Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[0culus]

No problem. Sounds like you've discovered the issue, fingers crossed it won't be too hard to fix.

probably not something that I can get into tonight...which is a shame because I was stoked to play with this unit. Maybe time to evilBay some additional plug-ins

The advantage of mainframes.  I have a Tektronix TLA 715 mainframe that came with 2 136 channel 2 GHz logic analyzer modules, but it can also accept a DSO module which I eventually might track down.

In other news, very happy with the CRT in the 8568B display module. It's very sharp and easily legible at low brightness/intensity.

[Inverted18650]

SO PRETTY!

[Inverted18650]

What shall we play with next...addicition is a MOFO.

[0culus]

I vote for 8640B, but that's more fun if you have a working spectrum analyzer. But, a scope will do in a pinch! 

[med6753]

I must admit, when it comes to Spectrum Analyzers I'm not even a beginner. I've never used one. I know the basic theory of how they work but if you asked me to set one up I wouldn't have a clue. 

RF in general is my weak point in knowledge/use. It's all voodoo to me.     I'll stick with audio/digital. 

[Inverted18650]

I vote for 8640B, but that's more fun if you have a working spectrum analyzer. But, a scope will do in a pinch! 

Man I scoped it to death already, its spot on. I posted pics somewhere.

On a sad note, I waited all week for the seller to let me know when I can come get the rest of the parts to this gear, with no reply. So I just told the kid to piss off and thanks for treating me like shit and I'll eat the losses. 60% of this gear is missing parts and I know an engineer of their GPa's caliber has them, but both dad and kid are clueless and couldn't give a fuck about it.

I rushed into a deal and ATE SHIT on this one guys and gals.   

Oh well, T.E.A. 

[Inverted18650]

The seller wouldn't let me take these either, so I am sure they'll pop u on eBay or they'll come back trying to sell them here. There are a few brother's that get various pieces, etc...a bunch o shit. If they come back, dont get sucked in.

[0culus]

I must admit, when it comes to Spectrum Analyzers I'm not even a beginner. I've never used one. I know the basic theory of how they work but if you asked me to set one up I wouldn't have a clue. 

RF in general is my weak point in knowledge/use. It's all voodoo to me.     I'll stick with audio/digital. 

HP analyzers are usually quite intuitive once you sit down in front of one. There’s a reason HP in the 80s is generally regarded as some of the best RF equipment at the time, (perhaps even today depending on what you’re doing) not only the performance but also the well thought out UI.

[beanflying]

Unfortunate you can't catch up with them.

Keeping something of the Grandfathers background as a momento would be fairly reasonable in the case of that boxed standard. The shunts are a bit of an odd one but who knows other than them maybe they will get broken up for the family . I am not particularly a hands on mechanic but I enjoy using some of my Grandfathers tools from time to time. Some of my Fathers Electrical Contracting gear is effectively useless to me but it is kept as a memory

[syau]

The seller wouldn't let me take these either, so I am sure they'll pop u on eBay or they'll come back trying to sell them here. There are a few brother's that get various pieces, etc...a bunch o shit. If they come back, dont get sucked in.

Shunt for the thermal transfer 

[mnementh]

I'm back, baby!!!

Thing looks scary stock... you'd never guess it got a big-block transplant over the weekend.

Took fabbing up new cable for pretty much every damn thing... but it lives. I love that OCZ PSU... those cables aren't just show, that braid is actually shield ground, carrying return current. Hate working with it though... it's a complete SOB to make neat splices with. 

Had plans to mod one of my drive cages into the MediaBay slot... opening turned out to be 4mm too short.  Did manage to make up cables to implement my "Stealth Drive Bay" so I can still conveniently boot from an external drive. 

A'aight... I'm barely conscious... gonna do some testing tomorrow.

mnem
ZZZzzzZZZzzzZZZzzz...

[med6753]

Looks good!  If you got the monster to boot and load the OS that's 95% of the battle. The rest is cake. 

[tautech]

Very pretty and cool mnem. 

[bd139]

Got some time today so am looking at the 475A. It passed the check out procedure apart from three things:

1. The timebase control is a bit janky and doesn’t register at each detention well.
2. Sweep shifts right on 5ms and 50us
3. DM44 time readout is so far off it’s useless.

I am spying a timebase tear down and clean 

Annoyingly it’s either the timebase or the attenuators that are shot in every 4xx scope.

I may sacrifice the 465 if I need timebase parts however for this one.

[Specmaster]

Nice system mnem, never realised it was a midi though, I prefer full size towers, hence why mine lives under the bench and it has loads of cable management options so for the large part my cables are neatly tucked out of the way behind a partition so they don't obstruct the airflow anymore than is absolutely necessary.
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139060 

[nixiefreqq]

Yeah, the 8568B had double the noise since both halves have a powerful fan.

The 8640B is well worth it. IIRC it has a cavity oscillator (part of the reason it weighs so much) and makes *very* clean cw.

that SA is a beauty.  almost got one back when the weight room was a daily part of my routine (a loooooong time ago).  even then it seemed heavy.


yep, my 8640b is pretty clean.  UNTIL you hit the "lock" button. in a couple of seconds the loop finally settles down and the output is locked to the xtal for the counter display (iirc there is a varactor built into the cavity).   cool!   but if you listen to the output at say 450 Mhz.    it sounds like dirt bike going up and down hills.   maybe that's why the mil version did not come with the lock feature? 

[med6753]

Got some time today so am looking at the 475A. It passed the check out procedure apart from three things:

1. The timebase control is a bit janky and doesn’t register at each detention well.
2. Sweep shifts right on 5ms and 50us
3. DM44 time readout is so far off it’s useless.

I am spying a timebase tear down and clean 

Annoyingly it’s either the timebase or the attenuators that are shot in every 4xx scope.

I may sacrifice the 465 if I need timebase parts however for this one.

The detents are probably shot from some gorilla wanking back and forth rapidly on the control. I've seen other gorillas do it and I cringe. 

Sweep shift? That's an odd one.

DM44 timebase readings useless? I could never figure it out anyway. 

[bd139]

Yes think you are right.

Ok so I got it to bits. Photos to follow later. Unfortunately all the indicator bulbs have corroded and fell to bits. I don’t have any spares so I’m pausing repairs and ordering some new ones for next week. Bugger it

[med6753]

I was given this neat little device. Downloaded the software and it has a lot of logging and graphic capability. Not sure what I'll use it for but what the hell.....it's mini TEA. 

And yes, it's calibrated in F. I'm not completely ready to go over to the dark side yet. 

[Specmaster]

Yes think you are right.

Ok so I got it to bits. Photos to follow later. Unfortunately all the indicator bulbs have corroded and fell to bits. I don’t have any spares so I’m pausing repairs and ordering some new ones for next week. Bugger it

Shed stored?

[bd139]

Think it’s just basic copper corrosion.  Nothing else suggests shed stored.

[bd139]

Picture as promised. Bulbs look like they have fluffy rave boots on

[med6753]

Why not substitute clear LED's? 

[Specmaster]

Picture as promised. Bulbs look like they have fluffy rave boots on

Is that normal or is a sign of high humidity in where its been used? I've only seen corrision like that in areas of dampness, like bathrooms etc.

[malagas_on_fire]

I was given this neat little device. Downloaded the software and it has a lot of logging and graphic capability. Not sure what I'll use it for but what the hell.....it's mini TEA. 

And yes, it's calibrated in F. I'm not completely ready to go over to the dark side yet. 

Very good condition and it is suitable for the "green" side. also if you have humidity / temperature problems or know someone that might do the job.