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O'scope recommendations

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Craig Rairdin

O'scope recommendations

I'm browsing eBay for an oscilloscope suitable for troubleshooting projects
like the Elecraft kits and am looking for recommendations on particular
models or suggested features and specifications.

Thanks for your help.

Craig
NZ0R
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Jack Smith-6

Re: O'scope recommendations

Tektronix 465 series. 100 MHz, dual trace workhorse of the analog scopes
in the 1970's and should be readily available for a few hundred dollars.

Budget a decent set of 10X probes if not included.

Jack

Craig Rairdin wrote:

> I'm browsing eBay for an oscilloscope suitable for troubleshooting projects
> like the Elecraft kits and am looking for recommendations on particular
> models or suggested features and specifications.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Craig
> NZ0R
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>

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N8LP

Re: O'scope recommendations

If portability is not required, you might also want to look at the Tek
7000 series mainframes, and pick up a couple plugins. These tend to be a
little cheaper than the 465, and you can replace a plugin cheaply if it
goes bad. It also opens up the option of a spectrum analyzer plugin.
That being said, I have both and tend to use the 465 most of the time
(and leave the SA plugins installed on the 7000 series).

In general, I highly recommend buying solid state test gear from Tek and
HP of the 70's and 80's era as opposed to newer gear of the same
price... but beware some of it can be very difficult to fix if a
mechanical part fails, like a ganged range switch for instance.

Larry N8LP

Jack Smith wrote:

> Tektronix 465 series. 100 MHz, dual trace workhorse of the analog
> scopes in the 1970's and should be readily available for a few hundred
> dollars.
>
> Budget a decent set of 10X probes if not included.
>
> Jack
>
> Craig Rairdin wrote:
>> I'm browsing eBay for an oscilloscope suitable for troubleshooting
>> projects
>> like the Elecraft kits and am looking for recommendations on particular
>> models or suggested features and specifications.
>> Thanks for your help.
>>
>> Craig
>> NZ0R
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>

Sam Morgan-2

Re: O'scope recommendations

In reply to this post by Jack Smith-6

Jack Smith wrote:
> Budget a decent set of 10X probes if not included.
>
I have a B&K-1479A 30mhz scope.
I really am clueless in it's usage.
I plan to use it to help teach myself by trying some hf home brewing.

Could the group please point me to an online catalog number for an appropriate
probe for this o-scope?

TIA
--
GB & 73's
KA5OAI
Sam Morgan
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Jack Smith-6

Re: O'scope recommendations

In reply to this post by N8LP

As Larry says, the major problem with the older scopes are that they use
custom ICs and mechanical components that are long out of production.

The attenuators on the 465 series are a weak point and are essentially
unrepairable and should be checked for proper operation before purchase.

I have a 465M and a Tek digital scope (TDS-430A, 2 channels, 400 MHz)
and continue to use the 465 as it is preferable for some applications.
(Plus, the digital scope is usually half-way across the basement, over
by the PIC work area). For example, the 465 analog scope is better at
displaying XY plots than the TDS430A. On the other hand, there are many
applications that I would hate to go back to an analog scope, and it
lets me generate graphics that can be used for illustrations.

Jack
www.cliftonlaboratories.com

Larry Phipps wrote:

> If portability is not required, you might also want to look at the Tek
> 7000 series mainframes, and pick up a couple plugins. These tend to be
> a little cheaper than the 465, and you can replace a plugin cheaply if
> it goes bad. It also opens up the option of a spectrum analyzer
> plugin. That being said, I have both and tend to use the 465 most of
> the time (and leave the SA plugins installed on the 7000 series).
>
> In general, I highly recommend buying solid state test gear from Tek
> and HP of the 70's and 80's era as opposed to newer gear of the same
> price... but beware some of it can be very difficult to fix if a
> mechanical part fails, like a ganged range switch for instance.
>
> Larry N8LP
>
>
>
> Jack Smith wrote:
>> Tektronix 465 series. 100 MHz, dual trace workhorse of the analog
>> scopes in the 1970's and should be readily available for a few
>> hundred dollars.
>>
>> Budget a decent set of 10X probes if not included.
>>
>> Jack
>>
>> Craig Rairdin wrote:
>>> I'm browsing eBay for an oscilloscope suitable for troubleshooting
>>> projects
>>> like the Elecraft kits and am looking for recommendations on particular
>>> models or suggested features and specifications. Thanks for your help.
>>>
>>> Craig
>>> NZ0R
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Post to: [hidden email]
>>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>

Jack Smith-6

Re: O'scope recommendations

In reply to this post by Sam Morgan-2

For a 30 MHz o'scope, you can get by with a lot less probe than for,
e.g., a 400 MHz o'scope.

