Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Kosmic]

SOLD! Please excuse me while I have a Ferengi moment and just enjoy the well-earned proceeds of two curb-score sewing machines...[/b][/color][/size][/i] 

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

[Cerebus]

Spotted on eBay here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274453423068?ul_noapp=true

I'll leave the photo in thumbnail mode, you take a glance and guess what brand the scope is and only then open the thumbnail to full size. Who? Yeah, I'd never hear of them either.

OK, fettled that a bit, the native thumbnail is a little too small for immediate recognition of what you'll think it is.

[Mr. Scram]

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

Yes, I made a mint too.

[Cerebus]

Thrashing your 7 year old nephew at Monopoly doesn't quite have the same cachet to it.

[Kosmic]

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

Yes, I made a mint too.

I recommend investing in Illinois Avenue. Really popular apparently.

[mnementh]

It's not a "CRT Scope" it is a fully digital 'scope with a computer display that happens to be a magnetically deflected raster CRT rater than an LCD. Personally I prefer that.

And in this case, the CRT is in like new condition, so random age-rather-than-hours related HV failures set aside, should serve its purpose as long as its owner does.

Though... I suppose next time I have window of availability for a random boredom project, I can reverse engineer the thing and figure out a interface for LCD as a backup. This thing has a flat-screen CRT; mechanically, LCD retrofit should be as simple as those HP SA kits we were talking about a few months back.

mnem
*off to sell a sewing machine*

See second last page of the CLIP PDF for the 54601. Same CRT. First PDF in list:

http://www.ko4bb.com/getsimple/index.php?id=manuals&dir=HP_Agilent/HP_54601_Digital_Storage_Oscilloscope

Not sure of the interface but it has vsync, hsync, HHB, HFB connections at TTL levels and sucks up 5v and 12v and that’s it. Probably something LCD off the shelf can get chucked in it. Never looked at it. The CRT modules are well known for the caps drying out though so check them. The troublesome ones are at the fat end of the CRT to the left looking at the rear of the unit.

Thanks. I did a quick visual before the live fire test (to make sure I didn't get to meet any live fire ) and they all look pristine without trace of leakage on the PCB. But... livestock, etc. I should def check and probably replace all the DC rail caps at least; but I see that as an issue that can wait til after the move. 

24 kHz line and 60Hz frame. A Gonbes GBS-8200 converter and 7" bare VGA display should be a almost turn key solution.

Yeah, that's why I'm not sure what would be right. I believe I recall reading somewhere that it uses a 1000-line display; so what; 1280 x 960 in 4:3 aspect? I can't remember the last time I saw that in the wild.

(SNIP)
mnem
 

ummmmm.  just a thought.

while you were in there did you check the date code on the dallas nvram?  (am thinking that it may not outlive you per the plan)

replaced the one in my hp54601 with separate sram, controller chip, and battery. (encapsulated batteries really piss me off)

but iirc yours uses an 8kx8 (and maybe STMicro vice dallas?), and mine was a 2kx8. 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/hp-54601a-nvram-substitute/

That... is a question for when I replace caps in the thing. I did notice a label on the back stating it contains a BR1225 coin cell; pretty sure that means NVRAM battery will be replaceable. May need some soldering, of course.

Hmmm... that warranty label appears OEM issue; maybe the Agilent-branded handle IS original. 

These points are also something I can get into after the move; in the meantime, just going to love it and use it as needed.

mnem
 

[mnementh]

SOLD! Please excuse me while I have a Ferengi moment and just enjoy the well-earned proceeds of two curb-score sewing machines...[/b][/color][/size][/i] 

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

Thanks! and  *pppppttttttbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbbbbbblllllle!!!* for the proper scope remark.

Actually, more than a bit taken aback nobody in this crowd had a pithy remark aboot the fart gun... it too was part of the spoils. As was the BarfBerry PlayBook that took flying lessons the other day.

mnem
 

[mnementh]

Spotted on eBay here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274453423068?ul_noapp=true

I'll leave the photo in thumbnail mode, you take a glance and guess what brand the scope is and only then open the thumbnail to full size. Who? Yeah, I'd never hear of them either.

OK, fettled that a bit, the native thumbnail is a little too small for immediate recognition of what you'll think it is.

Pretty sure it's a rebadged Siglent; the cheesy pastel colors and egg-shaped buttons are almost a trademark of theirs. I was shopping them quite a bit after I let that Owon-Lilliput 200MHz on Arrow get away. 

mnem
 

[Mr. Scram]

Thrashing your 7 year old nephew at Monopoly doesn't quite have the same cachet to it.

I didn't actually win but made him say uncle. It's all funny money anyway. Just look at those Snow Mexican pesos!

