Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Specmaster]

Discord, I might be there tonight, it all depends on my progress here rebuilding all of programs and data on the PC after I somehow or other, managed to wipe my boot drive while trying to rescue some micro SD cards that had errors on them  At least I did remember that it was Saturday today, thats the problem once you retire, each day is much the same as any other day in as much as I can do whatever I want, when I want, but the down side is that its easy to forget what bleeding day it is. 

Anyway, does anyone know of a good program (free if possible) that will solve my SD card issues? I have taken a card out of an old dash cam and another from an old compact camera in order to wipe them clean and use them to extend the storeage space in my Android phone. It has 64Gb built-in memory but I'd like to add another 32 or 64Gb of storage to move the seldom used apps onto, to free up more of the faster ram for data.

Each time I try to format the cards, they go through the process of formatting and when completed, the old files are still there 

[factory]

Dave has a D'oh! moment... guess he shoulda done the daveCAD before he pulled a " 'ere, 'old me Foster's an'n watch this!"

mnem
 

Yep, saw that one the other day, just goes to show we all have our days when Murphy gets yeh 

Nope haven't done that before..... cough cough ..... Compaq server PSU ..... cough cough.   
It had a pair of slightly cooked resistors and I didn't bother moving the Beckman 350 to a higher range, I got a nice blue flash out of it though. 

David

[Brumby]

Yeah....   I'm admitting nothing on this subject.   

[med6753]

The 212 mini is done. Tants replaced and all controls deoxit'ed. I did a quick check of major calibration points and they are acceptable as is. I was warned that getting the case back together would be a nightmare. They weren't kidding. An hour and a half later it's back together.  I hope to never have to take it apart again.

But as a whole was a fun little project. Next is to rip back into the Type 547. The intermittent sweep issue has reared it's ugly head again.

[Neper]

Nice works and KUDOS, but you might have taken the opportunity to de-burr the frame around the screen. Still looks like something from the Soviet Union.

[med6753]

Nice works and KUDOS, but you might have taken the opportunity to de-burr the frame around the screen. Still looks like something from the Soviet Union.

It's an ugly duckling even de-burred and will remain as is. And yes, agreed. Tek took styling queues from the Russians.   

[ch_scr]

Back from the ham, electronics and broadcast rummage sale. 60€ lighter - the stuff below heavier 

Different mixers, two HP MMIC, an Motorola MWA-230 MMIC, a 10khz wide 10.7MHz crystal filter, a mystery hungarian "modulator", three TRACO 18V to +-12V switcher modules, various SMA bits and bobs, 5 to 18pF trim capacitors, an RAM upgrade for my scope (got 2 sticks for safety), and the glass tube thingys are (hopefully very high Q) ~70kHz crystal resonators.

Edit:
Curiosity got the better of me - had to know what is inside the "Modulator". 
Also, I am now sad that I did not buy another one to keep in it's original vintage glory 
Originally figured it might be an AM modulator thingy - but it turn's out it's also a DBM...
like I haven't bought enough of them already today 

Beautiful construction, do these look like HP diodes to you?!?

[mnementh]

Discord, I might be there tonight, it all depends on my progress here rebuilding all of programs and data on the PC after I somehow or other, managed to wipe my boot drive while trying to rescue some micro SD cards that had errors on them  At least I did remember that it was Saturday today, thats the problem once you retire, each day is much the same as any other day in as much as I can do whatever I want, when I want, but the down side is that its easy to forget what bleeding day it is. 

Anyway, does anyone know of a good program (free if possible) that will solve my SD card issues? I have taken a card out of an old dash cam and another from an old compact camera in order to wipe them clean and use them to extend the storeage space in my Android phone. It has 64Gb built-in memory but I'd like to add another 32 or 64Gb of storage to move the seldom used apps onto, to free up more of the faster ram for data.

Each time I try to format the cards, they go through the process of formatting and when completed, the old files are still there 

And you didn't just let the phone format the cards because...?

However... a more useful answer to your question would be:   https://www.osforensics.com/tools/write-usb-images.html

Use the "zero drive" option, just as if the SD card had previously been euckered by a MemTest86 install. See process here: https://superuser.com/questions/547602/remove-memtest-from-usb

As always; use extra care with forensic instruments like this! It will Nuke & Pave whatever storage device you point it at, so be double-damned sure... triple-damned sure even... that you point it at the right one!

mnem
Good hunting!

