Hello all,
First post, so I hope this is in the correct place, as well I'll give some background on myself and my needs.
I'm Brad, 37 and live in California (transplant from the East coast)- not new to electronics or their insides, as I have been taking things apart since before I can remember. I have built a few circuits in the past, and took a few semesters at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, as I was thinking of becoming an electrical computer engineer. Medicine found me and I took a different route, never leaving electronics and my fascination of them in general as well as what makes them tick. I also have a ham radio license (general class), and a whole station. Not the best antenna setup at the moment, but a decent station.
I have recently become fascinated in electronics and s the components and send have gotten and send round to starting to learn more about how they work together, as well as individually. I am currently reading some ee textbooks to further my knowledge and learning. So far, so good, as well as fascinating and fun!
I have some equipment for my electronics lab that I'm working on. I will list what I already have, and then state my intentions.
In advance, I'd like to thank anyone for their help and expertise and pointing me in the correct direction.
Currently I have in the lab:
-Fluke 87V DMM
-Brymen 727 DMM (that I've had for some time) Purchased in New Zealand when I lived there.
-Klein CL2000 DMM/clamp
-Assorted probes (fluke master accessory kit)
-Hakko FX888D Soldering Station
-Desoldering iron with bulb (yes, I know, not the best tool, but she gets the job done most of the time)
-HeathKit IP-2718 Tri-Power Supply (got it for free from electronics recycling, works a treat. Pretty accurate too)
-Korad 3005D Power Supply
-Homemade ATX Power Supply
-Tektronix 7514 Storage Oscilloscope (this thing is a beast!)
-Tektronix OS-245 (P)/U (AN/USM-28IC) Oscilloscope
-Rigol DS1054Z Oscilloscope
-Assorted test leads (one can never have too many of those lol)
-A few Elenco breadboards
-Jumper wires
-Assorted Components
-Plenty of tools for almost anything.
I've been reading the EE textbooks I have, as well as I have downloaded a few labs (for instance RC circuits and a few other EE labs) so that I may learn and preform them in my own lab
I see many experiments and labs as well as real world application into diagnosing and testing as well as for R and D needing a function generator or an arbitrary function generator. Now I won't lie and say I understand completely the experiments and what is happening, but that is the goal. As well as to, in the future, apply my knowledge to real world devices as well as create my own!
That being said, it looks as though a function generator is a key piece of lab equipment. I understand some about function generators, but not all. for instance, I am aware you can use it in your circuit to control the blinking rate of leds by changing frequency and duty cycle.
Some of the experiments call for an arbitrary function generator. I understand what arbitrary means, but not necessarily how it applies which I am obviously curious and wanting and willing to learn.
Now I am a person who believes in getting things you can "grow" into. That being said, I'm not made of money and have a limited budget of 250-300. I'd really like to not go above 300 at the moment, but would like the best bang for my buck as I take this long learning roller coaster! I understand you can always upgrade your equipment when the need arises.
Also wanted to add that I have done much research on here as well as google, and youtube about this very subject, and have yet to come to a conclusion without some feedback and discussion with those more informed, and wiser than I.
I arrived at the decision for the Rigol DS1054Z and the Korad 3005D from this forum. And many thanks to those contributors whom I got lots of useful information from!
Onto my intended needs/uses:
So as you're probably gathering, I'm no electrical engineer, nor doing R and D, but still enjoy precision, and I am aware that at this price point, I am somewhat limited to precision and accuracy. Again bang for buck. What should I purchase to get the most from my money, and most for my learning?
I would like to use the function generator, be it an analog, dds, or arbitrary, for my learning of electrical components and circuits, for working on the labs I have downloaded, as well as I'm sure I'll find some new ones to work on also. I would like to use it to build circuits, learn about them, test them, see what changes when you adjust different parameters, etc I also have a love for audio. A bit of an audiophile, and as well I have a bunch of audio equipment. It would certainly be neat, and I plan on learning how to diagnose as well how audio circuitry works. As well as using it to learn more and more about the oscilloscope I have a solid understanding of my DMM, but the oscilloscope I'm semi new to, and it has its leaning curves as I'm sure everyone knows. Having a function generator seems to be a good tool for learning your oscilloscope as well.
Basically I'd like to learn as much as I can!
I have read it's definitely not a good idea to be using your android or iphone device as a function generator, especially for a noobie, as I could easily inject something into my iPhone or Android rendering it useless. That would be no good. So let's stay away from that. I also am not looking for a usb interface (may be using the wrong term here) but not one where you're limited to the range topping out around 20 kHz output from your sound card. I would like a stand alone unit. (Not that I know what the limit of 20 kHz means on a circuit board (we'll let's not say that, I understand it's 20,000 times/second).
I have been reading here about the Rigol DG1022 as well as the Siglent SDG805, and see there's much love for the instek SFG-1003. Also was having a look at Instek AFG-2005. I am not limited to these choices, any and all suggestions are welcomed as I make my decision.
Just not sure what to purchase for my required needs. I know sometimes you guys ask for the op to let you know what the max frequency required, max voltage, how much thd, etc. I am not sure about what I need, and that does not mean that I don't want or need one, it simply means I am unsure which type, analog, digital, or arbutrary, and what the actual differences are under real world application, not simply looking at the white papers for each. I understand analog must be genrating the signal with analog circuitry and the dds or digital with digital circuitry. (Please correct me if I am wrong). I also understand that and arbitrary one would output a changing waveform, as opposed to a periodic waveform. As well as periodic waveforms. (again, correct me if I'm wrong).
So any help in pointing me in the right direction would be splendid. I'm happy to provide more information about myself for my needs, just let me know!
Also, I may some advice on a few companies besides Tequipment.net, though I understand we get a discount with a code from a pm from someone on the eevblog forums, and as well I don't have to pay tax, to order equipment from that are trustworthy and have a good reputation. I do like Tequipment, they do have very good customer service. Not to let that limit my decision, as they may not have what is suggested.
Also any other advice on anything else I should be having in the lab that I don't already is much appreciated.
Thanks again in advance,
-Brad