[Mr. Scram]

Pretty sure it's a rebadged Siglent; the cheesy pastel colors and egg-shaped buttons are almost a trademark of theirs. I was shopping them quite a bit after I let that Owon-Lilliput 200MHz on Arrow get away. 

mnem
 

That's blatantly inspired by the Agilent styling of yesteryear.

[nixiefreqq]

It's not a "CRT Scope" it is a fully digital 'scope with a computer display that happens to be a magnetically deflected raster CRT rater than an LCD. Personally I prefer that.

And in this case, the CRT is in like new condition, so random age-rather-than-hours related HV failures set aside, should serve its purpose as long as its owner does.

Though... I suppose next time I have window of availability for a random boredom project, I can reverse engineer the thing and figure out a interface for LCD as a backup. This thing has a flat-screen CRT; mechanically, LCD retrofit should be as simple as those HP SA kits we were talking about a few months back.

mnem
*off to sell a sewing machine*

See second last page of the CLIP PDF for the 54601. Same CRT. First PDF in list:

http://www.ko4bb.com/getsimple/index.php?id=manuals&dir=HP_Agilent/HP_54601_Digital_Storage_Oscilloscope

Not sure of the interface but it has vsync, hsync, HHB, HFB connections at TTL levels and sucks up 5v and 12v and that’s it. Probably something LCD off the shelf can get chucked in it. Never looked at it. The CRT modules are well known for the caps drying out though so check them. The troublesome ones are at the fat end of the CRT to the left looking at the rear of the unit.

Thanks. I did a quick visual before the live fire test (to make sure I didn't get to meet any live fire ) and they all look pristine without trace of leakage on the PCB. But... livestock, etc. I should def check and probably replace all the DC rail caps at least; but I see that as an issue that can wait til after the move. 

24 kHz line and 60Hz frame. A Gonbes GBS-8200 converter and 7" bare VGA display should be a almost turn key solution.

Yeah, that's why I'm not sure what would be right. I believe I recall reading somewhere that it uses a 1000-line display; so what; 1280 x 960 in 4:3 aspect? I can't remember the last time I saw that in the wild.

(SNIP)
mnem
 

ummmmm.  just a thought.

while you were in there did you check the date code on the dallas nvram?  (am thinking that it may not outlive you per the plan)

replaced the one in my hp54601 with separate sram, controller chip, and battery. (encapsulated batteries really piss me off)

but iirc yours uses an 8kx8 (and maybe STMicro vice dallas?), and mine was a 2kx8. 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/hp-54601a-nvram-substitute/

That... is a question for when I replace caps in the thing. I did notice a label on the back stating it contains a BR1225 coin cell; pretty sure that means NVRAM battery will be replaceable. May need some soldering, of course.

Hmmm... that warranty label appears OEM issue; maybe the Agilent-branded handle IS original. 

These points are also something I can get into after the move; in the meantime, just going to love it and use it as needed.

mnem
 

hope you are right and they went with a replaceable battery.

if not you will have to deal with one of these bastards.

but if it dies no big deal.  you just have to do a cal every time you turn it on.

(and those encapsulated batteries do last decades longer than expected)

[mnementh]

Duly noted and loathed in advance if so. 

mnem
 

[Neomys Sapiens]

SOLD! Please excuse me while I have a Ferengi moment and just enjoy the well-earned proceeds of two curb-score sewing machines...[/b][/color][/size][/i] 

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

Thanks! and  *pppppttttttbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbbbbbblllllle!!!* for the proper scope remark.

Actually, more than a bit taken aback nobody in this crowd had a pithy remark aboot the fart gun... it too was part of the spoils. As was the BarfBerry PlayBook that took flying lessons the other day.

mnem
 

Errr....what? I thought that to be a portable hailer (Megaphon).

[Cerebus]

Pretty sure it's a rebadged Siglent; the cheesy pastel colors and egg-shaped buttons are almost a trademark of theirs. I was shopping them quite a bit after I let that Owon-Lilliput 200MHz on Arrow get away. 

mnem
 

That's blatantly inspired by the Agilent styling of yesteryear.

I think "blatantly inspired" is being a little generous. I'd be tending to use thief-ier adjectives.

[Kosmic]

SOLD! Please excuse me while I have a Ferengi moment and just enjoy the well-earned proceeds of two curb-score sewing machines...[/b][/color][/size][/i] 

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

Thanks! and  *pppppttttttbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbbbbbblllllle!!!* for the proper scope remark.

hehe I'm just kidding  also good job with your scope repair 

[Mr. Scram]

I think "blatantly inspired" is being a little generous. I'd be tending to use thief-ier adjectives.

