Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[mnementh]

And now for Something Completely... ON TOPIC!!!

(SNIP)

Overall first impression: Excellent build quality for the money. If the software were as well-realized as this hardware, they'd never have attracted all the "whiny whiners whingeing" that seem to still haunt the brand's reputation.

I'll followup with whatever basic tests I can manage considering I don't have any kind of a generator available short of the sound card in the laptop the 'scope will be connected to. I do think it might be very interesting to characterize the signal before & after something like my PAM8403 digital amplifier boards... 

Cheers, and Merry Christmas!

mnem

Thanks for this one. Much appreciated. I’m tempted. Mostly because it doesn’t take a fuck load of room and is fine for baseband work. I don’t really poke anything higher than a few hundred KHz with anything but counters and power meters.

https://groups.io/g/QRPLabs/message/41534 <— Going to build this bad boy.

   

In all honesty; aside from a clunky UI and annoyingly slow UI response at slow timebase settings, even the stock FW/SW works. I successfully tested & trimmed out the 80MHz-rated PP80B probes with a minimum of hassle; just connected them to the integral test signal and clicked the AUTO button. 

I'll probably still try the OpenHantek FW to see if I like it better; just can't be arsed ATM due to holiday goings-on.

mnem

[bitseeker]

TEA Time (A nice way to spend my post #8000)

Now that the forum is back, just wanted to update the TEA Time sub-thread.

Proposed date/time: Saturday, 2020-01-11 @ 11:00 UTC

As an aid for those like me who are Time-Zone-Defective; I've created an event on www.timeanddate.com.

Event and list of event local time in cities worldwide is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TEA+Time+on+Discord+%3A+Episode+1&iso=20200111T11&p1=1440

The dialog to the right of the event will automatically guess at your time zone based on IP address. Obviously, YMMV, etc.

Countdown timer is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=1440&iso=20200111T11&msg=TEA%20Time%20on%20Discord%20%3a%20Episode%201

Somehow, the time zone defect apparently affected the forum's quoting function. It should be 19:00 UTC.

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TEA+Time+on+Discord+%3A+Episode+1&iso=20200111T19&p1=1440

[Martin.M]

AC Option for HP204B (christmas edition, homebrew)

Required is ±13V for the oscillator.
I used 2 miniature transformers, some diode from the junk box, 2x 78L08 with a Zener 5,6V in the ground wire.

(Attachment Link)

I will put it in the apparatus and test 

Can you send me the gcode you used to CNC route that board?

McBryce.

that is the DREMEL universal programm.
Martin

[bd139]

I never managed to have much success Dremelling boards. Probably the amount of caffeine I drink. Wiggly lines galore.

[Black Phoenix]

TEA Time (A nice way to spend my post #8000)

Now that the forum is back, just wanted to update the TEA Time sub-thread.

Proposed date/time: Saturday, 2020-01-11 @ 11:00 UTC

As an aid for those like me who are Time-Zone-Defective; I've created an event on www.timeanddate.com.

Event and list of event local time in cities worldwide is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TEA+Time+on+Discord+%3A+Episode+1&iso=20200111T11&p1=1440

The dialog to the right of the event will automatically guess at your time zone based on IP address. Obviously, YMMV, etc.

Countdown timer is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=1440&iso=20200111T11&msg=TEA%20Time%20on%20Discord%20%3a%20Episode%201

Somehow, the time zone defect apparently affected the forum's quoting function. It should be 19:00 UTC.

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TEA+Time+on+Discord+%3A+Episode+1&iso=20200111T19&p1=1440

Well at that time it will be impossible for me, it will be 3:00am Sunday here in Hong Kong/Shenzhen, but I hope it goes OK.

[mnementh]

TEA Time (A nice way to spend my post #8000)

Now that the forum is back, just wanted to update the TEA Time sub-thread.

Proposed date/time: Saturday, 2020-01-11 @ 11:00 UTC

As an aid for those like me who are Time-Zone-Defective; I've created an event on www.timeanddate.com.

Event and list of event local time in cities worldwide is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TEA+Time+on+Discord+%3A+Episode+1&iso=20200111T19&p1=1440

The dialog to the right of the event will automatically guess at your time zone based on IP address. Obviously, YMMV, etc.

Countdown timer is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=1440&iso=20200111T19&msg=TEA%20Time%20on%20Discord%20%3a%20Episode%201

Somehow, the time zone defect apparently affected the forum's quoting function. It should be 19:00 UTC.

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=TEA+Time+on+Discord+%3A+Episode+1&iso=20200111T19&p1=1440

Ummm.... no... You changed your schedule based on feedback from med literally while I was posting. So I scurried back and adjusted the event to coincide with this post of yours:

The 11th is good for me. 

Excellent. Adjusted my previous post. My hope is that episode 1 will include as many early-afflicted and frequently posting TEAddicts as possible.

Plus, having ep. 1 on 1/11 at 11a PST seems a nice alliteration of digits.

