Author Topic: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge  (Read 34504 times)

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Offline nbrittonTopic starter

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #50 on: November 06, 2015, 01:15:59 am »
I started this thread at the request of ez24, I have already purchased the following:

Rigol MSO4014: $2594 (Still returnable, not 100% sure I'm going to keep it yet)
Analog Discovery: $159 (2 differential channel 40 MHz scope, 2 channel 10 MHz AWG, 10 MHz Network Analyzer, 16 channel LA)
Build my own power supply using recycled parts: free
Banggood.com M12864 LCR ESR Transistor meter: $20
Extech EX210T True RMS + IR temperature Multimeter: $34
Radio Shack 2200172 AC/DC Digital Clamp On Multimeter. $13
Make Soldering Station Starter Kit: $25

Still have over $2k left.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 01:29:21 am by nbritton »
 

Offline OldSchoolTechCorner

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #51 on: November 06, 2015, 01:24:03 am »
Rather than spending money on equipment I don't think you really know how to use according to your numerous other threads, how about you get that hands on learning experience that you said you're wanting by fixing your Tek 2213?

How am I every going to know how to use it if I don't have it to use it?

That what you don't want to do. Buy as you need it, then you get more later as needed, is the best way to go about it. You will otherwise realize later you needed something else and now blew your whole load.  T&M equipment is tools needed for your work, or hobby. You don't want to buy it just to have it, if your unsure what you are going to even do with it. It will more likely turn out to be a mistake and will just end up collecting dust.
 

Offline ez24

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #52 on: November 06, 2015, 01:25:33 am »
I started this thread at the request of ez24, I have already purchased the following:

Rigol MSO4014: $2594 (Still returnable, not 100% sure I'm going to keep it yet)
Analog Discovery: $159 (2 differential channel 40 MHz scope, 2 channel 10 MHz AWG, 10 MHz Network Analyzer, 16 channel LA)
Build my own power supply using recycled parts: free
Banggood.com M12864 LCR ESR Transistor meter: $20
Extech EX210T True RMS + IR temperature Multimeter: $34
Radio Shack 2200172 AC/DC Digital Clamp On Multimeter. $13
Make Soldering Station Starter Kit: $25

Still have over $2k left.

ah the truth comes out  :box:  I was being silent
but to be honest kinda strange a $2600 scope and other "cheap" stuff.  Does not seem equal.  In other words 1/2 of the budget on one item.  Should go with my one item suggestion  :-DD  But we will learn for others  :)  $2,000 still can buy a lot of stuff.  (how about a new car for me ? )

FYI someone said Dave said 5k budget.  Did he ?  Not that I know of.


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Offline mtdoc

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #53 on: November 06, 2015, 01:40:44 am »
I started this thread at the request of ez24, I have already purchased the following:

Rigol MSO4014: $2594 (Still returnable, not 100% sure I'm going to keep it yet)
Analog Discovery: $159 (2 differential channel 40 MHz scope, 2 channel 10 MHz AWG, 10 MHz Network Analyzer, 16 channel LA)
Build my own power supply using recycled parts: free
Banggood.com M12864 LCR ESR Transistor meter: $20
Extech EX210T True RMS + IR temperature Multimeter: $34
Radio Shack 2200172 AC/DC Digital Clamp On Multimeter. $13
Make Soldering Station Starter Kit: $25

Still have over $2k left.

My $0.02:  Return your scope.  Buy a Rigol 1054Z or maybe a DS2072.  Hold onto your money and start doing stuff. Soon enough you'll find a need and things to buy. 
 

Offline OldSchoolTechCorner

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #54 on: November 06, 2015, 01:41:58 am »
That Rigol MSO4014 is a bad choice. That was the one I had issues with twice in a row and return it, as had suspected overheating issues and locks up as a result cooling fans rev to a 100%. First one channel when out completely and would come back at random. I do tend to use it for hours at a time and kept it power on when needed, so no offset, but still sure not have had issues within a week. Then when using the math functions, turning off the source channels also turns off the math function. The delayed sweep causes very strange behavior and would sometimes lock up. when attempting to display the trailing end of a burst of pulses. Turning on the delayed sweep causes the trigger point to randomly vary and it gets worse when the trigger mode is changed from auto to normal. Just a few of the bugs, their more, this was on both, so not just that I had a defective one, as order second one from different vendor.