One needs to leave some room for escalation. 

[mnementh]

Pretty sure it's a rebadged Siglent; the cheesy pastel colors and egg-shaped buttons are almost a trademark of theirs. I was shopping them quite a bit after I let that Owon-Lilliput 200MHz on Arrow get away. 

mnem
 

That's blatantly inspired by the Agilent styling of yesteryear.   

I think "blatantly inspired" is being a little generous. I'd be tending to use thief-ier adjectives.

LOL... that's the exact scope I just found on eBay while trying to remember which of the Siglents your bastard child was: eBay auction: #233580713555

I was thinking of the SDS1202... but the egg-shaped buttons are sideways on that one. I'm sure Tautech will be along any minute now; at least mildly indignant and will probably be able to tell you off the top of his head who that thing is rebadged from.

mnem
 

[mnementh]

SOLD! Please excuse me while I have a Ferengi moment and just enjoy the well-earned proceeds of two curb-score sewing machines...     

Well, you have enough money for a proper scope now! Good job with the sewing machine

Thanks! and  *pppppttttttbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbbbbbblllllle!!!* for the proper scope remark.

hehe I'm just kidding  also good job with your scope repair 

Ahhh... was just razzin' ya back. Tho I think I MIGHT shop a cheap arb with those ill-gotten gains. DEF gonna save a few dollars for a NanoVNA... been 2 months and the promised 4" version still not out yet. 

mnem

[tautech]

I was thinking of the SDS1202... but the egg-shaped buttons are sideways on that one. I'm sure Tautech will be along any minute now; at least mildly indignant and will probably be able to tell you off the top of his head who that thing is rebadged from.

mnem
 

Nah I can't sorry but I have seen that same layout before but not sure when.
If it is a rebadge it's not recent at all as the channel colors are very different to what Siglent use now which is Y, P, B and Green.

Maybe it's an early Rigol when they spun product for HPAK.
 

And FFS, a 7 page catchup.   

[tautech]

And FFS, a 7 page catchup.   

Med's unfinished painting, Mnem's old CRT/DSO fix, BD's, Spec's and Mnem's culinary skills and Saskia off fishing with E-lures from Zucca. 
Don't forget to put hooks on them and they'll work just fine. 

Have I missed some sure, but I'm not going back through them again or I'll never be up to date. 

[mnementh]

Good thing there's currently no Grumpy Ol' Git award to pass around.   

There was, but it's the kind of "win it three times and you get to keep the trophy forever" trophy. I believe it now graces a mantelpiece in Highland, New York.

  Well played, C. well played. 

mnem
*Toddles off to watch some Linus videozz in the cooler office area*

Bite me.....both of you. 

Raw? No thanks. We have to roast you first.

Glad to oblige. You'll need your conversational cutlery; I understand the liver and ovaries are where the poison is most highly concentrated...

mnem
Oh, and the eyeballs.

[mnementh]

Jeezus H Christ a-hoppin' on a pogo stick... and I thought Intel was turning into a fucking Soap Opera. 

(You can tune out after the first article at 1:30 or so... Linus isn't pretty enough to carry the Weather Girl thing for very long.)

Now how does this affect Apple and their ARM plans...? I realize they're only licensing the IP... but still.  Can you hear my eyes rolling from all the way over there...?

mnem
That's one bouncy Jeezus...!

Well it’s an iPad with a hinge and a shit keyboard. If it was any more I’d be pissed     I’m out of shits to give about semiconductor company politics now     

Well, no... I was talking about the first article in the vid; about NVIDIA buying ARM and all the US/China division . Seriously... like a fucking season of Dallas going on there. 

mnem
*going sane in a batshit-crazy world*

[25 CPS]

Had a barbecue with friends tonight.  It meant the Christmas lights around the back yard were on once the last of the sun went.  Out of curiosity after everyone went home, I broke out an older Agilent U1242A DMM with the old blue casing and blue backlighting and measured the voltages at the end of the long runs.





It’s dropping about 8-9 volts compared to back at the house but that’s long extension cords plus multiple strings of Christmas lights away from here.

[mnementh]

Measure it with the rotisserie plugged in. Bet it's dropping more than that.

mnem
*heeds Hypnos' siren call*

[Mr. Scram]

Had a barbecue with friends tonight.  It meant the Christmas lights around the back yard were on once the last of the sun went.  Out of curiosity after everyone went home, I broke out an older Agilent U1242A DMM with the old blue casing and blue backlighting and measured the voltages at the end of the long runs.

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

It’s dropping about 8-9 volts compared to back at the house but that’s long extension cords plus multiple strings of Christmas lights away from here.

Apparently it drops only a 120V across an entire ocean. Imagine that.