Frasers equipment re-homing begins

[philpem]

I am about to start my major equipment disposal as I have a silly amount of test kit and cannot use it all.

I am thinking of just listing the equipment in a post and inviting offers on it as opposed to researching market values and posting forum friendly prices. Would this type of ‘sale’ be of interest or would members prefer that I list items individually and put an asking price on each ? That is more work for me so I may be less flexible on the asking price.

The equipment will include, but is not limited to,  the following......

(snip)
Signal Generators AF and RF
Function Generators
PC based VNA’s
Logic Analyzers (compact, not boat anchors !)
Lab Power Supplies
PCB pre-heaters (Pace)
Cased RF amplifiers modules (Mini-Circuits, Avantek etc)  ..... lots !

Fraser,

I'd definitely be interested in some of the above - my only worry is that I might accidentally lowball the price and offend you!

So all I'd say on that front is, if you have an idea of what you'd accept, please post it

The VNA and Mini-Circuits modules very much sound of interest for my ham antics, and possibly the preheater too.

Cheers,
Phil.

[Specmaster]

@Fraser, I'm interested in a reasonable RF signal generator to cover all the domestic wavebands with AM and FM modulation, so I'm eagerly awaiting the list and as someone has already mentioned your location would be a distinct advantage as those that lived close enough could elect to collect their items of choice which would further reduce your workload as no packing etc to worry about. Good luck with your clearing out of surplus gear.

And I for one, am glad to hear that it's not of the boat anchor type because I don't have the space for that, nor the strength these days to lug that kind of gear around. 

[kripton2035]

more or less interested in a huntron, so I'm subscribing to this thread !
thanks Fraser.

[tggzzz]

I may be interested in some equipment. Since I'm in the UK, it may be possible for me to come and pick it up.

My preference would be for you to provide a single complete list, since that would simplify "bidding" and thereafter transportation. Basically, if I'm going to have to come a long way, e.g. Scotland, then I'd prefer it was for a decent amount of equipment.

[Gyro]

Just when I've told the wife that she's we've been spending too much! 

[DC1MC]

Hi Fraser, the LA from you was and still is a little wonder, so I'll definitely be interested.

 Cheers,
 DC1MC

[jpb]

Like many others, I am interested in several items but suspect I don't have the budget for some - e.g. a "modern spectrum analyser".
Others I would be interested in if they are better or at least similar spec to what I have already, e.g. frequency counters can vary between ones that are a few £10s ebay prices to ones that are £1000s even second hand.

It would be good to have a list of individual models and perhaps rough age/condition. A ball park price would be good but I understand that is adding to the work load.


jpb

[Fraser]

I will work on the longest list possible over the next few days and provide it here. It will take a while to do, as you can imagine. I will basically be listing almost all of my test kit as I just do not do the work that needs it any more. I have a very nice Tektronix 200 / Huntron 210 tracker unit for DSO use that I have not fired up in years .... such a waste ! There is some nice high end R&S kit as well. It is nice to own but a waste if not used For those who have shown an interest on the R&S communications analyser...... it is the gorgeous CMD not a CMU I have several nice compact Marconi 2022 RF sig gens, N R&S RF sig gen and a very nice modern Agilent RF Sig Gen

So much kit... it becomes mind boggling. I used to be very involved in RF work but that has been replaced by thermal imaging cameras these days. The RF kit just sits unused, but still cared for ! I tended to buy “one and a spare” where able so there is a lot of equipment duplication

There will also be the smaller stuff that can prove useful like HF High Voltage probes for oscilloscopes. We are talking real HV as well, not wimpy 500V stuff! There will be all manner of weird stuff for sure. You never know, it might be exactly what you were looking for. I will be rehoming some HP LogicDart logic analysers with their probe sets that are as rare as hens teeth these days

This could end up to be good fun and I promise, I will not be insulted by offers that are too low for me to accept. I will just be very honest and we still may be able to come to a price we can both live with I am not looking to fleece anyone, only trying to recover some investment to keep the bank manager (my wife) happy. This could be a great opportunity for someone wanting to set up their own electronics lab. I basically have enough kit for maybe a dozen well equipped labs

There will be some thermal cameras being re-homed as I have too many of them, but they will likely be a separate ‘sale’ as I will have to do some serious soul searching to part with some of them.

Before anyone gets worried for my mental health..... no I am not having some sort of crisis. I have had health issues that I am recovering from that limited my electronics activity and the loss of my favourite cat rocked my World recently. Putting life into perspective, I have far too many material things that I do not use or need. It is better that I liquidate them and use the money raised to enjoy life with my family

Fraser

[bd139]

An excellent perspective on life. I've tried to do the same recently but failed over and over again

Put me down for a Marconi 2022

[tggzzz]

I am owned by my possessions.

Too many fun things to do, too little time to do them. We live in a time where, compared to our childhood, there is an embarrassment of riches.

