Yep, read around a bit more and that sounds like the accepted process. A bit of paper with isopropy alcohol on it GENTLY rubbed between the contacts. I have a some isocol on hand so I will give it a go. Thanks Rerouter.
Another question, if I do the following:
- hook up the calibration signal output into the A trigger input
- set the A trigger switch to EXT
- set the VERT MODE switch to A TRIG VIEW
what should I see on the trace?
I am currently seeing just a plain line. Note that I can get the square wave from the calibration output to display without any worries when input into CH1 or CH2. I then leave the time base and the volts/div at the same settings when I follow the above steps.
My understanding was that it takes the input given by the trigger selector and displays it without any amplification so what I see (just a line) is correct. But the operators manual procedure for Basic Timing Check makes me think I should see the same signal as if i plugged it into CH1 or CH2. I am confused...
EDIT: Figured it out. I will write up my findings just in case someone else needs it. The input into A TRIGGER EXT should be displayed the same as if it is fed into CH1 or CH2 except with a constant vertical scale of 0.1V/DIV (as stated on the front panel). You can't adjust this scale although you can adjust the overall vertical position with the A TRIGGER SLOPE knob. This is probably obvious to anyone who has a working 465B. The reason I was only getting a single straight line for a trace was that the two connectors (J7535 & J7524 on schematic for A & B trigger generators, this is missing from most manuals off the net, find it at
http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/465b/ under "465bMissingPages.pdf") were not seated correctly. The wire end was out to the side of the connector assembly rather than in the socket and so no signal was getting through. Simply re-seat these connectors and you're good to go!