Contents- About TEA: How it started, additional resources, Discord live sessions
- Post Icons: Common images/icons used in posts
- Points of Interest: An index of notable posts, teardowns, repairs, show-n-tells
- Glossary of Terms, Conditions, Causes, and Effects: Find out what ails you (and what thread members are talking about)
About TEAThis was the official TEA (Test Equipment Anonymous) house for everyone who has GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). The new TEA House is at
https://groups.io/g/tea.
Share your stories of woe, trying to manage all the wonderful test gear you keep scoring. Maybe group therapy will cure you. Then, again, maybe not. Well, as long as you enjoy it, what's one more multimeter in the grand scheme of things?
Just remember that when you have too many, another one doesn't make the problem any worse.TEA Around the Web- The Official TEA server on Discord: Live text & voice chat. "TEA Time" chat every Saturday @ 21:00 UTC. Glossophobic? No problem! Just listen in to the banter or participate in the text-only channel, #teatime.
- TEA on The Amp Hour podcast #470 @ ~15:30. "Ah, test gear. It's a sickness. You should join the Test Gear[sic] Anonymous thread on the EEVblog forum."
- "The test equipment dark web..." tweeted on Jan 6, 2021 by Dave Jones. Also screenshotted in the TEA thread.
- EEVblog #1410 - Mailbag mentioned at 10:35 in reference to the TEA sign in Tony Albus's lab pics. Also, thread linked in the video description.
- EEVblog #1414 - Turning it up to 11 mentioned at 10:45, "There's even a Test Equipment Anonymous, ah, in case you've got, you know, psychological problems collecting test equipment, which is quite common."
The Genesis of TEAIn the "List your test equipment "scores" here!" thread, someone had asked what the 12 steps program was like.
1. Join EEVblog
2. Score some test gear
3. Post about your test equipment scores
4. Buy more test gear
...
10. Buy yet more test gear
11. Join TEA
12. Build your first circuit
![Laughing :-DD](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif.pagespeed.ce._hfWAz_QHO.gif)
which Pat kindly expanded upon
Here - as a certifiable TGAS sufferer (who am I kidding - I'm not suffering - I enjoy it!!) - let me flesh that ellipsis section out:
5. Buy op/service manuals for test gear on evilBay
6. Troubleshoot test gear
7. Seek out obsolete/discontinued components to repair test gear ![Banging Head |O](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/bangheadonwall.gif.pagespeed.ce.8iLbFYV4Bc.gif)
8. Read nixie thread and/or look at old HP Instrumentation catalogs
![Evil >:D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xevil.gif.pagespeed.ic.tdrs7Uj5gu.png)
9. Repeat steps 2 through 7, now searching for older, heavier, more expensive to ship things
....
12. Buy or build more shelves to hold test gear ![ThumbsUp :-+](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/icon_smile_thumbsup.gif.pagespeed.ce._JElyJQqdB.gif)
13. (or later) - build first circuit
![Laughing :-DD](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif.pagespeed.ce._hfWAz_QHO.gif)
-Pat
followed by Sean
14. Repeat steps 2 to 12 numerous times, either till the house is full ( then move to a bigger house) or the wife leaves.
and then, Berni
Today i just filled the last spot in my 42U high rack cabinet by adding in a Gigatronics 6100 8GHz synthesizer that managed to repair at 2 in the morning. ![ThumbsUp :-+](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/icon_smile_thumbsup.gif.pagespeed.ce._JElyJQqdB.gif)
...
but i also scored a Tektronix pattern generator for 40 bucks on ebay a few days ago.
For me it mostly started as getting the test gear i needed for a better price since quality brand new gear costs a fortune. But in order to find a good deal on places like ebay means looking trough a lot of pages and keeping eyes open, as good deals go fast, but along the way one keeps coming across other gear that you perhaps don't need right now but it would be neat to have. But hey all this test gear is useful for doing work and you can always sell it (If done right for more than what you payed for it)... tho i only ever sold 1 piece of test equipment so far (And lost money on it cause i bought it new).
Still better than collecting stamps (Tho they are easier to ship overseas il give them that)
What's your story?
See also:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg2199750/#msg2199750TEA Anthem"...Mirrors on the ceiling,
and pink champagne on ice.
Then she said,
'We are all just prisoners here; of our own device...'"(Hotel California video removed since YouTube keeps deleting them)
"...'Relax' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave...'"The Myriad Maxims to Maximally Master TEAcquisition1. Test equipment (TE) will expand to fill all space available. And then some.
2. It's
never "just a blown fuse."
3. That bodge
will come back to bite you in the ass.
4. The availability of service documentation varies inversely with your current level of diagnostic frustration.
5. There's
always more to fix than you first think.
