Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Kosmic]

Ho so they use GSP. Not sure why it's so expensive then.

Because you're paying for shipping twice, and for repacking whether they do it or not, plus a little extra vig for handling the oh-so-difficult business of handling the import duty fees which they charge you separately. 

mnem
In short: Because they can.

I never had the impression that GSP by itself was really more expensive. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure Alltest is boosting the size and weight a little bit just to push the auto calculator on the higher side of things.

[Kosmic]

Ho so they use GSP. Not sure why it's so expensive then.

Because you're paying for shipping twice, and for repacking whether they do it or not, plus a little extra vig for handling the oh-so-difficult business of handling the import duty fees which they charge you separately. 

mnem
In short: Because they can.

I never had the impression that GSP by itself was really more expensive. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure Alltest is boosting the size and weight a little bit just to push the auto calculator on the higher side of things.

nevermind, you're right. Just did a quick test on a random oscilloscope. It's something like 41$ to ship directly to Erlanger, KY and 67$ to ship to me via GSP.

Look like they changed how they charge GSP. It used to be cheap.

[Kosmic]

Can't wait for the border to re-open then. Will have all my packages shipped at Kinek.

[TERRA Operative]

On another note, my favourite local junk store provided me with yet another new toy. A fully working Advantest TR6142 DC Volt/Current source, the old type with trimpots for calibration instead of the newer battery backed RAM type, and it all seems to work fine.
Not bad for 4500yen...

Nice find 

Those are normally super expensive over here.

Dave made a video on the TR6142 a while ago https://youtu.be/tSzem8xshxk

Yeah they usually go for good coin here too, especially the 6144. I have a faulty 6144 in my pile of junk somewhere, I just have to find time to poke at it again one day.....

[Neomys Sapiens]

On another note, my favourite local junk store provided me with yet another new toy. A fully working Advantest TR6142 DC Volt/Current source, the old type with trimpots for calibration instead of the newer battery backed RAM type, and it all seems to work fine.
Not bad for 4500yen...

Nice find 

Those are normally super expensive over here.

Dave made a video on the TR6142 a while ago https://youtu.be/tSzem8xshxk

Yeah they usually go for good coin here too, especially the 6144. I have a faulty 6144 in my pile of junk somewhere, I just have to find time to poke at it again one day.....

Same holds true in Europe. Currently, the only offer is from the US at 800$+shipping and duties.
Can the versions be readily identified?

[worsthorse]

Tonight's quiz question:

You have a multiple step attenuator. What's the fastest, simplest, cheapest way to test each stage to see if it is working?

I am guessing that this is an easy question, even though it took me a while to figure it out because I am not very bright.

[Saskia]

Update on the monitor front.
Threw out the Samsung, reattached my trusty Asus VP28U. I was immediately able to set 4K, am working at 2560x1440 now. Picture quality is good and the thing works well in the home office. The Samsung has to go.

I should have known better than to go to Samsung in the first place.

[Ice-Tea]

My laptop decided enough was enough and stopped altogether. Did a quick check but as I actually wanted to get rid of it for a long time I stopped looking rather fast. And ordered a new one. There was a "second chance unit" on Coolblue (few scraches on the power brick and the bottom of the unit) which ticked a few boxes so I pulled the trigger. I finally have a 17" notebook again.



Core i7 9750H
2 x 8GB
1TB SSD M.2
RTC 2060

@1200€

[tggzzz]

Edit: oh I need a calibrated voltage reference. What’s currently in vogue?

The problem is the drift over time/humidity. Unless looking at 3/4 digit calibration, I'd ignore anything based on plastic encapsulated components, and anything that isn't burned in for at least a week.

The creator of this is sometimes on the forum. I haven't tried it, but it avoids the main pitfalls.
https://www.ianjohnston.com/index.php/onlineshop/handheld-precision-digital-voltage-source-2-mini-detail

[bd139]

Looking at 4.5 digits max. Not interested in voltnuttery. Yet. Have got a spreadsheet going of all alternatives so far.

[med6753]

Looking at 4.5 digits max. Not interested in voltnuttery. Yet. Have got a spreadsheet going of all alternatives so far.

For a few royal crowns more why not step out to 5.5 digits with one of these? They are a dime a dozen here but don't know about there. Relatively cheap and reliable as long as the gorilla's are kept a bay.

