Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[0culus]

TEA advice needed. HP 8664a sig gen. Looks like it's in nice condition from the pics, pics show it powers up, no testing otherwise but the seller guarantees it with 14 day returns. $800.

Should I try to get him down or start walking backwards?

[Inverted18650]

depends on the seller? I feel like these units are going around $400 and I have been looking

Its 3Ghz max, mine goes to 18Ghz..Ill sell it all day for $800 man , come on!

[Cubdriver]

I have a B model that I snagged a year or two ago; replacing a shorted tantalum cap brought it back to life (it was advertised as being stuck in a boot loop; the shorted cap was killing the -15V supply rail.)  I haven't thoroughly wrung it out yet, but have no reason to think it won't be up to scratch.  It's actually the newest piece I have - it's an Agilent version. 



The thing is a beast, weighs about 70 pounds if I remember correctly.  Took some serious wrestling to move it about on the bench while troubleshooting it.

-Pat

[0culus]

depends on the seller? I feel like these units are going around $400 and I have been looking

Its 3Ghz max, mine goes to 18Ghz..Ill sell it all day for $800 man , come on!

All the ones I've seen are well north of 1k, sometimes more...where are these $400 ones?

 I want one to replace my current 8657A which doesn't do sweeping. TBH I envisioned getting a separate sig gen for microwave stuff.

[0culus]

I have a B model that I snagged a year or two ago; replacing a shorted tantalum cap brought it back to life (it was advertised as being stuck in a boot loop; the shorted cap was killing the -15V supply rail.)  I haven't thoroughly wrung it out yet, but have no reason to think it won't be up to scratch.  It's actually the newest piece I have - it's an Agilent version. 



The thing is a beast, weighs about 70 pounds if I remember correctly.  Took some serious wrestling to move it about on the bench while troubleshooting it.

-Pat

I'm not worried about weight as much...after wrestling my 8568B and 8569B SAs 70 lbs is nothing.  I seem to remember that the HP -> Agilent change happened sometime between the A and B models.

[Inverted18650]

Sorry mate, I was wrong, not the HP8664A for $400. Got the numbers crossed..was still seeing red from my own eBay BS..my apologies.

So what are you after exactly? Ive got a 8640B and a 8672A. And a couple other smaller units. If they fit the bill, why spend more? I know we talked about the 8672A, but I could make it happen at a price that suits you. Too easy mate...if youre going to spend the money, Id like some to come this way!!!! 

[Inverted18650]

@med: are you interested in looking at this guy for me? Its pretty sick as you may tell from the silly power cord on it.

Tek 2901 Time Mark Generator. I powered it up and I get signals on some settings, but many of the buttons are gone and unresponsive, and the ones that respond are horrible. I wouldn't care what buttons you put in it as long as they are uniform across the front and will happily pay you for your services, as I would like to keep this one.

[0culus]

Sorry mate, I was wrong, not the HP8664A for $400. Got the numbers crossed..was still seeing red from my own eBay BS..my apologies.

So what are you after exactly? Ive got a 8640B and a 8672A. And a couple other smaller units. If they fit the bill, why spend more? I know we talked about the 8672A, but I could make it happen at a price that suits you. Too easy mate...if youre going to spend the money, Id like some to come this way!!!! 

No worries!

I thought the 40b was spoken for?

Anyway I need for my main RF sig gen that has good performance and digital controls with sweeping. But maybe a dedicated sweep generator would be better? 

[Brumby]

You two are going to be the death of me.


The following users thanked this post: Inverted18650, beanflying

Not sure about the message there.


Nevertheless - there are other things to report....

Now I am worried.

A recent conversation with SWMBO drifted naturally around to my bench setup and, to cut a long story short, I mentioned the new layout idea.  I wasn't ostracised - I didn't even get "the look", I just got a bemused smile.  I don't know if that was tacit approval or just a pat on the head for one of those big ideas that is not expected to fly.  If I take it as tacit approval and I'm wrong, then it's going to be really awkward - but if I got it right, I get the feeling it's going to be banked and used for a project of hers somewhere down the track.  Now I'm not against doing things for her - and she knows this - but it might be the magnitude or difficulty of something she has in mind that makes me wary.

