Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[mnementh]

Shit I didnt see the missing screws either. Damn YOU MURPHY! Guess I will have to read another fucking manual and check these thing out! MURPH-DAWG, gimme a fucking break will ya.

I think one of the forum guys wants all this gear, but I cant just pawn shit off that I know is bad or tampered...Ill leave it for another day...

It looks like as-is repairable, they're running approx $200-350 delivered depending on completeness. Complete, tested, ready to use w/warrantee right around $1000-1200.

I see a listing for JUST the feedhorn/directional coupler with elements (no idea what frequency range) at $175, and the individual elements at $60-250 depending on wattage/frequency.

I wouldn't be afraid to sell it as-is, unless you're way upside-down at those prices. Anybody who knows what it is is not going to be hurt with a "fixer-upper", which technically it is as it doen't appear to have even a single set of elements. If you have too much in it for that, then yeah... best to at least get it fired up. I believe it uses the same elements as the 43 series analog RF power meters you already have.

Be advised: New cost appears to be approx $2000, with MSRP of $2700. https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=4391a

mnem
 

[Kosmic]

@med, that 7704A is toast brotha, you'll be getting the 7704. SO sorry I didnt see it earlier before I opened my big mouth.

Put some deoxit on it ?

No I'm joking you need a scraper 

[Inverted18650]

Best case is copy the PCB and get another one made, I wouldn't trust this guy no matter much much it cleaned up. Could also be more damage below. More than likely it'll be a parts scope.

[beanflying]

Cool toy in NYC @med and others  eBay auction: #283316686806

[Inverted18650]

It looks like as-is repairable, they're running approx $200-350 delivered depending on completeness. Complete, tested, ready to use w/warrantee right around $1000-1200.

I see a listing for JUST the feedhorn/directional coupler with elements (no idea what frequency range) at $175, and the individual elements at $60-250 depending on wattage/frequency.

I wouldn't be afraid to sell it as-is, unless you're way upside-down at those prices. Anybody who knows what it is is not going to be hurt with a "fixer-upper", which technically it is as it doen't appear to have even a single set of elements. If you have too much in it for that, then yeah... best to at least get it fired up. I believe it uses the same elements as the 43 series analog RF power meters you already have.

Be advised: New cost appears to be approx $2000, with MSRP of $2700. https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=4391a

mnem
 

Thanks mate. Given those numbers, I'll take the time and check it out. I need to get some cash back from this lot. My new friend in China is the only one buying anything and he saved my ass! But I still need some $$$ to get even, pricing in the cost of shipping the freebies as well...but I am sure I will do okay with it, especially if this little guy can fetch $800-$1k.

[Inverted18650]

Cool toy in NYC @med and others  eBay auction: #283316686806

We need a "drool" icon/emoji.

[mnementh]

   Looking for Opinions:   Test equipment on-the-bench setup or test equipment on-a-shelf setup?
My table is only 32.5in deep and most of my test equipment is 15-18in in depth, so that doesn't leave a whole lot of space on my work table for DUTs or other larger projects.
I do occasionally film my projects and it might be a pain to have the equipment high up on the shelf and outside the video frame. Hmm the options 

My current solution is two of the cheap 12" deep wire shelves from Wally World set with the bottom shelf approx 12" high so I can either have stowage space or wide workspace, with the center open because my surface is only 28" deep. As you can see, a 2465 at 15.5" or 17" covered fits just about right. I really like these shelves for one thing: If you don't put the stupid plugs in the tubes, the swivel stem from a swingarm lamp or magnifier fits inside (a little sloppy, but still very securely) and holds the light at a really nice height.

Before that, when I had 38" depth, I had them 4 wide and 2 high all along the back of the bench, but only 2 shelves on the bottom 4 racks; lowest rack was at 18" high so I could have work all the way to the back wall as long as it fit between the legs.

No, you may NOT see what it looks like right now. 

Hope that helps,

mnem
*Tidy-defective*

[salvagedcircuitry]

My current solution is two of the cheap 12" deep wire shelves from Wally World set with the bottom shelf approx 12" high so I can either have stowage space or wide workspace, with the center open because my surface is only 28" deep. As you can see, a 2465 at 15.5" or 17" covered fits just about right. I really like these shelves for one thing: If you don't put the stupid plugs in the tubes, the swivel stem from a swingarm lamp or magnifier fits inside (a little sloppy, but still very securely) and holds the light at a really nice height.

Before that, when I had 38" depth, I had them 4 wide and 2 high all along the back of the bench, but only 2 shelves on the bottom 4 racks; lowest rack was at 18" high so I could have work all the way to the back wall as long as it fit between the legs.

No, you may NOT see what it looks like right now. 

Hope that helps,

mnem
*Tidy-defective*

I have not really looked at those type of wire shelves. Definitely interesting. Thanks. I'm still moving things about so stuff is everywhere lol . I am leaning toward redoing my shelving (there are 3 shelves above highest one in my photo) and I think I'm just going to extend it lower and maybe do a swing arm monitor. Or maybe just use a smaller monitor for the overhead camera and then put my oscilloscope on my table. So many options!

[TERRA Operative]

Time for a new toy, courtesy of Yahoo Auctions.. Tektronix 577-177 curve tracer. (picture from the listing).
This'll make for a nice restoration. 

And I am just finishing the build of an ebay curve tracer too. , although that one won't test up to 1600V.....

[med6753]

@med, that 7704A is toast brotha, you'll be getting the 7704. SO sorry I didnt see it earlier before I opened my big mouth.

Holy shit...what happen? Water?

The 7704 is fine. Does it work?