I agree with the above post get a Rigol 1054Z and hack it, friend has one and claims it good.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 01:43:36 am by OldSchoolTechCorner »
 

Offline nbrittonTopic starter

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #55 on: November 06, 2015, 01:43:22 am »
I started this thread at the request of ez24, I have already purchased the following:

Rigol MSO4014: $2594 (Still returnable, not 100% sure I'm going to keep it yet)
Analog Discovery: $159 (2 differential channel 40 MHz scope, 2 channel 10 MHz AWG, 10 MHz Network Analyzer, 16 channel LA)
Build my own power supply using recycled parts: free
Banggood.com M12864 LCR ESR Transistor meter: $20
Extech EX210T True RMS + IR temperature Multimeter: $34
Radio Shack 2200172 AC/DC Digital Clamp On Multimeter. $13
Make Soldering Station Starter Kit: $25

Still have over $2k left.

ah the truth comes out  :box:  I was being silent
but to be honest kinda strange a $2600 scope and other "cheap" stuff.  Does not seem equal.  In other words 1/2 of the budget on one item.  Should go with my one item suggestion  :-DD  But we will learn for others  :)  $2,000 still can buy a lot of stuff.  (how about a new car for me ? )

FYI someone said Dave said 5k budget.  Did he ?  Not that I know of.

Is a scope not the most important instrument in an electronics lab? It's a 675 MHz scope, plus it has a 1 GSa/s 16-channel logic analyzer... I think it was a steal at that price, a comparable Keysight would have cost $13k. If you notice everything I bought was on sale. For instance, that Radio Shack clamp on meter that I picked up for $13 normally costs $60, it was on clearance. And the soldering iron gets the job done when using good quality Kester 0.020" and a Hakko 599B-02 tip cleaner.
 

Offline ez24

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #56 on: November 06, 2015, 01:47:09 am »
I do not know OP's age or thoughts.  I like the retro look of old equipment.  For example I have a love affair with Power Designs 2020s.

This old equipment was built by craftsmen and if you give yourself time you can find good stuff.  It is much better than modern Chinese built stuff.  The exception being the scope (because of size and features).  I wished I had a TEK 465

I like Wavetek function gens.  HP also has some nice PS (I do not know models), the member TIN restores real high end equipment.  Keithley has some nice old bench meters.

Size of old equipment can be a problem.

I wish I had a programmable power load (these are pricey)

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Offline OldSchoolTechCorner

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #57 on: November 06, 2015, 01:53:20 am »
I started this thread at the request of ez24, I have already purchased the following:

Rigol MSO4014: $2594 (Still returnable, not 100% sure I'm going to keep it yet)
Analog Discovery: $159 (2 differential channel 40 MHz scope, 2 channel 10 MHz AWG, 10 MHz Network Analyzer, 16 channel LA)
Build my own power supply using recycled parts: free
Banggood.com M12864 LCR ESR Transistor meter: $20
Extech EX210T True RMS + IR temperature Multimeter: $34
Radio Shack 2200172 AC/DC Digital Clamp On Multimeter. $13
Make Soldering Station Starter Kit: $25

Still have over $2k left.

ah the truth comes out  :box:  I was being silent
but to be honest kinda strange a $2600 scope and other "cheap" stuff.  Does not seem equal.  In other words 1/2 of the budget on one item.  Should go with my one item suggestion  :-DD  But we will learn for others  :)  $2,000 still can buy a lot of stuff.  (how about a new car for me ? )

FYI someone said Dave said 5k budget.  Did he ?  Not that I know of.