Replace 3 or 4 caps in the PSU and you're in business. DCV and Ohms easy trim pot calibration. ACV forget unless you have a dedicated ACV calibrator. They warm up quickly and are accurate.

   

[bd139]

I was going to bid on one the other day until it hit stupid prices here 

[med6753]

I was going to bid on one the other day until it hit stupid prices here 

I think the most I paid for one was $80 USD.

[bd139]

Ah went for $78. Think I was just being a cheap ass 

[med6753]

Ah went for $78. Think I was just being a cheap ass 

$78 for 5.5 digits? Yep, cheap ass. 

[psykok]

I just received a new toy: tektronix 2711


The analyzer is in working condition but it needs a realignment .

[TorinoFermic]

Quote from: bd139 on Today at 04:55:57

Ah went for $78. Think I was just being a cheap ass 

$78 for 5.5 digits? Yep, cheap ass. 

Funny, I bought Solartron 7150 which is a 6.5 digits for $90 

[Specmaster]

Global Shipping Program (GSP) is just an option they need to activate on their listing. Not sure if ebay is charging them something. The package go to some forwarder in the US and they cross the border in bulk and re-ship on the other side. From what I understand ebay is taking care of everything. They just need to ship to the depot in the US with their preferred service.

The problem, as I understand it, is that "taking care" is used in the same sense as in this snippet of dialogue: "Hey Knuckles, take this guy out the back and take care of him". I'm afraid that GSP's reputation for shoddy packaging and handling precedes them. I would not be surprised if a vendor tried GSP for a while and then dumped it as the "damaged in transit" returns started getting too frequent.

If I have to be honest, I only had good experience with GSP. The only time where something was damaged during shipping, ebay took the hit. Seller kept his money and I got a free Lecroy DDA-260 

Yes, that has been my experience as well with GSP, both as a seller and a buyer, I have nothing but good impressions of the service.

[Specmaster]

Ah went for $78. Think I was just being a cheap ass 

What!!! You can get if you're careful, a more modern meter for that kind of money like a Fluke 8840A or a Fluke 8842A, 5.5d but with a 6.5d accuracy, infact Dave did a video on them a while ago,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4_iRB2DIW8.

[Specmaster]

Quote from: bd139 on Today at 04:55:57

Ah went for $78. Think I was just being a cheap ass 

$78 for 5.5 digits? Yep, cheap ass. 

Funny, I bought Solartron 7150 which is a 6.5 digits for $90 

Yup, I picked up 2 of the Solartron 7150 plus at an auction house for around that amount each, good meters.

[Ice-Tea]

Looking at 4.5 digits max. Not interested in voltnuttery. Yet. Have got a spreadsheet going of all alternatives so far.

Am looking for one too (again) as I seem to have blown up the one I got. This has been on top of my list (DVR1):

https://www.ab-precision.de/products/electrical-standards/

[Cerebus]

Ho so they use GSP. Not sure why it's so expensive then.

Because you're paying for shipping twice, and for repacking whether they do it or not, plus a little extra vig for handling the oh-so-difficult business of handling the import duty fees which they charge you separately. 

mnem
In short: Because they can.

From my perspective that's the one advantage to the GSP. I haven't gone and dissected it to be sure, but from the rough amounts quoted it looks like their fee for handling the customs paperwork is much more reasonable than the fee that you'll get slapped with if you just order something without pre-paying customs fees and duties and wait for your local carrier to slap on a hefty fee for doing it (often paying less actual taxation than the fee itself).

[Cerebus]

Ah went for $78. Think I was just being a cheap ass 

And what, exactly, is wrong with that?

Sorry, got to rush. That gruel won't sell itself to the local school canteen.

[Cerebus]

"When I see, someone rich,
Both my thumbs, start to itch,
Charity's fine, subscribe to mi—"

Oh, sorry chaps. Didn't realise that I'd wandered back in here.

"—ine,
Gotta pick a pocket or two, boys,
Gotta pick a pocket or two ...

[Kosmic]

Looking at 4.5 digits max. Not interested in voltnuttery. Yet. Have got a spreadsheet going of all alternatives so far.

Am looking for one too (again) as I seem to have blown up the one I got. This has been on top of my list (DVR1):

https://www.ab-precision.de/products/electrical-standards/

Ab is also a member of the forum. If Germany wasn't that far I would be really interested. You know how much he is charging for the DVR1 ?