Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[AVGresponding]

Question for all of you. What common object, other than a ruler, would one use for scale in a photograph that is universal? Yeah, a ruler works but it doesn't have that same visceral feel that, say, a box of matches does.

For the Brits, a standard box of matches would work, but the "standard box of matches" varies in size around the world. A packet of Gitanes is the same size the world over but most people don't have a pack of French Cancer Sticks to hand. A bunch of keys? Pretty universal but you don't really want to embed the key profile of your front door key in a photo for publication. I've been over a few other things in my mind and discounted all of them as not universal enough. Pencil? The ubiquitous Bic? Too long and thin. Cups and cutlery are too variable in size.

I finally hit on a standard pack of playing cards. Right kind of scale, the same size all over the world, something that fits in the hand.

So, can anyone else think of a common household object that is truly universal worldwide, and that fits the bill better than a pack of cards? Thoughts? Something obvious that I've missed?

I like to use a AA leak-tube.

[BU508A]

For no good reason I stumbled out of bed a few minutes early this morning. Went to kitchen to get coffee, glanced out the back, then rushed to get my camera.

Sometimes it is worth getting up.

Let me guess, you live near Bristol

OK, I'll ask the question, that everyone else is scared of asking, why does living near to Bristol or Brizzle

When I google for Bristol, I'm getting a nice picture of one of the inhabitants there.   

(Attachment Link)

I wouldn't call my ex famous

 

But this still leaves us with the question: why did you marry her?  Scares away other women?  

[med6753]

But this still leaves us with the question: why did you marry her?  Scares away other women?  

It's the transformation that happens after you marry them. Been divorced from the mother of my children since 1995. She turned into a ugly, fat, angry, and frustrated old sow. To this day we cannot have a decent conversation without it turning into an argument within 5 minutes. Think "Angry Karen" 3x. In fact, just by coincidence her first name IS Karen.     

[bd139]

Can back up that assertion 

[tggzzz]

For no good reason I stumbled out of bed a few minutes early this morning. Went to kitchen to get coffee, glanced out the back, then rushed to get my camera.

Sometimes it is worth getting up.

Let me guess, you live near Bristol

OK, I'll ask the question, that everyone else is scared of asking, why does living near to Bristol or Brizzle

When I google for Bristol, I'm getting a nice picture of one of the inhabitants there.   

(Attachment Link)

I wouldn't call my ex famous

Ouch! Harsh. 

A few years ago, I would have agreed. But now she has managed to partially estrange herself from her daughter and sisters by becoming a rabid brexiteer.

[tggzzz]

For no good reason I stumbled out of bed a few minutes early this morning. Went to kitchen to get coffee, glanced out the back, then rushed to get my camera.

Sometimes it is worth getting up.

Let me guess, you live near Bristol

OK, I'll ask the question, that everyone else is scared of asking, why does living near to Bristol or Brizzle

When I google for Bristol, I'm getting a nice picture of one of the inhabitants there.   

(Attachment Link)

I wouldn't call my ex famous

 

But this still leaves us with the question: why did you marry her?  Scares away other women?  

She chose to make problems after we had been a couple for several years and 3 months after the marriage, and then after my daughter was born. Only the last can be attributed to mild undiagnosed post-natal depression. She refused to acknowledge that possibility, so no improvement was possible.

For my daughter's sake, I defended my ex for over a decade. Now she has again chosen to create problems, this time w.r.t. being a brexiteer. My daughter is old enough to understand her now, so I no longer actively defend her.

[bd139]

Well this is looking hopeful. £75 HP 3478A gamble...





Ex MoD. Still sealed cal. Passes self test. Display good. No missing fuse holders and no damage past the usual wear and tear.

Edit: inside shot. Of course



Edit: cal battery at 3.044 volts 

[BU508A]

 

Looks like, TEA is a walk in the park compared to all these stories.   

[xrunner]

Well this is looking hopeful. £75 HP 3478A gamble...

"Hey boss let's write that ID number on the front plastic with permanent marker!"

"Yea good idea glad I hired you!"

 

[bd139]

Yeah pisses me off that does. I’ll get it off though

[Zucca]

Don't know what is worst:

1) Stickers
2) Permanet Marker
3) Nicotine layer
4) White plastic going yellowish
5) Scratches on display

First check is always is something is rattling inside, then I open the puppy up.

Ohh I need to buy something now...

[BU508A]

Don't know what is worst:

1) Stickers
2) Permanet Marker
3) Nicotine layer
4) White plastic going yellowish
5) Scratches on display

First check is always is something is rattling inside, then I open the puppy up.

Ohh I need to buy something now...

Do you want us to make some suggestions? 

