Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[bd139]

Definitely helps with the health. I haven’t retired yet but I’ve taken breaks between contracts and you can feel the difference in mental and physical health after a couple of weeks.

[mnementh]

We survived Christmas with the In-Laws... now we're headed up to Cleveland to visit the great-aunt for a few days before the New Year. Well, mostly my wife is "making things happen" while I nurse my 2nd cup of coffee and try to cudgel my brain gently awake...

mnem
Blessings upon you, my wife.

Made it home safely from Cleveland to Houston; the Rav4 performed as one would expect from a brand new vehicle, and aside from a small kink in the liftgate from trying to slam it shut on too much crap, the trip was uneventful, if a bit wearying. Completed 11.5 hours' driving according to the GPS in 13.5 hours net, including plenty of stops to keep it pretty painless. 

Much post-Xmas cleanup to do, then catching up in here. After a decent night's sleep.

Cheers, you maniacs!

mnem
*~vapor~*

[neo]

This being the heaviest and most expensive thing i've yet bought i've prepared a special cup of tea for you all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtCJUUnStdU&feature=youtu.be Ignore the commentary about accuracy, once heated up its dead on to both of them.

Further experimentation reveals that my 200MHz 7704A with 7A26 can display up to 700 MHz before completely losing it. Admittedly i highly doubt the accuracy of the volt readout past it's limit, regardless i still find that experiment interesting.  Also another interesting experiment i tried, all three frequency counters are in congruence with the new signal generator. Even the heathkit, though i had to crank the voltage up to even get a reading.

BM     1000.0455 KHz 25001.163 KHz 100.00472 MHz
HK     00.999999 MHZ 24.999975 MHz 99.999929 MHz
5340A  01.000000 MHz 24.999993 MHz 99.999999 MHz
set; 1 MHz           25 MHz        100 MHz
BM     0250.0033 MHz 0500.0060 MHz 1000.0116 MHz
5340A  249.99993 MHz 499.99987 MHz 999.99999 MHz
set; 250 MHz         500 MHz       1 GHz


I think, i can't be sure of course but i think, i may be winning this game.

[bd139]

That's pretty impressive. Despite the low cost nature of the Heathkit stuff, the designs are usually pretty reliable and effective.

Just got massive credit card refund from Apple after I returned my new MBA due to keyboard being shite which put my card in enough positive balance for a DSA815 with TG. Hmm.... transfer to bank account or spend it and forget it existed 

[tautech]

That's pretty impressive. Despite the low cost nature of the Heathkit stuff, the designs are usually pretty reliable and effective.

Just got massive credit card refund from Apple after I returned my new MBA due to keyboard being shite which put my card in enough positive balance for a DSA815 with TG. Hmm.... transfer to bank account or spend it and forget it existed 

And you know a SVA will serve you better.

[Specmaster]

Accuracy seems to be pretty good  so as already mentioned, I'm pretty impressed with it but the biggest disappointment is that can't read the ESR of caps, I'll still need to lift a leg for that and use one of my other LCR/ESR testers for that function.

Did you try to go in manual mode ? you are looking for Rs (series resistance).

Well spotted, so yes it does do ESR as well and is in agreeance with the XJW01 when either 100Hz or 1KHz are selected, so now I have 2 very good and reliable testers, the tweezers are far more suited to SMD boards and the XJW01 for TH and PTP circuits 

[bd139]

That's pretty impressive. Despite the low cost nature of the Heathkit stuff, the designs are usually pretty reliable and effective.

Just got massive credit card refund from Apple after I returned my new MBA due to keyboard being shite which put my card in enough positive balance for a DSA815 with TG. Hmm.... transfer to bank account or spend it and forget it existed 

And you know a SVA will serve you better.

It would but product maturity is low (hence that "bricked via update and RTB to fix" thread), doesn't come with a free box of RF connectors (which are expensive), isn't crackable AFAIK like the DSA815, all the interesting options are expensive (VNA/analogue modulation analysis), phase noise is worse, DANL is worse, TG on the 815 has lower power floor and the local reseller is Labtronix who don't stock it yet.

Did some reasearch

Edit: oh and I've seen the front end of the DSA815TG and it looks like I can probably fix it if I blow it up.