Is a scope not the most important instrument in an electronics lab? It's a 675 MHz scope, plus it has a 1 GSa/s 16-channel logic analyzer... I think it was a steal at that price, a comparable Keysight would have cost $13k. If you notice everything I bought was on sale. For instance, that Radio Shack clamp on meter that I picked up for $13 normally costs $60, it was on clearance. And the soldering iron gets the job done when using good quality Kester 0.020" and a Hakko 599B-02 tip cleaner.

Where did you get 675 MHZ from and the fact you blew half your budget on it and cut massive corners on everything else. You could have done much better for the money and buying used you could have bought some really nice gear and save some money and not talking about old boat anchors, but equipment that within 10 years old and that will fit on your bench.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 02:05:59 am by OldSchoolTechCorner »
 

Offline G0HZU

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #58 on: November 06, 2015, 01:59:06 am »
Quote
Is a scope not the most important instrument in an electronics lab?

Up to a point... My background is in RF and in my day the classic trio (to buy) was a scope, a sig gen and a counter.

But the scope didn't need to be that good. Fast forward a few decades to today and I'd argue that something like the Rigol 1054 would be good enough for most people who want to do typical design work with MCUs and a bit of analoue design. It's probably better than any scope I have here and I'm certainly no beginner :)

Obviously, if you want to do some fast digital design then you would want something faster than the little Rigol. The same applies if you want to join the 'pulse risetime' club ;)
 

Offline OldSchoolTechCorner

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #59 on: November 06, 2015, 02:01:44 am »
I wish I had a programmable power load (these are pricey)

I wish I had a 1200 watt plus one, but damn they are expensive ;D Hoping one come along broken and not a major repair, or someone dumps one for cheap.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 02:08:21 am by OldSchoolTechCorner »
 

Offline MadTux

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #60 on: November 06, 2015, 02:03:50 am »
Lol, what a stupid thread. Spending 5k$ on new equipment  :-DD

5k$ can buy you everything or nothing, especially in US, where shipping of the goodies on US ebay is cheap.

Nothing if you buy new. A decent SA is more than that, a good DSO too. Currently decent DSOs are the only instruments where Moore's law is still working on and the laws of physics don't limit the performance.  Everything else is limited by physics now and most old units are IMO better than the new ones, because of better repairability, available parts and better quality.

Quick list of bottom low prices without shipping (neglegtable in US, since about only 20-50$)
HP-3456A : 50$ (get a bunch of broken ones and fix f them)          => 200$
Tek-7904A: 80$ + lots of pugins for it 250$                                     => 320$
HP-E3617A: 80$ (get a few, like 3)                                                  => 240$
HP-8568B:  600$ (get a second 8566B RF section for 400$)           =>1000$
HP-3585A:  600$ (B version with signal tracking cost more :(         =>600$
HP-8662/8663: 1200$ (get each of em, parts are exchangeable)   => 1200$
HP-3326A: 200$ (really cool LF synthesizer)                                   => 200$
Tek TM500 with function gen plugins: 350$                                     => 350$
HP-8005A :80$  (external trigger by 5359A for accurate timing)     => 80$
HP-5359A : 250$                                                                             => 250$
Generic cheap soldering iron                                                            => 50$
Set of good tweezers                                                                        => 100$
Cheap solder sucker                                                                         => 5$
Aoyue 952 hot air gun                                                                      => 80$

So far 4575$ and a really good lab for start, but you must know how to repair stuff of learn it by doing.

Quickly fill it to 5000$

HP-16500B/C with 16532A/16557D:                                                =>350$
EIP-545A LF/RF counter (maybe with RF power meter)                    =>180$
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 02:21:22 am by MadTux »
 

Offline nbrittonTopic starter

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #61 on: November 06, 2015, 02:07:55 am »
Quite an "interesting" approach... "I haven't even thought about what I want to build yet, there is no point in doing that until I have a lab with all the essentials"

And you are hoping with this approach you wont a) spend $20K and b) not be stuck with a bunch of equipment you don't need. I must be in bizarro world  :-//

I purchase equipment as I find a compelling need for it, not to dream up something to do because I have a piece of equipment laying dormant that requires that specific project to justify its existence in my lab...

