tektronix oscilloscope need something to test. Novice Question

[golash]

Hi All
Just got my first scope..a tektronix 442. I am just getting familiar with the controls. I tested a battery that
was very exciting. I don`t have any circuits that I can test. Can someone think of a household device I can use.
I`d like to see a square wave form.

Thanks

[Paul Moir]

Well, you don't have to go far.  There's a little spot just to the right of the CRT marked "Probe Adjust", which is used for compensating your oscilloscope probes (10x probes, 1x can't be compensated, and are very low bandwidth.)  Connect your probe there and you should see a square wave.

[golash]

Ok Great

I`m not near the scope at the moment. Do I just touch the probe or is there an additional spot for the ground.
Yes I know. I am a absolute beginner.

[Paul Moir]

Try just touching it with the probe tip.  It shares the same ground as the oscilloscope so the circuit will be made that way. 

If you see some fuzzyness in the trace when you probe it this way, that's caused by interference.  The reason you're getting it is from the bad grounding of the probe.  In this case attach the ground lead on the probe (the bit with the alligator clip) to a nearby piece of metal on the oscilloscope and see if it improves. 

Some very good information on probes:

(Everything w2aew has up about oscilloscopes is well worth watching)

[golash]

Hi Paul
Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.

[tautech]

I`d like to see a square wave form.

Have you got a manual?
Google will find you a free one.

Build yourself a simple 555 timer circuit, you'll have triangle, square, hi, lo and some more depending on how you set it up.
Good to get you started and safe to experiment on/with.

Logic gates can be good too, with fast risetimes and for making oscillators.
Enjoy, your first scope is a special time.