Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[25 CPS]

I’m in furniture assembly hell right now but here’s a challenge for you guys:   From the clues scattered around the edge of the attached picture, what test equipment can you identify?

I need to get to the store before they close so I’m going to knock off for a bit but I’ll check for answers when I get home.

On the left above the HP PSU there is what looks to be a rack mount 200CD oscillator. I can't quite tell what the one on the right below the the 523B counter is, maybe another earlier 200 series, something like a 200T or 200I?

David

You got it, it's a 200CDR oscillator and you're right about the other being an earlier 200 series oscillator.  That one's a 200-H specifically.

The mystery device that's neither an HP1630D or 54200D but has the same style case is an HP 8175A Digital Signal Generator.  Not my picture but mine's also got the Option 002 Arbitrary Waveform Generator like this one has:



I need to get off my rear end and get back downstairs to finish bashing that cabinet together and knock together another set of shelves and do some more organizing down there.  Being off during the great weather we've had until the last couple of days meant that I was enjoying time outside and everything I'd planned to work on inside the house during some time off in November with crappy weather got shunted aside when the normally expected crappy weather didn't happen.

[med6753]

I need to get off my rear end and get back downstairs to finish bashing that cabinet together and knock together another set of shelves and do some more organizing down there.  Being off during the great weather we've had until the last couple of days meant that I was enjoying time outside and everything I'd planned to work on inside the house during some time off in November with crappy weather got shunted aside when the normally expected crappy weather didn't happen.

I wanted to do just the opposite. I have all the lumber required to build the shelving unit but it has been bright, sunny, and 0 degrees C with a stiff and freaking cold breeze all day. So no go on the unheated garage. Stay inside where it's nice a warm.

Tomorrow it's supposed to warm back up.   

[25 CPS]

Uggh.

It's really sad... that I can tell they've started buying produce and meat from the US just by the drop in quality since the COVID lockdown. Eggs used to be better; now we have the same eggs from sick hens with shells that shatter into a million splinters instead of cracking normally. Produce with chunks of soil still caked on. Canned vegetables that have several large chunks of stem or hull in every can. Meats injected with as much water as they can physically carry, so that you can't even cook it in a pan because it steams and boils rather than frying.

I don't even need to look at the packaging to know... just noticing the quality is the same as I used to get in Texas. And yes, the quality is that much worse... that you do notice it. And when you check the packaging, yup... "May contain xyz from the US."

mnem
Get the fuck out.

Yes, I've noticed it too, particularly with eggs that don't crack properly.  Things started changing when the NAFTA replacement USMCA deal was signed with Trump and a lot of dairy related concessions were made.  The end result is you need to read labels carefully and ideally shop at independent stores that source their meat and produce locally, and you'll be fine.

[factory]

I’m in furniture assembly hell right now but here’s a challenge for you guys:   From the clues scattered around the edge of the attached picture, what test equipment can you identify?

I need to get to the store before they close so I’m going to knock off for a bit but I’ll check for answers when I get home.

On the left above the HP PSU there is what looks to be a rack mount 200CD oscillator. I can't quite tell what the one on the right below the the 523B counter is, maybe another earlier 200 series, something like a 200T or 200I?

David

You got it, it's a 200CDR oscillator and you're right about the other being an earlier 200 series oscillator.  That one's a 200-H specifically.

That was a tricky one, there are quite a few specialist versions of the HP 200 oscillator and to make it worse the design changes over the years also made it harder to identify.

David

[mansaxel]

Mains cable for the 400H arrived today.

Brought it up directly on mains, and yes, it works.

Needs a bit of calibration, I think, but it's just a bit off, not brokenly wrong.

Now I want an analog OB vehicle with LOTS of distribution amps and other audio devices needing calibration. I'm positively overflowing with meters with a 0dB = 1mW scale on them... 

[mnementh]

Uggh.