My first post still stands and now is confirmed by your post above, imho the initiation of this thread is the old cart before the horse... but good luck with it. I'm guessing your background isn't as an EE?

You're misunderstanding what I wrote. I have plenty of ideas for projects, but there is no point in thinking about these ideas further until I have a functioning lab. No I'm not an EE, so the other half of this is having all equipment necessary to teach myself. When you were in school you had a school lab full of equipment to play on, I'm merely trying to replicate that experience. The maker spaces in my area are not close by and they don't have very advanced equipment. Also the university lab (UT - Austin) is not accessible to the general public.
 

Offline nbrittonTopic starter

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #62 on: November 06, 2015, 02:18:58 am »
Lol, what a stupid thread. Spending 5k$ on new equipment  :-DD

5k$ can buy you everything or nothing, especially in US, where shipping of the goodies on US ebay is cheap.

Nothing if you buy new.

Sigh. I said you could use used equipment, just not super old equipment that is not readily available. 
 

Offline OldSchoolTechCorner

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #63 on: November 06, 2015, 02:40:25 am »
You sure have stated that and area of interest. You mess up on what you brought, just hope you can return it

I usually recommend to a beginner to find someone that a EE, or good technician to help guide you in your local area, join a club even. You find people that will be glad to help another and may even get free test equipment, or cheap to start with and then a new friend.

1.  Rigol ds1054z Best bang for the buck and will serve you just fine.
2.  Siglent sdg1025, or a SDG2042X function/arbitrary waveform generator
3.  Hakko fx888d, or a Weller WES51 Solder Station
4.  Aoyue 968 A+ rework station and get a solder iron as well, or Aoyue 952 hot air gun.
5.  A good decent tripe output power supply can be found cheap on eBay, or you can make one.
6.  Brymen meter 289, or  Fluke 87V, or a Fluke 289. You will need 2 meters and won't cut cost in this area. If you dealing with low current then you can go with a Mastech MS8218, or a UNI-T meter.
7.  BK Precision Model 1823A frequency counter
8.  DE-5000 Handheld LCR Meter
8.  General purpose active differential probe, like B&K Precision PR60
9.  Then need cables , more probes and clips and thin gauge hook up wire, breadboards and ETC.
10.  Set of good tweezers 
11. basic set of various hand tools.
12. Books on electrical characteristics and problem solving skills and circuit design.



« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 02:54:27 am by OldSchoolTechCorner »
 

Offline nbrittonTopic starter

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #64 on: November 06, 2015, 02:47:20 am »
Tek-7904A: 80$ + lots of pugins for it 250$                                     => 320$

Where can you find a 7904A for $80? That's crazy talk, this is why I didn't want to included used equipment. Invariably someone will list this and other relics as if it's readily available (there are only 12 listing on eBay) and then quote some crazy unrealistic price. Just looking on eBay, the cheapest NON WORKING 7904A is $199! How do you expect a beginner to fix all this non working equipment without even so much as having a working scope?
 

Offline ez24

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #65 on: November 06, 2015, 02:47:21 am »

Quick list of bottom low prices without shipping (negotiable in US, since about only 20-50$)
HP-3456A : 50$ (get a bunch of broken ones and fix f them)          => 200$
Tek-7904A: 80$ + lots of pugins for it 250$                                     => 320$
HP-E3617A: 80$ (get a few, like 3)                                                  => 240$
HP-8568B:  600$ (get a second 8566B RF section for 400$)           =>1000$
HP-3585A:  600$ (B version with signal tracking cost more :(         =>600$
HP-8662/8663: 1200$ (get each of em, parts are exchangeable)   => 1200$
HP-3326A: 200$ (really cool LF synthesizer)                                   => 200$
Tek TM500 with function gen plugins: 350$                                     => 350$
HP-8005A :80$  (external trigger by 5359A for accurate timing)     => 80$
HP-5359A : 250$                                                                             => 250$
Generic cheap soldering iron                                                            => 50$
Set of good tweezers                                                                        => 100$
Cheap solder sucker                                                                         => 5$
Aoyue 952 hot air gun                                                                      => 80$

So far 4575$ and a really good lab for start, but you must know how to repair stuff of learn it by doing.