[Specmaster]

A life changing event took place tonight. I am now retired. It happen sooner than I had planned but I'm OK with it. I had announced late last year that I had intentions of retiring sometime in February or March of this year. I wanted to make sure my Social Security payments were set up and in place before stopping work. Well, my place of employment had other plans. They decided to do some lay offs and since I said I was retiring soon they “retired” me today. Since they went this route that obligates them to pay me unemployment until I collect SSI. It will take about a month before the SSI kicks in. And unemployment doesn't pay all that much so it will be a little lean here for a month but I have other assets so I'll be OK. But I will have to curb some big TEA spending for a while.

No more daily commute, no more tolls, no more bullshit, no more working for assholes. I think I'm gonna like this. 

Been there and had a similar experience 2 years ago, despite being told that I had a job for as long as I wanted to work, it became apparent when they decided I should go, that they still expected the same level of performance from me as they would a man in his thirties  so I told them where they could shove their performance reviews 

The daily commute, tolls, parking etc and of course no working for assholes any more is a real positive bonus, it still comes as a shock dropping from a good salary down to Social Security Payments. I still have 3 occupational pensions which while I have sufficient assets, have been advised to live off the assets before invoking the pensions as the pension funds are doing much better than any savings would fair with our interest rates.

As regards to TEA, you are of course more able to source some items as fixer uppers and flip them on again which will help out your assets and or help to fund the actual TEA items you want to keep.

The best bit of being retired I think is that you no longer have to worry so much about your appearance on a daily basis, I mean if you want to potter about the house / lab unshaven, in joggers etc then you can, you're free of having to maintain corporate appearance or timetables.

Yes, I really do think that your going to enjoy this, even if it was enforced on you earlier than you had planned for, here's to being a free man at last 

[bd139]

Appearance was a big issue for me. One of the things that attracted me to software. Now I quite happily cruise into an interview for a contract position with sandals, t-shirt, shorts and a Jesus beard. Granted no Deutschbank for that shit but no one else cares. Current gig has table tennis tables and playstations in the office 

I just can't work in corporate chains (tie and shirt)

Edit: also non uniform is a security benefit. It's more difficult to pick an imposter out of a smart crowd because the security dudes get complacent looking at suits.

[Specmaster]

We survived Christmas with the In-Laws... now we're headed up to Cleveland to visit the great-aunt for a few days before the New Year. Well, mostly my wife is "making things happen" while I nurse my 2nd cup of coffee and try to cudgel my brain gently awake...

mnem
Blessings upon you, my wife.

Made it home safely from Cleveland to Houston; the Rav4 performed as one would expect from a brand new vehicle, and aside from a small kink in the liftgate from trying to slam it shut on too much crap, the trip was uneventful, if a bit wearying. Completed 11.5 hours' driving according to the GPS in 13.5 hours net, including plenty of stops to keep it pretty painless. 

Much post-Xmas cleanup to do, then catching up in here. After a decent night's sleep.

Cheers, you maniacs!

mnem
*~vapor~*

Welcome home to the Dwagon, looking forward to your sharp wit once more being displayed here, the forum is slowing awakening again from its slumbernce. Its funny, but I don't recall it being as quiet as quiet last year 

[tautech]

That's pretty impressive. Despite the low cost nature of the Heathkit stuff, the designs are usually pretty reliable and effective.

Just got massive credit card refund from Apple after I returned my new MBA due to keyboard being shite which put my card in enough positive balance for a DSA815 with TG. Hmm.... transfer to bank account or spend it and forget it existed 

And you know a SVA will serve you better.

It would but product maturity is low (hence that "bricked via update and RTB to fix" thread), doesn't come with a free box of RF connectors (which are expensive), isn't crackable AFAIK like the DSA815, all the interesting options are expensive (VNA/analogue modulation analysis), phase noise is worse, DANL is worse, TG on the 815 has lower power floor and the local reseller is Labtronix who don't stock it yet.

Did some reasearch

Edit: oh and I've seen the front end of the DSA815TG and it looks like I can probably fix it if I blow it up.

Not enough it seems. 
I have all options and for free. 

[bd139]

In that case, more research taking place! 

[Specmaster]

That's pretty impressive. Despite the low cost nature of the Heathkit stuff, the designs are usually pretty reliable and effective.

Just got massive credit card refund from Apple after I returned my new MBA due to keyboard being shite which put my card in enough positive balance for a DSA815 with TG. Hmm.... transfer to bank account or spend it and forget it existed 

And you know a SVA will serve you better.

It would but product maturity is low (hence that "bricked via update and RTB to fix" thread), doesn't come with a free box of RF connectors (which are expensive), isn't crackable AFAIK like the DSA815, all the interesting options are expensive (VNA/analogue modulation analysis), phase noise is worse, DANL is worse, TG on the 815 has lower power floor and the local reseller is Labtronix who don't stock it yet.