[bd139]

Ok 3478A test report:

1. RIFAs are good. No sign of cracking. Will replace anyway.
2. Main filter cap tests good for ESR.
3. Battery backup at 3.044V. Need to work out if that's ok to leave or not.
4. Self test passes.
5. DC volts -> works fine. Agrees to the mV with the 8060A
6. AC volts -> works fine. Agrees to the mV with the 8060A.
7. DC amps -> works fine. Agrees to the mA with the 8060A.
8. Resistance -> works fine. Agress to the ohm with the 8060A.
9. All keyboard buttons work.
10. Front and rear jacks work fine as does the switch.
11. AC amps untested. I'll do that another day but I don't need it really.

That's a win!

[mansaxel]

Well this is looking hopeful. £75 HP 3478A gamble...

I want one. No, I won't trade my 427A for it.

Further, since there's a DER EE DE-5000 on top of my birthday wishlist, I'll sit in the boat for a few weeks.

This, because what I'm really lusting after is a 4W resistance measurement and better capacitance
capabilities.  I think the DE-5000 will give me that, with inductance thrown in for good measure.
A 3478A is just b'cause ahh wants it. A perfectly good reason, indeed.

[tggzzz]

Don't know what is worst:

1) Stickers

Ohh I need to buy something now...

My new stickers have just arrived, ready to help avoid me picking up other people's laptop/tablet/etc.

The five interesting numbers in one highly useful and relevant equation - what's not to like.

[tonyalbus]

tektronix 2710 spectrum analiser

are they any good?

[Zucca]

My new stickers have just arrived, ready to help avoid me picking up other people's laptop/tablet/etc.

The five interesting numbers in one highly useful and relevant equation - what's not to like.

I love imaginary number too, I still smile on this equation

Code: [Select]

1/i=-i
for me it's so cool.

[bd139]

Just bought a 5316A as well. I noticed it had the channel C 1.3GHz option installed. They usually ship with an OCXO when one of them is in. Worth a gamble. Same seller as the 3478A  .

Need a totalising counter for something as well.

[tggzzz]

Ok 3478A test report:
3. Battery backup at 3.044V. Need to work out if that's ok to leave or not.

Low-ish, IIRC. Don't forget precautions when replacing battery.

[Mr. Scram]

Confusion, no - but I haven't claimed that.

"Context is preserved" always makes me think of leopards, as in https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/40705-but-the-plans-were-on-display-on-display-i-eventually

There is, of course, good taste involved in the decision as to how much to snip and how much to preserve. Too often I've seen people snipping so much it makes life more difficult for a reader, or worse.

I suppose some of us find minor tasks more challenging than others.

[BU508A]

Don't know what is worst:

1) Stickers

Ohh I need to buy something now...

My new stickers have just arrived, ready to help avoid me picking up other people's laptop/tablet/etc.

The five interesting numbers in one highly useful and relevant equation - what's not to like.

Translation of this equation:
When you turn around, you look the other way.

I'm having the T-Shirt. 



Source

[bd139]

Ok 3478A test report:
3. Battery backup at 3.044V. Need to work out if that's ok to leave or not.

Low-ish, IIRC. Don't forget precautions when replacing battery.

Yeah I fucked that up on the last one. Well aware of what I did wrong as well. 

[drussell]

Don't know what is worst:

1) Stickers
2) Permanent Marker
3) Nicotine layer
4) White plastic going yellowish
5) Scratches on display

I vote #3) Nicotine layer. 

When it's thick enough, it becomes somewhat conductive and wreaks all sorts of havoc.
The others are usually mostly just cosmetic, even at their worst and I generally tend to prefer functionality over cosmetics in most cases.

Not that it's a poll, of course...  and they're all annoying... 

[mnementh]

[...] Dumbfuckistan units. 

mnem
 

OK, is this really necessary? 


...not saying Imperial units are good mind you. I like my powers of 10. 

Yes. Yes, it REALLY IS necessary.  Kill them with fire. 

mnem
And shoot the ashes into the sun. On a rocket programmed in a mix of both units.  

What if you miss? 

And send the DFUs on an eternal journey into the endless void? I'm not seeing a downside here...

mnem

[mnementh]

BIC lighters come in a large and a mini version, plus a few weird novelty sizes rare enough to discount as bell-end candidates, so built-in confusion. Typically a penny or a dime have equivalents pretty close to the same size the world around.

This general conundrum is the reason why a lot of nerds shoot videos and pics over a cutting mat. Then the only thing you have to figure out is if they’re using the side gridded in CM or Dumbfuckistan units. 

mnem
 

Nope, add a Bic to a pic and most anyone would expect the standard normal size not some midget or gorilla sized thing.
Coins as a size ref, you gotta be kidding.
Downunder, where the f**k am I gunna find a nickel to see now big/small it is ?
More hope using a dwagons claw for size comparison. 

Cutting mats OTOH are more universal but I ain't ever got one in a pocket whereas I do a Bic.

Yeah, see, that's the problem. Up here, it doesn't appear you CAN buy anything but the minis; I haven't seen a regular BIC lighter since I escaped the DFU territories. Maybe it's some safety regulation about the amount of liquid butane per unit, I dunno. The single most common lighter I've seen is a 3-pack of BIC minis. 

mnem
*poot!*