6. Thou shalt use a probe prophylactic.
7. There is no substitute for exhaustive burn-in testing.
8. The TE you
have on hand is never the TE you
need to fix the TE you
want.
9. Capacitors are Murphy's footsoldiers.
10. The adhesive used to apply a label is always stronger than the label itself.
11. Masochism is endemic, perhaps even mandatory.
12. To get the best deals, you have to be prepared to walk away.
43. Never buy the cheapest chinesium, unless it is for explosion investigation purposes.
99. Want > Have > Need
Related TEA principlesTEA SongsTEA Mascot"
...down the rabbit hole..."
Wallace (demigod of tinkering), the Patron Saint of TEA![](https://insidethemagic.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/URJccpL.jpg)
![](https://i.imgur.com/H0cIUbl.jpg)
We all know Gromit is the smart one, though.
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/?action=dlattach;attach=1004085;image)
Post IconsThis section contains icons that are used as awards, post categories, and the like. To use one, right click on the desired icon, copy its URL (a.k.a., image location) to the clipboard, then paste it at the beginning of your post using the image bbCode. (If you quote this post, you can see how it's done to display the icons in this section.)
Boat anchor warning: Indicates that the post is about big, heavy test equipment.
Drool!: Lusting after some test gear or envious of a fellow TEA member's recent score? This is your icon.
Jammy Git award: Because nothing goes better with TEA than Jam & Biscuits, the "Jammy Git" award — our equivalent of a Daytime Emmy — is awarded to the holder of the latest, most egregiously "I got a steal of a deal" post in the TEA thread, with the more drama the better. It changes hands often, but there seem to be a few regular "repeat offenders." Be on the lookout. (
Larger 120x120 icon for more drama!)
Points of InterestFollowing is a growing index of posts within this thread that are noteworthy, interesting, TEA-inducing, or otherwise worthy of a look. If you have a nomination to be added,
PM me or put it in a reply to this thread with the associated URL to the post of interest.
Test Equipment- A wall of HP Nixie tube test equipment (and one that's a little different)
- Fluke 8300A rack-mount Nixie multimeter teardown (pristine!)
- DIY equipment replacement handle (good use of webbing)
- DIY power meter probe (save $$$)
- Custom-machined enclosure for DPS5015 power supply (so much aluminiminimum)
- HP 6114A precision DC power supply repair
- Repairing an oscilloscope knob shaft via splice & solder
- Philips PM2421 Nixie multimeter teardown
- Advance Type 63A FM/AM signal generator
- Leader 17A signal generator teardown
- GW Instek GVT-417 teardown
- Tektronix 2465 teardown & instrument record with original factory sign-offs
- A peek inside a Tektronix 115 pulse generator
- Dumont 765H "Portascope" (brochure/manual pics)
- The collection of the admin for a Vintage Tek Facebook group
- Systron/Donner 7050 DMM
- Tektronix 576 and Heathkit IT-1121 curve tracers
- HP ET8036 and ET-6585 variacs
- Zenith variac teardown
- Metrix MX52 tear down
- QRP Labs QSX transceiver with built in SA and tracking generator
- HP test equipment wallpapers[2]
- HP 53132A with option 124 teardown
- HP 141S spectrum analyzer teardown
- Racal 9915 with 9442 OCXO teardown
- VK5RC's wall of Nixie gear powered up
- Keithley 610CR electrometer teardown
- HP 6227B dual DC power supply teardown
- HP 6209B 320V DC power supply teardown
- Racal SA535 teardown
- HP 400E teardown
- Solartron/Schlumberger 7150 Plus teardown
- Racal-Dana 9008A modulation meter
- Custom blower fabrication for Tek 2465
- HP 3310A innards
- Boeschert power supply for HP 53310A
- Tektronix 191 constant amplitude signal generator teardown, 2, 3, 4
- Marconi TF2015 signal generator teardown
- Philips PM2454 teardown
- Boonton 4300 power meter
- Solartron/Schlumberger 7150
- Solartron/Schlumberger A200 Nixie multimeter
- HP 6215A power supply innards
- Tektronix 2465 vs 2465B enclosures/panels
- Solartron/Schlumberger 7061 multimeter
- Tektronix 7904 oscilloscope
- Solartron/Schlumberger 7060 multimeter
- Solartron/Schlumberger 7045 multimeter
- Dumont 274-A Oscillograph (a.k.a., oscilloscope) (manuals, more info)
- Heath EU-80A voltage reference
- Solartron/Schlumberger 7050 multimeter
- Klein+Hummel Röhrenvoltmeter VTVMs: RV-12, RV 12 or RV-11
- Airflow Instrumentation LCA6000 Airflow meter
- ESI SV-194B Voltage Calibrator
- Heathkit OL-1 teardown
- Heathkit S-3 Electronic Switch
- Tektronix T932
- Fluke 1953A counter timer
- HP 3310B function generator
- Tektronix 191 constant amplitude signal generator
- Tektronix 485 oscilloscope
- Fluke 7260A frequency counter
- Fluke 1912A multi-counter cont'd
- HP 3456A digital voltmeter
- Leader LTC-905 curve tracer
- Rohde & Schwarz VTVM, type URU 1080BN
- HP 5221A DIY internal crystal clock upgrade
- Dana 5330 digital voltmeter
- Heathkit V-7A VTVM
- HP K20-5280A reversible counter, with preset
- Substitute for HP 1820-0732 IC in HP K20-5280A
- HP 618B SHF signal generator
- HP HP 974a multimeter
- Meratronik V540 teardown
- Tektronix 106 square wave generator, and another one
- Tektronix 549 storage oscilloscope
- HP 200CD oscillator
- HP 4329A high resistance meter
- HP 3410A AC microvoltmeter teardown, 2, 3, 4, demo
- HP 8566B spectrum analyzer, documentation (New old stock!)