[bd139]

<< insert: Pink Floyd - Time >>

[Fraser]

Correction, the R&S communications unit is a CMS and not a CMD. I think it is the CMS 52. It can test both transmitters and receivers .... lovely bit of kit in perfect condition.

I do have the Advantest branded R&S CMD but as many will know, this is a digital test kit that is not really much use for anything except what it was intended for. That will be sold very cheaply ! Nice condition so good for parts and the case.

Fraser

[Mr. Scram]

I mildly hate you for timing this exactly wrong.

[_Wim_]

So cruel of you telling us about this list BEFORE you made the list. How can we sleep now and risk we miss your post 

[Fraser]

I can always post a warning that the list will be uploaded at a specific time, on a specific day then you are forewarned about it

Fraser

[digsys]

... major equipment disposal as I have a silly amount of test kit and cannot use it all ... 

WTF is a "silly" amount of equipment Have you had a brain scan recently ? Like asking a wife if she has enough shoes !!

[wilfred]

Photography is a PITA so will be provided when a serious offer is under discussion. The equipments specifications etc will be easily found on the internet for those willing to make the effort. Where not available, I will see if I can help.

Watch this space

Fraser

I really think good photos will generate serious offers more than without them. I also encourage you to consider casting a wide net on Ebay. My experience has been for stuff that is occasional on Ebay as opposed to unusual you will more than cover the Ebay/Paypal fees. You just need two cashed up buyers interested.

Since you have a large amount you will find after the first dozen or so you get into a rhythm.  Photos are not hard if you set up a permanent place to do it. At the very least you should show every thing that is included. People see that much more than a list of things. They'll still ask questions but that is as much about seeing if, or how, you respond.

My other advice is to break the task up into manageable portions of related stuff. What you want to do is get buyers interested in multiple things so that they think about amortising the travel cost to collect over multiple items. Also this means buyers (on Ebay) will see one thing and look at what else you are selling.

By all means try and get a fair price on the forum but you don't want to be looking back wondering. Well I wouldn't.
 
Good luck.

[Fraser]

Fair comments.

The problem with eBay these days is that they force you to become a business seller if you sell too much over a short period of time. No thanks to that. Then there is the eBay buyer demographic...... it seems to have changed. There are a lot more dishonest buyers on there these days. I do not need the hassle of parts thieves and scammers claiming fictitious issues with equipment eBay used to be great but I fear it has become a far more risky place to sell. I will be shifting large amounts of kit over a relatively short period of time. That is my objective and sadly eBay may not be the best solution for me at this time.

I always said I would list the equipment here first to give people the opportunity to gain a piece of equipment at a sensible price. I am not giving it away though

I will make my list and consider the photographic side of things. I had always intended to provide full details and pictures to forum members who showed genuine interest in kit but documenting to that level for every piece of kit will be a mammoth task. I will think carefully about what can be achieved easily and the ‘advertising’ format. Thank you for taking the time to provide good advice.

Fraser

[harnon]

Aw man my test equipment consists of a 15y.o. multimeter and a $6 logic analyser, it must take serious dedication to accumulate so much cool stuff I'm considering taking the plunge for a DSO, so I'll be watching in case you have anything "entry level", assuming you are willing to ship internationally?

[IconicPCB]

 

[VK5RC]

Thanks for the heads up.
Rob

[_Wim_]

I can always post a warning that the list will be uploaded at a specific time, on a specific day then you are forewarned about it

Fraser

From reading the messages, I think you should ask Dave to add additional EEVBlog server capacity first to handle the user peak

Maybe you should first buy some more gear (around a 100 of well-equipped labs comes to mind  ), because it is not like most of us consider owning "only" a single lab of gear sufficient, so we still need plenty of gear!

[nfmax]

Fraser,

I admire you but do not wish to emulate you 

I will keep an eye open for your lists. One thing attracted me instantly - the gooseneck camera(s). My partner's visually handicapped mother lost all her magnifying and OCR to speech equipment in a recent house fire. Have found a new reader, but infuriatingly it will only display the page unmagnified. This might do the trick, if it doesn't take up too much space.

And thanks for all your advice on thermal imaging over the last couple of years!

[Brumby]

Oh my.  This is cruel... empty pockets and more than 10,000 miles.

Bring on the list! 

[Fraser]

I am glad that I started this thread as I have received some very good feedback and advice. Thanks to all who have commented.

It has been suggested by more than one person that I am setting myself up for the ‘perfect storm’ and upon reflection this seems to be true.

If I produce just a basic list detailing equipment, I will likely receive many requests for information, postage quotes and pictures.This combined with managing incoming offers and dispatching equipment to buyers could prove unmanageable for me.

With this in mind I will have to be sensible about how I list the equipment. I can avoid some question duplication by providing pictures and an estimated value on which to base offers. I may also be able to include approximate postage for the UK as well. This is all going to take time and updates on progress will appear here. It is very likely that there will be a ‘batch release’ system employed to manage the incoming communications, responses and dispatching of items. This will not please those wishing to gather together several items but I have to manage the workload or it will turn into Chaos.

Watch this space

Fraser