Quickly fill it to 5000$

HP-16500B/C with 16532A/16557D:                                                =>350$
EIP-545A LF/RF counter (maybe with RF power meter)                    =>180$

Lots of homework  :-+
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Offline MadTux

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #66 on: November 06, 2015, 02:55:28 am »
Where can you find a 7904A for $80?

Time is your friend. And keep your eyes open. It was out there, and it probably will be again.
Older version with plugins for even less:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-7904-Oscilloscope-w-3-Modules-7A26-7B53A-7B10-/391296195908?hash=item5b1b121d44:g:kVIAAOSwsB9WDFae

How do you expect a beginner to fix all this non working equipment without even so much as having a working scope?
Buy a working shit scope for 20$. And learn it. You can do it, if you really want to and dedicate some time to it. Manuals are good and available. I'm no EE, but I learned most of it by repairing stuff.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 03:04:33 am by MadTux »
 

Offline OldSchoolTechCorner

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #67 on: November 06, 2015, 03:09:01 am »
Where can you find a 7904A for $80?

Time is your friend. And keep your eyes open. It was out there, and it probably will be again.

How do you expect a beginner to fix all this non working equipment without even so much as having a working scope?

Buy a working shit scope for 20$. And learn it. You can do it, if you really want to and dedicate some time to it. Manuals are good and available. I'm no EE, but I learned most of it by repairing stuff.

Same way I learn then became a EE and now PhD. The first scope was a broken Tektronix 2225 that I fixed that was giving to me for free by a teacher and before that learn by reading catalogs and data sheets and receive free books and ETC and getting help from others and working on projects after hours. We didn't have the luxury of the internet.

Throwing money at something not the way to learn.
 

Offline nbrittonTopic starter

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #68 on: November 06, 2015, 03:33:09 am »
Ugh you guys don't make this easy. Looking back, my mistake was not buying a PS4 and projector. |O
 

Offline joesixpack

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #69 on: November 06, 2015, 03:34:30 am »
I have a few comments, without the criticisms.

Since it appears as you are new to electronics, here are the basics: .  Dave explains what and why.  His advice is very much still relevant.  Evaluate what you need and separate from what you want.  Use Dave's suggestions as a template and substitute equipment (some of the recommendations are pretty old).  I wrestled with the same questions when I was purchasing test gear for my workbench -- whether to buy once and cry once, or buy cheap and buy often.  I chose the middle path.

I started this thread at the request of ez24, I have already purchased the following:

Rigol MSO4014: $2594 (Still returnable, not 100% sure I'm going to keep it yet)
Personally, I wouldn't purchase a higher end Rigol/Siglent. I would send the scope back.  They might be unbeatable on the lower end of the spectrum, but the value rapidly diminishes as you spend more money. 

For another $1k you can get a 4-channel 100MHz Tektronix MDO3014.  Right now there is a promotion where you get the 3GHz spectrum analyzer option and embedded bundle.  You can upgrade to 200MHz for ~$700 later, or if you aren't concerned with warranty, you can hack it and now you have a 500MHz scope + 25Mhz arbitrary waveform generator, and 16b channel logic analyzer (you will still need to buy the expensive probes).

That being said, I would recommend you get a way cheaper scope or MSO.  I started with a 50MHz Rigol scope until I could justify buying a "better" scope.  I now appreciate it.  My new scope doesn't sound like a diesel engine or flicker like a lightning storm having sex with a discotech.
 
