Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[cyclin_al]

Photos and story of the septic incident coming soon.  I thought I was slowly catching up on things, then the 3rd jab knocked me back down.  Much worse than the previous jabs.

In the meantime, I need some home networking for the growing number of devices.
It is time to go shopping for a switch.  24 ports should do it 
Gigabit will be fine for now and some time, although one device is capable of 2.5Gbps.
Something managed is desired, so I can put the employers' stuff separate on a VLAN, plus a VLAN for the electronics lab.
Not sure what else to be aware of or look out for... I figure GPIB will eventually figure into all this eventually.
Looking for general or specific comments about the options.

There are only a few local options for used switches:

Cisco WS-C2960G-TC-L V03 for $75.  Too good to be true; might be a good candidate?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-2960g-24-port-gigabit-switch-several-available/1599508675

Cisco 3750x 24 ports for $150.  Not much info; worth asking more about it?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-3750x-24-ports-gigabits-switch/1592307609

Cisco SG200-26 for $220.  It looks like it will do nicely, but is on the expensive side..
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-sg200-26-26-port-gigabit-network-smart-switch-rackmount/1592644953

Cisco 2960G 48-port for $120.  Too good to be true; more than what I need?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-2960g-48-port-gigabit-switch-several-available/1599508867

HP 1820-24G Switch , J9980A for $250.  Probably too expensive, so unlikely.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/hp-1820-24g-switch-j9980a/1601108304

D Link DGS-1216T for $80 CAD.  Not to my spec, but it is cheap.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/d-link-16-port-gigabit-switch/1597309176

TP-Link TL-SG3216 for $145.  Again, not to my spec, but could work temporarily.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/gatineau/tp-link-tl-sg3216-managed-16-port-gigabit-l2-managed-switch/1603546507

[xrunner]

My bnc dust cap supply went dry.

But I found these ones on thingverse:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1778219

Just printed a bunch of them.

Oh no ... I checked the model and they do twist on. Now I know what I'll be printing today in appropriate colors. 

First batch - chose a bronze color for this pair. Shrunk the model a bit for a better fit (-4%).

[TERRA Operative]

@vince
i am a bit late, so catching up.. i am an owner 2be for an TDS744A, it seems easy to hack to TDS784A... (for yours is maybe the same)  but.
if you need calibrating and want to use the original software, you need:

1. NI 8bit ISA or 7210 compatible ISA
 - https://www.ebay.nl/itm/283506706141 (i think)
2. bloody old pc p1 or p2 or below with ISA running DOS, 95 or 98 (the one you prob. trew away years ago, and its now called vintage gameing...so not cheap)
3. DC voltage calibrate will work with powersupply and a proper DMM
3. RF calibratiopn need 505 MHz and +17 dBm .. so you prob need a expensive generator or use an RF-amp behind an other generator (the marconi in my case)

So if you are not good with UNIX and or DOS emulators and tranlation-drivers-stuff to map adresses from PCI/USB to ISA vs-vs (like me),
you need a bunch of old stuff to get it working over GPIB with original Field Alignment Software from Tektronix (FAS)
then a USB-GPIB or PCI-GPIB won't work.

IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECT - from what i have read so-far.
just that you know before you start buying stuff and wast good money on GPIB stuff that then won't work.
cheers mate!

ps. there is an serial console kit for around 20 dollars from an Italian member from here, you find it on ebay.. if it is only for enabling the options.
 - then you just hyperterminal yourself with this and no GPIB is needed. (when having this in place you need to have the PC switched on and connected, for the scope to boot, i have been told)

https://www.ebay.nl/itm/325015924779

[edit1,2,3,4] bunch of typo's as usual

To run the Tek adjustment software, you specifically need an NI GPIB-PCII/IIA card running in a pure DOS environment, no DOSBox or virtual machines.
I managed to pick up a GPIB card from Israel on Ebay but have yet to get around to actually getting it working in my old PC.

There is a project on the forums somewhere where they were reverse engineering the adjustment software to make it work with more GPIB cards, but I haven't followed it closely.

To enable options and dump/update firmware, I just use the normal Agilent USB-GPIB adapter (ebay version) with the 'Keysight Connection Expert' software and it works perfectly.

Do they salt the roads over there? If so you're better off running the stock ones anyway, doesn't really matter if they get a bit corroded. Although it is a pita when the beading corrodes, leaving you with a permanent slow "puncture".

Not in Tokyo/Chiba, though we only get a day or two of actual snow. But as they say, happy wife, happy life, so if she says winter tyres, I put winter tyres....

