Build a new lab with mid-range equipment

[rstofer]

Ok, here's your used 500 MHz Keysight, from Keysight, by way of eBay, for $3700.  Save about $20,000

[PA0PBZ]

Ok, here's your used 500 MHz Keysight, from Keysight, by way of eBay, for $3700.  Save about $20,000

You forgot the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keysight-Used-MSO6054A-Oscilloscope-500-MHz-4-16-Ch-Agilent-MSO6054A-/191928264018

[G0HZU]

I think that the display on that MSO60xx will appear (to the OP) to be very small with tiny fonts. We have loads of similar scopes at work. They are very popular and work well (also very easy/intuitive to drive) but I'm not so sure the display fonts will be easy to read for a more mature user.

In my view, you're overthinking this stuff.  Get something, learn to use it and when it isn't adequate, get something else.  Over-buying up front may not be the best strategy.

I agree.

[rstofer]

Ok, here's your used 500 MHz Keysight, from Keysight, by way of eBay, for $3700.  Save about $20,000

You forgot the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keysight-Used-MSO6054A-Oscilloscope-500-MHz-4-16-Ch-Agilent-MSO6054A-/191928264018

Oops!  Glad you caught it!

[B1nary]

Ok, here's your used 500 MHz Keysight, from Keysight, by way of eBay, for $3700.  Save about $20,000

Found a firm in the city that does a bunch of satellite development and are upgrading a few of their scopes. One is a mso3054. Seems a "low end" 500 MHz BW just isn't adequate. So I have an offer in but it's certainly not in the price range of the linked scope.  But it is in CDA $$. I'll contact them to see about a power cord. Why does a scope not come with a power cord?

Thanks for going the extra mile.

[B1nary]

Ok, here's your used 500 MHz Keysight, from Keysight, by way of eBay, for $3700.  Save about $20,000

Found a firm in the city that does a bunch of satellite development and are upgrading a few of their scopes. One is a mso3054. Seems a "low end" 500 MHz BW just isn't adequate. So I have an offer in but it's certainly not in the price range of the linked scope.  But it is in CDA $$. I'll contact them to see about a power cord. Why does a scope not come with a power cord?

Thanks for going the extra mile.

Thought I would provide an update on the equipment. There are a number of people in this series who provided a lot of help and did a lot of footwork for me. Thanks for that. I lost the bid on the Keysight 3054 but not by much and then looked at the link for the 6054 at $3700. During that search I came across the Keysight Technical Contact Center and was referred by the Keysight sales people to a Scope specialist (didn't know such specialized people existed). The fellows name is Andrew Toth and he had the patience of a saint, especially considering how new I am to this.  Apparently there are a number of equipment specialist in various areas of the equipment they sell and a call to ask questions, even  n00b questions is free. If anyone else is looking for gear and just wants to ask a question you can contact these guys (girls) here:

Keysight Contact an Expert Support site:
http://www.keysight.com/main/contactInformation.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&nid=-11143.0&pageMode=SS&tmprop=TM
Keysight Product Selection Experts site:
http://www.keysight.com/main/contactInformation.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&nid=-11143.0&pageMode=PSE&tmprop=TM

There was no up-sell. Just facts based on what I wanted to do and my plans for the future. With the ePROMO option my cost was well below $10,000 (mentioned earlier).  I did buy the Siglent SAS 3021X 2.1GHz Spectrum Analyzer as well as the Siglent 120MHz AWG. Went with the Rigol 832 Power Supply. All of the major items have been purchased (except a decent frequency counter-although one is built in to a couple of the above items including the scope).

According to  number of the links a user submitted I should be looking for a higher end counter that can reach 1.5GHz. I've seen the HP53131A and 53132A on eBay at some decent prices but they were in fairly bad shape and no 1.5GHz option. If anyone has a suggestion for a 10 or 12 digit counter (1.5GHz could you let me know). I did look at the B&K Precision 10 digit and 12 digit series but frequency stability didn't seem to be as good (1ppm)as the old HP 5313 series so I didn't pursue it. If you have one of the B&K Precision 10 or 12 digit counters can you let me know what you think about it (them).

FWIW - my total cost for all the items listed in my "shopping list"  with shipping is 2 Starbucks Grandes less than $12,600. Still a lot !!! but certainly not as much as thought. Yes, I'm fortunate.