I thought you had already adjusted that post, so adjusted mine (and the event on www.timeanddate.com ) to the new date/time.

mnem

[Saskia]

Magic smoke in a custom IC *sniff*

Now I got a donor board ... (minus a custom chip, I am yet not proficient enough to swap out 500 pin BGAs ...

[mnementh]

Awww.... that blows. Dunnat more times than I care to admit... is is one of the ones they make a generic controller board to fit; just transfer your PROM, etc over?

I never managed to have much success Dremelling boards. Probably the amount of caffeine I drink. Wiggly lines galore.

The trick is to use small diameter diamond points, and always cut so you are pulling against the drag of the bit. Also, get in the habit of laying an old wooden ruler (the kind with a pencil trough cut down the middle) under your palm & pinkie finger. Sliding your palm along this as a guide greatly aids making straighter cuts. Stop and reposition for every cut; this requires patience but after a while it becomes second nature and boy does it pay off.

I prefer the smaller ball points for most such work; they provide a consistent drag that helps you maintain a steady hand. Also, they tend to self-clean better so don't clog and cause jumps. For tiny pads I'll switch to the smaller cylinder bits or brad-head bits.

mnem

[Saskia]

Radeon Graphics chip getting too hot before I could reach the off switch when trying to measure voltages. Oh well, off to the scavenge parts pile. I suspect a short on the board anyway, I would not expect the power rail to have 0.6 Ohms to ground ...

[mnementh]

In your defense... most often, if you're letting the smoke out of such a chip, IT is the source of the short anyways.

You need to build you one of these... just build it with the power connection you use most, and them make adapters. 




Works just as well at 3V/5V as it does at 12-15V; so making several will let you safely test 3.3/5/12V rails all at the same time.

mnem

[Saskia]

oh well normally I would inject power into the dead rail and see which part got hot. However the main chip heated up so fast that i could not get to the power switch fast enough. Darn .

which reminds me, I could measure resistance and check if that burned out the short ...

And: I could still use it to practice desoldering those pescy 500+ pin BGAs

[Martin.M]

Chinesometer means:



ich hab nur AF118 da, rein damit  als 2N1516

[mnementh]

@Martin - What I could gather from Googs is that you are using the TC1 to see if AN118 is a suitable substitute for 2N1516...?

EDIT: Oh, I see... it is somehow magically showing a BJT with zero hFE/VFD/Ic...  One would expect it to see that as a resistor array. 

oh well normally I would inject power into the dead rail and see which part got hot. However the main chip heated up so fast that i could not get to the power switch fast enough. Darn . which reminds me, I could measure resistance and check if that burned out the short ... And: I could still use it to practice desoldering those pescy 500+ pin BGAs

Yeah, the SmokeStopper works very well for that exact troubleshooting scenario, only much less collateral damage. In HI current mode, it'll flow 1.5-2.5A at 12V... plenty to identify the semiconductor-turned-resistive-element.

Of course, you can do similar with a CC/CV power supply, but you need sometimes 4 or 5 rails at a time; the SmokeStopper is cheap to make multiple iterations. 

Also, with a CC/CV PSU you don't get the nice visual indication of current flow; this can actually be VERY useful in diag as well. Seeing the intensity increase/decrease from the corner of your eye as you isolate sections of a board can greatly decrease diag time. 

mnem

[med6753]

Finally got in touch with seller and got directions. 2 PM today. About 1.5 hours drive one way.

https://albany.craigslist.org/ele/d/troy-tektronix-535a-oscilloscope-with/7032735262.html

If it's everything he claims it will be coming home with me. 

[Martin.M]

yeah... the Chinesometer found the bad boy. 

Replacement AF118 works there as 2N1516



so I have to screw the chaos back in the case.

[mnementh]

Look what the mailchi.mp flung at me...



https://mailchi.mp/mpja/mpja-email-specials-12-26-19

That BNC cable to two 4mm banana plugs just screams "Make a Quick & Dirty Junction Tester Box TODAY!!!" 

mnem

[mnementh]

Finally got in touch with seller and got directions. 2 PM today. About 1.5 hours drive one way.

https://albany.craigslist.org/ele/d/troy-tektronix-535a-oscilloscope-with/7032735262.html

If it's everything he claims it will be coming home with me. 

Best of luck, buddy. 

mnem

[Kosmic]

Merry Whatever to one and all!

Only one TEA related gift here... a very teeny tiny clip-on-your-glasses LED lamp that my wife gave me to assist my peering into the innards of crufty, hopefully soon-to-be-working test equipment.

Oh wait, I forgot the Rigol signal generator I bought while it was on sale at Arrow, which arrived last night. That counts, right?   

Happy holidays one and all!

Yes, the DG831 counts. At least I'm counting it. Mine arrived yesterday, too, but I was too busy to pick it up. So, probably tomorrow. In addition, I got on the way a reportedly broken Fluke 81, 50 MHz function/pulse generator (how many function generators does one need?) and a Micsig HV probe for my scope(s).