[Inverted18650]

"My love, I know its hard to believe, but there is some silly American ( you all call us silly right) who has been of the forum for a couple years just hanging out reading thousands of forum threads. Today, he messaged me saying he would like to send me a "thank you" gift for the work I put into the forum. Apparently this guy has read a ton of post from several topics and he choose a handful of guys that he kept seeing pop up everywhere helping people. Not just being superior or snide, but actually taking the time to help people who needed it get through their projects, without making them feel dumb or inferior or asking questions. Apparently he has already sent out several boxes to other forum users and they all replied back that its legit. For some reason, he decided he is sending me a meter. Its a bit bigger than the space I have but if you are okay with me accepting, I think it would mean a lot to him."


*I am going to keep editing this post until its absolutely perfect. Pitiful, yet hard to be mad at, just the right level of embarrassment and 'feel bad for' until it works.

For the record I have been trained to do some counter-xxxxxx and xxxxxxx so you will not win.

[tautech]

Anyway I need for my main RF sig gen that has good performance and digital controls with sweeping. But maybe a dedicated sweep generator would be better? 

How many GHz do you want/need ?

[Brumby]

I can see the response...

Build a kennel using the new saw you got out of the scrap timber you've got laying around and it can live there.  If you think it will be lonely, wrap a clock in a blanket and put it next to it ... or you can keep it company yourself.

Well, maybe not exactly that, but it could be similar in sentiment.

The real fun will be getting a rack frame.  New is out of the question and you don't see many on the side of the road.

[med6753]

@med: are you interested in looking at this guy for me? Its pretty sick as you may tell from the silly power cord on it.

Tek 2901 Time Mark Generator. I powered it up and I get signals on some settings, but many of the buttons are gone and unresponsive, and the ones that respond are horrible. I wouldn't care what buttons you put in it as long as they are uniform across the front and will happily pay you for your services, as I would like to keep this one.

Sure, I'll take a look at it. Never worked one and it looks like an interesting project. Are all the original buttons there as shown in the photo?

If you're gonna send it to me I'll see if I can find a manual. Payment? We'll talk trade Pal. 

[Inverted18650]

 

[0culus]

Anyway I need for my main RF sig gen that has good performance and digital controls with sweeping. But maybe a dedicated sweep generator would be better? 

How many GHz do you want/need ?

Ideally? Enough to touch the 2.4 and 5 GHz ISM bands. Any more and I'll be looking harder at inverted's 8672.

[beanflying]

I can see the response...

Build a kennel using the new saw you got out of the scrap timber you've got laying around and it can live there.  If you think it will be lonely, wrap a clock in a blanket and put it next to it ... or you can keep it company yourself.

Well, maybe not exactly that, but it could be similar in sentiment.

The real fun will be getting a rack frame.  New is out of the question and you don't see many on the side of the road.

In the interests of making moving your TEA to the Kennel if needed these are not to bad on price, drop some casters under it and will take most standard rackmount gear  eBay auction: #221639457612 I got one a while back for some of my gear.

enable, enable enable 

[Inverted18650]

I can see the response...

Build a kennel using the new saw you got out of the scrap timber you've got laying around and it can live there.  If you think it will be lonely, wrap a clock in a blanket and put it next to it ... or you can keep it company yourself.

Well, maybe not exactly that, but it could be similar in sentiment.

The real fun will be getting a rack frame.  New is out of the question and you don't see many on the side of the road.

well take that... new edit up ( when flattery fails, hit em with the truth)

[Inverted18650]

@med: are you interested in looking at this guy for me? Its pretty sick as you may tell from the silly power cord on it.

