Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[tggzzz]

Looking at a rather large 2 bed apartment with terrace / balcony overlooking the Thames at the moment. Floors are concrete so fine for boat anchors 

Cladding, and the desireability of such?
Exponentially increasing ground rents?
Maintenance cost determined by whom? (E.g. a builder in cahoots with the owner?)

No cladding. Newly built, first floor so getting a roll down ladder. As for rest, renting all fees included for 12-18 months so not my fecking problem 

Ah. Renting make sense for that kind of property - especially if you think the housing market will tank over the next few years.

But then I've been saying I don't see any reason why house prices will continue to rise. Since 2000.

Timing is everything, unfortunately.

[TERRA Operative]

Well Vince, there's only one thing you can do now.


Find another piece of unloved test gear to restore and regale us with epic tales of your journey!

[tggzzz]

That's all for this scope.... I am well pissed.

Well, you know how I made lemonade

[mnementh]

...I find it much more fun (and cheaper ! ) to do it the other way around and try to find meaning in your random number plate ! Like trying to see patterns in clouds in the sky when you are a kid...

For example I had a car with this one :

BL - 389 - MQ

BL = BLanc ("White" in French)
389 = Paint code for "glacier" white on old Renault cars from the mid/late '90s. Cars that I like and have always been  driving, and love that white.

So " BL 389 " was like "Renault 389 White". 

MQ = when you pronounce that, it sounds exactly the same as " Aime Cul ", which means "Loves Sex" 



Another example on the car that replaced it. This one is very much electronics inspired !

BP - 552 - JK

BP = Bouton Poussoir  = French for " Push-Button ".

552 = at school I was taught micro-controllers and assembly language on the Intel 8051 family. In particular the development boards we had were using an (87C) 552 !
Was the top of the range 8051 variant back then, was so cool using it.

JK - Like the two inputs of a JK flip-flop of course !

Hmmm... I currently have one random plate number 000 SHUR, which alt meaning is pretty obvious. A previous plate though, was a little less amusing... DNR 0925.  Or... Do No Resuscitate and the min percentage of silver in Sterling (once upon a time, 0.925 was the standard for coin silver, IIRC) silver.

Make of that what you will... 

mnem
*unscrewing the inscrutable since nineteen mumblety-mumble*

[med6753]

As mentioned vehicle license plates here in the US, except California, stay with the owner, not the vehicle. But every few years NYS DMV gets a bug up their arse and new plates are issued. And yes, you have to get a new one. The old plate you can nail to your garage wall. Is that service free? Surely you jest. 

I don't know why 1973 - 1986 and 1986 - 2000 are shown twice. The base 2001 and 2010 are still valid. My Civic has a 2001 plate and the CR-V has a 2010 plate. There was supposed to be a mass turn-in and issue everyone a 2020 plate but someone with some brains realized it was wasteful and for now all are still valid. But any NEW issue is the 2020 plate. But DMV still wants to re-issue new plates to everyone because as the old plates get worn or damaged automated toll readers can't read them.

[bd139]

Ah. Renting make sense for that kind of property - especially if you think the housing market will tank over the next few years.

But then I've been saying I don't see any reason why house prices will continue to rise. Since 2000.

Timing is everything, unfortunately.

It's only short term due to some logistics things and the slightly latent post divorce financial control order shenanigans.

As for timing, yep. I missed an opportunity to buy a 1 bedroom flat back in the late 90s. However you don't always win. A friend of mine bought a flat in Chingford back in 1998 and despite the growth of value, her salary has been so shit that she had to pay interest only so has basically rented a house which she had to maintain for 24 years. Basically waiting for her parents to snuff it so she can afford to escape it.

[cdev]

I drove all the way across the county once to get a free Harbor Freight DMM because everyone was talking about them. But I had to go there anyway since the cable ties were on sale for $1.99.

We have their stores around here, but Ive never found them so spectacular. The DMM deal is just to get you into the stores. Ive bought a fair amount of stuff from them but nothing really spectacular. Just generic tools. Various saws... A drill.. I'm glad they exist.  If I really need that kind of stuff.

