USA Cal Club: Getting Started & User Guide

[bitseeker]

I've started to convert the guide into a PDF file because better printing capability was requested. Since the file is too large to attach to a forum post, you can view and download the current version of the file at

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AoXDJ-ybEtL40Hh-SGyr5oJMXcGVgf-l/view?usp=sharing

[bitseeker]

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[TiN]

Instructions for datastorage/uploads

To have created FTP storage server account for needs of USA Cal Club members, to store data, photos, notes, related code and datafiles, if anyone willing to use this way to interchange files.

FTP server: xdevs.com
Login: usac_run2
Password: same as login, case-sensitive
FTP mode: passive

No size limits or file-type limitations.

I also suggest members to list what equipment to be used, and measurement conditions, so others can have better relation
More data - usually better, with important information like ambient conditions, used settings, wiring config, etc. Maybe worth also to tag data by the "type", such as:

Type 1a: Direct measurement, uncalibrated equipment (unknown uncertainty, over calibration 1year cycle), e.g. ebay Keithley 2000, etc.
Type 1b: Direct measurement, calibrated equipment (in 1 year spec or better), e.g. HP 3458A, calibrated by Keysight in August 2017, etc. If uncertainty of calibration point can be published - even the better
Type 2: Differential measurement vs calibrated DC-standard (e.g. Fluke 732/Datron 491x) with null-meter connection. e.g. UCC2 ref vs Fluke 732A, null-meter HP 3458A on 100mV range.

I felt like last club was somewhat black box to the outsiders, as there was no end result and no summary reports published? (could be that I missed them either, apologies if that's true). So hopefully sharing values

Since some may not be familiar with FTP-server access, here is easy way to upload/download files:

Step 1

Open https://www.onlineftp.ch/ in web-browser, fill in fields for connection: xdevs.com for host, usac_run2 for both username and password fields, no need change port 21.

Press Login

Step 2

Enter Round2 folder. Data from previous round is stored in Round1 (from those who considered uploading it before).
There you can see files and related data.

Good idea to create your own folder with your nickname and upload all your results into this directory, for clarity between various datasets.

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What should be uploaded? In order of importance each member should ideally upload next:

* RAW datafile with measurement results in CSV, DSV or text format, so it can be processed by scripts/analysis software
* Note / textfile covering used instrument, settings, power source for externally powered references and previous calibration history if instruments have traceable calibration
* Photographs of particular setup, wiring, interconnection and devices under test. Preferred to have RAW/NEF full-resolution images. It's easy to crop pictures afterwards for forum posts/etc, rather than trying to deciper what is on the photo using microscope and AI.
* Analysis software/app scripts or graphing code for report generation, e.g. sdev/tempco math python apps, etc. Using freely available libraries is a plus.
* Own notes or issues discovered during the member turn?

Data handling and plotting helper for FX

[SirAlucard]

Looking really good! Good Job!

[RandallMcRee]

Bump.
Suggestions (to fill in reserved posts):
  Directions for posting data to xdevs site??
  Setting up a meter for best logging--100PLC or??
  Post some GPIB scripts that have been proven helpful (QAD example attached)
  I used my own temperature logger, is that ok, or do we have some preference to use the included tempduino?

Huge kudos to everyone that has already contributed so much--Bitseeker, TiN, cellularmitosis (RIP) and so on.

[bitseeker]

Thanks for the suggestions, Randall. I'll be adding tutorial content as I port the guide over to PDF.

Having an example script is a good idea, too.

[TiN]

Updated post with datastore instructions.