I think it's working because it goes through what appears to be the normal boot sequence when turned on - lamp test on initial power up, assorted drive noises and relay clicks, then into what looks to be the last state it was left in - channel 1 active, trigger ready, and is responsive if I select the other channels - the indicator lights change as I'd expect.  You just prompted me to move it a bit and look - it does in fact have a VGA output on the back.  I'll excavate it later and dig out my old LCD monitor and plug it in to check things out.  In the back of my head I suspected it might have a monitor output on it, but hadn't been inclined to check because of how it's stacked.  Thanks for the nudge to do so, Tony.

Pull the case off and boot the scope and take a look at the 7-seg display on the top board. Under normal operation it should have two segments alternately flashing.
If it stops on a number, let us know what it is and we can narrow down what might be wrong.
I know from experience a hang on number 8 means your NVRAM is toast due to low battery or other corruption, for example.

[Cerebus]

Reminder to self, buy some proper engineering blue.



I'm just beating a hammond box into shape to make all the holes to fit the assorted bits that have to go on it (mains filter, voltage selector, switch, fuse holders, and some 4mm sockets) and I discover that not only do I not have a 12mm drill bit that the 4mm sockets need, but I also don't have the 12.7mm drill bit that the fuse holders need. Bah!

I could swear I found both when I tidied up all the tooling last year and finally put it all in a nice big tool chest. Ha! Oh well, as everything is now actually organised I know I must have been dreaming but it's still a pain to have had to order them and maybe get them by Friday if I'm lucky.

[TERRA Operative]

That's the problem with cleaning up and sorting out your gear, you can never find anything afterwards!

[Neomys Sapiens]

Gleich riecht er!

Legendäre flachheit! 

Someone HAD to say it!

[Neomys Sapiens]

That's the problem with cleaning up and sorting out your gear, you can never find anything afterwards!

Add a SO being 'helpful' to that and it will take you years to recover!

[Neomys Sapiens]

Reminder to self, buy some proper engineering blue.



I'm just beating a hammond box into shape to make all the holes to fit the assorted bits that have to go on it (mains filter, voltage selector, switch, fuse holders, and some 4mm sockets) and I discover that not only do I not have a 12mm drill bit that the 4mm sockets need, but I also don't have the 12.7mm drill bit that the fuse holders need. Bah!

I could swear I found both when I tidied up all the tooling last year and finally put it all in a nice big tool chest. Ha! Oh well, as everything is now actually organised I know I must have been dreaming but it's still a pain to have had to order them and maybe get them by Friday if I'm lucky.

First safeguards against those mixups of dreams and actually performed work: do you really own that toolbox? (or the approbiate number). What else did you put there? What else needs holes of that size, so that you see if you really had them..

[Brumby]

So having a R&S FSH3 now I had  look and there is  software option key generaator "out there"
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/enabling-options-for-rs-test-equipment/275/
I'm not a Linu person and pretty much stopped playing with the inner workings of PCs at Win XP. Howerver I had a linux box (CentOS, not ideal) and managed to install enough bits to compile/build/make? it.
The .EXE seems to run but flashes up a window and closes it so fas ou cn't see anything. Tried various tricks and a couple of PC's. Also had a pre-complied (PC) version soneone sent me but it seems to have been compiled in a NI envirnment so I had to install a NI DLL. It does exactly the same thing. I've tried a comman window, Com /k, a batch file with pause, all the usual stuff. Anyone got any ideas?
The code is here https://github.com/rdelien/fsxx_keygen
I'm about ready to throw a PC at something 

Top tip for the "flashing message too fast" issue:   Stab the "Print Screen" key at exactly the right time (while message is flashing).  Then you open Paint, do a Paste, and read the message at leisure.

If that doesn't work, pull out your smartphone and take a video of the screen while the message flashes up.  Then replay and pause to read the message.  Just be mindful of focus issues (which I have to deal with using my phone).

[Zucca]

Cisco WS-C2960G-TC-L V03 for $75.  Too good to be true; might be a good candidate?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-2960g-24-port-gigabit-switch-several-available/1599508675

Cisco 3750x 24 ports for $150.  Not much info; worth asking more about it?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-3750x-24-ports-gigabits-switch/1592307609

Cisco SG200-26 for $220.  It looks like it will do nicely, but is on the expensive side..
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-sg200-26-26-port-gigabit-network-smart-switch-rackmount/1592644953

Cisco 2960G 48-port for $120.  Too good to be true; more than what I need?
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/cisco-2960g-48-port-gigabit-switch-several-available/1599508867

HP 1820-24G Switch , J9980A for $250.  Probably too expensive, so unlikely.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/hp-1820-24g-switch-j9980a/1601108304

D Link DGS-1216T for $80 CAD.  Not to my spec, but it is cheap.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/ottawa/d-link-16-port-gigabit-switch/1597309176

TP-Link TL-SG3216 for $145.  Again, not to my spec, but could work temporarily.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-networking/gatineau/tp-link-tl-sg3216-managed-16-port-gigabit-l2-managed-switch/1603546507

Beware some server room switches are loud as fuuuuuu
Very nice quality but I would not keep them at home, unless they are located in strategic positions.

