Anyone willing to donate an old, unused oscilloscope to me?

[Tallie]

For a while now, I've considered buying a cheap oscilloscope. I've watched a lot of Dave's videos and recently came across one where he mentioned that someone on the forums, if asked nicely, might be willing to donate an oscilloscope to a beginner like me. So, I figured I'd ask around here before rolling the dice elsewhere. If you've got an old one lying around somewhere collecting dust, I'd be happy to give it a new home. I can pay shipping if you're not local. I live in the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia.

Sorry if this post belongs elsewhere.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[liquibyte]

I've asked to trade for one and gotten only one response (see page two).  I'm actually trading for a pretty old one (Conar 255) and I'll be happy to get that.  If I had half of what some people around here have, I'd hook you up though.  I've seen pictures of stacks of equipment that I'm sure never gets used but never offered when asked for.  I know how tough it can be trying to get the more expensive bits with very little to work with.  I'll even make you a deal, if I ever win the lottery, I'll buy you a nice 500MHz job when I get mine.  You can take that at face value, I mean it.  I never felt comfortable just asking for something like that, I hope someone helps you out.  Good luck.

Someone help Tallie out please.

[Lurch]

If I had half of what some people around here have, I'd hook you up though.  I've seen pictures of stacks of equipment that I'm sure never gets used but never offered when asked for. 

Is there anyone on this forum who isn't a complete vulture and just expects everyone to give them all their stuff just because they want it? You want it, get your own. I used to have nothing, now I have loads of shit. It's all great and none of the people moaning about how hard done by they are would ever see any of it even if it was unused.

[liquibyte]

I never asked for a thing, ever.  I offered a trade and am going to be happy with what I get.  You know the barrier to entry is high for some of this stuff and I see no reason that if someone has something extra they couldn't help out someone that is less fortunate.  Have a conversation about it and if you feel the "scam" coming out then don't offer.  I am someone on this forum that isn't a "vulture" as you put it, I'm actually asking for someone else who also asked in a really nice manner in my opinion.  I don't even have one and I'm not asking.

[TheBorg]

If I had half of what some people around here have, I'd hook you up though.  I've seen pictures of stacks of equipment that I'm sure never gets used but never offered when asked for. 

Is there anyone on this forum who isn't a complete vulture and just expects everyone to give them all their stuff just because they want it? You want it, get your own. I used to have nothing, now I have loads of shit. It's all great and none of the people moaning about how hard done by they are would ever see any of it even if it was unused.

Doesn't hurt to ask... if you don't have one or don't want to give one then don't give one. I'm a new guy to all of this, I would've loved it if someone gave me the equipment I have now (which is still puny to 90% of the users here). It's great working for it, you feel better about it. Heck, I even went to my school and asked for an oscilloscope, even a broken one (none there- yet). Personally I wouldn't feel all too comfortable if someone just gave something to me. Usually I'd try to pay something, buy them lunch or whatever. But I've seen people throw out nearly perfect or easily fixable stuff because they just didn't want to deal with it. People do this all the time with stuff- saw one guy throw out a perfectly fine Xbox system because the CD tray broke. Not impossible to fix! It happens a lot, so why not try to make someones trash your treasure?

[DL8RI]

Hi,

You know the barrier to entry is high for some of this stuff

Nope. You can get a proper Scope for under $50:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5440-Tektronix-Oscilloscope-w-5A48-sn-B101322-5A48-sn-B079828-5B42-sn-1030-/360771060813

If you want a bit more modern Unit, look for a Tek 465 (> $200)

@Jeremy:
I'd look for units like this (there are equivalents from HP, Hameg...). As for your question, I have a half-defective Philips-scope. But shipping and customs would make it unreasonable.

[free_electron]

it always helps filling out your complete profile including , and especially, the COUNTRY you are from !

[Lurch]

I see no reason that if someone has something extra they couldn't help out someone that is less fortunate.

That's not what you said before, you seemed to infer if that if they aren't using it daily then they should be giving it away to people on here.

And yes, not everyone is a vulture and some people are genuinely requiring kit or rescuing stuff in some fashion, but there does seem to be more than the average on here I've noticed. I think a lot of users here sign up almost expecting to get given stuff if they beg for it. First world problems!

[liquibyte]

Yeah, spend $50 you don't have on a gamble that it works or won't break within a few days to months and then not be repairable because you can't get the parts.  Newbies only see oscilloscope and don't know what's a good deal and what's a bad one.  I don't know what to look for to be honest and have neither the $50 (plus $25 shipping I might add) nor the inclination to trust Ebay sellers (yes, I have a seller account, no, haven't sold anything for a long time).  I offered my trade here instead of listing on Ebay because I think they went off the rails a long time ago.  Happens with everything that starts out cool and gets greedy.

That's not what you said before, you seemed to infer if that if they aren't using it daily then they should be giving it away to people on here.

I didn't mean for it to sound like that, I promise.  I just meant that I know there are people here that have things to just have them.  Take a look at the thread about the power designs supplies and then find one on Ebay now that costs what they got theirs for.  Happens with scopes too.  I'm not saying collecting is bad by any means either.  If op had asked for something I had and hadn't used for awhile and didn't need, I would offer it.

it always helps filling out your complete profile including , and especially, the COUNTRY you are from !

Atlanta, GA    I get what you mean though.

