Let me repost a message I put on the Electronics 101 Yahoo group some time ago.
Boy, did I get flamed for some of it then -- I'll put my asbestos suit back on :-)
This was aimed more at the advanced hobbyist, so
beginners should consider just the first few items....
This was more about test equipment than tools, like cutters, soldering irons,
and the like, but maybe you'll find it useful.
--------------------------------------------------
I got asked today what kind of test equipment an advanced hobbyist
should get, and what was more important. The more I thought about it,
the more I found this wasn't a completely simple question to answer.
So, I've now made my list, which I'll put out there to be shredded :-)
Additions or comments welcome! The list is in the order of to be
acquired first to last as funding permits, or from common to esoteric
if you prefer.
1) Handheld Multimeter
Buy a cheap one if you must, then as soon as you can, hand it to
a friend and go buy a decent multimeter. Decent here means Fluke,
and by that I mean go get a Fluke 87-V. Yes, whine about the price,
go scrape up spare change and convert it to an Amazon gift certificate
at a Coinstar machine, and go buy it!
It's like buying cheap wire cutters, then finally getting a decent
pair and wondering why you spent all this time with such junk.
2) Analog Oscilloscope
I'm personally partial to the old Tektronix 22XX and 24XX series
scopes, but you can either buy used or new. But without a scope,
you're going to have a hard time debugging anything serious.
I wouldn't recommend getting a digital scope until you've had
experience with an analog scope.
3) Logic probe
Can't tell you how many times I just want to know if a signal changed
state. Just get a logic probe that can beep at you on a state change.
High bang for the buck in my opinion.
4) Function generator/synthesizer
You'll need this to do any kind of analog alignment, test filters,
etc. Look for one which has a 10Mhz frequency standard input
if you can (see below).
5) Frequency Counter
Also look for one with a 10Mhz frequency standard input. Try
for at least a 1Ghz counter. I got a Racal-Dana 1998 counter
surplus for < $80.
6) Standards
Get a nice little voltage standard:
http://www.voltagestandard.com/Sometimes standard cells come up on Ebay, but they don't tolerate
abuse well.
Get a 10 Mhz GPS locked frequency standard. Surplus Trimble
Thunderbolts are available for < $100. Connect the output to
all equipment that takes a 10Mhz standard input (see #4 and #5).
Now your frequency counters and synthesizers are far more accurate
than the manufacturer ever expected them to be. And you don't
have to wonder if they are calibrated or not.
7) Digital Oscilloscope
Don't get rid of your analog scope, but add a digital scope to
your bench. Rigol DS1052E's are cheap for what you get. Or you
can step up to more mainstream stuff like LeCroy's WaveAce. But if
you whined about the Fluke multimeter, you're going to really whine
now.
I tend to prefer standalone instruments rather than have a bunch
of USB instruments hanging off a PC, but that's a personal choice.
![Cool 8)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
ESR Meter
At some point you will have to deal with low ESR capacitors.
Get something like
http://www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm or
http://www.prc68.com/I/ESRmicro.shtml9) LCR meter
Something to measure inductors and capacitors. Haven't gotten
this myself yet, so no recommendations
10) Logic Analyzer
Sooner or later, if you do any complex digital electronics at all,
you're going to need to look at more signals than your digital
scope can capture. Get a logic analyzer. For standalone, you
can get Tektronix 1240's (100Mhz) inexpensively, just make sure it
comes with the pods.
For more modern USB connected stuff, try
http://www.saleae.com/logic/features/ or
http://www.pctestinstruments.com/11) Spectrum Analyzer/Tracking Generator/Vector Network Analyzer
Let's you look at signals over frequency, instead of a signal
over time like a scope would do. Invaluable if you do any serious
analog stuff.
Normally, this stuff is horrendously expensive, and repairing a
surplus unit is for experts only. But there's an alternative:
http://www.scottyspectrumanalyzer.com/Different Scott than me -- I'm no RF expert :-)
Build a 3Ghz spectrum analyzer. A nice project to keep you
occupied.
I'm sure there's other interesting stuff, but this is what comes
to mind at the moment.
Scott