Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[bd139]

Ok need some help with an ethical conundrum here.

The tinySA guy said on the ebay message that I could keep the fake one. In the jiffy bag for the replacement he has a hand written note asking for me to return the fake one.

I am loathed to return it because (a) it's at my cost and (b) it'll probably get sold on as a good one to someone else less diligent and (c) he's said I can keep it already.

Thoughts?

Edit: incidentally it is broken when testing it with the not broken one. The ref output is approx -5dBm below expected level.

I'd probably write the seller through ebay, that you are confused, because of (c) and the note you've found.
I'd also ask him for paying the return costs, if he wants it back. It wasn't your fault, that you got a non-working fake unit.

Use ebay messaging just in case you need proof about the communication.

Agree 100%, you also have of course his message to you in the messages' section saying to keep the fake unit, so if push becomes shove, eBay should agree and side with you.

The private request for you to return the "fake" makes my hackles rise instinctively, and my internal BS detector is just pegging the meter. 

They are trying to get you to return the evidence so it's not out there in the wild; this has absolutely zip to do with the specific item or its value. I see absolutely zero ethical conundrum here; they directed you to keep it publicly, and the private request to return it is not reasonable.

Keep it, and for the sake of all of us, dissect that little fucker. That way everybody in eevBlog can have a side by side comparison, and can have some concrete reference when trying to decide between waiting for "the legit item" or buying off bang-em-good, etc just because they're in stock.

Another possibility is that they may not want that "fake" in your hands because it can easily be fixed with a few bodges and/or reflashing with legit FW, which you are obviously capable of determining, and because you are a respected voice on eevBlog, which is a major driving force behind this little China-direct industry they have going here.

mnem
Trust no one.

Got to say I agree with this.

After speaking to the guy who designed them they have been caught selling fake units before so I suspect that they've still got stock that they're throwing in the mix and seeing who returns it. Most of these will end up on some ham's shelf somewhere without ever going through the cal and test process so this is an efficient way of disposing of them and retaining the cash. Eventually they'll filter all stock and make up for previously doing it. On top of that the ebay feedback process is not an honest marker of reputation based on how easy it is to shoot down negative feedback.

I don't buy the excuse that the supplier slipped some fake ones in either because of the previously guilty situation. If you had already been victim of this then you would check the goods on ingress and take it up with the supplier. Thus the only logical conclusion is intent or incompetence, either of which are not excusable.

[nixiefreqq]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

[med6753]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

Did you have to fumigate the house after I visited?

You may want to. 

[mnementh]

I just felt a great disturbance in The Schwartz... as if a million sarcastic bastards cried out in agony and were suddenly silenced...   

Lordy, man... you just gotta stop setting me up like that. I may not be able to resist next time... 

mnem
...He [Ford Prefect] will enter our story in thirty-five seconds and say “Hello, Arthur.” The ape-descendant will greet him in return, but in deference to a million years of evolution, will not attempt to pick fleas off him; Earthmen are not proud of their ancestors and never invite them round to dinner.

[nixiefreqq]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

Did you have to fumigate the house after I visited?

You may want to. 

my recollection is that YOUR tek was banished to the garage until you came to collect it. 

wait.....are you saying that the tek-ness rubs off on you?  or that it is somehow absorbed into your very being?

can you refuse delivery on a UPS package?  or is it too late for me?

[mnementh]

There is hope...

mnem
... but you are probably well and truly boned.

[cyclin_al]

That’s too old school. They’ve upped their game now

That is just gross   

[Cubdriver]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

Oh stop!    All major gear is welcome in my world - HP, Tek, Fluke, GenRad, Dana, Data Precision, R&S, Electro Instruments...  Broaden your horizons - there's a cornucopia of excellent gear out there waiting for a loving home!   

And the mug may inspire further acquisitions! 

-Pat

[med6753]

my recollection is that YOUR tek was banished to the garage until you came to collect it. 

wait.....are you saying that the tek-ness rubs off on you?  or that it is somehow absorbed into your very being?

can you refuse delivery on a UPS package?  or is it too late for me?