[nctnico]

The problem with giving away old gear is IMHO that some stuff is so bad it will probably do more harm than good. I have an old function generator with some issues. It works but I'm not sure if I would do someone a favor by giving it.

[DL8RI]

Hi,

Yeah, spend $50 you don't have on a gamble that it works or won't break withing a few days to months and then not be repairable because you can't get the parts.

well, it's always a "gamble", when you buy used stuff. If you want to go "ultra cheap" you can normally only get very old gear, it can be troublesome but it does not have to. That does not depend where you buy... ebay, Forums, Hamfests.
The two Teks I mentioned are both (IMO) recommendable, although they are old. A 5441 was my first "own" scope, because of the size and the lack of "coolnes" they are thrown out for cheap prices and the modular format gives you some insurance if a component dies.

And @all: Please stop this discussion about asking for something for free and/or not giving something for free. It's not going anywhere.

[Tallie]

it always helps filling out your complete profile including , and especially, the COUNTRY you are from !

I'll fill it out. Thanks for mentioning it. I realize this is kind of a hat-in-hand request but Dave made me feel pretty at ease about it. I wouldn't ask, and don't expect, anyone to part with something they'd miss. I certainly didn't want to start any arguments or cause any hard feelings. Thanks for the advice so far.

[Lurch]

Nothing personal against the OP, just seems to be a lot of people here expect things for nothing and nothing else.

As you were.

[Tallie]

Nothing personal against the OP, just seems to be a lot of people here expect things for nothing and nothing else.

As you were.

Do you have any need for a 1HP, 460V AC drive? Not many folks do. That's about the only thing, at the moment, that I have and can't use and is worth anything. No offense taken.

[Psi]

Nothing personal against the OP, just seems to be a lot of people here expect things for nothing and nothing else.

Dave has said in multiple videos that its common for people/companies to just "give away" scopes, and that if people ask nicely on the forum someone may just give them a scope.

People will still be coming across those old videos on youtube.

[Shock]

On my street they are lining the gutters lol.

Dave was slightly exaggerating.  If you know where to ask around you could find an unwanted one, it wouldn't be easy.
Many companies trash stuff rather than give it away to be fair to employees or tax reasons since it needs to be not resalable.

Hamfests, hackspace, forums, ebay, classifieds, auctions, craiglist is where you can also buy them.

It took me weeks, if not months to find a decent cheap scope close by (which was from a guy who had upgraded).
Charity should be something given and not asked for.

[vk6zgo]

We had a "young lad" ask for an Oscilloscope on this forum.
He purportedly was 12 years old,so in a weak moment,I said he could have one of mine.

In a PM,I pointed out that he needed a parent's permission.
In return he said "it's OK with Dad".

That wasn't good enough for me,so I asked him to get his father to contact me.
Dead silence! Nothing further heard!.

I was left thinking he was one of the following:

(1) An older person pretending to be a kid to pick up a free instrument.

(2) A kid who didn't have permission.

(3) A Sergeant of Police who was looking for Predators,& who thought he might find one on this forum---after all,everyone knows those Electronics blokes are weirdos!

[Psi]

(4) He had a deadbeat/drunk father who didn't care enough to bother calling you.

[Tallie]

You got me. You're all under arrest.

[vk3yedotcom]

My experience (in amateur radio) is that you often don't need to ask.

If you go to radio clubs, hamfests, etc and get to know people you will get showered with stuff.

More than you have room for and you may have to refuse.

I'm guessing it would be similar amongest makers, hackers etc.

So get in with a crowd that matches your interests.

[SeanB]

Do you have any need for a 1HP, 460V AC drive? Not many folks do. That's about the only thing, at the moment, that I have and can't use and is worth anything. No offense taken.

I could use it, to convert my drill press to a better motor than the current single phase one.

[Psi]

My experience (in amateur radio) is that you often don't need to ask.
If you go to radio clubs, hamfests, etc and get to know people you will get showered with stuff.
More than you have room for and you may have to refuse.

Yep, at hamfests you have lots of old guys who have carried car/trailer loads of stuff to the event and they DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT HOME again. hehe
Quite often their wife has made them do a cleanout.

So towards the end of the event they will just give stuff away. Especially if you're young and they see you're interested in it.
Showing interest in some item multiple times but not buying it will usually result in getting it for free/supercheap if you show up at the end of the day.

Sadly a lot of hamfests are now polluted with lots of useless 10y old computer junk.

[DL8RI]

Showing interest in some item multiple times but not buying it will usually result in getting it for free if you show up at the end of the day.

To plan that beforehand is not a really nice thing to do.

[Psi]

I don't see anything wrong with choosing not to buy something.
You're not cheating them out of anything. Another person may come along and buy it, then you miss out.

I guess it depends on the intent. 
- Trying to pay as little as possible when you can afford it now and the price is good  = not very nice
- Weighing up all the factors of           
           How much you want it
           Finding room to store it
           How likely it is to actually work
           and price
              = Perfectly sensible.
           Getting it cheaper/free at the end of the day makes it more tempting to take home.

It's not uncommon to decline free things at a hamfest.

[GeoffS]

Showing interest in some item multiple times but not buying it will usually result in getting it for free if you show up at the end of the day.

To plan that beforehand is not a really nice thing to do.

If I was selling stuff at a hamfest (or similar) and didn't want to lug the stuff home again, then I'd be more than happy to give it to someone who had expressed interest in it, asked questions etc. Much better that giving it to someone who'll just try to sell it.