Also got my DG831 yesterday while I was away. The FedEx guy decided It was a good idea to hide the box under the carpet   

Booted my unit this morning, it's new old stock. Was produced in 2018 and has firmware 1.08.00.01 installed. It should be no problems upgrading to a DG992 

[worsthorse]

Merry Whatever to one and all!

Only one TEA related gift here... a very teeny tiny clip-on-your-glasses LED lamp that my wife gave me to assist my peering into the innards of crufty, hopefully soon-to-be-working test equipment.

Oh wait, I forgot the Rigol signal generator I bought while it was on sale at Arrow, which arrived last night. That counts, right?   

Happy holidays one and all!

Yes, the DG831 counts. At least I'm counting it. Mine arrived yesterday, too, but I was too busy to pick it up. So, probably tomorrow. In addition, I got on the way a reportedly broken Fluke 81, 50 MHz function/pulse generator (how many function generators does one need?) and a Micsig HV probe for my scope(s).

Also got my DG831 yesterday while I was away. The FedEx guy decided It was a good idea to hide the box under the carpet   

Booted my unit this morning, it's new old stock. Was produced in 2018 and has firmware 1.08.00.01 installed. It should be no problems upgrading to a DG992 

Excellent. Mine is still in the shipping box. Will get it out later today and check for firmware version. If it's like yours (and I suspect it is, as Arrow seems to be clearing some corner of the warehouse) I will dig through the forums here for upgrading guidance.

[worsthorse]

Finally got in touch with seller and got directions. 2 PM today. About 1.5 hours drive one way.

https://albany.craigslist.org/ele/d/troy-tektronix-535a-oscilloscope-with/7032735262.html

If it's everything he claims it will be coming home with me. 

I like the reel-to-reel tape machine in the background. I am guessing this person has a room full of stuff from the sixties...

Good luck!

[Martin.M]

done    hp 204B.

[mnementh]

Is that the one you were looking for a +15V/-15V linear regulated supply for? Looks like your mod fits better than OEM... 

mnem

[Kosmic]

Merry Whatever to one and all!

Only one TEA related gift here... a very teeny tiny clip-on-your-glasses LED lamp that my wife gave me to assist my peering into the innards of crufty, hopefully soon-to-be-working test equipment.

Oh wait, I forgot the Rigol signal generator I bought while it was on sale at Arrow, which arrived last night. That counts, right?   

Happy holidays one and all!

Yes, the DG831 counts. At least I'm counting it. Mine arrived yesterday, too, but I was too busy to pick it up. So, probably tomorrow. In addition, I got on the way a reportedly broken Fluke 81, 50 MHz function/pulse generator (how many function generators does one need?) and a Micsig HV probe for my scope(s).

Also got my DG831 yesterday while I was away. The FedEx guy decided It was a good idea to hide the box under the carpet   

Booted my unit this morning, it's new old stock. Was produced in 2018 and has firmware 1.08.00.01 installed. It should be no problems upgrading to a DG992 

Excellent. Mine is still in the shipping box. Will get it out later today and check for firmware version. If it's like yours (and I suspect it is, as Arrow seems to be clearing some corner of the warehouse) I will dig through the forums here for upgrading guidance.

@worsthorse && @bitseeker

2 posts you need to read 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-16-bit-function-generators-dg800900-series/msg2420391/#msg2420391

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-16-bit-function-generators-dg800900-series/msg2537358/?topicseen#msg2537358

Got a DG992 now 

[mnementh]

Speaking of oscillators...



Fettling with Daqarta right now; looks like a pretty powerful suite of applications for AF work, but still trying to get it to work with the sound controller in my laptop.

Anybody out there have any other similar apps they can recommend? Recent Win10/Lenovo i7 laptop, so Intel chipset/Realtek audio.

Hmmm.... I wonder if it's dependent on an older .net Framework package...

mnem

[xrunner]

As you may recall, Brumby accidentally broke one of the small green buttons on an hp 1740A. I was investigating the same type button (not green) on an hp 3457a. I wanted to compare it to a CAD file I found here on Thingiverse -

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3057821

But simply pulling it off with my fingers collapsed it. The plastic on these older parts is becoming very brittle. I went ahead and printed the button using a resolution of 0.1 mm and it fit well after a little trimming inside to remove some stringing. I printed the test button out with translucent PLA for a test because that was what I already had loaded.

Later I printed it in white and made some for extra parts. Some hp buttons on these older models are white, but this button and others like it of this era are not pure white, but it looks to me rather a very light almond or cream. Yet it does look good and I think it's fine. I haven't found that exact cream color PLA yet. I suppose you could paint it too.

As far as the green, there are LOTS of green PLA to choose from. If one button sticks out because of a slight color mis-match, you could print out all the buttons that constitute a vertical column. Or, like on yours, you could make the printed button the "Sweep After Delay" button because it is sort of by itself. But then you risk busting other buttons mucking with them.

Good Luck Brumby, now you have a project (as if you needed more). Look forward to the pics!