Assuming you don't want to purchase used Tek or HP probes via E-bay or
whatever, you could look at ProbeMaster http://www.probemaster.com/.
Take a look at their 3900-series probes. In your case, I would probably
go with a switchable 1X 10X probe as there are times when the extra gain
of the 1X mode is useful.

These run $38 so they are not overly expensive.

Agilent and Tektronix both have excellent o'scope tutorials on their web
pages. (You may have to search around a bit, but they are there.) Also,
you should read their tutorials on scope probes to understand why it's
important to have a proper probe, not just a piece of coax with an
alligator clip on the end. http://www.agilent.com/ and
http://www.tek.com/ are the starting points.

Jack

Sam Morgan wrote:

> Jack Smith wrote:
>> Budget a decent set of 10X probes if not included.
>>
> I have a B&K-1479A 30mhz scope.
> I really am clueless in it's usage.
> I plan to use it to help teach myself by trying some hf home brewing.
>
> Could the group please point me to an online catalog number for an
> appropriate probe for this o-scope?
>
> TIA

Jean-François Ménard-5

Re: O'scope recommendations

In reply to this post by Jack Smith-6

I was using a Tek TDS2014 for a while... FFT function was very useful to
calibrate filters, check CW and SSB bandwitdth, adjust SPOT tone, etc...
Also good for adjusting power output with a 10X probe with AC rms with
a directionnal coupler. Many things could be done....

I recently change my Tek for a Fluke 196C with FFT function..... Not as
good as my Tek, but very portable and rugged.... a feature that I need
too..... a good compromise.... but for a few thousand dollars :-(

Modern scope also offer plotting feature with memory roll out....
sometime useful too.

73

Jack Smith a écrit :

> As Larry says, the major problem with the older scopes are that they
> use custom ICs and mechanical components that are long out of production.
>
> The attenuators on the 465 series are a weak point and are essentially
> unrepairable and should be checked for proper operation before purchase.
>
> I have a 465M and a Tek digital scope (TDS-430A, 2 channels, 400 MHz)
> and continue to use the 465 as it is preferable for some applications.
> (Plus, the digital scope is usually half-way across the basement, over
> by the PIC work area). For example, the 465 analog scope is better at
> displaying XY plots than the TDS430A. On the other hand, there are
> many applications that I would hate to go back to an analog scope, and
> it lets me generate graphics that can be used for illustrations.
>
> Jack
> www.cliftonlaboratories.com
>
>
> Larry Phipps wrote:
>> If portability is not required, you might also want to look at the
>> Tek 7000 series mainframes, and pick up a couple plugins. These tend
>> to be a little cheaper than the 465, and you can replace a plugin
>> cheaply if it goes bad. It also opens up the option of a spectrum
>> analyzer plugin. That being said, I have both and tend to use the 465
>> most of the time (and leave the SA plugins installed on the 7000
>> series).
>>
>> In general, I highly recommend buying solid state test gear from Tek
>> and HP of the 70's and 80's era as opposed to newer gear of the same
>> price... but beware some of it can be very difficult to fix if a
>> mechanical part fails, like a ganged range switch for instance.
>>
>> Larry N8LP
>>
>>
>>
>> Jack Smith wrote:
>>> Tektronix 465 series. 100 MHz, dual trace workhorse of the analog
>>> scopes in the 1970's and should be readily available for a few
>>> hundred dollars.
>>>
>>> Budget a decent set of 10X probes if not included.
>>>
>>> Jack
>>>
>>> Craig Rairdin wrote:
>>>> I'm browsing eBay for an oscilloscope suitable for troubleshooting
>>>> projects
>>>> like the Elecraft kits and am looking for recommendations on
>>>> particular
>>>> models or suggested features and specifications. Thanks for your
>>>> help.
>>>>
>>>> Craig
>>>> NZ0R
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Post to: [hidden email]
>>>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>>>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:
>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Post to: [hidden email]
>>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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Jack Smith-6

Re: O'scope recommendations

In reply to this post by Sam Morgan-2

Sam:

I found a reasonably user-friendly introduction to the care and feeding
of oscilloscopes at http://www.hobbyprojects.com/oscilloscope_tutorial.html

This may get you to the point where the Tektronix and Agilent literature
will be more useful.

Jack K8ZOA
www.cliftonlaboratories.com

Sam Morgan wrote: