Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[med6753]

I knew tossing that stink bomb out there would wake up tggzzz....and it did. 

If this thread descends into adolescent trolling, it is in trouble. 

That's a sad observation to have to make in post 38000.

Well my "adolescent trolling" as you describe it did in fact generate an interesting and useful discussion on the differences with the attenuator circuits in both scopes. Besides, if you can't have fun sometimes with this stuff then what's the point? 

Perhaps I should go back to being a grouchy old bastard.   

[Mr. Scram]

Are we now just complaining for complaning's sake? 

[tggzzz]

I knew tossing that stink bomb out there would wake up tggzzz....and it did. 

If this thread descends into adolescent trolling, it is in trouble. 

That's a sad observation to have to make in post 38000.

Well my "adolescent trolling" as you describe it did in fact generate an interesting and useful discussion on the differences with the attenuator circuits in both scopes. Besides, if you can't have fun sometimes with this stuff then what's the point? 

It pleases me that we did not fall into your "stink bomb" trap, and instead ensured it was a worthwhile discussion.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me".

[bd139]

No fire without a spark. Even 001 comes up with some good discussion points occasionally 

[tggzzz]

No fire without a spark. Even 001 comes up with some good discussion points occasionally 

There are two other that posters that, when I see they are the OP, dissuade me from answering their question. Why? Because either:

• their post could easily have been answered by the OP using google. If I point that out using LMGTFU, my attention will be wasted by the thread in future!
• it is a concealed rant/whine that will generate more heat than light

I'm getting better at ignoring such people, but still have a way to go. The trouble is I like helping people.

[bd139]

Beamin too... 

Yes same trouble

[med6753]

I knew tossing that stink bomb out there would wake up tggzzz....and it did. 

If this thread descends into adolescent trolling, it is in trouble. 

That's a sad observation to have to make in post 38000.

Well my "adolescent trolling" as you describe it did in fact generate an interesting and useful discussion on the differences with the attenuator circuits in both scopes. Besides, if you can't have fun sometimes with this stuff then what's the point? 

It pleases me that we did not fall into your "stink bomb" trap, and instead ensured it was a worthwhile discussion.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me".

I would think that you would know that the regulars who participate in this thread, including yours truly, are all responsible adults and would not troll just for trollings sake. As I stated before if you can't have fun sometimes with this stuff then what's the point? And there's no attempt to fool or shame anyone. That IS adolescent and childish.

Anyway, enough of that. I've got the Heath V-7A disemboweled on the bench ready to do the restoration.

   

[Specmaster]

No fire without a spark. Even 001 comes up with some good discussion points occasionally 

Yeh, but 001 then goes awol for a while and let everyone bash their brains out while 001 watches from the sidelines [emoji1787][emoji1787]

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Kosmic]

@mnem you don't hear anything like that happening in Canada, are guns not allowed there or are they just more civilised[emoji4]

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

Lots of restriction on guns here. The only thing you can get easily (need to do a 2 days training session) is hunting rifle and shotgun. Side arms are heavily restricted (police screening, can only be used at a shooting range). Automatic weapons are forbidden.

That must be the British influence coming through. Are people searched on the border with America for weapons then?

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

The one and only time I've been to the Great White North in 2006 I was not searched for anything. And this was at a very busy border crossing at Niagara Falls. But I will tell you that the border guard who questioned us (Her) was not very friendly and it seemed like she wanted to tell us "Yankee Go Home". 

They will do a search only if you're suspect. Was clearly my case last time I crossed the border with a car full of TE and parts 

[Mr. Scram]

Yeh, but 001 then goes awol for a while and let everyone bash their brains out while 001 watches from the sidelines [emoji1787][emoji1787]

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

That's the Skankhunt42 methodology.

[med6753]

@mnem you don't hear anything like that happening in Canada, are guns not allowed there or are they just more civilised[emoji4]

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

Lots of restriction on guns here. The only thing you can get easily (need to do a 2 days training session) is hunting rifle and shotgun. Side arms are heavily restricted (police screening, can only be used at a shooting range). Automatic weapons are forbidden.

That must be the British influence coming through. Are people searched on the border with America for weapons then?

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

The one and only time I've been to the Great White North in 2006 I was not searched for anything. And this was at a very busy border crossing at Niagara Falls. But I will tell you that the border guard who questioned us (Her) was not very friendly and it seemed like she wanted to tell us "Yankee Go Home". 

They will do a search only if you're suspect. Was clearly my case last time I crossed the border with a car full of TE and parts 

That Heath OL-1 sure looks a lot different now. 

[Kosmic]

@mnem you don't hear anything like that happening in Canada, are guns not allowed there or are they just more civilised[emoji4]

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

Lots of restriction on guns here. The only thing you can get easily (need to do a 2 days training session) is hunting rifle and shotgun. Side arms are heavily restricted (police screening, can only be used at a shooting range). Automatic weapons are forbidden.

That must be the British influence coming through. Are people searched on the border with America for weapons then?

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

The one and only time I've been to the Great White North in 2006 I was not searched for anything. And this was at a very busy border crossing at Niagara Falls. But I will tell you that the border guard who questioned us (Her) was not very friendly and it seemed like she wanted to tell us "Yankee Go Home". 

They will do a search only if you're suspect. Was clearly my case last time I crossed the border with a car full of TE and parts 

That Heath OL-1 sure looks a lot different now. 

you sure did a excellent job ! 

[Addicted2AnalogTek]

just gotta' get this off my chest.

took the pledge a long time ago to never ever become a tekaholic.

and then along comes med and points out that the guys in new jersey still have some 485's.

leave it to damn new yorker to tempt me with blue boxes from the garden state.

if i cave in to temptation "EXCELSIOR" will become my new favorite curse.



ps  always thought the official motto of the empire state was "wadda' you lookin' at".  turns out it is "excelsior". 

pps  just realized that "excelsior you fathead" was one of sheps lines.  if you are gonna steal....steal from the best.

If you're trying to make me feel guilty it ain't working.  You better get one before addicted2analogtek grabs them all. 

Now now, I'm ONLY trying to keep them out of the hands of those three or four butchers on ebay that just gut everything down to sell piece by piece...
At least that's how I justify some of my purchases to myself. 

On another note, I am definitely kicking myself for not dropping more bids on the 34401A in pristine condition that recently sold for just under $300.... 
I NEEEEEEEED to buy a (several) bench DMM(s)!!

[bd139]

Good TE day today. 34401A dispatched via a carrier other Herpes (woohoo), got myself a printed copy of Linear Applications handbook with AN47 in it (great bathroom reading) and thanks to another forum member there is an 10811 OCXO for the 5334B incoming too 

Aaaand now I'm broke 

Edit: just realised these are borderline time-nut, volt-nut and risetime-nut purchases. 

[nixiefreqq]

Good TE day today. 34401A dispatched via a carrier other Herpes (woohoo), got myself a printed copy of Linear Applications handbook with AN47 in it (great bathroom reading) and thanks to another forum member there is an 10811 OCXO for the 5334B incoming too 

Aaaand now I'm broke 

Edit: just realised these are borderline time-nut, volt-nut and risetime-nut purchases. 

borderline?

denial is not just a river in egypt.

[mnementh]

What I'm not against is setting up a few of them to fire when someone opens a door... 

Tax audit day? 

You can jump to 2:24 for the relevant zappy bits; or just enjoy the whole thing. Up to you.  As a semi-professional a-hole/agitator/cutup, I feel the doorknob scene is sublime; the quintessential example of this classic gag.  The timing is perfect; not a wasted step in the entire scene, and Gleeson's delivery of EVERY expression through this complicated triple-take gag is absolutely impeccable.