- DIY AC option for HP 204B oscillator
- Hantek 8022BL teardown
- Tektronix 535A restoration, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, power supply schematic
- Schlumberger 7081 precision voltmeter (8.5 digits!), 2
- ESI Dekapot DP311
- General Radio 1192-B counter
- HP 8920A communication analyzer
- Kikusui PMC350-0.2A power supply
- HP 3325A function generator
- HP 5334A universal counter (OCXO upgrade)
- Fluke/Philips PM6681 high-resolution programmable timer/counter/analyzer
- Agilent E8510A LAN/GPIB gateway
- Gertsch RatioTran RT-18R ratio transformer
- Yamaha PT-3 tuner (oscilloscope)
- DER DE5000 LCR meter
- Hameg HM 307 oscilloscope, 2
- Cossor Pikoskop oscilloscope
- Scopex 14D-10 oscilloscope, 2
- UM25C USB voltage/current tester
- HP 3400A RMS voltmeter, 2
- Tektronix 2445 oscilloscope, 2
- Fluke 8600A multimeter
- Thurlby CM200 capacitance meter
- Tektronix spectrum analyzer models & options
- Rapid 85-0716 (Extech EX530) handheld DMM
- Tektronix Type 114 pulse generator, 2
- Good Will GOS-310 oscilloscope, 2
- HP 1120A 500 MHz probe
- HP 1105A pulse generator
- Fluke 895A DC differential voltmeter
- ESI DP1311 Dekapot
- Advance J2B AF signal generator
- Fluke 8505A multimeter
- Power Designs 2005A precision power supply, and another
- Cropico ESC1 1V voltage standard
- HP 3478A digital multimeter, 2
- HP 4332A LCR meter, 2
- Philips PM3230 dual-beam oscilloscope
- Heathkit IG-4244 oscilloscope calibrator
- Fluke 750A reference divider
- Keithley 155 null detector microvoltmeter
- Black Star 4503 intelligent multimeter service manual
- Kontron / Tabor Electronics DMM 4021
- Yokogawa Electric Works Model 2441 multimeter
- Yokogawa 2558 AC voltage current standard
- Lafayette Lab-Tester 99-5065
- A tale of two, no make that three, HP 8110A pulse generators
- Grundig UZ 56 universal counter (Universalzähler)
- Hameg / Rohde & Schwarz 8112-3 precision multimeter
- Rohde & Schwarz NGB 32/10 Stromversorgung (power supply), 2
- Rohde & Schwarz NGT 20 power supply
- Racal Dana 9904M universal counter
- HP 5326B universal counter, earlier model
- Mastech MS8911 LCR tweezer
- Rohde & Schwarz FER BN 4721 counter
- Hitachi VC-5470 portable oscilloscope
- HP 5316A universal counter
- HP 54645 100 MHz oscilloscope, 2, 3
- HP 6205B dual DC power supply, 2
- Rohde & Schwarz UGZ BN 1100 voltmeter
- Lyons Instruments PG73N bipolar pulse generator
- SMtechno SPT-5010A withstanding voltage tester
- Yokogawa DL1200A oscilloscope
- Philips PM6645 frequency counter
- Sorensen XPD60-9 power supply
- Tektronix 495P programmable spectrum analyzer
- Keithley 610CR electrometer, 2, 3
- Upgrading firmware on Agilent E4411B
- HP 419A null meter, 2
- Keithley 616 electrometer
- HP 5328A universal counter
- HP 5381A 80 MHz frequency counter display replacement
- Tektronix 575 transistor curve tracer, 2
- Rapco 1804P6 GPSDO
- HP 3311A function generator
- HP 5334B universal counter
- Racal 9839 UHF frequency meter
- Siemens Rel. send. 22b
- HP 8015A Pulse Gen
- Anritsu MG3633 signal generator
- Fluke 5101B Calibrator
- Rohde & Schwarz NGU laboratory power supply
- TA520 Time Interval Analyzer
- Soviet ТЛ-4М (ТL-4М) voltmeter
- Metrix Wobuloscope, [2]
- HP 207A sweep oscillator, [2], [3]
- IBM/Tektronix 453 oscilloscope
- HP 3480B/3481A voltmeter, [2], [3]
- LEM Memobox 800
- Harrison 802B PSU
- Tektronix 321 oscilloscope, [2]