Ebay and living in the US exposes one to opportunities to buy TE. We should figure out a way to utilize this better in education in some way. Any ideas?

[med6753]

Holy throwback Batman. Quoting something from 2017? 

[Cerebus]

Looking at a rather large 2 bed apartment with terrace / balcony overlooking the Thames at the moment. Floors are concrete so fine for boat anchors 



There's only two of us going to be in it (I'll get into that another day  )

With one daughter in residence you're going to have to make the hard choice between taking the big bedroom, with a tight turn to the bathroom, giving the daughter the faster straight run to the bathroom or vice-versa. A smaller bedroom for you with the possibility of occasionally beating her to the bathroom, or the larger bedroom but an almost effective denial of bathroom access for yourself? Decisions, decisions. Alternatively you could take the attitude that Tom Robinson once displayed, completely eschewing the prima donna attitude displayed by many a lesser artiste, when faced with the rather meagre artistes changing room facilities at our university: "OK, I guess that just means that I have to piss in the sink."

[tggzzz]

Ah. Renting make sense for that kind of property - especially if you think the housing market will tank over the next few years.

But then I've been saying I don't see any reason why house prices will continue to rise. Since 2000.

Timing is everything, unfortunately.

It's only short term due to some logistics things and the slightly latent post divorce financial control order shenanigans.

Urgh!

As for timing, yep. I missed an opportunity to buy a 1 bedroom flat back in the late 90s. However you don't always win. A friend of mine bought a flat in Chingford back in 1998 and despite the growth of value, her salary has been so shit that she had to pay interest only so has basically rented a house which she had to maintain for 24 years. Basically waiting for her parents to snuff it so she can afford to escape it.

At least she's had the capital appreciation since then, which she wouldn't have had if she had rented.

My equivalent of your divorce settlement is being executor on my parents' house - which is in need of 300k repairs and which I have accidentally discovered was Grade II listed in 1994! So if I don't repair it I can be locked up.

My mother snuffed it just in time for my daughter!

[tggzzz]

I drove all the way across the county once to get a free Harbor Freight DMM because everyone was talking about them. But I had to go there anyway since the cable ties were on sale for $1.99.

We have their stores around here, but Ive never found them so spectacular. The DMM deal is just to get you into the stores. Ive bought a fair amount of stuff from them but nothing really spectacular. Just generic tools. Various saws... A drill.. I'm glad they exist.  If I really need that kind of stuff.

Ebay and living in the US exposes one to opportunities to buy TE. We should figure out a way to utilize this better in education in some way. Any ideas?

Read this before responding: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/russians-plunder-$5m-farm-vehicles-from-ukraine-to-find-theyve-been-remotel/msg4156643/#msg4156643

Dragons are already sensitised

[Cerebus]

Holy throwback Batman. Quoting something from 2017? 

I think cdev is bored, this isn't the first thread that he's made a hugely retro post in over the last few days.

[tggzzz]

With one daughter in residence you're going to have to make the hard choice between taking the big bedroom, with a tight turn to the bathroom, giving the daughter the faster straight run to the bathroom or vice-versa. A smaller bedroom for you with the possibility of occasionally beating her to the bathroom, or the larger bedroom but an almost effective denial of bathroom access for yourself? Decisions, decisions. Alternatively you could take the attitude that Tom Robinson once displayed, completely eschewing the prima donna attitude displayed by many a lesser artiste, when faced with the rather meagre artistes changing room facilities at our university: "OK, I guess that just means that I have to piss in the sink."

Alternatively, remove the bathroom lock

[tggzzz]

Holy throwback Batman. Quoting something from 2017? 

I think cdev is bored, this isn't the first thread that he's made a hugely retro post in over the last few days.

He's been spanked recently.

So, is he turning over a new leaf, or is he trying to continue in long-running active threads?

[cdev]

Yup, wages for careers that dont need extensive education basically stopped rising in the 90s and may never rise again.  There are reasons this is the case. Deals were made with the intent of lowering wages, all around the world.