It's really sad... that I can tell they've started buying produce and meat from the US just by the drop in quality since the COVID lockdown. Eggs used to be better; now we have the same eggs from sick hens with shells that shatter into a million splinters instead of cracking normally. Produce with chunks of soil still caked on. Canned vegetables that have several large chunks of stem or hull in every can. Meats injected with as much water as they can physically carry, so that you can't even cook it in a pan because it steams and boils rather than frying.

I don't even need to look at the packaging to know... just noticing the quality is the same as I used to get in Texas. And yes, the quality is that much worse... that you do notice it. And when you check the packaging, yup... "May contain xyz from the US."

mnem
Get the fuck out.

Yes, I've noticed it too, particularly with eggs that don't crack properly.  Things started changing when the NAFTA replacement USMCA deal was signed with Trump and a lot of dairy related concessions were made.  The end result is you need to read labels carefully and ideally shop at independent stores that source their meat and produce locally, and you'll be fine.

You shouldn't have to pay boutique prices not to buy shit. That was one of the main reasons we left Dumbfuckistan.  You guys had a minimum standard of quality.

mnem
"Edible" is not a luxury.

[Cerebus]

The old white/clear full size ones with real keys that shipped with the early intel “plastic slab” iMacs were the best IMHO. I miss that. And 10.4

I've still got one. I wasn't particularly enamoured with them, too noisy. I keep mine in the box room attached to the MacPros pushed into service as servers.

[25 CPS]

Uggh.

It's really sad... that I can tell they've started buying produce and meat from the US just by the drop in quality since the COVID lockdown. Eggs used to be better; now we have the same eggs from sick hens with shells that shatter into a million splinters instead of cracking normally. Produce with chunks of soil still caked on. Canned vegetables that have several large chunks of stem or hull in every can. Meats injected with as much water as they can physically carry, so that you can't even cook it in a pan because it steams and boils rather than frying.

I don't even need to look at the packaging to know... just noticing the quality is the same as I used to get in Texas. And yes, the quality is that much worse... that you do notice it. And when you check the packaging, yup... "May contain xyz from the US."

mnem
Get the fuck out.

Yes, I've noticed it too, particularly with eggs that don't crack properly.  Things started changing when the NAFTA replacement USMCA deal was signed with Trump and a lot of dairy related concessions were made.  The end result is you need to read labels carefully and ideally shop at independent stores that source their meat and produce locally, and you'll be fine.

You shouldn't have to pay boutique prices not to buy shit. That was one of the main reasons we left Dumbfuckistan.  You guys had a minimum standard of quality.

mnem
"Edible" is not a luxury.

I'm not.  The two local independent places are consistently less expensive than the big grocery chains.

[mnementh]

Guess I'm too close to town. We have Longo's/Sobey's, Loblaws, & Squalid-Mart. Oh, and Food Basics/No Frills. *blerk* Everything else seems to be ethnic markets of one sort or another; tho there is an actual butcher shop not too far from the old house.

I used to be very impressed with the quality of most of the fresh meats & produce from Sobey's; by comparison they were better and cheaper than Texas-grown in Texas.

Now, not so much...

mnem
 

[factory]

That old HP 8616A seems to work fine
but its a heater

Very nice condition & it's a 1960's one too, I have a later 1970's 8614A (the lower frequency version), there is a second one that I rescued from becoming scrap (from the lot of TE I bought) it's a 1960's one with H01 option but sadly no vacuum bulbs left (hopefully the Klystron is still there)  , I haven't found out what option H01 is yet (the manuals only mention option 001 rear output which it definitely doesn't have).

The 8616A would be a lot hotter if it didn't also have plenty of semiconductors inside.
http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/08616-90022.pdf?id=1936733

David

[Saskia]

Guess I'm too close to town. We have Longo's/Sobey's, Loblaws, & Squalid-Mart. Oh, and Food Basics/No Frills. *blerk* Everything else seems to be ethnic markets of one sort or another; tho there is an actual butcher shop not too far from the old house.

I used to be very impressed with the quality of most of the fresh meats & produce from Sobey's; by comparison they were better and cheaper than Texas-grown in Texas.