Did some reasearch

Edit: oh and I've seen the front end of the DSA815TG and it looks like I can probably fix it if I blow it up.

So what are going to do now that you have had to return the MBA because of keyboard faults? I thought that you decided that you couldn't manage without having a new macbook in your life because the old ones were not cutting it anymore for you?

[URI]

Thank you, Specmaster, for your impressions on your LCR 1705!   

Seems to bee a well functioning little tool. I would have been surprised if it would be able to measure the ESR in-circuit since this very sensible to the surrounding circuitry.
In my opinion it's handy to be able to look for dry electrolytic capacitors that have lost much of their capacity without having to desolder them (even only one leg).

The measuring time wouldn't be very important for me since (like you) I would be using it non-commercially. And our addiction is (among other things) about spending time on Test equipment..      

[med6753]

Been there and had a similar experience 2 years ago, despite being told that I had a job for as long as I wanted to work, it became apparent when they decided I should go, that they still expected the same level of performance from me as they would a man in his thirties  so I told them where they could shove their performance reviews 

Up until 2009 I had a good paying job with Itty Bitty Morons but I got caught up in a massive reduction which forced me to retire at age 55 and with almost 36 years service. So the pension payments aren't as good because I had to take it early. And that income wasn't going to pay the bills. And who want's to hire a 55 year old in engineering/technical assignments? No one. So I was forced to take a contractor position testing mainframes back with Itty Bitty Morons paying a shit salary. Was there until last night. I've learned to live comfortably on that salary plus meager pension. Now that I'm cruising into 66 the SSI payments are almost as much as my contractor salary. So why should I continue to work? They'll be no real reduction.

The daily commute, tolls, parking etc and of course no working for assholes any more is a real positive bonus, it still comes as a shock dropping from a good salary down to Social Security Payments. I still have 3 occupational pensions which while I have sufficient assets, have been advised to live off the assets before invoking the pensions as the pension funds are doing much better than any savings would fair with our interest rates.

The only expense I see increasing is my electric bill since I'll now be home most of the time. But all that other stuff that I'll save will more than offset it.

The best bit of being retired I think is that you no longer have to worry so much about your appearance on a daily basis, I mean if you want to potter about the house / lab unshaven, in joggers etc then you can, you're free of having to maintain corporate appearance or timetables.

Yes, I really do think that your going to enjoy this, even if it was enforced on you earlier than you had planned for, here's to being a free man at last 

Hey, my normal attire around the house is t-shirt and skivvies (drawers, underwear, etc).  So no change there. My work attire was jeans and t-shirt which is my normal outside attire. No change there either. 

I'm already enjoying it! 

[tautech]

In that case, more research taking place! 

I’ll dig out some links with hints for ya. 

[beanflying]

This is a thing you know start today

[bd139]

That means something totally different here in the UK 

[med6753]

I have no pants on right now. 

And when out in the world this is normal attire. Dress down is my motto. 

[med6753]

That means something totally different here in the UK 

Like what I dare ask? 

[bd139]

That means something totally different here in the UK 

Like what I dare ask? 

UK pants = US underpants
UK trousers = US pants

So no pants = freeballing / going commando 

[med6753]

That means something totally different here in the UK 

Like what I dare ask? 

UK pants = US underpants
UK trousers = US pants

So no pants = freeballing / going commando 

Hey, gotta let the boys hang free and air out every once in a while. 

[beanflying]

One for BD139 working from home then 

[Specmaster]

Thank you, Specmaster, for your impressions on your LCR 1705!   

Seems to bee a well functioning little tool. I would have been surprised if it would be able to measure the ESR in-circuit since this very sensible to the surrounding circuitry.
In my opinion it's handy to be able to look for dry electrolytic capacitors that have lost much of their capacity without having to desolder them (even only one leg).

The measuring time wouldn't be very important for me since (like you) I would be using it non-commercially. And our addiction is (among other things) about spending time on Test equipment..      

That's just it, I have updated the review, it can measure the ESR in circuit (Cs in manual mode) but of course as always, you would need to be aware of what else was connected directly to the DUT to be sure that your reading was a reasonable reliable one in the first instance, ie, on a common power rail there may well be many caps in parallel at various points of the board.

[Specmaster]

One for BD139 working from home then 

Haha, many is the time that I have sat at my desk/bench in just underpants in the summertime when the temperature in my lab gets around 36+ and just chuck a pair of trousers on to answer the door to delivery men.