Quote
Analog Discovery: $159 (2 differential channel 40 MHz scope, 2 channel 10 MHz AWG, 10 MHz Network Analyzer, 16 channel LA)
Build my own power supply using recycled parts: free
Banggood.com M12864 LCR ESR Transistor meter: $20
Extech EX210T True RMS + IR temperature Multimeter: $34
If you want to spend money, I'd suggest to buy a better DMM or two, like a Fluke 87/289 and forget about a 6.5 digit bench meter.  I bought a $20 ESR meter and it was worthless.  I ended up purchasing a BK LCR meter.
Quote
Radio Shack 2200172 AC/DC Digital Clamp On Multimeter. $13
Unless you are fixing air conditioners or doing maintenance, I can't really understand why you would have a clamp on meter.  So far, I've never run into a situation where I needed or wanted a clamp on meter.
Quote
Make Soldering Station Starter Kit: $25
Think about getting a good soldering station, and possibly a hot air station for smd.  Again, watch Dave's video and spread the money around focusing on getting the biggest bang for your money.

Don't forget about cables, adapters, debugging pods, parts, etching supplies, copper clad board, drills, drill bits, solderless bread board, wires, orders to board houses, more parts, books, enclosures, development boards... you will spend eventually spend all your money, trust me.  The list is endless...
 

Offline AF6LJ

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #70 on: November 06, 2015, 04:29:35 am »
This is a very entertaining thread  :-DD

Lets get serious;
Who actually needs a 6.5 digit DMM?
That is ridiculous for a 5K lab.

Forget the spectrum analyzer right off the top, buying a new SA that might be worth a damned on a good day when the sunshine was just the right shade of white would take too much of that 5K.

Don't even consider doing anything serious with RF.

Your big purchase will be your scope, so you need to decide if you really need a low end Mixed domain scope or just a DSO of reasonably good quality. From here on out the rest of your gear will be ether low-low end stuff or just low end stuff.


The other thing I don't see mentioned here; what about all those cables?
You going to buy them or make them. I prefer to make them since I am very good at it and know my workmanship is good to well beyond UHF by a decade or so.



Until quite recently I often questioned why you'd ever need a 6.5 digit DMM having spent the past 98% of my life without one, living perfectly well with 3 3/4 digits for many years thank you very much. For me it's not for absolute measurement, but for relative measurement: I do a fair amount of rework, and tracing down shorts, and badly behaving parts in circuit on a PCB is so easy with a high resolution DMM, and now I'd get frustrated without the resolution. But I'd agree, for absolute measurement the value of 6.5 digits still eludes me in a practical sense. I would not buy a 6.5 digit DMM new, or calibrated, there is just no value to me to be able to measure absolutely. The same is not true in the frequency domain though!
I can see that, my HP 5 1/2 digit DMM has saved me a lot of trouble tracking down shorts.
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I'd agree about an SA. They're the most under utilised pieces of equipment in my lab, and I just made a count and have five of them, from 1.5GHz to 22GHz. The two VNAs I have get quite a bit more use than the SAs.
Agreed but for someone starting out, I really don't think so, not even someone who wantts to dedicate their life to doing RF work. I have seen wet behind the ears techs do a few Killobucks worth of damage simply because they are not displined enough to look before applying power.
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As well as the scope, get some decent tools especially soldering irons. I use four different irons almost daily for SMD rework, three Wellers (two 80W with different sized tips and a tweezer) and one bargain basement hot air iron from eBay which I'd have no hesitation in buying again. Well within three minutes on a rework job on a chip I'll use all four, and sometimes on the tweezer and hot air iron I'll swap bits.

If the OP must get an SA, what about a Tek MDO3014 and liberating its bandwidth (and everything else)?

