Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[mnementh]

grr. micro$uck.

mnem
*toddling off to ded*

[Housedad]

Just six more months. Just six more months. Just six more months.


And I'll finally have enough money to buy a spectrum analyzer.

I feel the need.......to TEA.  It buuurns!!

[worsthorse]

Can't wait to see the SPR-4.

Neither can I. 

I will post a pic here for the TEA group of course, and then post the rest of the work I do in this thread -

Drake SPR-4

It's going to be scary going outside of the TEA group but I'm not afraid. 

added that thread to my notify list. looking forward to seeing what you do with it. the drakes from that era are pretty damn cool.

[worsthorse]

I was wasting time on ebay. I reminded myself that I was done buying stuff until I finished fixing what I had and also cleared some of the RTTY gear out. But tt was like a stray puppy that I couldn't resist. So I made a low offer, figuring it would be rejected.

Of course the seller accepted it forty-five seconds later. So now I have two TDR 1503s to repair.



The case on this one is in bad shape (the front panel cover is shattered on one side) but it has the strip recorder option and the front panel looks to be pretty good. Seventy-five bucks shipped for a parts mule.

[0culus]

Just six more months. Just six more months. Just six more months.


And I'll finally have enough money to buy a spectrum analyzer.

I feel the need.......to TEA.  It buuurns!!

If you're like me, you'll end up with more than one!! I have 3 operational spectrum analyzers (HP 8566A, 8568B, and 8569B) and 1 in need of repair (another 8568B). 

[tggzzz]

Just six more months. Just six more months. Just six more months.


And I'll finally have enough money to buy a spectrum analyzer.

I feel the need.......to TEA.  It buuurns!!

Patience rewards. I got my first >10GHz spectrum analyser for £250, and the second for £350. Both work (except the first's fan has recently stopped). The first was my jumping quickly on one offered on this forum. The second was an obscure auction (i.e. they don't ship) where much of the other stuff was house/building etc.

As well as the frequency limits, you might like to consider whether or not you need a preselector. Crude distinction: wideband surveillance (or a noise source) benefits from a preselector, close-in single signal doesn't.

A tracking generator gives you a scalar network analyser (e.g. filter response), a noise source crudely approximates that but you need a preselector.

[tggzzz]

I was wasting time on ebay. I reminded myself that I was done buying stuff until I finished fixing what I had and also cleared some of the RTTY gear out. But tt was like a stray puppy that I couldn't resist. So I made a low offer, figuring it would be rejected.

Of course the seller accepted it forty-five seconds later. So now I have two TDR 1503s to repair.

The case on this one is in bad shape (the front panel cover is shattered on one side) but it has the strip recorder option and the front panel looks to be pretty good. Seventy-five bucks shipped for a parts mule.

Tee hee. I have a fetish for the 1502s, have got all of mine working, sold two, still to sell one, keeping one.

Good luck finding the thermal paper with sprocket holes for timing. ISTR someone saying that you could use some modern thermal paper, provided you used a 555 to synthesise the timing pulse.

Personally I prefer the XY output option, since I can stuff that up a digitising scope. I also prefer the 1502, since it can resolve small distances (140ps -> a couple of cm).

The 1502B's LCDs are a standard problem area, which is a shame since they are used for aerospace maintenance. That implies $ $ $, to the extent that an enterprising company makes direct replacements for the 1502B.

[beanflying]

Any vintage Scope tragics interested in this wee Cosser beast? eBay auction: #183823930373 Happy to on forward overseas as the seller can be a bit touchy about even posting simple stuff

[tautech]

OT............
We all know some 'good bastard' and bugger me I got a prezzie in the mail today from this member we all know.

Nearly bowled me over as it was totally unexpected (mostly) and he added a nice personalized touch to some of his fine 3D prints.   



If the 3D printed feet to shod my HP1740 wasn't enough some bottle openers were added with Siglent and their logo was done either in the print or with his flash laser...........again totally cool ! 
If that wasn't enough a 'Sea Breeze Coffee' opener and a 3D printed birthday card (belated) was in the package too. 

You know who you are and this totally made my day.........a special thanks to you Bean.
Wadda I owe ya ?

[beanflying]

Your 'first' shout if we ever catch up in person or a free Spec Analyser would do 

The openers are a good way to use up the last scrap on the filament rolls and make for a good give away for me when doing coffees. The big one is twist tops or for those with dodgy hands and works with just palm pressure. I didn't get a chance to smack the couple of spare extra rough feet included like I did the PLA one a while ago so out with the Hammer and see how the PETG stands up. 