[Cubdriver]

I think it's working because it goes through what appears to be the normal boot sequence when turned on - lamp test on initial power up, assorted drive noises and relay clicks, then into what looks to be the last state it was left in - channel 1 active, trigger ready, and is responsive if I select the other channels - the indicator lights change as I'd expect.  You just prompted me to move it a bit and look - it does in fact have a VGA output on the back.  I'll excavate it later and dig out my old LCD monitor and plug it in to check things out.  In the back of my head I suspected it might have a monitor output on it, but hadn't been inclined to check because of how it's stacked.  Thanks for the nudge to do so, Tony.

Pull the case off and boot the scope and take a look at the 7-seg display on the top board. Under normal operation it should have two segments alternately flashing.
If it stops on a number, let us know what it is and we can narrow down what might be wrong.
I know from experience a hang on number 8 means your NVRAM is toast due to low battery or other corruption, for example.

Houston, it appears we have a display problem.


Took a half hour to find a damned VGA cable.  Of course I had shitcanned a pair of them two weeks ago because I was tired of tripping over the damned things.   Looks like I'll need to dig into the display.

-Pat

[25 CPS]

On the matter of the Keithley 2400:
German Justice is cheap - for the foreign perps.
They closed the enquiry because THEY JUST DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE ASSHOLE WHICH RIPPED ME OFF is currently located. I will ask for the complete file now via my attorney. We are talking about somewhere in south-eastern Europe.
Then I will have at least nationality, date and place of birth. Then any entertaining rogues from the region are cordially invited to apply.
If I can't have my Sourcemeter, I'll have at least a large photoprint of an asshole in intensive care!

in a similar case ( not rip off, but severe bodily harm) the da told me that they did not investigate thebperp because his personality rights were to be rated higher than my rights as a victim.

German justice ? forget it.

Stories like this make me seethe.

I'm really sorry you went through that and then had your rights traded away by the law enforcement people that should have been protecting you.  Canadian justice is much the same in that you're on your own but criminals have rights.  I remember you wrote about being in Burlington and getting nowhere with the police after your car was broken into so I guess you've had your own encounter with the Canadian version of it.  The first time I ran into it was 9 years ago when I was looking at houses and I wanted to be certain, absolutely certain, that I was not about to buy a place near this rotten former youth softball coach who might have still had some ties to the area I was looking in.  Canada has a sex offender registry and he has to keep his address up to date on it so my first thought was to check there, and that's when I found out that only law enforcement has access to it.  The next thought I had was to ask a cop and that's when the idea came to mind to go ask the person at the desk at the local police station, so I worked up the courage to do it, went over, explained the situation and the background on it, said I don't need or want an address, just tell me if he's nowhere nearby and I should be fine to put an offer in on the house I wanted or if I should drop the idea and start looking somewhere else.  They shut the idea down and wouldn't do it because Mr. Youth Softball Coach has rights under Canada's Privacy Act.  I walked out of the police station completely stunned when I heard that.  He has a right to privacy.  I still have trouble comprehending that.

Canadian justice isn't any better.

[TERRA Operative]

I think it's working because it goes through what appears to be the normal boot sequence when turned on - lamp test on initial power up, assorted drive noises and relay clicks, then into what looks to be the last state it was left in - channel 1 active, trigger ready, and is responsive if I select the other channels - the indicator lights change as I'd expect.  You just prompted me to move it a bit and look - it does in fact have a VGA output on the back.  I'll excavate it later and dig out my old LCD monitor and plug it in to check things out.  In the back of my head I suspected it might have a monitor output on it, but hadn't been inclined to check because of how it's stacked.  Thanks for the nudge to do so, Tony.

Pull the case off and boot the scope and take a look at the 7-seg display on the top board. Under normal operation it should have two segments alternately flashing.
If it stops on a number, let us know what it is and we can narrow down what might be wrong.
I know from experience a hang on number 8 means your NVRAM is toast due to low battery or other corruption, for example.

