Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[dseyst]

I have a Wavetek 52 also. I think the most interesting part of this meter is that Dave Taylor of Fluke 8060a fame is also responsible for the Wavetek 52

[Robert763]

Well I didn't know that. Probably accounts for the great dB performance. The 8060A is my favorite DMM. I have four of them...
 

[dseyst]

I have four 8060a's also. They are all still very accurate and I like using them as much if not more than any other multimeter I have ( approximately 70 ), not including my analog meters. If you think I have a multimeter problem, I do. Once an obsession starts, it's hard to shake. This probably explains why I have 14 Weston and Eppley standard cells, all of which are still functional.

[m k]

I think I have only a dozen or so DMMs.

My sig tries to say that everything is mentionable, it's also what I can categorize as TE.
I'd also name those China goods if I knew their brands, they are also many times much more practical than the fancy ones.
Though practicality is not any category for having, but some for using it is, and for a beginner, or for a purpose they are excellent.
Maybe most on the edge of my sig is Sinclair, but it's an actual DMM, even that its ohms is very limited.

First I thought I have more than one Sinclair, but maybe I haven't.
Is it good or bad if one remembers winning an auction that one actually lost.
Maybe it's just something emotional.

[Robert763]

You could have knocked me down with a feather today.
I was approached at work and asked "I'm about to throw the stuff from old Fred's workshop out, do you want any of it?"
Do I? 
Not much TE in terms of boxes. A vintage Marconi RF dummy load power meter, Lyons Pulse generator and a vinatage Variac. But lots of "smalls" Coaxial connectors and adaptors including Greenpar inter-series, a few RF bits like coax switches and couplers. lots of test leads, couple of scope probes, some new semiconductors crimps. Also some tools including crimping tools, trim tools ad IC test clips. Some fixed PSUs and a few books.
Not gone therough it yet, just filled the car before it went in the skip. This is very unusual for my work they don't normally let anything escape.

Robert.

[Robert763]

The power meter is a TF1021A/1 which is much under appreciated. It's a thermocouple thermal converter type so works from DC to 250MHz with 5% accuracy (better than a Bird 43). It can be calibrated with DC or mains frequency AC. Ranges are 50W and 100W but the basic design is the same as a TF1020A/5 which is 150W and 300W. The only difference is a 25R resistor across the the thermal converter input and a cooling fan. So it would be fairly easy to convert this unit to a 4 range model covering 50W to 300W full scale (true thermal average so would handle 1kW PEP SSB voice. The peak power is limited by the 5kV rating of the N connector so 500kW in theory).
Just because it does not have a digital display and a wi-fi connection does not mean it's not a good power meter.

The pulse generator is a Lyons PG-2B. I can't find a manual for it on line so invested £8.50 for one on ebay.

Robert.

[Robert763]

Maybe I have a problem..
Make that FIVE Fluke 8060A DMMs

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226320053043?
No brainer at £35 including shipping  I have a spare rear case...

Robert.

[onsokumaru]

This one is in good working condition. I turned it on and did some basic tests, put it to generate some volts in dc and ac, ohms and miliAmps. My superb quality chinese handheld multimeter seems to agree with the programed outputs, so I'm happy this device is working. It has some stickers from the periodic certifications, and I think the last one was in 2002.

[onsokumaru]

Next one in the list to be tested is this Tektronix 577 curve tracer. I  haven't used anything like this before, so I'm collecting the manuals first. I hope it still works.

[Ice-Tea]

This one is in good working condition. I turned it on and did some basic tests, put it to generate some volts in dc and ac, ohms and miliAmps. My superb quality chinese handheld multimeter seems to agree with the programed outputs, so I'm happy this device is working. It has some stickers from the periodic certifications, and I think the last one was in 2002.

Lucky sod! Enjoy ;-)

[Vince]

Maybe I have a problem..
Make that FIVE Fluke 8060A DMMs

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226320053043?
No brainer at £35 including shipping  I have a spare rear case...

Robert.