[25 CPS]

Alright, I just woke up from 10 hours of sleep, it's raining and the forecast calling for that to continue the rest of the day has scrapped plans for continuing the fall cleanup in the back yard and a barbecue with one of my friends.

Plan B is to get cleaned up and go out for breakfast because I'm starving and I don't feel like cooking, hit the post office, do the food shopping and then head back home.  What would be a good use of a crummy, rainy October day off on the Thanksgiving long weekend?  Head downstairs to the shop and get to work on some of the test equipment that's been waiting for attention for far too long.  If everything goes to plan, I should be posting pictures later.

[Andrew_Debbie]

Back to the Dana 5100 DMM. 

CD4016 switches U3C and U3D were both open circuit dead.  Another one was suspect.   Replacing all the 4016s fixed the switches but not the meter.

Then I went to America, caught covid and the 5100 sat for a month.   Today I was back to systematic troubleshooting.    AR5 output is a flat line despite the input now doing something that that should result in an output pulse.

The TO-99  package LM311H is still in active production.  Surprised.   TI has stock, but NOS from Silicon Arc was less expensive.   I've found far to much dead silicon to be sure replacing the comparator will get the meter working but we can hope.   

[med6753]

I thought this was interesting for size comparison. Tek first "portable" all transistor battery operated scope vs the 212.

[jxjbsd]

Replace a tantalum capacitor, complete the repair, a beautiful machine.  Includes a probe.

[Neper]

I thought this was interesting for size comparison. Tek first "portable" all transistor battery operated scope vs the 212.

It definitely has a charm of its own - burrs and all. But what are the two metal things below the screen frame?

[Specmaster]

Discord, I might be there tonight, it all depends on my progress here rebuilding all of programs and data on the PC after I somehow or other, managed to wipe my boot drive while trying to rescue some micro SD cards that had errors on them  At least I did remember that it was Saturday today, thats the problem once you retire, each day is much the same as any other day in as much as I can do whatever I want, when I want, but the down side is that its easy to forget what bleeding day it is. 

Anyway, does anyone know of a good program (free if possible) that will solve my SD card issues? I have taken a card out of an old dash cam and another from an old compact camera in order to wipe them clean and use them to extend the storeage space in my Android phone. It has 64Gb built-in memory but I'd like to add another 32 or 64Gb of storage to move the seldom used apps onto, to free up more of the faster ram for data.

Each time I try to format the cards, they go through the process of formatting and when completed, the old files are still there 

And you didn't just let the phone format the cards because...?

However... a more useful answer to your question would be:   https://www.osforensics.com/tools/write-usb-images.html

Use the "zero drive" option, just as if the SD card had previously been euckered by a MemTest86 install. See process here: https://superuser.com/questions/547602/remove-memtest-from-usb

As always; use extra care with forensic instruments like this! It will Nuke & Pave whatever storage device you point it at, so be double-damned sure... triple-damned sure even... that you point it at the right one!

mnem
Good hunting!

Thanks, this looks as if its doing the job, but then again, I've there before  I did the wipe/format on the PC because thats how I have done it before. Both cards were supposed to be readable etc on a PC as they came from a camera and a dashcam, saving standard .jpg and .mov files and it has always worked OK before. If I put the cards in the phone, the phone sees them and can read them but cannot write to the cards as they are full from their previous devices. I'm about 45% of the way through zeroing a 32Gb card so will know for sure if it works OK soon.

Edit.

Nope, didn't work, it went all the way through the process as if it was working, but all the files are still there. Next I tried to delete them, again gave the impression it was working, gave the normal all done message, but the files are still there.

[TERRA Operative]

Here's a question.
This thing worth it for the price? Tek 287 pulse gen for about US$90 all up, no power cord.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u1011113035

The 212 mini is done. Tants replaced and all controls deoxit'ed. I did a quick check of major calibration points and they are acceptable as is. I was warned that getting the case back together would be a nightmare. They weren't kidding. An hour and a half later it's back together.  I hope to never have to take it apart again.

But as a whole was a fun little project. Next is to rip back into the Type 547. The intermittent sweep issue has reared it's ugly head again.

https://imageshack.com/i/pmZCrATKj
https://imageshack.com/i/pnZt1hIej

Did you do the rectifier replacement service upgrade?
I show it in the video I made of mine in my youtube channel.

I'm sure I have some spare PCB's I could send your way if you want to open the thing up again.

[med6753]

I thought this was interesting for size comparison. Tek first "portable" all transistor battery operated scope vs the 212.

It definitely has a charm of its own - burrs and all. But what are the two metal things below the screen frame?