- Rohde & Schwarz Vacuum Tube Meter URI 1050BN
- LeCroy waveRunner 6100 DSO
- Tektronix RM564
- Rochar Fréquencemètre A.1360 C frequency counter, [2], [3]
- Tektronix Type 109 Pulse Generator
- HP 181T oscilloscope (actually spectrum analyzer frame) with 1801A four channel input & 1825A delaying timebase plug-ins
- HP 745A AC calibrator
- HP 4342A Q-Meter, [2], [3]
- Tektronix 502A oscilloscope, [2], [3], [4]
- Yokogawa/HP 4350A high capacitance meter
- HP 5340A frequency counter, [2], [3], [4], [5]
Electronics Miscellany- Dot-matrix LED character displays: 1
- T12 soldering stations, irons, tips, and more (many posts of info) 1, 2
- Good, inexpensive PCB holder ($12!)
- Best place/price for meter calibration in the UK
- Dim-bulb tester from miscellaneous parts
- The ultimate neat and tidy workshop/lab
- Test leads, patch cables, wires, connectors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Russian tunnel diodes and their characteristics
- Making modern Nixie tubes from scratch
- Making a wire element Pilotron
- med6753's 190 mV/1.9 V/19 V and 190 V DC references
- Inside a Cambridge ratio box
- Surplus Sales of Nebraska: All kinds of mains plugs and sockets including unusual ones used on old test equipment.
- Info on PH-163 (oval, grounded) power cords/sockets: Volex Cord.pdf (94 KB), Alpha 543.pdf (95 KB)
- Digital Museum of Plugs and Sockets
- Krylon Gloss Bahama Sea (substitute paint for Tektronix blue)
- Oscilloscope probe tests: part 1, 2, 3, 4
- JRC (Japan Radio Company) NRD-353D communications receiver
- HP models and serial number prefixes: What they really mean, alternative definition, Harrison/HP serial numbers
- Good RF/coaxial connector & adapter brands
- Some big vacuum tubes (electron tubes, choobs, valves, etc.): E 80 CC/6085, EF 12K, Siemens RS684, GU-81M
- Thermo-ionic valves/tubes: Lighthouse 2C40, Gammatron VT-127A, RCA 6499
- Radio/microwave tubes: JAN Sylvania 1625/VT-136, RCA JAN CRC-832A, Westinghouse WL-417, JAN GL-446A, JAN RCA 8025, and more
- Yaesu FTDX-101MP, 2
- Custom Nixie tube for Keysight Technologies
- Stubborn keypad/remote control carbon pad restoration (clean with IPA before trying this)
- RAL K7 equivalent colors for HP equipment
- Working at the Philips factory in the good old days
- Generic EPROM eraser
- 15 GHz microwave amplifier (high-res)
- Tinsley Phase Splitting & Changeover Board Type 5140
- Pioneer VSX-3800 receiver
- ESI DS1464
- Collection of ESI SR1010 resistors
Potpourri- The official and facetious "TEA 12-step (at least) program"
- Chestnuts roasting, TEA-style (i.e., a Merry TEAmas poem)
- Military aircraft/airshow (mid-air closeups)
- When TEA and boating collide
- Shuttleworth evening air show (May 19, 2018) and North Weald Airfield (May 20, 2018)
- Tales of Cerebus: Part 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 1, 2, 3, 3.1/Epilogue (by mnementh & Cerebus; inspired by this post)
- New York Airshow at Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY
- A Dog's Diary vs. A Cat's Diary (or A Brief Study of the Psychology of Cats & Dogs)
- Don't waste the heat from vacuum tubes (a.k.a., tightie whities on flying wires)
- Teksisyphus, Blue Teksisyphus
- More military aircraft, 2
- Med and Mrs. Scope, 2 (high-res)
- The state of the TEA thread as of August 2020
- List of high quality tool manufacturers
Glossary of Terms, Conditions, Causes, and EffectsSee the
next post, below.