I have only a single 8060A but it's in perfect shape and works just fine. However if I ever need spare parts it's good to know where I can get them from ! 

[m k]

Dang, my listing is £43.40, it already includes VAT, that's a surprise.

BTW,
first set of earlier BNC stuff is here, and first set of refunds.
Cable ends were so weak that some were still rattling loose when connected.
All T-adapter female parts are missing a metal bottom from one side.

[TERRA Operative]

Next one in the list to be tested is this Tektronix 577 curve tracer. I  haven't used anything like this before, so I'm collecting the manuals first. I hope it still works.

One day I'll pull mine off the shelf and repair it. I know it has at least one shorted tantalum, as usual....

I managed to get a fistful of plug-in test adapters for it, and both the 177 and the 178 test fixtures.

[m k]

Something from Metrix GX5000-MoD, its final output amplifier.
This one has at least center 3866 BE shorted.
It's still working but level change speed is rather slow.

It has input, output, +/-15V supply and +/-V for output.
And it is hot.
Actually almost a whole side of the machine is pretty hot in no time.
Something is also overloading a bit, so that is not helping with cooling.

[Ice-Tea]

Laser trimmed printed resistors?

[m k]

Yes, low left shadowy thing is also real, but the orange thing above top 3866 is not, or at least I didn't see any of that, and it's even transparent.

The very clear regular resistor in the middle is 10R0 and suitably a jumper also.

[Robert763]

Another chancer / hopeful on ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326255471115?
"Tektronix RM17 Oscilloscope" only £999 

You gotta love the AI description:
"The RM17 model is ideal for those in the business of test, measurement and inspection. Its advanced features include a sleek design, easy-to-use interface, and high-quality performance. This oscilloscope is perfect for those looking for a reliable and efficient tool for their day-to-day work."

Sure it's sleek and reliable 

The Seller can't manage english on his own:
"This Tektronix RM17 Oscilloscope is a reliable and
THIS UNIT HAS BEEN TURNED ON
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CHANNEL LIKES ON THE SCREEN. PLEWSE SEE PICTURES FOR DETAILS. "

[Vince]

Robert,  on my side I see it priced at 1,200 £ not  999 !
It's more than I paid for my car (1,200 Euros)

I do have an RM17 but paid only 15 Euros for it !
Well, plus shipping of course, but still....

[m k]

How much is your VAT?

[Vince]

20%

[m k]

So it's also VAT included, like mine was.
Remaining difference can be an exchange rate, or something.

[Robert763]

A used item from a private seller should not attract VAT...

[tggzzz]

A used item from a private seller should not attract VAT...

More likely import duties (?for anything over £135?) which may be the same rate as VAT

[Vince]

Don't think it's customs or anything like that, since the ad says they won't ship to France.

Strange : look below, I clicked on "add to basket", and in the basket the price is not 1,200 quid anymore, but 999 like Robert said... Ebay is becoming very, very confusing to me.
I guess I am not smart enough to buy stuff on-line anymore....this world has become too complicated for me...

If I search for this ad from the French Ebay website, I can't find it, even if I select "search worldwide".... I give up. How are people supposed to find stuff on ebay if ads are invisible to them....
Maybe it's because the seller said he won't ship to France.. still, would be nice to see the ad anyway, as one might be able to arrange shipping or collection anyway, via a friend in the UK, or a planned trip to the UK or whatever...

Anyway, didn't mean to waste people's time over this... going to bed now.... 

[TERRA Operative]

From the background of the pictures, it looks like a general 'junk' resale store. There are many in Akihabara.

Their prices rancge from crazy cheap to reasonable to more than buying new.
The really cheap and really expensive prices are usually on things they don't usually deal in.

I bet the seller saw 'toobs!' inside and slapped the silly price on it.
Big and heavy = expensive!


There's a trick I've noticed some sellers do on Yahoo Auctions too.
They will list an item for an insane price a few times then drop the price to a normal amount.
That way they get the 'Discount item!' Flag on their listing and theoretically get bumped up in the search results.