Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[tautech]

To which version ?
Apparently with old HW versions the self adjust feature disappears with the latest FW. 
Install nothing later than V1.08.01.15 for now until we get on top of this.

I thought the latest... But apparently, according to my download historySDG800_1.08.01.13R6_EN? Not the latest then. Not sure why not. I'll have to figure that out when back in the lab.

Not by a long shot.
Here's the one I recommend:
https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Signal_generator/SDG800_V1.08.01.15_EN.zip

And the revision history attached which indicates at least the version installed is one of the later versions. 

[m k]

HP 34401A with Revision code of 05-01-01.

generally people speak of the banana sockets being all red indicates an early version.

I read that last pair of numbers is it, -01 old and others not, also that some new versions have all red sockets.
Very new ones then have rounded buttons, if panel is original.

[m k]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

[DC1MC]

I've seen that the Agilent I've posted it was snatched like few minutes after the post  , the snatcher didn't even press the thank you button (same with the Philips Rubidium counters, you know who you are  ), so let's post something other rarity for the addicted connoisseurs:

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/tektronix-2465-dvs-oszilloskop-logic-analyzer/2359219582-168-6819



Cheers,
DC1MC

[wkb]

I've seen that the Agilent I've posted it was snatched like few minutes after the post  , the snatcher didn't even press the thank you button (same with the Philips Rubidium counters, you know who you are  ), so let's post something other rarity for the addicted connoisseurs:

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/tektronix-2465-dvs-oszilloskop-logic-analyzer/2359219582-168-6819



Cheers,
DC1MC

Heh.. you have a new Kleinanzeigen follower. 

This connoisseur already owns a 2465, albeit a CTS variant.

Wilko

[TERRA Operative]

Huh. Didn't see that coming.

Working on a HP 334A. Needed a sig gen and since that recently acquired Sigilent was around I grabbed that. Seems to work fine and yes its updated. Actually, the rotary is shit and some of the buttons have problems but I won't hold that against them as it has been with a smoker for quite some time.

What I DO hold against it is what happens next. Starting out with the simplest measurement, just use it as voltmeter. So, the 334A reads well over a volt when I feed it a 1V signal. So, I figure, well, old gear. Unfortunate, but it's somewhat expected it would drift over time.

Just for fun and giggles I figured to double check.


Well, screw you.

EDIT: well, don't send a boy to do a mans job, eh?

In my 334A, I replaced the carbon composite resistors with metal film, and all the electrolytic caps with new radial converted to axial with some clear heatshrink.

Thing is rock solid and stable. It adjusted nicely, and luckily I had no issues with the optocoupler assembly.

(Picture I've posted before):

[TERRA Operative]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

[Robert763]

Went to see a guy advertising an old Compaq LCD monitor that I wanted to grab, upon entering his garage to grab it I saw a couple pieces of test equipment. Look interesting offered him AU$120 (what was left in my pocket) and he agreed.

Now I just need a service manual if any one knows of one. I was only able to find a user manual for a COM-120B.

Well that's a Jammy git award.
I'ts worth 10 times that

http://www.test-italy.com/Specifiche%20strumenti/IFR/IFR%20COM-120A%20COM-120B/IFR%20COM-120A.pdf

Robert.

[Robert763]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

I think I have another one of those, somewhere...

Robert.

[BU508A]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

I think I have another one of those, somewhere...

Robert.

I assume, in your garage.   

[TERRA Operative]

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card

That's it....   

I think I have another one of those, somewhere...

Robert.

 

[TERRA Operative]

Anyone here in USA that can do be a big favour?....

I found a TM5000 module I want to buy, but ebay shipping to Japan is insane... Maybe it could be cheaper to get it passed along by a friendly neighbourhood American...

[AVGresponding]

I've seen that the Agilent I've posted it was snatched like few minutes after the post  , the snatcher didn't even press the thank you button (same with the Philips Rubidium counters, you know who you are  ), so let's post something other rarity for the addicted connoisseurs:

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/tektronix-2465-dvs-oszilloskop-logic-analyzer/2359219582-168-6819



Cheers,
DC1MC

This is why I only post good finds in the TEAnonymous B/S/W nowadays; only members can see the thread.

[m k]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

_That_ list I had but I didn't believe it.
My list had also an addendum that only PC2A is solid.

Other possibility seems to be a Linux and its VM DOS.
There seems to be few emulator possibilities available.

[TERRA Operative]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

_That_ list I had but I didn't believe it.
My list had also an addendum that only PC2A is solid.

Other possibility seems to be a Linux and its VM DOS.
There seems to be few emulator possibilities available.