It's too late. By simply allowing that moldy and corroded Type 561B into your garage the assimilation has already occurred. 

[Cubdriver]

Freqq, remember that in the U.S. back in the day, there were three names in oscilloscopes - Tektronix, Tektronix and Tektronix.  For everything else, there was HP.

-Pat

[cyclin_al]

Got the urge to build another pulser. This time I laid it out so that I would be able to connect a charge line easily. This effort incorporates all the tricks I have learned in my journey of building Jim Williams' circuit.

[..]

Measurement set up today is my Type 547 'scope with the Type 1S1 sampling plug-in set to 200 mV/cm and 0.5 ns/cm. The output is going through a GR-874 20 dB (10X) pad.

Wow the pulse looks beautiful on that blue CRT 
However I don't think this is a conclusive experience.. you don't know if your design efforts have been rewarded do you ? The sampling head seems to be too slow, it's probably hiding the true performance of your pulser  ?

I mean I just checked the rise time for the 1S1. Manual says " 350ps OR BETTER ". Eye-balling it on your photograph, it looks like 300ps or a little less, consistent with the rise time of the 1S1 then. So... that means your pulser is much faster than that, but we don't know how much... we need a faster sampling head or multi-Ghz scope ! 

That lovely blue display reminds me of the earlier VW Passats that used that nice blue for the lighting of the dash instruments, nowadays, they are terribly boring with white lighting, but still a zillion miles away from crappy lighting on the instruments used years ago of small tungsten bulbs arranged around the dials emitting their light via small windows in the side of the meters.

I can’t stand blue dash lighting. It makes your eyes go funny in the dark. Mine is about right as it emits a colour I can only describe as “pissy orange”.

Although rather stupidly I bought myself some new sunglasses the other day which are polarised and of course now I can’t see the LCD based dash unless I cock my head sideways like a demented dog. 

Don't you mean that they rather stupidly designed the car dashboard to be incompatible with polarised sunglasses?

[nixiefreqq]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

Oh stop!    All major gear is welcome in my world - HP, Tek, Fluke, GenRad, Dana, Data Precision, R&S, Electro Instruments...  Broaden your horizons - there's a cornucopia of excellent gear out there waiting for a loving home!   

And the mug may inspire further acquisitions! 

-Pat

wanted something portable and analog.

and the 2336 always looked really cute to me.   but it is one of those montague and capulet things.  we "bill and dave" folk should not be tempted by a pretty face if it belongs to a sworn enemy.

[mnementh]

That’s too old school. They’ve upped their game now

That is just gross   

D'awww jeez... didja have to quote that and pollute another page with its heinousness...? 

mnem
*toddles off to nuke a bicycle*

[cyclin_al]

To be fair, BMW didn't develop the HUD, they only wrote the requirements. You'd have been better to report it to VDO, but I'm pretty sure they already know.
McBryce.

Oh yes.. I know that. You know also very well it is not a single case, it is standard process.

You do not know how sad I was to discover that developer is normally just a guy who needs to talk to the real developer.

Yes, many people believe that car companies actually design and develop their cars, when in fact >90% of the car is designed by other companies, the OEM just documents the requirements and put the car together (and in some cases even that is outsourced!).

McBryce.

No different for aircraft.  Or anything else nowadays for that matter ...

[cyclin_al]

The whole premse with "safety" shroulded 4mm plugs is not just what they are intended to be used for but how they may be misused.

In our plans, we rarely make mistakes. Reality, though, is littered with them. Well put, Robert.

Another take is safety belts or helmets; which, assuming you never crash or are crashed into, are useless inconveniences. Right?

Not quite...
If you take it to the track, or other suitable safe motorsports venue, you will discover that a snug or tight seatbelt helps hold your core body in the correct location and position.
That allows you to use feet and hands for the controls without having to brace yourself, and you will find the controls where you expect them to be when your body is not sloshing about unrestrained.

 

[mnementh]

To be fair, BMW didn't develop the HUD, they only wrote the requirements. You'd have been better to report it to VDO, but I'm pretty sure they already know.
McBryce.

Oh yes.. I know that. You know also very well it is not a single case, it is standard process.