Houston, it appears we have a display problem.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Electronics/Misc-test-equipment/i-HHbDRMj/0/de64a577/XL/IMG_7486-XL.jpg

Took a half hour to find a damned VGA cable.  Of course I had shitcanned a pair of them two weeks ago because I was tired of tripping over the damned things.   Looks like I'll need to dig into the display.

-Pat

If you need a new display board, I have two spare.
I can take measurements from one of my working scopes too, for you to compare on your board if you like. Just tell me what to poke at.

There is a known problem with the HV transformers getting old, cracking and failing, so check closely for cracks and evidence of corona discharge or arcing.

I wouldn't be adverse to pulling a flyback transformer from one of my boards if you end up needing it (although postage would probably be not too much more to just send a whole board)

Also, while you are in there, replace any Rifas in the PSU, along with C17 (47uF, 80V) to ensure a long life.

[Robert763]

So having a R&S FSH3 now I had  look and there is  software option key generaator "out there"
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/enabling-options-for-rs-test-equipment/275/
I'm not a Linu person and pretty much stopped playing with the inner workings of PCs at Win XP. Howerver I had a linux box (CentOS, not ideal) and managed to install enough bits to compile/build/make? it.
The .EXE seems to run but flashes up a window and closes it so fas ou cn't see anything.

<snip>

  Anyone got any ideas?

I just built it on Linux:

Code: [Select]

treize$ git clone [url]https://github.com/rdelien/fsxx_keygen[/url]
Klonar till "fsxx_keygen"...
remote: Enumerating objects: 75, done.
remote: Counting objects: 100% (75/75), done.
remote: Compressing objects: 100% (41/41), done.
remote: Total 75 (delta 41), reused 60 (delta 32), pack-reused 0
Tar emot objekt: 100% (75/75), 26,09 KiB | 2,90 MiB/s, klart.
Analyserar delta: 100% (41/41), klart.
treize$
<here I swapped computers who share that file system, cause I hadn't "git" installed on the one I wanted to build on>
yaya$ cd fsxx_keygen/
yaya$ make
yaya$ cd x86_64-linux-gnu/
yaya$ ./keygen -h
yaya$ ./keygen -s 123456/789
Raw keys for instrument with serial number 123456/789 are:
000: 4074151143
001: 3414471008
002: 3623880895
003: 2828872172
004: 1090639528
005: 0505390378
006: 2768494813
007: 1307454390
008: 1066419116
....

You must run it with the serial number as argument; and it will simply calculate the codes for all options for that serial number, and print them out.  You're then supposed to pick the option you want, and use that code in a suitable (service?) menu on the instrument in question.

And, the important part is that it should be run in a terminal. Not by double-clicking the file in some sort of GUI. That's not going to work.

Thanks a lot for that. I had bulit it on the linux box on Monday night and it didn't work. Struggled with a pre built version on a windoze of 3 versions (in command line). Even tried compiling on a PC.  Following your message I went back to the linux box and ran make again. It worked  . That version didn't have the filters for the FSH3 so spat out 200 codes. So far I've found 6 that work.
So I now have:
Recever mode
Scalar analysis
Vector analysis
Vector Voltmeter
Vector Calibration
Remote control
Distance to Fault (on 40 day demo)
I didn't even know it had vector modes available 

[Cubdriver]

Houston, it appears we have a display problem.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Electronics/Misc-test-equipment/i-HHbDRMj/0/de64a577/XL/IMG_7486-XL.jpg

Took a half hour to find a damned VGA cable.  Of course I had shitcanned a pair of them two weeks ago because I was tired of tripping over the damned things.   Looks like I'll need to dig into the display.

-Pat

If you need a new display board, I have two spare.
I can take measurements from one of my working scopes too, for you to compare on your board if you like. Just tell me what to poke at.

There is a known problem with the HV transformers getting old, cracking and failing, so check closely for cracks and evidence of corona discharge or arcing.

I wouldn't be adverse to pulling a flyback transformer from one of my boards if you end up needing it (although postage would probably be not too much more to just send a whole board)

Also, while you are in there, replace any Rifas in the PSU, along with C17 (47uF, 80V) to ensure a long life.

Thanks for the tips and being a potential source of spares.  I'm not sure if it made any sort of noise when it failed; I had it monitoring a power supply that I was testing, and unless it failed loudly any final words it may have had would have been lost in the fan noise from the loads - turned around at some point and noticed the screen was dark.  Not sure when I'll get to it, but hope to get some free time in the next week or so, but now have the 547 occupying the bench so I want to poke at it first.

-Pat

[Robert763]

David

Nice!!

Very cool machine..
i have been told, you need to have the ALC switched on to be more accurate...