Ah. Renting make sense for that kind of property - especially if you think the housing market will tank over the next few years.

But then I've been saying I don't see any reason why house prices will continue to rise. Since 2000.

Timing is everything, unfortunately.

I was able to buy the house I am living in although I was renting at the time, I had a fairly sweet deal, even though the apartment had major issues, it was cheap, compared to what it likely costs now.Some time later it sold as a condo for more than a million dollars. Thats just nuts considering the building's lack of maintenance.
I feel sorry for whomever bought it at that price. It made me sick for years.

It's only short term due to some logistics things and the slightly latent post divorce financial control order shenanigans.

As for timing, yep. I missed an opportunity to buy a 1 bedroom flat back in the late 90s. However you don't always win. A friend of mine bought a flat in Chingford back in 1998 and despite the growth of value, her salary has been so shit that she had to pay interest only so has basically rented a house which she had to maintain for 24 years. Basically waiting for her parents to snuff it so she can afford to escape it.

If they own her flat she should try to buy it from them. Otherwise the government might take it to pay them back for their social services in their final years. They can do it so they may. The lack of financial security is creating a brutal situation for the young, causing many families to put off having children. I sure am glad I dont have any. At least now. The lack of opportunities in many countries is Leaving an entire generation in a bad financial position. I am just trying to behave responsibly, I always eat at home and dont own a car. I save money on energy. Basically because my housing expenses are fairly modest, I spend very little money.

[bd139]

At least she's had the capital appreciation since then, which she wouldn't have had if she had rented.

My equivalent of your divorce settlement is being executor on my parents' house - which is in need of 300k repairs and which I have accidentally discovered was Grade II listed in 1994! So if I don't repair it I can be locked up.

My mother snuffed it just in time for my daughter!

She doesn't unfortunately as she had to borrow against it to fix a hole in the roof about 15 years ago which wiped out all the capital appreciation.

Urgh also for you. My sympathies 

[Cerebus]

Alternatively, remove the bathroom lock

I think the passing of time may have desensitised you to "Teenage daughter has tantrum and then sulks for 14 days". 

[Saskia]

doing the 2 nd part of today's exercise, my 8.5 km walk.
stopped by my dealer to get my fix ...
8 TB enterprise HDD for the Nas
8 gb sodimm stick for the zbox
heavy thoroidal transy 220-> 2*12 @ 20A

As for the connector pack - yes, the connectors could be sourced somewhere else. if not from Ali then from one of the distributors. counting minimal order fees/ surcharges, etc I am not saving that much. As for datatec, the price for a connector from them is > 30€.Which is ridiculous.
so for not delivering what they advertized they want 15% of the module price to deliver the essential parts. which is triple the price Keysight is charging. yeah, right.
I currently don't have the time to do all that research and getting the connectors from somewhere else would still have had me looking for those jumpers that now come in a kit  The connector Peter sent does fit the module. however getting the original accessory package also has a certain appeal

[med6753]

I drove all the way across the county once to get a free Harbor Freight DMM because everyone was talking about them. But I had to go there anyway since the cable ties were on sale for $1.99.

We have their stores around here, but Ive never found them so spectacular. The DMM deal is just to get you into the stores. Ive bought a fair amount of stuff from them but nothing really spectacular. Just generic tools. Various saws... A drill.. I'm glad they exist.  If I really need that kind of stuff.

Ebay and living in the US exposes one to opportunities to buy TE. We should figure out a way to utilize this better in education in some way. Any ideas?

Read this before responding: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/russians-plunder-$5m-farm-vehicles-from-ukraine-to-find-theyve-been-remotel/msg4156643/#msg4156643

Dragons are already sensitised

You posted a dead link.

[cdev]

At least she's had the capital appreciation since then, which she wouldn't have had if she had rented.

My equivalent of your divorce settlement is being executor on my parents' house - which is in need of 300k repairs and which I have accidentally discovered was Grade II listed in 1994! So if I don't repair it I can be locked up.

My mother snuffed it just in time for my daughter!

She doesn't unfortunately as she had to borrow against it to fix a hole in the roof about 15 years ago which wiped out all the capital appreciation.

