.I came Dave's video on the subject.I am going through some tough times right now with college and depression.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 08:16:52 am
content: Just saw some interesting stuff about acetyl-l-carnitine and depression..http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=acetylcarnitine+depressionIts cheap and good for all sorts of things...

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 08:36:12 am
content: Quote from: cdev on February 22, 2016, 08:16:52 amIndeed, there is some promising research there. I need to look into the research on that more. The pssoble benefits in fibromyalgia in particular intrigue me. It woud be good to have another tool in my toolbox for treating that. Thanks for posting.To the OP: Hang in there. Thingswillget better! If you don't mind me asking, where in the US are you?

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 10:19:18 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on February 22, 2016, 08:36:12 amSomewhere in Virginia, I believe.Quote from: mtdoc on February 22, 2016, 08:36:12 am+1

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 11:34:52 am
content: Quote from: thomasb9511 on February 22, 2016, 04:09:04 amI don't know anything about you and your circumstances, of course.However, one of my daughter's roommates was thinking of leaving university because they found it difficult. (Not surprising, since universityoughtto be difficult!) My daughter was sufficiently persuasive that they stayed, and they have now graduated with a good degree.If possible, hang in there.

author: thomasb9511
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 12:52:10 pm
content: Quote from: crispy_tofu on February 22, 2016, 10:19:18 amCorrect I am in Virginia.I am getting help with counseling and medication. It helps but it will take time.Ham radio and electronics is my getaway from the thoughts and troubles.I just wish I had the money to get am oscilloscope for my projects.The darn bills keep piling up.I had to stay 15 days in a mental hospital. Turns out my insurance only pays 20% of hospital stays like that5000 ish left to pay.I am OK. I am feeling OK.I literally had the money for a Rigol DS1054Z, I saved up for about a year for it. Now that money got taken for medical bills.I hope that my plea for help does not go unheard.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 11:02:54 pm
content: Quote from: thomasb9511 on February 22, 2016, 12:52:10 pmGlad to hear you're getting some help.QuoteI wish I had an unused scope but I recently gave the only extra one I had to a neighbor.You may have heard this before but check local thrift shops regularly (I once got a working scope at one for $10). Check with local Ham clubs or local colleges which may have an old one sitting around unused. Check out Dave's video about getting a $50 analog scope on eBay.QuoteIsn't our medical system grand?FWIW - hospitals usually have a charity care system that allow you to make a small monthly payment on your medical bill if your income is low.Good luck.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 12:21:28 am
content: Quote from: thomasb9511 on February 22, 2016, 12:52:10 pmHey, I'm in VA too. What college are you at, VT perhaps? Send me a PM and I'll see what I can do to get you hooked up with some gear.As someone who's also suffered with clinical depression/anxiety in the past, I feel for you. I know you feel hopeless, but there are tons of SSRI's out there now and with the right one, plus therapy and support, things *will* get better, I promise.

author: thomasb9511
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 04:20:59 am
content: Quote from: timb on February 23, 2016, 12:21:28 amPM'd mate

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 06:03:49 am
content: Quote from: timb on February 23, 2016, 12:21:28 amI just wanted to highlight this bit. There are good SSRI's, there are good, SNRI's there are good therapists. There are also bad examples of all three, and good vs bad varies person to person. Finding the *right* drug(s) that works for you, and also the right therapist is absolutely key. I've lost count of the people who've started out on the wrong drug, or spoken to the wrong therapist and given up in disgust. It might take many iterations to get the right combo, but once it's right it usually stays that way. Once you have a set that work for you, things get better a *lot* faster. Don't give up and don't stop trying until you hit that magic combination.Sorry, can't help with the CRO though, but I know how good a distraction the hobby is. I started the hobby when I was 6, and got my first CRO at 37. It does not get as much use as you'd think, as when you spend so many years working without one you just develop another set of senses.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 07:16:13 am
content: Quote from: BradC on February 23, 2016, 06:03:49 amAbsolutely right. Well said. There are also meds other than SSRIs and SNRIs that work best for some people. Depression can sometimes be difficult to treat and a drug that works well for a while may later lose effectiveness and dose or drug may need to be changed. The key is having a good relationship with your physician (and therapist if you have one). Don't wait until things get too bad - let them know what is going on and when things feel the darkest try to remember that the feeling *will* pass. The hardest part as a physician is when patients give up, cancel appointments and fail to follow up.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 08:34:04 am
content: Quote from: BradC on February 23, 2016, 06:03:49 amYes, very well said. I think a lot of people expect a magic pill, which unfortunately doesn't exist. Finding the right drug can take quite a bit of time, since it generally takes a few weeks to even start working, plus a few weeks to taper off before starting a new one.I also can't stress enough that you have to be comfortable with your therapist/psychiatrist. Don't be afraid to "shop around" until you find one that you're happy with.Also, OP, I got your PM. I'll hit you back in the morning. I've got a nice Tektronix analog scope (early 90's vintage) I restored awhile back with your name on it. It may not be a modern DSO, but it'll get you started.

author: thomasb9511
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 03:01:13 am
content: Quote from: timb on February 23, 2016, 08:34:04 amDo you know what model of Tektronix scope it is?Did you forget to pm me back?

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 08:29:40 am
content: Quote from: thomasb9511 on February 24, 2016, 03:01:13 amSorry! I fell asleep before I could finish the PM, sorry about that!It's a Tek 2225. I got it from a retired EE in Blacksburg a couple of years ago. It's rated at 50MHz but will easily do 100MHz. The really nice thing about it, is it goes down to 500uV/div. (I actually used it for checking power supply ripple and noise up until a last month!)Anyway, I'll PM you some details shortly.

author: thomasb9511
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 02:53:27 pm
content: Quote from: timb on February 24, 2016, 08:29:40 amIt is all right mate.Sounds like a nice scope.No hurries.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 11:24:27 pm
content: Quote from: thomasb9511 on February 24, 2016, 02:53:27 pmPM sent, now that the Internet is back up. Crazy bad Thunderstorms all day, and a Tornado Warning! In February!

author: thomasb9511
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 12:58:46 am
content: Quote from: timb on February 24, 2016, 11:24:27 pmGotta love the weather😃