You do not know how sad I was to discover that developer is normally just a guy who needs to talk to the real developer.

Yes, many people believe that car companies actually design and develop their cars, when in fact >90% of the car is designed by other companies, the OEM just documents the requirements and put the car together (and in some cases even that is outsourced!).

McBryce.

No different for aircraft.  Or anything else nowadays for that matter ...

mnem
"...Get off... the nuclear device... NOW...!!!"
"All right... Just wanted to feel the power between muh legs, brother..."

[nixiefreqq]

That’s too old school. They’ve upped their game now

That is just gross   

D'awww jeez... didja have to quote that and pollute another page with its heinousness...? 

mnem
*toddles off to nuke a bicycle*

can never find a barf emoji when you need one.

[cyclin_al]

   Ok replacement tinySA received already and confirmed genuine by Erik. Seller is good IMHO - they replaced it. I can't complain really. This is probably best product support I've seen for a few years overall 

Now I've got 1.5 tinySA's I need to work out what to do with the 0.5 half. It sort of works with some constraints which I need to evaluate. It probably will make a reasonable signal source still or something 

Oh dear... I guess that means my TinySA bought off Bang-em-good is for sure a clone/fake as I figured it probably had to be given the price. And the source.  also makes me feel a bit of a dick for just buying both off BunkGoods after HCXQS blew everybody off for 6 months re: 4" model release date.

Let us know how your tinkery with the fake unit works out; it would be nice to be able to test correctly and make mine work correctly if you can reduce the project to a repeatable process.

Also, could you show us the cables/accessories that came with your "real" one? Those that came with mine were immediately suspect; made of some funky black cable I'm not even sure what it is. It doesn't look or feel like RG316 or RG174.

Only thing I can say in their defense is that both articles were A) available at a reasonable price B) when I wanted them and C) availability wasn't shrouded in a fog of bullshit and hearsay.

mnem
 

I am a bit confused here 

It was my understanding that HCXQS (and OwO ) were the crew that does the NanoVNA.  Could you be thinking of the NanaVNA V2 plus 4?

I think I bought my TinySA around the same time as the dwagon, but I recall I never figured out which TinySA was the real deal or a clone ...
That probably means more reading up to likewise check mine if it is okay or not... queue is getting only longer

[Specmaster]

Quick update on the 2 Avo 8 Mk V meters I picked up this morning. The leads are in a pretty bad way, hopefully a good clean will improve them, but the probes have had it. One meter was in a near perfect leather case, the meter had a rattle when I got it home, opened it up and a little screw and washer fell out. Tested the DC volts and the meter reads a little low, further investigation reveals some damage to plastic movement protection shell, and it seems some plastic bits may be caught up in the meter movement as the meter is not linear. Need to investigate that more.

The other meter had a sticker on the side stating it had been serviced by Megger, who own Avo and that one checks out perfectly OK and still had the factory applied seal intact following its service. That does not mean to say it's free from faults, when they reassembled the meter, failed to correctly align the meter assembly with its plinth  and as a result has obscured the top of dial markings as you can see in the photo, 4,5 and 6, so this needs a little fettling. Otherwise, both meters are in good condition cosmetically and all the switches and cut-outs function correctly, and battery compartments are in original condition.

More info and photos as I get to grips with them.

Looking forward to seeing how they look with the lamps fitted!

 

Not ever on my watch will that happen, so don't hold your breath.

Still looking for a late model military one. Should be completely working, have the broad arrow on the faceplate, nice condititon and not cost silly money. I'm not looking for that every day, so if someone sees one that fits, please tell.

Will do, I have but it's earlier MkV, its a real heavy beast as it's encased in metal and is tropicalized inside. I can't even tell you which version it is as it is currently buried under a ton of other stuff as I'm currently working on the MkV with the low readings on the bench right now.

They used to pop up quite regular, but I haven't seen a military one for months now.

[Cubdriver]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

Oh stop!    All major gear is welcome in my world - HP, Tek, Fluke, GenRad, Dana, Data Precision, R&S, Electro Instruments...  Broaden your horizons - there's a cornucopia of excellent gear out there waiting for a loving home!   

