I had it under control.
I really did. No, I mean it..
I really, really had my test equipment addiction handled.
Until I didn't. ![Angry >:(](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/angry.gif)
Throughout all of 2020, I managed to limit myself to ONE new piece of test equipment. I bought a new Rigol DL3021A Programmable Load. And that was it. I am not an addict. I have this under control. No, I mean it. I do...
And then this week hit. And the bug bit. Something snapped inside of me. I couldn't control my compulsions anymore. The floodgates opened.
Now I either have, or have on the way:
1. An official EEVBlog BM786 multimeter. I mean.. that's not so bad. Who wouldn't want an official EEVBlog meter, right? And you can never have too many multi-meters. Right? RIGHT?!?
2. A Keysight 16862A Logic Analyzer - Errm... it was like 85% of the original price, and it's from the "official Keysight Ebay Store" and has a warranty and everything. And who doesn't need a second logic analyzer? Especially one that's nicer than the existing HP boat anchor? That's not so bad. I'm not really an addict. This is all totally reasonable. Right? RIGHT???
3. An Extech 380193 LCR Meter - It's not like these are real expensive. Or take up a lot of room. And you can *always* use an LCR meter, no? I'm right and you know I'm right. High Five!!
4. A Rigol RSA3015N 1.5 GHz Spectrum Analyzer - Umm... I didn't have a proper spectrum analyzer, OK? Who are you to judge me anyway. I am not an addict. You lot shut up. People who live in glass houses and all that. I can stop anytime I want anyway.
5. A Rigol MSO7024 200 mhz,4 channel MSO - I ah... that is. Well.. you see... that is. Urk. I mean, my old scope was only 100mhz, OK? And I uh... really needed the logic analyzer part because I didn't already.. have... two. logic. analyzers. It's OK. Really. I needed it. For um... stuff. Yeah. You know. Aaaah. Urrrm... I might have a problem.
You're off to a good start.
![ThumbsUp :-+](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/icon_smile_thumbsup.gif)
Stick around here and we'll help you along in your journey into the bunny hole that is this place...
I started my descent into TE madness after getting back into playing with vacuum tubes again about nine years ago. The DIY audio forums led me to buy a 3562A Dynamic Signal Analyzer.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Electronics/Misc-test-equipment/i-khzBRM9/0/ecea2e98/XL/IMG_8339-XL.jpg)
That led me to the HP/A/K mailing list where people happened to be griping about clock makers buying and scrapping out old counters for their nixie tubes. That prompted me to buy an old 5245L to 'save' at least one from that fate.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Electronics/Misc-test-equipment/i-GpDCMVS/0/0584f13f/XL/IMG_8349-XL.jpg)
That led to an interest in the old counters and there began the quest to 'collect the whole set' that continues to this day.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Electronics/Lucent-RFG-M-RB-Rubidium-Frequency-Standard/i-TFTjLzn/0/777a08be/XL/Lucent%20RFG-M-RB%20on%20bench%202-XL.jpg)
I have, of course, also branched off into voltmeters, power supplies and everything else in the catalogs (which are also very dangerous to one's credit card), and have a rather large collection of playthings in the basement.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Electronics/Misc-test-equipment/i-GQ4vFFp/0/daa79640/XL/2021030911234926--7937161857393702425-IMG_4464-XL.jpg)
(...and in my office, and the spare bedroom, and the living room, and the dining room, and the...)
Welcome to the nut house. The water's fine and we have cookies!
-Pat