It's not far out, the 1200MHz is read directly off the 5254A frequency convertor dial & the display on the 5245L added to it, giving a total of 1221.55MHz, spec of the 8614A is +/- 5MHz. 

David

Hmm,
ALC does not make any difference to frequency. It's Automatic Level Control......

[tonyalbus]

David

Nice!!

Very cool machine..
i have been told, you need to have the ALC switched on to be more accurate...

It's not far out, the 1200MHz is read directly off the 5254A frequency convertor dial & the display on the 5245L added to it, giving a total of 1221.55MHz, spec of the 8614A is +/- 5MHz. 

David

Hmm,
ALC does not make any difference to frequency. It's Automatic Level Control......

Correct. the weels on the right-side show attanuation, which is usualy not correct if ALC is not switched on. i have been told.

[McBryce]

As I've just finished re-building my 3D Printer I thought I'd try the BNC cover as it's a quick model to test the functions. Made a yellow one, because yellow just happened to be loaded. They fit really well, loose enough not to need force, but still hold well.

McBryce.

[tonyalbus]

As I've just finished re-building my 3D Printer I thought I'd try the BNC cover as it's a quick model to test the functions. Made a yellow one, because yellow just happened to be loaded. They fit really well, loose enough not to need force, but still hold well.

McBryce.

very nice!

[Peter_O]

As I've just finished re-building my 3D Printer I thought I'd try the BNC cover as it's a quick model to test the functions. Made a yellow one, because yellow just happened to be loaded. They fit really well, loose enough not to need force, but still hold well.

McBryce.

very nice!

I'm tempted to buy filament of the 4 channel standard colors.   

Found a rest of purple red to kind of match the 5335 appearance.

[McBryce]

As I've just finished re-building my 3D Printer I thought I'd try the BNC cover as it's a quick model to test the functions. Made a yellow one, because yellow just happened to be loaded. They fit really well, loose enough not to need force, but still hold well.

McBryce.

very nice!

I'm tempted to buy filament of the 4 channel standard colors.   

I just happened to have this exact yellow because I printed the Angry Birds figures for my son and "Chuck" is this exact colour.

McBryce.

[1Ghz]

Finally I've repaired Systron-Donner 1618 microwave synthesizer frequency unlock issue. 
Without service manual, I thought it was almost impossible to repair it.
But it was not!
After a lots of trial and error,  I found out that one of the 7000uF filter capacitors on the power supply was the culprit.
I removed it and I put seven 1000uF capacitors in parallel. But why parallel? Because I don't have a 7000uF capacitor right now. 
After replacement, it almost works!  But still unlocked in some frequency range. 
I'll investigate later.

[Ice-Tea]

An impulse buy from a few weeks ago arrived today. 



HP 8052A impulse sound level meter, still need to find appropriate microphone(s) to use with it & the 8050A, 8058A, some have been converted to use more modern mics by the previous owners, but the 8052A looks untouched inside, as far as I can tell from the quick check inside earlier.


Very neat traces underneath. 


Looks like the resident spider was busy in here. 


Also need to relabel the IMP button.


David

That's one I've never seen before - cool piece of kit!

-Pat

Look for corrosion on the pads of the rotary...

[Peter_O]

Just receieved this little blue guy, a HP3310A Function Generator.



Thought I need at least on of those classic rotational dial function generators. And luckily the 3310 is a small one. 

All functions seem to be in good working condition, except two little flaws:

1) The output level potentiometer seems to have kind of contact problems. It is moving extremely smoothly, but a little vibrancy brings the output signal down.
What's the best approach to address this?

2) The driving wheel of the vernier is missing. Any idea how to fix this? The shaft is pushed towards the front by a dampened spring, so I think some kind of konical wheel is needed with some rubber on it for traction. I might need to print something, but I think I'n definitely not the first one coming to that question.

Of course this sticky little friend needs some cleaning too.  :-)

[Robert763]

Reminder to self, buy some proper engineering blue.



I'm just beating a hammond box into shape to make all the holes to fit the assorted bits that have to go on it (mains filter, voltage selector, switch, fuse holders, and some 4mm sockets) and I discover that not only do I not have a 12mm drill bit that the 4mm sockets need, but I also don't have the 12.7mm drill bit that the fuse holders need. Bah!

I could swear I found both when I tidied up all the tooling last year and finally put it all in a nice big tool chest. Ha! Oh well, as everything is now actually organised I know I must have been dreaming but it's still a pain to have had to order them and maybe get them by Friday if I'm lucky.

Stepdrills are much better than standard twist drills for diecast boxes and thin sheet materials. 12.7mm is of course 1/2 inch.....