Here - as a certifiable TGAS sufferer (who am I kidding - I'm not suffering - I enjoy it!!) - let me flesh that ellipsis section out:
5. Buy op/service manuals for test gear on evilBay
6. Troubleshoot test gear
7. Seek out obsolete/discontinued components to repair test gear
8. Read nixie thread and/or look at old HP Instrumentation catalogs
9. Repeat steps 2 through 7, now searching for older, heavier, more expensive to ship things
....
12. Buy or build more shelves to hold test gear
13. (or later) - build first circuit
-Pat
I'd say, "Welcome to TEA (Test Equipment Anonymous)." So glad you could join us.
14. Repeat steps 2 to 12 numerous times, either till the house is full ( then move to a bigger house) or the wife leaves.
14. Repeat steps 2 to 12 numerous times, either till the house is full ( then move to a bigger house) or the wife leaves.
FLUKE Philips PM3380B
I bought this scope on ebay Germany for Euro 100, the seller lives in 5 min walking distance to me and the scope is like bran new.
Came with all original accessories, also like new and the original glossy datasheet.
Has even the original screen cover and BNC to 4 mm Banana plugs
Once in a while we can get very lucky, I think.
I have several of these scopes already, but this was the best score so far.
Today i just filled the last spot in my 42U high rack cabinet by adding in a Gigatronics 6100 8GHz synthesizer that managed to repair at 2 in the morning.
...
but i also scored a Tektronix pattern generator for 40 bucks on ebay a few days ago.
For me it mostly started as getting the test gear i needed for a better price since quality brand new gear costs a fortune. But in order to find a good deal on places like ebay means looking trough a lot of pages and keeping eyes open, as good deals go fast, but along the way one keeps coming across other gear that you perhaps don't need right now but it would be neat to have. But hey all this test gear is useful for doing work and you can always sell it (If done right for more than what you payed for it)... tho i only ever sold 1 piece of test equipment so far (And lost money on it cause i bought it new).
Still better than collecting stamps (Tho they are easier to ship overseas il give them that)
I couldn't help myself. I snagged one of the GW Instek GDM 8251A bench meters on eBay. From the ITT auction I suspect. Many more listed. I was able to get it for $95 + $20 shipping. It will be nice to have a dual display bench meter for simultaneous voltage and current measurements. Photo from the listing. Mine should arrive next week.
I just bought one of these meters. Likely from the same seller. The picture is the same. I sent a question to the seller asking if the cal key came with it. It does not.
I just bought one of these meters. Likely from the same seller. The picture is the same. I sent a question to the seller asking if the cal key came with it. It does not.
As you may know - the cal key is part #GDM-01. They are available for ~ $8 - $10. For example -
8251A Cal Key GDM-01
I am so tempted to make an offer on one of those meters that I'd have to make up a reason to use one every 6 months....lol
What is the purpose of the GW-Instek Calibration key? I checked at the website from GW-Instek, but there is no description available for this item, so for me the purpose is unclear
Also the documentation that I've read says it's needed to perform a firmware update. Once I get my meter I'm going to check the firmware version. If it's not current and if there are any important bug fixes I may buy a cal key to allow the firmware update.
Also the documentation that I've read says it's needed to perform a firmware update. Once I get my meter I'm going to check the firmware version. If it's not current and if there are any important bug fixes I may buy a cal key to allow the firmware update.
Hmmm, I'm looking for the firmware but can't find it. If you go to their site here -
GDM 8251A
You can find software for the 8251A (the unit is obsolete now), and you can find the firmware updater program, but there is no firmware at all. I even unpacked the firmware updater and installed it, but it doesn't include the .hex firmware file (no, the Download button in the program doesn't download it from the internet, it downloads the current version from the meter). I also searched a few other sites to no avail.
We'll have to find it!
The latest firmware according to the mfgr is v2.30.
Well here it is - nice bright display, seems to be in good condition. The white faceplate on the right side is a little yellowed, typical of of something that has been close to a window, but I can easily fix it with some peroxide the next time the sun is shining.
Quite nice, indeed. Looks so much like an HP 34401A. Tempting, very tempting. But I shall resist!
You can resist ... I cannot, at least yet. I have seen your thread here -
I'm trying to gain the strength to post there. I know I need help - the doctors here ... they don't understand. I don't think they are taught about test equipment addiction in school. They have no idea of how to help me.
Let me think about it tonight. I may try and post tomorrow. I'm afraid if I admit my problem people will laugh, but if this group has the same addiction ...
You can resist ... I cannot, at least yet. I have seen your thread here -
You don't need to. You already bought one. And a nice meter it is, too.QuoteI'm trying to gain the strength to post there. I know I need help - the doctors here ... they don't understand. I don't think they are taught about test equipment addiction in school. They have no idea of how to help me.
Let me think about it tonight. I may try and post tomorrow. I'm afraid if I admit my problem people will laugh, but if this group has the same addiction ...
The TEA thread is quite lively and friendly. And when we laugh, we all laugh together.