Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Berni]

Now I find that the resolution of the 6.5 digit multimeters is somewhat low.
So I am asking me if I should go for a 7.5 digit K2010 or for a 8.5 digit 3458A.

with best regards

Andreas

Yes, I am also not effected by this virus, that is why I can talk very normally about this subject.

A good combination to fulfill your need for 7.5 and 8.5 digits is what I did:

- Keysight 34470A
- Keithley DMM7510
- Agilent 3458A


But I am wondering now, if I should get a second 3458A, since I have no way to find out if my first 3458A is right on spot.

Hmm... i would like to know if my Keithley 2002 is in spec. Well... best not to go too much in to the volt nut club, the membership is pretty expensive.

Maybe the time nut club is a bit cheaper, i already have some rubidium oscillators laying around that i also wonder how spot on they are.

[Cubdriver]

You need to get TWO more of them.  You have to have an odd number so there's a tiebreaker if the first two disagree.

-Pat

But if two agree and the third does not - you still don't know if the two that agree are the ones that are wrong! You need yet another to help the first one!









(I love this thread)

Or a calibrator.....   

-Pat


me too!

[bitseeker]

Or a calibrator.....   

 

[TheSteve]

But I am wondering now, if I should get a second 3458A, since I have no way to find out if my first 3458A is right on spot.

Just think of the satisfaction you'll have when you see this:


btw, I refuse to admit I have a problem.

[Cubdriver]

But I am wondering now, if I should get a second 3458A, since I have no way to find out if my first 3458A is right on spot.

Just think of the satisfaction you'll have when you see this:


btw, I refuse to admit I have a problem.

Has your bench collapsed?  No?  Then I see no problem!

-Pat

[TheSteve]

But I am wondering now, if I should get a second 3458A, since I have no way to find out if my first 3458A is right on spot.

Just think of the satisfaction you'll have when you see this:


btw, I refuse to admit I have a problem.

Has your bench collapsed?  No?  Then I see no problem!

-Pat

No, but it did have to have a center support added.

[VK5RC]

I keep telling you guys you NEED three, to avoid the 'catastrophic'  2 clocks problem. I am deluding myself with a 3455, 3456, 3457 and a 3458 (if you don't count the 34401 and the 34461)  Actually I quite like the 3457 if it wasn't for the plastic case.

[Cubdriver]

Rob, I notice that you seem to be missing a 2402, 3450, 3460 and 3490 from your list.  The first three include nixie goodness, and the last, if of the proper vintage, sports those cool little LED 'dot' displays that came between nixies and seven segment LED numeric displays.

 

-Pat

[artag]

  Somebody help me!

Of course ! When shall I come to collect it all from you ?

Happy to help.
 

[VK5RC]

Pat, you caught me out trying to hide my desktop multimeter 'stash', I also have a 3430A, 3440A (Nixies) and 3490A (Dot LEDs), I am pleased to say all work and in Spec. 
I also have a working Keithley 619 (and a parts unit) and a Keithley 617 on the way.
 I haven't included my handheld DMMs - but my handheld DMM stash is nothing like I saw on another post a few days ago - can't find the post easily.
I must try harder  - I will have to wait for Dave's new meter.
PS Just realised I didn't include my Bench  VTVMs! - quite a few aren't working - so they don't count!

[iainwhite]

Not in the same league as the voltnuts but I just jumped on the ex ITT-tech bandwagon and bought a GW Instek GDM-8251A bench meter.

[Berni]

Just think of the satisfaction you'll have when you see this:


btw, I refuse to admit I have a problem.

Oh yes that sure looks nice. So many digits in complete agreeing harmony.

[Housedad]

Oh, crap.  I've got it and I just started 2 months ago.  2 bench DMM's, 2 oscilloscopes, 4 dual PSU, 2 waveform generators.   Oh hell, what have I done?   I need help.

[xrunner]

Oh, crap.  I've got it and I just started 2 months ago.  2 bench DMM's, 2 oscilloscopes, 4 dual PSU, 2 waveform generators.   Oh hell, what have I done?   I need help.

First off - remain calm.

