Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[bd139]

K2 now calibrated properly. You can slice through the noise with this thing like nothing. Best filters on a radio ever. No horrible muddy ringing DSPs - variable bandwidth crystal filter and two stage LC active audio filter and fully analogue noise blanker FTW 

Ah, so is it time to shift the DG822 ("like new") to subsidize the on-the-way SDS1202X-E?

Hahaha no that’s staying now.

I remind people of Emperor Ming’s wedding vows which describes my TE usage: https://youtu.be/jW2mAa21PSs

Incidentally RIP Max Von Siddow 

I suppose I better go to sleep as it’s 1AM here 

[tautech]

K2 now calibrated properly. You can slice through the noise with this thing like nothing. Best filters on a radio ever. No horrible muddy ringing DSPs - variable bandwidth crystal filter and two stage LC active audio filter and fully analogue noise blanker FTW 

Ah, so is it time to shift the DG822 ("like new") to subsidize the on-the-way SDS1202X-E?

Nah, I think BD wants to keep a foot in both camps before he decides to fully come to the dark side. 

[bitseeker]

There are definitely more camps than available feet.

[Brumby]

On the nomenclature of these little bastards:



If memory serves the earliest name that I've heard for them was "a Telefunken microphone connector". If I'm correct then that's who's to blame for these. They should be burned, burned with fire, crushed, ground up and then burned again just to be sure.

Well, I don't have a problem with them.

(Maybe that's because I don't have any of them anywhere in sight - or out of sight.)

[mnementh]

Just in from Amazon...



Gonna be the guinea pig on this cheap solder from Amazon:   https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073LHK99Z/ 

Supposedly actually 60/40, and the fact it isn't eutectic (advertised as a melting range, not a fixed temp) suggests it is not the more common 63/37. I'm not too sanguine about the claim of 2% flux; that is actually about right for light rosin flux, but the cheap manufacturers almost always use the same halogenated flux as their lead-free. Not sure if that's because cheaper or because the recycled car battery lead needs the more aggressive alkaline flux.

The freaking HUGE LED module... I got that out of curiosity just because it was CAD$6.59: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07QWXJW26/

No idea  in the world I'm gonna do with its huge ass; I was expecting a 10W module that are typically about the size of a dollar coin...   

And the light blubs... sooner or later we all need those. I buy in bulk.   https://www.amazon.ca/Sylvania-Equivalent-Light-Efficient-White/dp/B0758GXHQK/

mnem
Mining lights...? SERIOUSLY...?

[Sam Spastic]

Does anyone remember what these crappy old connectors were called?



And does anyone want some?

"Amphenol microphone connector"

Horrible things and hell no 

Specifically 75 series. And they have always sucked.

[bitseeker]

Just in from Amazon...



Gonna be the guinea pig on this cheap solder from Amazon:   https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073LHK99Z/ 

Supposedly actually 60/40, and the fact it isn't eutectic (advertised as a melting range, not a fixed temp) suggests it is not the more common 63/37. I'm not too sanguine about the claim of 2% flux; that is actually about right for light rosin flux, but the cheap manufacturers almost always use the same halogenated flux as their lead-free. Not sure if that's because cheaper or because the recycled car battery lead needs the more aggressive alkaline flux.

Looks sub-par. Waiting for the verdict...

The freaking HUGE LED module... I got that out of curiosity just because it was CAD$6.59: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07QWXJW26/

No idea  in the world I'm gonna do with its huge ass; I was expecting a 10W module that are typically about the size of a dollar coin...   

And the light blubs... sooner or later we all need those. I buy in bulk.   https://www.amazon.ca/Sylvania-Equivalent-Light-Efficient-White/dp/B0758GXHQK/

Built-in mains power supply. Interesting. Spotlight for your workbench? Replacement for a halogen torchère lamp?

[Specmaster]

Just in from Amazon...



Gonna be the guinea pig on this cheap solder from Amazon:   https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073LHK99Z/ 

Supposedly actually 60/40, and the fact it isn't eutectic (advertised as a melting range, not a fixed temp) suggests it is not the more common 63/37. I'm not too sanguine about the claim of 2% flux; that is actually about right for light rosin flux, but the cheap manufacturers almost always use the same halogenated flux as their lead-free. Not sure if that's because cheaper or because the recycled car battery lead needs the more aggressive alkaline flux.

Looks sub-par. Waiting for the verdict...

The freaking HUGE LED module... I got that out of curiosity just because it was CAD$6.59: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07QWXJW26/

No idea  in the world I'm gonna do with its huge ass; I was expecting a 10W module that are typically about the size of a dollar coin...   

And the light blubs... sooner or later we all need those. I buy in bulk.   https://www.amazon.ca/Sylvania-Equivalent-Light-Efficient-White/dp/B0758GXHQK/

Built-in mains power supply. Interesting. Spotlight for your workbench? Replacement for a halogen torchère lamp?

I got 10 rolls of the good stuff left still unopened as yet, bd and I grabbed a deal on eBay when sellers were getting rid of the lead solder, thats more than I'll ever get around to using, but I see as a mini investment, as the price will surely increase rapidly once lead free becomes the only thing available.

[ArthurDent]

I remind people of Emperor Ming’s wedding vows which describes my TE usage: https://youtu.be/jW2mAa21PSs

Incidentally RIP Max Von Siddow 

I've seen a good number of Max Von Sydow's movies including The Magician, The Virgin Spring, The Night visitor, and, of course, Strange Brew, and I have the last two mentioned on DVD. He was a great actor. 

[Brumby]

My BM800 arrived today - and I've set it up.  Mechanically reasonable for the price (sub AUD$30, delivered). 

