I have been using my Tek T935A (35 Mhz or thereabouts bandwidth) for all of
my design and troubleshooting and have never found it lacking. I have not
would be needed to analyse waveshape. I have used it a lot on all kinds of
what had been happening *before* the triggering. However, my ham radio
> I'll follow this thread with interest, as I too am considering a scope
> purchase.
>
> I've heard comments such as Ron's before. I'm wondering if anyone has any
> thoughts on what bandwidth would be appropriate for "casual" use and what
> someone might expect to pay for a use one?
>
> Thanks in advance
> Tom
> wb2qdg
> k2 1103
>
> ----------------------------------------------
>
> Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <
[hidden email]>
> To: "'Jack Regan'" <
[hidden email]>; <
[hidden email]>
> Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 8:39 PM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Scopes
>
>
> Jack, A36GC asked:
>
> I am thinking of getting a scope to better build and repair Elecraft
> radios.
> I have a line on a Tektronix 2336YA 100 MHz 2 Chl. Oscilloscope that is
> calibrated! It is about $200. Is this a good deal? Is this a good
> scope?
>
> -----------------------------------
>
> Teks are excellent scopes, overall. That's a very low price. The only
> caution I'll offer (and probably the reason for the low price) is the
> limited bandwidth. To observe signals accurately, a good rule is to have a
> 'scope that has a vertical bandwidth at least 10 times the highest
> frequency
> waveform you will be observing. That puts an upper useful frequency limit
> of
> about 10 MHz on that scope.
>
> It'll certainly show waveforms up to (and beyond) it's rated 100 MHz, but
> the amplifiers in the 'scope will "clean up" any aberrations in the
> waveform
> so you can't see what it really looks like. For example, if you put a
> square
> wave into the scope at 100 MHz, expect to see a nice, clean sine wave on
> the
> display! That's because a square wave has harmonics going up to at least
> 10
> times the signal frequency, and unless your scope can faithfully reproduce
> those harmonics it won't show a very true representation of your signal. A
> 10 MHz square wave will look pretty accurate on the display since the 100
> MHz bandwidth will handle all the harmonic energy needed to reproduce the
> signal.
>
> In the real world of working on HF gear, what such a scope will tend to do
> is to fail to display many high-frequency aberrations or parasitic riding
> on
> a lower-frequency signal, when those things are at or above the upper
> bandwidth limit.
>
> Also, the accuracy of the vertical amplifier "gain" (and so the accuracy
> of
> the amplitude of the trace on the display) suffers as you approach the
> veridical amplifier bandwidth specification.
>
> All that said, most adjustments needed on Amateur HF gear can be carried
> out
> at frequencies below 10 MHz, so that scope would find plenty of use on a
> Ham's workbench. I have a 200 MHz scope and only occasionally have to
> think
> about the bandwidth issue working on HF gear. Like any tool, understanding
> its limitations is as important as understanding its features.
>
> My 'scope is an HP, so I'll leave any suggestions about the value of that
> particular model to those here who follow the Tek scope line.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
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