Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[mnementh]

It's the tyranny of the default

"The tyranny of the default"

I like that, very quotable indeed. Committing to wetware memory location 0x3FF4D566 now. 

Isn't that address already allocated as redundant storage? 

mnem
*cluster-floppy*

[xrunner]

Isn't that address already allocated as redundant storage? 

mnem
*cluster-floppy*

It was but I'm running out of wam (wetware access memory) ! 

[mnementh]

There's an app for that!!!    

mnem
*back out into the suck*

[SilverSolder]

Boxes of books like that, are the reason PDF files were invented!

[bitseeker]

Speaking of shipping, I didn't know about this:

Match the label to the mail service you buy. For example, FRAGILE labels should only be used if you paid the applicable fee for the USPS® Special Handling-Fragile service at a Post Office location.

https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm

[Mr. Scram]

Speaking of shipping, I didn't know about this:

Match the label to the mail service you buy. For example, FRAGILE labels should only be used if you paid the applicable fee for the USPS® Special Handling-Fragile service at a Post Office location.

https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm

Shaking someone down suddenly becomes uncomfortably literal.

[xrunner]

Speaking of shipping, I didn't know about this:

Match the label to the mail service you buy. For example, FRAGILE labels should only be used if you paid the applicable fee for the USPS® Special Handling-Fragile service at a Post Office location.

https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm

Interesting, never heard of it.

I asked the UPS store once if putting "FRAGILE" stickers on the box meant anything to the people handling it.

They said it meant nothing at all to anyone - all packages are handled the same way.

[bitseeker]

In other TEA news, my microscope is now days past the guaranteed delivery date with a seemingly bogus tracking number. Opened a dispute. Now comes the five-day wait for AliExpress to step in.

Earlier, I ordered one of those USB electronic loads to play with and it was shipped, overseas, in a plastic bag. Of course, the LCD didn't survive. The seller didn't respond, so AliExpress to the rescue for a full refund.

Oh, what a TEA party I've been having lately. Sounds like it's time for a break.

[worsthorse]

Boxes of books like that, are the reason PDF files were invented!

That's certainly true but, I dunno, there's something about looking up specs in real paper data books... 

[Cubdriver]

Boxes of books like that, are the reason PDF files were invented!

That's certainly true but, I dunno, there's something about looking up specs in real paper data books... 

That and they're already printed out for you, and perhaps most importantly, they don't 'change' between viewings.  PDFs have their place, and I'm glad they exist, but in most cases I too prefer to read my data sheets and documentation on processed dead trees.

-Pat

[VK5RC]

Speaking of shipping, I didn't know about this:

Match the label to the mail service you buy. For example, FRAGILE labels should only be used if you paid the applicable fee for the USPS® Special Handling-Fragile service at a Post Office location.

https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm

Interesting, never heard of it.

I asked the UPS store once if putting "FRAGILE" stickers on the box meant anything to the people handling it.

They said it meant nothing at all to anyone - all packages are handled the same way.

I heard putting "Insured" on a box helped - as the transport company will track down who bent it and bend them.

[Mr. Scram]

I heard putting "Insured" on a box helped - as the transport company will track down who bent it and bend them.

That doesn't make sense. Insured means someone else will pay for the damage. The number are too small to pursue any real case and insurers wouldn't stand a chance anyway.

[Robert763]

Bitsavers  have just about all the National, TI, AD et all data books as high quality scans. A large quantity of my originals that were boxed and inaccessible in the garage have now been replaced by PDFs.
http://www.bitsavers.org/components/

Robert.

[VK5RC]

I heard putting "Insured" on a box helped - as the transport company will track down who bent it and bend them.

That doesn't make sense. Insured means someone else will pay for the damage. The number are too small to pursue any real case and insurers wouldn't stand a chance anyway.

The way I heard it, the courier company mostly self insures, they know exactly who moved what box where and when, this data is easily collected and collated, see a pattern and they come looking.
I transported a 3458A  700km for calibration, when I mentioned the replacement value in the insurance application, the attitude of the courier changed. I also used the same courier as keysight.
All my dealings with insurers, they are no fools, their legal, logistic and statistical knowledge is generally 'good' ie to their benefit.
I have learned the hard way, in my one significant dispute with an insurer, I was getting nowhere until I asked a friend, a 'loss adjuster' to act as my agent to deal with the company in the matter - he assured me that my case was good - they found in my favour in less than a day.

[Ero-Shan]

Yea I'm not worried about that either. If I was worried about unobtanium I'd have 50% less test equipment than I do now. 

Take a look at this one I'm getting. It's sold by a dealer that deals in these all the time. In fact, it has a one year warranty just return and he sends you another one.

But, I've got a lot of used test equipment and some of it in very good condition, and this 34401A, if I didn't know better, you could fool me for it being new. He took a series of very clear photos of this, and I zoomed in on several (see below). I can't see the slightest sign of and dings, scratches, scrapes, old smudges, or any sign it's been touched by a person. Even the bottom rubber where it would have touched a table looks brand new. The exposed metal on screws and connectors looks new. This is going to be very interesting when it arrives.

Congrats to you and bd for your nice 34401As!

Apart from the small sticker this really looks like pulled out of the carton one minute before. I sure would like to have one in such a mint condition, too.
Mine look rather used and the VFDs are not all that bright anymore, but they still work dependably and serve as my standard DMMs.
I certainly won't complain regarding the price I got them for.

And yes, the thousands separator is rather confusing, especially since it is way more visible than the tiny decimal point.

[Mr. Scram]

You guys are making me feel like a terrible nitpick. I know I am but I don't have to feel like one.

[Brumby]

All this talk about 34401As....

Got me interested, so I had a look around for what was available in Australia and how much they were.



I hate you all.

[Addicted2AnalogTek]

I feel like I brought the 34401As back into the spotlight here..

Then everyone started buying them..

But I’ve yet to commit to purchasing one.


You’re welcome! 

[med6753]

Got me looking too but I have enough trouble resolving 5.5 digits. 6.5 digits will just drive me over the edge. 

I'm hoping the talk goes away soon so I can remain convinced that I don't need one. 

[bd139]

I've run mine in 5.5 digit mode mostly so far

Come to the conclusion I need a matching E3631A and 33210A now 

Edit: now there's a question. What scope matches them? 54600 series I suspect.

[med6753]

I've run mine in 5.5 digit mode mostly so far

Come to the conclusion I need a matching E3631A and 33210A now 

Edit: now there's a question. What scope matches them? 54600 series I suspect.

I'm with Brumby. I hate you all. 

[Mr. Scram]

I've run mine in 5.5 digit mode mostly so far

Come to the conclusion I need a matching E3631A and 33210A now 

Edit: now there's a question. What scope matches them? 54600 series I suspect.

You already have a matching function generator, right?

[bd139]

Nope. My point above was in jest. The 33120A is a nice bit of kit but it's got one less output, 45 megs less grunt, an even noisier fan and disappointingly no output on/off button compared to the DG1022Z.

[xrunner]

All this talk about 34401As....

Got me interested, so I had a look around for what was available in Australia and how much they were.

I hate you all.

I was going to say wait a few minutes and the page will increment to some other conversation, but I'll be getting mine in two days so it'll all start up again with pics to boot ... 

[beanflying]

All this talk about 34401As....

Got me interested, so I had a look around for what was available in Australia and how much they were.

I hate you all.

Starting to think of selling my 'spare' 6 1/2 digit meter in an Advantest 6871E-DC. You want to trade an arm or a leg?