The bit of Card is the only Laser stuff as I had it out at the time. The Siglent logo is a bit fine for small 3DP but it sort of worked.

[tautech]

Your 'first' shout if we ever catch up in person ............

Certainly as now I have some small change to help finance the beers.....     

[tggzzz]

Your 'first' shout if we ever catch up in person or a free Spec Analyser would do 

You can use an RTLSDR as a 35-1500MHz spectrum analyser. Better to get one with decent metal shielding.

Limited? Yes? Better than nothing? Often.

[beanflying]

Your 'first' shout if we ever catch up in person or a free Spec Analyser would do 

You can use an RTLSDR as a 35-1500MHz spectrum analyser. Better to get one with decent metal shielding.

Limited? Yes? Better than nothing? Often.

On my list of things to play with. The Discone should be arriving tomorrow so it will move back up in the playing department again.

Time for some housework and dusting first maybe

[tggzzz]

On my list of things to play with. The Discone should be arriving tomorrow so it will move back up in the playing department again.

Time for some housework and dusting first maybe

That could be delayed by moving the RTLSDR to a laptop

[bd139]

yes. I'm actually doing housework now. Anything to delay that is good. Hence why I'm making this reply 

[Specmaster]

Snap, I'm about to the dusting, hoovering and steaming up and downstairs if I can be bothered, which I'll have to otherwise SWMBO will blow her top when she gets in from work tonight 

[xrunner]

I was wasting time on ebay ...

NO wch! Realize this: we, as TEA members NEVER waste time on Ebay. 

We may waste time cleaning our houses, eating, or doing family related activities, but we NEVER EVER waste time on Ebay. 

[bd139]

Hahahaha nailed it 

[med6753]

All my domestic responsibilities were done days ago (sweeping, "hoovering", dusting, laundry). Will be due again this weekend/early next week.

Parts for the Heath OL-1 are on the UPS truck out for delivery. 

[bd139]

Don't forget to post lots of pictures of the OL-1

[med6753]

Don't forget to post lots of pictures of the OL-1

Not to worry! 

Apparently this CL seller is not budging on price. It's been out there for 2 months now. There was a 2445 for the same price listed in Brooklyn with broken knobs which sold in less than a week.

Yes, he sort of has a unique scope. And all the accessories are there. And I heard they are decent performers. But he's about $40 - $50 USD too high. And while it's tempting it's kinda too far to drive so the "Benefit factor" is low.

I'll bet he has received several offers but turned them down.

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/ele/d/fair-lawn-leader-lbo-315-portable-dual/6861632643.html

 

[Brumby]

I was wasting time on ebay ...

NO wch! Realize this: we, as TEA members NEVER waste time on Ebay. 

We may waste time cleaning our houses, eating, or doing family related activities, but we NEVER EVER waste time on Ebay. 

Absolutely!  Time spent on eBay is an investment.   

[Specmaster]

Don't forget to post lots of pictures of the OL-1

Not to worry! 

Apparently this CL seller is not budging on price. It's been out there for 2 months now. There was a 2445 for the same price listed in Brooklyn with broken knobs which sold in less than a week.

Yes, he sort of has a unique scope. And all the accessories are there. And I heard they are decent performers. But he's about $40 - $50 USD too high. And while it's tempting it's kinda too far to drive so the "Benefit factor" is low.

I'll bet he has received several offers but turned them down.

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/ele/d/fair-lawn-leader-lbo-315-portable-dual/6861632643.html

 

That is in nice condition and is nice and small so ideal as a portable scope and does seem to be overpriced but then it comes with manuals, hard case and carry bag so all in I don't think it is too bad but the benefit factor is low I would say compared to the scopes that you already have. 

[mnementh]

grr. micro$uck.

mnem
*toddling off to ded*

grr. maybe not micro$uck.

I've been having issues with my old faithful not resuming correctly from sleep. I thought it was due to something corrupted by that AHCI/IDE mishap with my old spinning rust drive, but the issue persists with my SSD build.
So it may be hardware, it may be some recent "update" fuggery eating my lunch. 

mnem
I hate my personal confuser today.

[med6753]

grr. micro$uck.

mnem
*toddling off to ded*

grr. maybe not micro$uck.

I've been having issues with my old faithful not resuming correctly from sleep. I thought it was due to something corrupted by that AHCI/IDE mishap with my old spinning rust drive, but the issue persists with my SSD build.
So it may be hardware, it may be some recent "update" fuggery eating my lunch. 

mnem
I hate my personal confuser today.

Yes, a WIN10 update did fuck with my power settings including sleep function but I honestly don't recall what I did to fix it. Google is your friend here. I'm pretty sure that's where I found the fix.