Urgh also for you. My sympathies 

One really has to watch out when you hire a contractor. I hear stories like that a lot.

[med6753]

doing the 2 nd part of today's exercise, my 8.5 km walk.
stopped by my dealer to get my fix ...
8 TB enterprise HDD for the Nas
8 gb sodimm stick for the zbox
heavy thoroidal transy 220-> 2*12 @ 20A

As for the connector pack - yes, the connectors could be sourced somewhere else. if not from Ali then from one of the distributors. counting minimal order fees/ surcharges, etc I am not saving that much. As for datatec, the price for a connector from them is > 30€.Which is ridiculous.
so for not delivering what they advertized they want 15% of the module price to deliver the essential parts. which is triple the price Keysight is charging. yeah, right.
I currently don't have the time to do all that research and getting the connectors from somewhere else would still have had me looking for those jumpers that now come in a kit  The connector Peter sent does fit the module. however getting the original accessory package also has a certain appeal

And she comes to me to save the day and slice through the bullshit. 

[med6753]

Wow indeed, is that even possible to have space for TE, the closer to the city you go, the more expensive the property gets and also generally smaller and looks more like flatland with zero garden space.

Perish the thought!  What's a proper English home without the obligatory English garden?

It will look like my apartment. 

I don't want a garden. Have to mow it and clean up the fox shit and that is time away from more important things.

Looking at a rather large 2 bed apartment with terrace / balcony overlooking the Thames at the moment. Floors are concrete so fine for boat anchors 



There's only two of us going to be in it (I'll get into that another day  )

I see lots of space and opportunity for a decent TE workbench. Yes? No?

[Saskia]

doing the 2 nd part of today's exercise, my 8.5 km walk.
stopped by my dealer to get my fix ...
8 TB enterprise HDD for the Nas
8 gb sodimm stick for the zbox
heavy thoroidal transy 220-> 2*12 @ 20A

As for the connector pack - yes, the connectors could be sourced somewhere else. if not from Ali then from one of the distributors. counting minimal order fees/ surcharges, etc I am not saving that much. As for datatec, the price for a connector from them is > 30€.Which is ridiculous.
so for not delivering what they advertized they want 15% of the module price to deliver the essential parts. which is triple the price Keysight is charging. yeah, right.
I currently don't have the time to do all that research and getting the connectors from somewhere else would still have had me looking for those jumpers that now come in a kit  The connector Peter sent does fit the module. however getting the original accessory package also has a certain appeal

And she comes to me to save the day and slice through the bullshit. 

my hero !

[Vince]

Well Vince, there's only one thing you can do now.


Find another piece of unloved test gear to restore and regale us with epic tales of your journey!

No worries, I am now switching back to the Rochar Nixie DVM 

I am just back from my local electronic shop to get a few BC557 B and C trannies, to replace the obsolete NS662, the input transistor of the diff pair of the comparator front-ends, that is my next suspect to explain the abnormally high zero offset reading... stay tuned 

[tggzzz]

I drove all the way across the county once to get a free Harbor Freight DMM because everyone was talking about them. But I had to go there anyway since the cable ties were on sale for $1.99.

We have their stores around here, but Ive never found them so spectacular. The DMM deal is just to get you into the stores. Ive bought a fair amount of stuff from them but nothing really spectacular. Just generic tools. Various saws... A drill.. I'm glad they exist.  If I really need that kind of stuff.

Ebay and living in the US exposes one to opportunities to buy TE. We should figure out a way to utilize this better in education in some way. Any ideas?

Read this before responding: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/russians-plunder-$5m-farm-vehicles-from-ukraine-to-find-theyve-been-remotel/msg4156643/#msg4156643

Dragons are already sensitised

You posted a dead link.

Actually I didn't. SMF mangled what I posted, mutating half the text into a URL.

Unmangled...
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/russians-plunder-$5m-farm-vehicles-from-ukraine-to-find-theyve-been-remotel/msg4156643/#msg4156643

I'm coming to believe that is relevant, somewhat reluctantly. Oh well.