Tek 2901 Time Mark Generator. I powered it up and I get signals on some settings, but many of the buttons are gone and unresponsive, and the ones that respond are horrible. I wouldn't care what buttons you put in it as long as they are uniform across the front and will happily pay you for your services, as I would like to keep this one.

Sure, I'll take a look at it. Never worked one and it looks like an interesting project. Are all the original buttons there as shown in the photo?

If you're gonna send it to me I'll see if I can find a manual. Payment? We'll talk trade Pal. 

PM sent time meow

[Inverted18650]

Anyway I need for my main RF sig gen that has good performance and digital controls with sweeping. But maybe a dedicated sweep generator would be better? 

How many GHz do you want/need ?

Ideally? Enough to touch the 2.4 and 5 GHz ISM bands. Any more and I'll be looking harder at inverted's 8672.

just email me man, we will make it happen

[neo]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Local-Pickup-from-Erie-PA-LOT-OF-THREE-Fluke-8375A-Digital-Multimeters/362546242891?hash=item546970a54b:g:-dgAAOSwWrdbnwni:rk:6:pf:0

tempting......BUT.....local pickup only.

5 hours and over 300 miles one way according to google maps.  thats a long way to go for nixie meters i don't need.

i don't want them......i don't want them......i don't want them.

(damn....do not have any fluke nixie meters....maybe i do want them?  what would neo do?)

What would neo do? If i had the chance i'd buy them all, keep one and let the others slip gladly to my friends. The 8300A is amazing, i have to assume the 8375A is also amazing and i'd love to add one to my collection just because.

[0culus]

Anyway I need for my main RF sig gen that has good performance and digital controls with sweeping. But maybe a dedicated sweep generator would be better? 

How many GHz do you want/need ?

Ideally? Enough to touch the 2.4 and 5 GHz ISM bands. Any more and I'll be looking harder at inverted's 8672.

just email me man, we will make it happen

Thanks buddy, but I think I need to sleep on it first.    I *really* ought to wait a few months on more boat anchors till I have more space for the lab.

[tautech]

Anyway I need for my main RF sig gen that has good performance and digital controls with sweeping. But maybe a dedicated sweep generator would be better? 

How many GHz do you want/need ?

Ideally? Enough to touch the 2.4 and 5 GHz ISM bands. Any more and I'll be looking harder at inverted's 8672.

5 GHz rules out the SSG3032X then. 
Just got the SSG3021X and haven't really had much time with it yet but as I figure out how to get the best from it I'll be popping bits and bobs about them in their thread.
And then......a possible hack to get the IQ feature and the full 3.2 GHz BW.....just to prove it's possible. 

[Inverted18650]

Id put it on the bench now but thzts the unit that threw my back out Sunday so I am scared of it...lol. For real. I hit the floor like someone popped in me in the chin and was K.O'ed. I crawled to the couch, or as close as I could get to it and just laid there on the floor until my wife came out and found me. She got my muscles relaxers and pain pills and i stayed put for about 20 more mins before she could help me up and get me into bed. So yeah I am scared of it...so what..no HP gear ever kicked your ass. LIAR's all of you.

[beanflying]

Backs are a strange thing my lower discs are fairly shot but lifting heavy doesn't cause me to many problems (it was the cause of the disc issues) bad lifting however has seen me in an Ambulance a couple of times and Pethadone shots in the posterior have helped on occasion

Touch wood my last Pethadone shot for this was 30kg and over 10 years ago. Still goes out but recovery is faster and easier with a stronger lighter body.

Skipping the 3D power decade mounts and going to an Aluminium enclosure I got a stack of a few years ago nice and cheap. 2xCPU cooler fans inside the box under the heatsinks sitting as you see them and drill some inlets for airflow. 8 sockets and some link bars for the 0-10 in front. Suits the other two home brew decades too.

[Inverted18650]

no_fear, now what?

edit* the fan is very loud, annoyingly so, need to look at it and find a suitable replacement.