Agreed...
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I agree about cables, I have always made my own as a general rule... but they often do look pretty useless on a TDR compared to the professionally made high end brands like HP/Agilent Radiall etc., and for the VNAs above 100MHz or so I use the real thing for measuring stuff, no point in introducing more unknowns than you need to.
On the first part; there is (I believe) a bit of an art to making good cables without a few killobucks in fixtures and jigs to enable just about anyone to do it.
As for critical cables for VNAs and whatnot I agree you are best off buying the ones made nude virgins who have never touched themselves or had an impure thought to distract them from their work. :)
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Buying everything at once as if that's it, there will be no more, doesn't sound right though. I didn't know I needed a 20GHz oscilloscope until a few months ago. Come to think of it, I probably still don't really need one, but being able to squeak at 10ps/div sure makes me feel good. Somebody call the doctor.
I share in your feelings, but don't have the funds to indulge. :)
Sue AF6LJ
 

Offline AF6LJ

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #71 on: November 06, 2015, 04:37:41 am »
Some, found this thread entertaining...and maybe in a sick sort of way it is.

But overall it is scoring pretty high on my recently calibrated bullshit meter.

You are not alone.
What is that smell...
https://youtu.be/uOv7FLd9WvE
Sue AF6LJ
 

Offline tec5c

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #72 on: November 06, 2015, 05:31:39 am »
When you were in school you had a school lab full of equipment to play on, I'm merely trying to replicate that experience.

Here is a list of what the undergrad labs contain at my University:

Keysight - DSOX2024A Oscilloscope
Keysight - 34450A Benchtop DMM
Keysight - 33510B Waveform Generator
GW Instek - PST-3202 Triple Output Power Supply
Rigol - DSA815-TG Spectrum Analyser with Tracking Generator

Plus a bunch of sh*t handheld DMM's that are faulty due to noobs having no idea.

The labs have recently been renovated with new gear so hence why all the Keysight stuff.

The OP's statement of building a R&D lab is false. More accurately would be to say a beginners lab, thus you could equip your lab with the gear listed above for $5k, granted you would most likely need to go for the Agilent/HP branded equivalent. Benchtop DMM is not essential either.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2015, 05:34:10 am by tec5c »
 

Offline deadlylover

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #73 on: November 06, 2015, 06:32:44 am »
Buy a working shit scope for 20$. And learn it. You can do it, if you really want to and dedicate some time to it. Manuals are good and available. I'm no EE, but I learned most of it by repairing stuff.

+1 Ok, if you're feeling a bit spendy you can get a 1054Z, but dropping 25 Benjamins is a bit much for one's first scope. You can always get the MSO4014 later down the line when you need/want one, it's not like you're gonna throw out the 1054Z when you upgrade.

Repairing stuff is great value for money, not to mention immensely educational. I find it helps motivate you as a hobbyist, because there's nothing like bringing a piece of equipment back to life. It also keeps you busy until your next big 'score'. Even if you have to write something off for being beyond economic repair, you'll have often bought something for less than BOM cost, leaving you with heaps of parts/spares to tinker with.

Just go with the usual recommendations for basic gear, if I were to start over only buying new stuff I'd get a Rigol 1054Z, DP832 supply (a bit of a luxury), Hakko FX-888, one solid meter like the Brymen BM257 and a cheaper ~$50 one. Since you have a reliable base to start with, you can then look into buying used specialised gear as required after that, the 3.7k left over will go quite a ways.

I'd recommend you return the MSO4014, downsize to a cheap analog scope or 1054Z and then just start building stuff (probably starting with the power supplies). The gear will come naturally as you go along, I promise. Hell, pick up that PS4 and projector to keep you busy for a few days until any newly purchased gear arrives whenever you hit a roadblock, it's a much smarter purchase than buying a bunch of gear you can't find a use for.  :-DD
 

Offline nowlan

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Re: $5000 Electronics Lab Challenge
« Reply #74 on: November 06, 2015, 07:08:34 am »
I noticed my schools latest labs have all siglent gear. Must be poor =)

I put a list of stuff I have bought, and its not much.
1. oscilloscope
2. 2x psu
3. 1x shitty multimeter
4. used wellar soldering iron
5. cutter/pliers
6. test leads.
7. AVR ISP MK 2

Im not into RF. I think most people are most likely into microcontroller, and arduinos are cheap, have built in programmers. The same with all the little arm boards these days. Just need a Saelig to troubleshoot I2C/spi buses.

I bought most of my stuff new, since the older gear takes up a lot of room.

 


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