For those who don't know; the "Electrified Doorknob Gag" is to comics as "Someone to Watch Over Me" is to singers; a "Standard" on which one hangs their artistry. To actually deliver such a brilliant, primal example of the gag over 90 years after it was first introduced is no mean feat.  And it is one of many reasons I absolutely adore this rendering of Potter's beloved children's stories from my youth. 

mnem
*Imagining the same gang doing Ichabod & Mr Toad...* 

[Addicted2AnalogTek]

Good TE day today. 34401A dispatched via a carrier other Herpes (woohoo), got myself a printed copy of Linear Applications handbook with AN47 in it (great bathroom reading) and thanks to another forum member there is an 10811 OCXO for the 5334B incoming too 

Aaaand now I'm broke 

Edit: just realised these are borderline time-nut, volt-nut and risetime-nut purchases. 

Sounds like a good time to me!!   

I've got my finger hovering over the "complete purchase" button for a Bodnar SMA fast pulse generator at the moment...
Next thing to grab is a 34401A - I suspect you scored the one that I had my finger hovering over the "Bid" button for yesterday evening!

[tggzzz]

got myself a printed copy of Linear Applications handbook with AN47 in it (great bathroom reading)

I have an original standalone copy that is printed on light grey paper. I got it in 1991, and promptly wrote my name on it in large letters. I think I have another copy elsewhere as well.

Don't let yours get wet. No, I'm not going to ask what you do in the bathroom without getting wet. Many decades ago I had a friend who installed a (small) bookshelf in the toilet

and thanks to another forum member there is an 10811 OCXO

I rescued one of those as a the sole saving grace from an ill-judged PPAuctions purchase. I put it in an eddystone case with a nice low-noise 723 based PSU, as per the manual. Bootiful.

[mnementh]

Yes indeed. From the overcome side I was thinking externally but that's verging on rocket science. Building wideband matching networks for that stuff; forget it. Added 485 to shopping list Edit: actually removing 485 from shopping list. I don't NEED one. I'd LIKE one but I'm supposed to be downsizing!

Have a look at the schematics I added to my previous post, and then go and wash your mouth out with soap.

While I AGREE with you on all of the above in principle; IRL for most applications the 24xx so far exceeds its spec that it is still serviceable even with that bodge in the frontend, which most experienced users know to avoid engaging except as hybrid amp protection for when they're about to do something stupid. And Tek did make a matching attenuator specifically for use above 100MHz, just like the ones Siglent makes for their scopes and the one I bought with my 1054Z.

You ARE right... it WAS A SIN to put that clusterfuck right there in the frontend of what is otherwise their masterpiece of portable analog scope design. It's just a sin that for the most part, you CAN live with.

mnem
 

[Kosmic]

just gotta' get this off my chest.

took the pledge a long time ago to never ever become a tekaholic.

and then along comes med and points out that the guys in new jersey still have some 485's.

leave it to damn new yorker to tempt me with blue boxes from the garden state.

if i cave in to temptation "EXCELSIOR" will become my new favorite curse.



ps  always thought the official motto of the empire state was "wadda' you lookin' at".  turns out it is "excelsior". 

pps  just realized that "excelsior you fathead" was one of sheps lines.  if you are gonna steal....steal from the best.

If you're trying to make me feel guilty it ain't working.  You better get one before addicted2analogtek grabs them all. 

Now now, I'm ONLY trying to keep them out of the hands of those three or four butchers on ebay that just gut everything down to sell piece by piece...
At least that's how I justify some of my purchases to myself. 

On another note, I am definitely kicking myself for not dropping more bids on the 34401A in pristine condition that recently sold for just under $300.... 
I NEEEEEEEED to buy a (several) bench DMM(s)!!

I'm guilty of buying from those dudes 

Just got the main switch of a Keithley 600a electrometer with all the precision resistors for 15$

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Position-Rotary-Switch-From-Keithley-Electrometer/264449581018?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

[mnementh]

Yeah, but  does THIS have to do with Burke & Hare-ing TE for the vital organs, and why should it help "those dudes" sell said street-peddler body parts on fleaBay...?

mnem
 

[bd139]

What I'm not against is setting up a few of them to fire when someone opens a door... 