And the mug may inspire further acquisitions! 

-Pat

wanted something portable and analog.

and the 2336 always looked really cute to me.   but it is one of those montague and capulet things.  we "bill and dave" folk should not be tempted by a pretty face if it belongs to a sworn enemy.

I'm agnostic in that regard - it just has to be good stuff.  And they're like Lay's potato chips - you can't just have one.  (Or maybe roaches - for every one you see, there are ten more in hiding)


(the 7ks on the boxes roughly in the center and the 5k at top center were rescued from their appointed fate as dumpster fodder after recent swap meets.  Some of them are kinda rough, but deserved a better fate than that.)

-Pat

[nixiefreqq]

Another of the transparent cobalt blue Tek mugs has appeared on the bay, though be forewarned the seller wants crazy $$ for it.  Figure I'll put it out here just the same.  NAWTS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294337808614?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180105095853%26meid%3Dc5b98641e34c4a08ab40f500d8d4cdd9%26pid%3D100903%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D294337808614%26itm%3D294337808614%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2510209%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2510209.c100903.m5276

-Pat

just bought my very first piece of tek TE.   and it only cost me 51 cents more than the guy is asking for that mug. 

maybe it would have been best to skip the possibly distressed scope and buy the mug instead?

LOL - you could always put in an offer on the mug.  Can't recall what I paid for mine, but it was a lot less than that - maybe $25-ish shipped?  That said, they do seem to be pretty rare, as in this is only the third one I've seen come up in the search since starting it in May.

-Pat

Edit to add - freqq, don't keep us in suspense - what is your first hit of teal?

do not even have a tracking number yet on my new acquisition.  feel unqualified to own a mug.


geeeeeeeze.  did i actually buy a tek scope?  upon arrival will have to unbox it in the basement so no one sees my shame.  might have to go take a shower now.

Oh stop!    All major gear is welcome in my world - HP, Tek, Fluke, GenRad, Dana, Data Precision, R&S, Electro Instruments...  Broaden your horizons - there's a cornucopia of excellent gear out there waiting for a loving home!   

And the mug may inspire further acquisitions! 

-Pat

wanted something portable and analog.

and the 2336 always looked really cute to me.   but it is one of those montague and capulet things.  we "bill and dave" folk should not be tempted by a pretty face if it belongs to a sworn enemy.

I'm agnostic in that regard - it just has to be good stuff.  And they're like Lay's potato chips - you can't just have one.  (Or maybe roaches - for every one you see, there are ten more in hiding)


(the 7ks on the boxes roughly in the center and the 5k at top center were rescued from their appointed fate as dumpster fodder after recent swap meets.  Some of them are kinda rough, but deserved a better fate than that.)

-Pat

now just hold on a second.  do not see a 2336 in there ANYWHERE.

are you saying that i finally will have something that you do not have? 

this can not be happening!  hold me......i'm scared.

[Vince]

Is that a 575 curve tracer I see in the background on the left ?! 

Does it work or still in the repair/restore queue ?!

[Cubdriver]

now just hold on a second.  do not see a 2336 in there ANYWHERE.

are you saying that i finally will have something that you do not have? 

this can not be happening!  hold me......i'm scared.

LOL - nope, no 2336 in my stable.  You must post pics when it arrives!

-Pat

[khs]

Anybody here from Germany with a much faster scope than my 100MHz RTB2004 which likes to test my crude Jim Williams pulse gen.?   

Either TDS684 (500MHz 2Gs/s) or Tek DPO7354 (2.5/3.5GHz 40Gs/s)

Take care not to ruin the 50 Ohm GHz inputs. The signal has 20V pp!!...

[Cubdriver]

Is that a 575 curve tracer I see in the background on the left ?! 

Does it work or still in the repair/restore queue ?!

Good eye, Vince.  Yes, it's 575, and is in the repair/restore queue.  I know for sure that the base step selector switch is mechanically stuck in the 'repetitive' position, and have not yet powered it up to learn what other evils may lurk therein.  One of these years...

-Pat