Sound quality still being assessed, but the noise floor is too high for me.  I've tried direct into my sound card and using the USB sound card supplied and both aren't too different.

The instructions (in the best Chinglish) indicate running 48V phantom power can improve the noise and level.  Might just give that a go... when I get around to it.   

[WastelandTek]

I know there has been some discussion of the impending VAT changes among our EU brethren. 

Hackaday has a writeup in the issue out today

https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/eu-duty-changes-a-whole-vat-of-trouble-for-hackers/

[mnementh]

Just in from Amazon...



Gonna be the guinea pig on this cheap solder from Amazon:   https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073LHK99Z/ 

Supposedly actually 60/40, and the fact it isn't eutectic (advertised as a melting range, not a fixed temp) suggests it is not the more common 63/37. I'm not too sanguine about the claim of 2% flux; that is actually about right for light rosin flux, but the cheap manufacturers almost always use the same halogenated flux as their lead-free. Not sure if that's because cheaper or because the recycled car battery lead needs the more aggressive alkaline flux.

Looks sub-par. Waiting for the verdict...

The freaking HUGE LED module... I got that out of curiosity just because it was CAD$6.59: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07QWXJW26/

No idea  in the world I'm gonna do with its huge ass; I was expecting a 10W module that are typically about the size of a dollar coin...   

And the light blubs... sooner or later we all need those. I buy in bulk.   https://www.amazon.ca/Sylvania-Equivalent-Light-Efficient-White/dp/B0758GXHQK/

Built-in mains power supply. Interesting. Spotlight for your workbench? Replacement for a halogen torchère lamp?

The solder feels right for 60/40. We’ll see how it wets next project. Even if it does have the halogenated flux, as long as it wets like 60/40 I don’t care if the fillet hardens grey and dull; I can’t be arsed to strip all the old SN solder out of what I’m working on most of the time anyways. There’s very few bits of electronics that warrant that kind of fettling. 

Original intent with the LED module was use in a previously Halogen desk lamp. The 10w module I thought I was getting would’ve been borderline; no way in hell the head of the thing has enough mass to handle 20w. 

I’m sure something “interesting” will present itself; there’s just too much deviltry such a device will lend itself to. 

mnem
*knocks self unconscious with a pastry mallet*

[mnementh]

I know there has been some discussion of the impending VAT changes among our EU brethren. 

Hackaday has a writeup in the issue out today

https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/eu-duty-changes-a-whole-vat-of-trouble-for-hackers/

I found this article much more interesting: https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/forming-sheet-metal-parts-with-3d-printed-dies/

mnem
 

[beanflying]

I know there has been some discussion of the impending VAT changes among our EU brethren. 

Hackaday has a writeup in the issue out today

https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/eu-duty-changes-a-whole-vat-of-trouble-for-hackers/

I found this article much more interesting: https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/forming-sheet-metal-parts-with-3d-printed-dies/

mnem
 

You really need to get your printer out of jail or add a second one.  That and follow this thread/post from a couple of weeks back  https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/3d-printer-yet/msg2840784/#msg2840784

[beanflying]

And @ Mnementh let my loan you my Vegan Tenderizer to aid your 

[mansaxel]

the only connector that can truly go to hell and never come back is those damn UHF connectors

We hatesss it, that shielded banana plug, we do!!

Same here. I've got a couple of bought UHF and/or VHF antennas, Sirio and Diamond, and they've all been ordered with the proper N socket. Naturally, I've got a bunch of radios with the ugly SO239 too, and I try to adapt them away so that I have only BNC or N interfaces where I need to connect and disconnect frequently. Of course, last radio I bought, a Niros / Ericsson C55H, had to be different and has TNC. Stumbled over a small batch of used Rosenberger right angle TNC plugs for .400" cable and got a 50m roll of (brand new, not water logged) Messi & Paoloni 10mm coax, so am set for some time now. 

And, if I ever get me grubby hands on a R-390A, I've got a bunch of C plugs and flying jacks for that too!

/M, hoarders-r-us.

[beanflying]

Another bit of Shakea assembled and test loaded.  Beer o O'Clock after 6pm and a touch over 32C. I still need to route, sand put a finish on it. Run some electrics with a load sensor for the Vacuum for an auto start then do the air plumbing so about 1/2 way there 

Bonus is all the bits fit where I CAD'ed them to fit 

[Mr. Scram]

To be fair, they seem to have learned the lesson (this time)



Of course, no guarantee someone won't get clever with "design" next time.

Looks like they stuck the DG8 and DG9 hardware in a different box and increased the price a fair bit.

[bd139]

Yep. Looks like same enclosure of the DG1000Z with some new plastics.

[xrunner]

Yep. Looks like same enclosure of the DG1000Z with some new plastics.

I think Rigol should use the Platonic solids as the basis for their case designs. Say for example the cube for DMMs, Tetrahedron for Frequency counter, Dodecahedron for Scopes, etc.

[bd139]

I can see the OCD among us having to buy a full tessellating set of items then 

New toy arrived. Haven't had any time to do anything useful yet with it but I plugged it in while I was on a conference call



Initial opinion:



Responsiveness much better. FFT much better. User interface about the same. Much much quieter than the DS1054Z. No complaints so far.

[Specmaster]

That has a nice large screen, very nice. 

[beanflying]

Needs more buttons and more Channels Don't let the smoke out 

[BU508A]

I can see the OCD among us having to buy a full tessellating set of items then 

New toy arrived. Haven't had any time to do anything useful yet with it but I plugged it in while I was on a conference call

But why is there a chicken sitting above the Siglent sticker? 

Apart from that: 
Wish you lots of fun with that for the next few days? Weeks? Months? 

[med6753]

Tomorrow he'll get pissed at it and sell it. 


J/K....nice!