Yeah, I have seen the Linux thing before, but that's a whole other rabbit hole that I'm not ready to go down yet. Not until I get a working setup running as per the original Tek specifications first to use as a baseline. 

[timeandfrequency]

The software probably knows the physical addresses on the ISA bus of the GPIB chip and just pokes in its registers.

[Vince]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

I think I have another one of those, somewhere...

Robert.

Yes you do ! Or... you DID.... you sold it to me a few months ago! Sorry Terra ! 

Well... unless Robert has a whole collection of them...like his current clamps...

[DC1MC]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

OK Terra, because you're a nice guy and I'm trying to promote the GPIB adapters for which I still have some materials and finally allow the people to calibrate their scopes using modern PC/OS I have this proposition:
Package the necessary DOS software in an archive, put it in wetransfer.com or whatever file sharing site and tell me what are the necessary programs that need reversing.
I will try to determine at least the sequence of commands and expected responses and afterwards some Pythonian/Web App/Whatever person may do a glorious app, otherwise serial terminal it is .

 What say you ?

 Cheers,
 DC1MC

P.S I think this is long overdue and must be done for all the DOS calibration/testing/whatever programs for devices that are still relevant.

[duckduck]

Anyone here in USA that can do be a big favour?....

I found a TM5000 module I want to buy, but ebay shipping to Japan is insane... Maybe it could be cheaper to get it passed along by a friendly neighbourhood American...

I can help. Message me.

duckduck

[Robert763]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

I think I have another one of those, somewhere...

Robert.

I assume, in your garage.   

The attic actually. In a Dolch PAC luggable IIRC. I'll go check...

[m k]

The software probably knows the physical addresses on the ISA bus of the GPIB chip and just pokes in its registers.

That seems to be the case.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/automating-tektronix-field-adjustment-software-for-tds-oscilloscopes/msg4608439/#msg4608439

So the card ROM is probably completely bypassed.

[Robert763]

The software lacks any form of GPIB card config settings as it just assumes you will use the Tek supplied or recommended GPIB card.

Do you have a list?

I found an old CEC ISA card with external ROM, so it can be emulated.

Yeah, here's the list of all supported GPIB cards as per the Tek TDS Scope service manuals:

- National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA ISA GPIB card



That's it....   

I think I have another one of those, somewhere...

Robert.

Yes you do ! Or... you DID.... you sold it to me a few months ago! Sorry Terra ! 

Well... unless Robert has a whole collection of them...like his current clamps...

No this is another one. Just checked and it's a NI AT GPIB TNT so 16 bit. Not sure it will work. I might have anther one but it is well buried in bin 14 at the back of the storage unit......

Robert

[Robert763]

Talking about current clamps, I just got two more 
They are a LEM HEME 1000P and 200P these are AC/AD dual range (200A/1000A and 20A/200A clamps with voltage inpt and power measurement. So Amps, Volts, Hertz, Power Factor, Real Power and Apparent Power all in one  . I paid under £50 inc. shipping for both (different sellers). Oh and a 3 phase adaptor for balanced loads.

@Vince there is the French version of the 1000P on ebay at the moment, a ITT Metrix MX1220 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204242819437

Robert.

[Vince]

You are not helping my finances... I will have to pass. Looks like a nice versatile bit of kit though.

I might fancy a current clamp some day but no need for it presently, so not in the market right now. When I am, I know who to ask for advice 

"Box 14"  you said ?!  So that means all your million boxes are numbered and every item in them is listed in a spreadsheet ? Like my component inventory ?!
So it's not a clusterfuck then.... it's rather a surprisingly well organized mountain of stuff...

[wolfy007]

Went to see a guy advertising an old Compaq LCD monitor that I wanted to grab, upon entering his garage to grab it I saw a couple pieces of test equipment. Look interesting offered him AU$120 (what was left in my pocket) and he agreed.

Now I just need a service manual if any one knows of one. I was only able to find a user manual for a COM-120B.

Well that's a Jammy git award.
I'ts worth 10 times that



http://www.test-italy.com/Specifiche%20strumenti/IFR/IFR%20COM-120A%20COM-120B/IFR%20COM-120A.pdf

Robert.

Perhaps if it was working, which this one isnt, its funny as I have been eye balling a few Marconi communication testers recently.

I plugged it into a DC power supply (its capable of running from DC power/Battery or AC) and set a current limit, and after soft power on the power light lights up for a second a relay is heard then it simply shuts down. Will try removing various boards from it in case one is causing a short and causing the power supply to shutdown in protection mode, otherwise its a power supply issue. But would like a service manual, still havent found one tho.