Tax audit day? 

You can jump to 2:24 for the relevant zappy bits; or just enjoy the whole thing. Up to you.  As a semi-professional a-hole/agitator/cutup, I feel the doorknob scene is sublime; the quintessential example of this classic gag.  The timing is perfect; not a wasted step in the entire scene, and Gleeson's delivery of EVERY expression through this complicated triple-take gag is absolutely impeccable.

For those who don't know; the "Electrified Doorknob Gag" is to comics as "Someone to Watch Over Me" is to singers; a "Standard" on which one hangs their artistry. To actually deliver such a brilliant, primal example of the gag over 90 years after it was first introduced is no mean feat.  And it is one of many reasons I absolutely adore this rendering of Potter's beloved children's stories from my youth. 

That's a pretty good scene actually. Had me smiling but not sure if it is because I'm a sadistic bastard or not 

[mnementh]

It's okay if it's BOTH. 

mnem
"That's MISTER Bastard to you, son." ~ Grand-dad

[bd139]

got myself a printed copy of Linear Applications handbook with AN47 in it (great bathroom reading)

I have an original standalone copy that is printed on light grey paper. I got it in 1991, and promptly wrote my name on it in large letters. I think I have another copy elsewhere as well.

Don't let yours get wet. No, I'm not going to ask what you do in the bathroom without getting wet. Many decades ago I had a friend who installed a (small) bookshelf in the toilet

Me and lactose have a long lasting bad relationship. Thus plenty of reading time 

I did consider putting a book shelf in there but having two teenage girls in the house, it gets turned into a sauna too often to stash anything in it like that. 

and thanks to another forum member there is an 10811 OCXO

I rescued one of those as a the sole saving grace from an ill-judged PPAuctions purchase. I put it in an eddystone case with a nice low-noise 723 based PSU, as per the manual. Bootiful.

This was from a deceased 5371A apparently. Wonder if it was the same device?

They are indeed rather nice bits of kit. Teardown here: http://www.kerrywong.com/2014/07/01/hp-5350b-ocxo-repair/

I especially like the fact they don't do horrible things like use bits of nichrome wire in them so if they cock up, bar any crystal aging past the adjustment limits, they should be repairable. I had a Racal 9442/5 OCXO which had unfortunately aged too much. Drifted straight past the adjustment point. No schematic, components all unmarked. In the bin!

It's okay if it's BOTH. 

mnem
"That's MISTER Bastard to you, son." ~ Grand-dad

Hahaha   

[tggzzz]

Yes indeed. From the overcome side I was thinking externally but that's verging on rocket science. Building wideband matching networks for that stuff; forget it. Added 485 to shopping list Edit: actually removing 485 from shopping list. I don't NEED one. I'd LIKE one but I'm supposed to be downsizing!

Have a look at the schematics I added to my previous post, and then go and wash your mouth out with soap.

While I AGREE with you on all of the above in principle; IRL for most applications the 24xx so far exceeds its spec that it is still serviceable even with that bodge in the frontend, which most experienced users know to avoid engaging except as hybrid amp protection for when they're about to do something stupid. And Tek did make a matching attenuator specifically for use above 100MHz, just like the ones Siglent makes for their scopes and the one I bought with my 1054Z.

You ARE right... it WAS A SIN to put that clusterfuck right there in the frontend of what is otherwise their masterpiece of portable analog scope design. It's just a sin that for the most part, you CAN live with.

mnem
 

The 24x5 spec at 300MHz is that the input impedance is either j35ohms, or 50+j35 ohms =~61ohms. Does lipstick allow a pig to "exceed expectations"?

Can you point to the "matching attenuator specifically for use above 100MHz", please? I'm not aware of any that address the //15pF issue.