Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[bitseeker]

just heard that a friend of mine died in a plane crash. Apparently stalled and went straight into the ground.
Bloody hell. I'm pissed. RIP Lutz.

Woah! So sorry to hear that, Saskia. RIP, Lutz.

[Kosmic]

Does anyone have photos showing what is inside PPM Inc AVM-100 Null Meter?
(Attachment Link)

For addicted ones:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PPM-Inc-Model-AVM-100-Null-Meter/223991698533?hash=item3426f21465:g:T2sAAOSwdNlep40o

Somehow the front panel and range are similar to a Fluke 845.

Functional replacement for the Keithley 155, Fluke 845AB and HP419A Null Detectors

Mirror-backed meter eliminates parallax
Manufacturer support and calibration available
Battery operation for high isolation

The zero-center analog readout makes it easy to see trend lines, approaches to zero and small changes in readings, regardless of polarity.  Isolated analog output allows for hard-copy or archival download to data acquisition systems, chart recorders and plotters.

https://web.archive.org/web/20041014003823/http://www.ppminc.com/id13.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20041010081717/http://www.ppminc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/avm-100.pdf

[tautech]

At last. This Type 106 is in excellent condition. Even the cabinet. I won't need to paint it. Some dust on the inside because it does have a fan.

Does it work? Sure does.  7904 thru a 50 ohm 7A24 plug-in. The pots and controls are dirty. That's to be expected. I'll give everything a good cleaning. And naturally at some point I will re-cap it. It has A LOT of electrolytics in it.

Awww, maaaaaan... I'm sorry you lost out on this one; better luck next time. 

Quick guys; lets pool our resources and send med a dingy D83 or at least a rusty ol' Ford wheel so he can get his fix... 

mnem
 

Good idea, put me in for a tenner to see that happen.......although I do wonder with Med's luck of late if he's coming down with BD's penis fingers. 

[bitseeker]

The world cannot be saved. Once the Sun starts to enter the He fusion process it will either swallow or incinerate the Earth.

That's one way to cure TEA.

[bitseeker]

Just a quic-pic of my re-arranged bench after installing my new home-made riser-shelf with new LED strip underneath. This strip doesn't get false commands from the IR control for my other LED strip because this one uses an RF remote - Yay.

Your bench looks great, xrunner! An opportune time to snap a pic.

Which type is your 8648 (A-D)? And does it use LCD or VFD? What do you like most and least about it?

[xrunner]

Your bench looks great, xrunner! An opportune time to snap a pic.

Which type is your 8648 (A-D)? And does it use LCD or VFD? What do you like most and least about it?

8648A 100 kHz - 1 GHz.

It's VFD. The display is in OK condition, some parts are a little dim but all-in-all not bad. It's a superb RF generator, I use it a lot for radio alignment and repair. It has built-in 400 & 1000 Hz modulation. I've fed in external modulation (FM mode) to do some tests I was interested in on some 2 meter radios because I was interested in the tolerance of the tone squelch frequencies (CTCSS) that are used. All worked well.

I don't dislike much of anything about it really. I need to get a GPIB controller attached to it so I can do more, but I don't have any plans to get anything to replace it at this time.

[Neomys Sapiens]

Your bench looks great, xrunner! An opportune time to snap a pic.

Which type is your 8648 (A-D)? And does it use LCD or VFD? What do you like most and least about it?

8648A 100 kHz - 1 GHz.

It's VFD. The display is in OK condition, some parts are a little dim but all-in-all not bad. It's a superb RF generator, I use it a lot for radio alignment and repair. It has built-in 400 & 1000 Hz modulation. I've fed in external modulation (FM mode) to do some tests I was interested in on some 2 meter radios because I was interested in the tolerance of the tone squelch frequencies (CTCSS) that are used. All worked well.

I don't dislike much of anything about it really. I need to get a GPIB controller attached to it so I can do more, but I don't have any plans to get anything to replace it at this time.

Nice to hear such definite praise for that generator. I'm also set on aquiríng one, but still hunting for the perfect specimen. The E44xx series is total crap. (untidy spectrum, useless pulse modulation, which is more of a 'block enable', calibration and service performed only in Japan, and they die like flies)

[bitseeker]

Thanks for the feedback, xrunner. Like NS, I've been keeping my eyes open (don't have an immediate need, though that's never a factor, is it ). Fortunately, the LCD version is backlit, so it's not critical to get a VFD version.

IIRC, this model of generator doesn't sweep. I guess that isn't something that you've needed (or have another instrument for it). I suppose using GPIB automation might fill that gap.

[Ice-Tea]

Which type is your 8648 (A-D)? And does it use LCD or VFD? What do you like most and least about it?

Want one?

[tggzzz]

The manual sez 1ns rise time. Quick check here shows a considerably longer rise time so we'll have to see what's up.

That looks like a 17ns risetime, which in these circumstances is a magic number.

Might the scope's bandwidth be restricted to 20MHz?

[Vgkid]

Does anyone have photos showing what is inside PPM Inc AVM-100 Null Meter?
For addicted ones:

I saw that a few months ago, definetly interesting. But there are some screws missing, knob missing, unmatched/stripped screw heads.

[BU508A]

@Zucca: Don't look!   

Do we have Tektronix fans here?   

A very nice curve tracer is on sale (NAWTS):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133434608185

[Cloud]

If anyone wants to play lottery I found a sweet error pricing of Tektronix HV probe P6015A 1R on Farnell. For 127GBP it is a steal. I have orderd one we will see if it will arrive in autumn 

https://uk.farnell.com/tektronix/p6015a-1r/high-volt-passive-probe-1000-1/dp/2855078?CMP=GRHB-OCTOPART

[tggzzz]

If anyone wants to play lottery I found a sweet error pricing of Tektronix HV probe P6015A 1R on Farnell. For 127GBP it is a steal. I have orderd one we will see if it will arrive in autumn 

https://uk.farnell.com/tektronix/p6015a-1r/high-volt-passive-probe-1000-1/dp/2855078?CMP=GRHB-OCTOPART

Interesting.