How do you feel right now? Do you still want more of what you already have, or do you want something different? I'm just assessing the severity. If you want something entirely new, it's not that bad yet. If you want more of what you already have ... well it's pretty serious now.

This is the place to talk about it, so don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you feel the need. We're here for you. 

[Cubdriver]

Oh, crap.  I've got it and I just started 2 months ago.  2 bench DMM's, 2 oscilloscopes, 4 dual PSU, 2 waveform generators.   Oh hell, what have I done?   I need help.

First off - remain calm.

How do you feel right now? Do you still want more of what you already have, or do you want something different? I'm just assessing the severity. If you want something entirely new, it's not that bad yet. If you want more of what you already have ... well it's pretty serious now.

This is the place to talk about it, so don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you feel the need. We're here for you. 

Exactly.  It sounds like you're off to a really good start.  We'll be more than happy to suggest additional things to you.  We're good like that.   

-Pat 

[Housedad]

Oh, crap.  I've got it and I just started 2 months ago.  2 bench DMM's, 2 oscilloscopes, 4 dual PSU, 2 waveform generators.   Oh hell, what have I done?   I need help.

First off - remain calm.

How do you feel right now? Do you still want more of what you already have, or do you want something different? I'm just assessing the severity. If you want something entirely new, it's not that bad yet. If you want more of what you already have ... well it's pretty serious now.

This is the place to talk about it, so don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you feel the need. We're here for you. 

I'm feeling a burn for a 16 channel logic analyzer.  But at least I don't have the shakes yet.

[VK5RC]

Remember quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.
My most regretted purchases have often been cheap rubbish,  they didn't do the job and I didn't like using them.  I'd rather use an old classic piece of test gear than new rubbish.
Robert

[PartialDischarge]

I'm feeling a burn for a 16 channel logic analyzer.  But at least I don't have the shakes yet.

Only 16?? nope, you need 136 just in case,  and not one of those thin usb logic analyzers. You NEED something professional like this, and its cheap too:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Agilent-H-P-1660A-Logic-Analyzer-/250511425354

[hwj-d]

... and its cheap too

yesss...
but to me it's
Price: US $300.00
Shipping: $695.89 UPS Worldwide Saver
 

[Brumby]

But I am wondering now, if I should get a second 3458A, since I have no way to find out if my first 3458A is right on spot.

I don't even have one.  Actually, I don't have any bench multimeters.

I don't think it's a sign that my GAS is under control - because I still have a distinct fondness for idea of adding some HP tech to the workbench.

Wallet constrictions seem to be playing a big part - as does the fact that Australia isn't exactly flush with second hand gear - especially when compared with the USA.

[Brumby]

I brought home a power supply today.



I think I still have an issue .....

[Berni]

Too bad that there are no nice boatanchor signal generators. I have my eyes on a brand new siglent SDGX since i couldnt find anything comparable for a good price. I sold my Hantek signal gen cause it was a buggy piece of crap when compared to the rest of my gear

[TiN]

there are no nice boatanchor signal generators.

HP 8642B is very well boatanchory with 36kg weight. May 3U height not delude you. 

[Berni]

HP 8642B is very well boatanchory with 36kg weight. May 3U height not delude you. 

For RF i already got a Gigatronics 7100 synthesizer that easily classifies as a boat anchor that covers a very broad range of 10MHz to 20GHz. They are not nearly as well known as your usual test gear manufacturers so they can be had for a better price. Tho be careful with them as a lot of the ones for sale don't work and the service manuals are not freely available on the internet, nor is it easy to find spare parts, even getting a parts unit could be dificult as there are many models that don't always have interchangeable parts. I do have a printed copy of the service manual for mine and i did have to fix one(Might port a thread on that if people are interested).

What the Hantek signal gen was providing is 0Hz to 120MHz(Well...more like up to 10MHz is actualy usable) with the ability to make things other than sines and with DC offsets. But the thing is that arb signal generators from the 80s and 90s are not all that good while the ones from cheep brands today seam to offer a lot of performance.

[xrunner]

HP 8642B is very well boatanchory ...

boatanchory

Oooooh, I like it