Now, not so much...

mnem
 

What I had noticed when in Canada was that the food was incredibly expensive when compared to over here. It was better quality, but still extremely ka-ching.

@bd139 Our politicians voted for a law today giving the current regime almost unlimited power. It somewhat reminds me of Star Wars 3. Merkel makes a good Sith Lord.

[tonyalbus]

That old HP 8616A seems to work fine
but its a heater

Very nice condition & it's a 1960's one too, I have a later 1970's 8614A (the lower frequency version), there is a second one that I rescued from becoming scrap (from the lot of TE I bought) it's a 1960's one with H01 option but sadly no vacuum bulbs left (hopefully the Klystron is still there)  , I haven't found out what option H01 is yet (the manuals only mention option 001 rear output which it definitely doesn't have).

The 8616A would be a lot hotter if it didn't also have plenty of semiconductors inside.
http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/08616-90022.pdf?id=1936733

David

Thank you fot the manual.. and the extra info.
yes hope your klystron is still in...
H01 ... let you know when i find it...
 

[nexus]

Hello,

My name is Kevin and I am an addict.

Anyways, at the suggestion of a good friend and longtime eevblog lurker, I am here to seek therapy for my test equipment addiction in addition to coveted internet points, which are directly proportional to my self esteem.

Since getting serious about electronics after finishing undergrad and starting my first job, I have acquired a number of instruments.

- Keysight MSOX2024A scope
- Keysight E36103A dc power supply
- Keysight AC6801A ac/dc power supply
- Keysight B2902A source measure unit
- Keithley DMM6500 dmm
- Keysight E4980AL lcr meter
- Itech 8512B+ dc electronic load
- HTI 301 thermal camera

Your insults are welcome. Feel free to check out my personal website at neonkev.com and leave disparaging comments.

Regards,
Kevin

[tonyalbus]

welcome, your bench is way to clean 

[Specmaster]

Uggh.

It's really sad... that I can tell they've started buying produce and meat from the US just by the drop in quality since the COVID lockdown. Eggs used to be better; now we have the same eggs from sick hens with shells that shatter into a million splinters instead of cracking normally. Produce with chunks of soil still caked on. Canned vegetables that have several large chunks of stem or hull in every can. Meats injected with as much water as they can physically carry, so that you can't even cook it in a pan because it steams and boils rather than frying.

I don't even need to look at the packaging to know... just noticing the quality is the same as I used to get in Texas. And yes, the quality is that much worse... that you do notice it. And when you check the packaging, yup... "May contain xyz from the US."

mnem
Get the fuck out.

Yes, I've noticed it too, particularly with eggs that don't crack properly.  Things started changing when the NAFTA replacement USMCA deal was signed with Trump and a lot of dairy related concessions were made.  The end result is you need to read labels carefully and ideally shop at independent stores that source their meat and produce locally, and you'll be fine.

You shouldn't have to pay boutique prices not to buy shit. That was one of the main reasons we left Dumbfuckistan.  You guys had a minimum standard of quality.

mnem
"Edible" is not a luxury.

Thats why we Brits are not happy about doing a deal with the US, we have very high food standards here but are just about to possibly lose them 

[nexus]

welcome, your bench is way to clean 

Haha, well that's the "cleanest" part of the lab, where DUTs are usually situated after fab and cleaning. Its a 96" static dissipative table, my computer is on the other end.

There is active project storage on the opposite side of the room, long term storage in closets, and a rework bench to contain all of the soldering action. It might look like nothing's going on but that's only because I am a clean freak on top of a gear addict. I will wipe the bench clean and vaccum after reworking a single board.

[Specmaster]

Are those Nixie clocks I spy there?

[nexus]

Are those Nixie clocks I spy there?

Absolutely. Nixies are my gateway drug into embedded design. The main stash is well hidden however

[Saskia]

@nexus commendable. Welcome.

@Specmaster yarp. I understand your point. I just have a very bad feeling about the way politics are going over here.