Has your order been accepted yet, as per their Ts&Cs?

[bd139]

LMAO that's a bit of a saving 

[Specmaster]

Only if they honour it

[tggzzz]

From reading Farnell's Ts&Cs, I'm not sure whether they would cancel or simply take the full correct amount from your credit card. Hence my question about whether the order had been accepted.

Fortunately I already have a P6015 (and a P6013), so the only reason to try to buy one would be to instantly fleabay it

[Ero-Shan]

Update on Avo Model 8 MKV.
OK then, my NOS 800K identical resistors to the original ones arrived today, marked as 0.3%, looked as if they had just left the factory TBH. Tested them before installing only to be disappointed, 1 was @ 3.2% and the other was 1.2%, far worse the one already fitted.

So now I still need the following resistors in order to bring the meter back into specification.

6Meg 0.3% 0.5W,
8Meg, 0.3% 0.5W,
4Meg 0.3% 0.5W
140K 0.3% 0.3W
800K 0.3% 0.5W

Or of course better % would be great, so if anyone knows where these can be obtained from, or has any of them, please let me know.
Modify message

You know I have plenty of 0.1 % resistors, but 0.5 W is a bit much. But then, above 1 MΩ they're rare. If you have enough space to combine several to the desired value, I shall be happy to send some. (Not at home right now, so can't look.)

[Kosmic]

Does anyone have photos showing what is inside PPM Inc AVM-100 Null Meter?
(Attachment Link)

For addicted ones:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PPM-Inc-Model-AVM-100-Null-Meter/223991698533?hash=item3426f21465:g:T2sAAOSwdNlep40o

I'm really sorry doktor pyta, I was weak and had to send an offer. Seller accepted 

For disassembly pictures, I should have some really soon.

[xrunner]

Thanks for the feedback, xrunner. Like NS, I've been keeping my eyes open (don't have an immediate need, though that's never a factor, is it ). Fortunately, the LCD version is backlit, so it's not critical to get a VFD version.

See pic of display below. Some of the segments are a little brighter than others. I guess it's not that bad looking at the picture. 

IIRC, this model of generator doesn't sweep. I guess that isn't something that you've needed (or have another instrument for it). I suppose using GPIB automation might fill that gap.

I can use my Rigol DSA815TG to sweep from f₁ to f₂. I've used it to look at filter responses etc. The Rigol Dg1032Z will also sweep up to 30 MHz (sine waves). It can be used, but the output might have to be attenuated externally (lowest amplitude setting is 707 uV rms).

[Ero-Shan]

@Zucca: Don't look!   

Do we have Tektronix fans here?   

A very nice curve tracer is on sale (NAWTS):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133434608185

Zucca? Damnit, I saw it! That is really nice.

Why did you have to do that?

[Saskia]

Got an order confirmation for that tektronix probe for 157 UKP incl tax shipped. Order is listed as pending

[BU508A]

Why did you have to do that?

I want to make sure, that nice TE will find a good home.     

[med6753]

More advanced check out of the Type 106 this morning. Noticed a few issues yesterday and today will confirm.

Brushed out all the dust. Deoxit'ed all the controls. Lubed the fan motor. First check is the power supply. There are many different voltages with the -150V being the reference. All the voltages were pretty much on the mark except the +150V which was +144V. Not bad but could probably be improved.



These are the high speed boards. The + output board works (Lower). The – output board (Upper) has extremely low output. And I confirmed on the 485 that the rise time of the + output is no where near 1ns as it should be. Unfortunately I see a whole lot of potentially unobtanium on these boards.





This is the “High Output” which had a rise time of approx 12ns. Looks pretty shabby so clearly some troubleshooting needed here. And this feeds the high speed boards so I'm surprised they work at all.



 So I noted all the issues and this guy will go into the repair cue. The last part needed for the Type 561B is out for delivery so that guy will now go to the front of the pack.   

[tggzzz]

Got an order confirmation for that tektronix probe for 157 UKP incl tax shipped. Order is listed as pending

I don't know about the German Ts&Cs, but the UK ones are shown below, with my emphasis added.

8. Prices
8.1    Prices for Supplies are in £ sterling and are exclusive of VAT. Where the Company agrees to trade in Euro, it will specify an exchange rate for each Order. The Company has used all reasonable endeavours to ensure that prices for Supplies are accurately set out in the Catalogue but reserves the right to change its prices without notice at any time. Prices charged will be those prevailing when an Order is accepted. Where Supplies are to be made in instalments ('Scheduled Delivery') the price payable for them will be that applicable at the time the Order is received but, where Scheduled Deliveries continue for a period of 90 calendar days or more from the date the Order is received, the Company reserves the right to charge the Customer further amounts if the price of the Supplies increases before the end of the Scheduled Delivery period.
8.2    All sums payable by the Customer in accordance with these Conditions are exclusive of VAT. Where any Supplies are provided by the Company to the Customer that are subject to VAT, the Customer shall pay an amount equal to such VAT (in addition to any other consideration payable by the Customer) to the Company and the Company shall (where required by applicable laws) issue an appropriate VAT invoice to the Customer.
8.3    Orders for Goods are usually accepted by the Company by despatching the Goods provided, however, that despatch will not be acceptance where the price for the Supplies has been incorrectly quoted or referenced by the Customer in its Order and the pricing error could have reasonably been recognised by the Customer as a mispricing.

So if you actually receive them, I will be kicking myself!