I think they were the attach points for a strap which I don't have.

[med6753]

Here's a question.
This thing worth it for the price? Tek 287 pulse gen for about US$90 all up, no power cord.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u1011113035

The 212 mini is done. Tants replaced and all controls deoxit'ed. I did a quick check of major calibration points and they are acceptable as is. I was warned that getting the case back together would be a nightmare. They weren't kidding. An hour and a half later it's back together.  I hope to never have to take it apart again.

But as a whole was a fun little project. Next is to rip back into the Type 547. The intermittent sweep issue has reared it's ugly head again.

https://imageshack.com/i/pmZCrATKj
https://imageshack.com/i/pnZt1hIej

Did you do the rectifier replacement service upgrade?
I show it in the video I made of mine in my youtube channel.

I'm sure I have some spare PCB's I could send your way if you want to open the thing up again.

No, I forgot all about the rectifier upgrade. Oh well. 

I'm not opening again unless it craps out. 

[Kosmic]

Here's a question.
This thing worth it for the price? Tek 287 pulse gen for about US$90 all up, no power cord.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u1011113035

A bit expensive I think. The only interesting feature is the 70ps Pulse. The rest is standard now these days. And you need to find some adapters for those horrid Genrad connectors.

[mnementh]

However... a more useful answer to your question would be:   https://www.osforensics.com/tools/write-usb-images.html

Use the "zero drive" option, just as if the SD card had previously been euckered by a MemTest86 install. See process here: https://superuser.com/questions/547602/remove-memtest-from-usb

As always; use extra care with forensic instruments like this! It will Nuke & Pave whatever storage device you point it at, so be double-damned sure... triple-damned sure even... that you point it at the right one!

mnem
Good hunting!

Thanks, this looks as if its doing the job, but then again, I've there before  I did the wipe/format on the PC because thats how I have done it before. Both cards were supposed to be readable etc on a PC as they came from a camera and a dashcam, saving standard .jpg and .mov files and it has always worked OK before. If I put the cards in the phone, the phone sees them and can read them but cannot write to the cards as they are full from their previous devices. I'm about 45% of the way through zeroing a 32Gb card so will know for sure if it works OK soon.

Edit.

Nope, didn't work, it went all the way through the process as if it was working, but all the files are still there. Next I tried to delete them, again gave the impression it was working, gave the normal all done message, but the files are still there.

I'd then be concerned aboot the USB port or the card reader you're using. Do you have another PC to try the nuke/pave on...?

Alternately, could be a permissions/ownership thing with Windoze. 

mnem
 

[mnementh]

Here's a question.
This thing worth it for the price? Tek 287 pulse gen for about US$90 all up, no power cord.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u1011113035

A bit expensive I think. The only interesting feature is the 70ps Pulse. The rest is standard now these days. And you need to find some adapters for those horrid Genrad connectors.

Huh... I was thinking yes, as a period piece and for the immaculate condition; 90% of the restoration work is already done. Plus, it appears to even have the bails/feet and not cracked out into little crumbly horrors.

mnem
 

[TERRA Operative]

I already have a GR to female BNC adapter looking for a purpose in its retirement years, so I'm sorted there...

[tautech]

Spec
Quick Format vs Full Format ?

[factory]

Here's a question.
This thing worth it for the price? Tek 287 284 pulse gen for about US$90 all up, no power cord.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u1011113035

A bit expensive I think. The only interesting feature is the 70ps Pulse. The rest is standard now these days. And you need to find some adapters for those horrid Genrad connectors.

Huh... I was thinking yes, as a period piece and for the immaculate condition; 90% of the restoration work is already done. Plus, it appears to even have the bails/feet and not cracked out into little crumbly horrors.

mnem
 

Corrected the model number and yes the price is typical of what people pay over here for crusty poor condition Tek stuff, at least I keep getting outbid on them, last one I attempted to buy was a 109.

Isn't the power cord a regular one, used as an extension lead in the US?

No problem with Genrad connectors here, got a set of adaptors. 


David

[AVGresponding]

Discord is up and full of talk about rat piss, cow slurry, and SMU's. TEA FTW

[factory]

Here is the Tek 109 I failed to buy, it made £97  , quite a bit of corrosion, even the ground pin of the mains inlet is rusty.


If anyone is wondering, "LLL" on the front is the badge of importer Livingston Laboratories Ltd, they supplied both Tek & hp TE.

And someone has finally decided they wanted those cut off Tek probes. 


David