In the mean time I had a very high quality Thai Curry w/ chicken breast today. Our local charlie has extremely fresh ingredients that look as well as they taste, and he is very good at composing them into a very decent and extremely affordable meal. 5.5 pesos for a large portion of red Thai curry w/ 2 slices of chicken breast, veggies, plus a very delicious curry sauce really is nothing to be sniffed at.

The best low cost food I ever had was in Japan, though.
If you go out about 1hour before store closure, the department store delis will clean out what they did not sell that day and mark it down up to 70% and you will be able to grab some Sashimi for a fraction of its original price. The sashimi is still very tasty and fresh enough, and I was able to have a very nice sashimi dinner w/ 2 drinks for the equivalent of 5 brussels pesos.

First layer of Raaco carousel finished. Need 7 additional Raaco boxes.

@Neomys Sapiens any chance I can tawk you into a trade ?

[med6753]

welcome, your bench is way to clean 

Haha, well that's the "cleanest" part of the lab, where DUTs are usually situated after fab and cleaning. Its a 96" static dissipative table, my computer is on the other end.

There is active project storage on the opposite side of the room, long term storage in closets, and a rework bench to contain all of the soldering action. It might look like nothing's going on but that's only because I am a clean freak on top of a gear addict. I will wipe the bench clean and vaccum after reworking a single board.

Yes!  A fellow clean freak!  I too abhor dust and dirt and disorganized clutter. I clean up after every project or if it's unfinished at least straighten up.  It's been lonely existence here among all the benches that look like they were hit with a hand grenade. So don't listen to the unwashed who feel the need to mention that your bench is "to neat". They are just jealous. 

[Ice-Tea]

Hello,

My name is Kevin and I am an addict.

Welcome

That is some pretty nice gear you got there

[BU508A]

Hello,

My name is Kevin and I am an addict.

Anyways, at the suggestion of a good friend and longtime eevblog lurker, I am here to seek therapy for my test equipment addiction in addition to coveted internet points, which are directly proportional to my self esteem.

Since getting serious about electronics after finishing undergrad and starting my first job, I have acquired a number of instruments.

- Keysight MSOX2024A scope
- Keysight E36103A dc power supply
- Keysight AC6801A ac/dc power supply
- Keysight B2902A source measure unit
- Keithley DMM6500 dmm
- Keysight E4980AL lcr meter
- Itech 8512B+ dc electronic load
- HTI 301 thermal camera

Your insults are welcome. Feel free to check out my personal website at neonkev.com and leave disparaging comments.

Regards,
Kevin

Welcome to the TEA-house of madness, where all your gear dreams may come true.   

Very nice list of TE you have. I'd say, that is a good starting point.   

[BU508A]

welcome, your bench is way to clean 

It will take some time for the 2nd law of  thermodynamics to kick in but then ...

In the meantime:



 

[mnementh]

welcome, your bench is way to clean 

Haha, well that's the "cleanest" part of the lab, where DUTs are usually situated after fab and cleaning. Its a 96" static dissipative table, my computer is on the other end.

There is active project storage on the opposite side of the room, long term storage in closets, and a rework bench to contain all of the soldering action. It might look like nothing's going on but that's only because I am a clean freak on top of a gear addict. I will wipe the bench clean and vaccum after reworking a single board.

Yes!  A fellow clean freak!  I too abhor dust and dirt and disorganized clutter. I clean up after every project or if it's unfinished at least straighten up.  It's been lonely existence here among all the benches that look like they were hit with a hand grenade. So don't listen to the unwashed who feel the need to mention that your bench is "to neat". They are just jealous. 

If a cluttered desk is a symptom of a cluttered mind, then a empty desk is a symptom of an empty mind.   

Also, welcome to the nuthole, nexus.   

mnem
You can't be crazy AND stupid; you have to have something going on up there for it to get fucked up in the first place.

[mnementh]

welcome, your bench is way to clean 

It will take some time for the 2nd law of  thermodynamics to kick in but then...   In the meantime:      
 

The Three Laws of Thermodynamics:

1. You can't win.
2. You can't break even.   _← Arrrou...?!?
3. You can't even get out of the game.

mnem
nice pants.