[Inverted18650]

Yes, it is from my collection. Its spot on..

[med6753]

Yes, it is from my collection. Its spot on

OK, cool!  Going to send out the money order later today. I'll let you know when it's on it's way. 

[med6753]

Cool toy in NYC @med and others  eBay auction: #283316686806

We need a "drool" icon/emoji.

Nope. It's a simple "emission" tube tester which doesn't really tell you much other than if the filament is OK or there's shorted elements. If you're into vacuum tube audio or other precision work where you need to match tubes this tester is totally useless.

[beanflying]

This has a bit of a rough head on it but the insides will be pure Yokagawa/HP porn. 0.25% spec. I have one and some internal shots here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hewlett-packard-4440b-decade-capacitor/msg1376042/#msg1376042 eBay auction: #273684667140



EDIT check out that same sellers other items for sale 

[TERRA Operative]

Ooh, there was one of these on Yahoo Auctions recently... If only I had more spare cash I would have nabbed it.

[Inverted18650]

Anyone awake and doing the TEA thing? Just found another eBay gem...as if I have the time right but damn I may have to do it

[0culus]

Anyone awake and doing the TEA thing? Just found another eBay gem...as if I have the time right but damn I may have to do it

I'm logic analyzing and cursing this crap. lol. Anything to take the mind off...do tell... 

[Inverted18650]

Can't share yet, but if i win it, youll all get high res pics. What are you analyzing at this hour? ALso you see the post with the 4391? It has screws missing on both sides as if it was opened.

[0culus]

Can't share yet, but if i win it, youll all get high res pics. What are you analyzing at this hour? ALso you see the post with the 4391? It has screws missing on both sides as if it was opened.

An FPGA design that's central to my research. Stuff that was working earlier is not working now. 

I missed it, I'll go look for it. [edit] can't locate

[mnementh]

Tool Time Widda ToolDwagon: Cheap Amazon Screwdriver Set

    

So... while I was deeply embroiled in my PC Case Fuckery Modding project, I allowed Amazon to tempt me with this cheap set of screwdrivers (As an add-on for $10, not the $15 list) to fill out a minimum order so I could get my sleeving 1-day delivered on a Sunday. 

As you can see, delivered product appears very close to optimized photo from listing; they come with a semi-hardside carrying case, a microfiber cloth that is actually of usable size, and a magnetizer/demagnetizer that while cheaply made, does appear to put a half-decent magnetic charge on the tip with 5-6 passes through the center, and demagnetizes as easily. The little glasses screwdriver turned out to be a horrible chromed-plastic piece of shite; it went directly in the trash can lest I be tempted to actually try and bring the damn thing anywhere near my glasses.

I was skeptical at first, but these seem to have entirely too good feedback for the price, so I figured I'd take one for the team. I'll be using them as my daily drivers for a while, and I'll report back here with my findings.

Initial impressions: Anodized aluminum handles have decent feel; the o-rings appear to be nice grippy silicone, and the swivel head is amazingly smooth. Anodizing is fair; several have small void blemishes in the dye. Chrome plating on the shanks is so-so; but the tips themselves appear to be well-machined and come in standard PH1, PH0, PH00, PH000 (despite idiotic mm size imprinting) and 1.5-3.0mm slotted sizes with 25mm long shafts.

Testing with a generic square file (Sorry; I don't have a set of hardness files anymore... long story  ) places hardness somewhere between a quality IRWIN P2 screwdriver bit and my current favorite daily mini-drivers, the Husky 74501 & 74502 (which appear to be discontinued), so claims of being "S2" impact/shock resistant alloy tool steel are probably true, though of course this alloy's usefulness depends greatly on the care with which it is tempered.

I'm currently laying out a tool stand to print up which will hold all of these drivers plus a few of my "iDrivers" for the duration of said use and testing.

Cheers,

mnem
ZZZzzzZZZzzz...

[bd139]

@med, that 7704A is toast brotha, you'll be getting the 7704. SO sorry I didnt see it earlier before I opened my big mouth.

Bloody hell. I think that’s actually worse than the rat piss soaked Amiga I bought at a car boot sale once.

[beanflying]

Nearly makes up for the pain that is soldering Kanthal to copper Ratio box is only 0.006% for the low ratios but I will live with it 

Good enough for 'Stralia and 600

[syau]

I'm catching Poke'mon with my son. Does that count?

mnem
Oh, Hell no!

Depends maybe, in the eyes of the other parties, on whether you caught one with stripes or one that can call out R, C, and L precisely.
If that would still work along the Pokemon principles, Inverted16850 is probably going to exercise it to the limits hoping it evolves in a upmarket Wayne-Kerr or Tegam.

  I wish man. I had a nice HP4274A a while back and sold it, I am always* kicking myself  for that stupid mistake. I would love to get a 4275A though..but if I am able to turn this lot into a badass "modern" CAL LAB, that would be pretty sick.

I was holding a nice 332 unit for another user, but they bailed so I will be posting another nice 332D with stats and pics on the sale thread shortly. Its a nice unit, like I said I was holding it for someone here who bailed, so if you want one, let me know.

You meant me? A 332D Fluke DC calibrator? No thanks. While I am pondering such a nice little trnsfer standard, any full-size calibrator that I bring in here would be a multimeter all-function calibrator, if I could afford one.

I either wish I can afford a multi-function calibrator 

[tggzzz]

Today's GAS.

Totally unnecessary, of course, but count the digits on the label (and don't compare to the uncertainty!)

[syau]

You have more playing around money than I do.  I support any and all TEA however. 

No I dont, I just have an addiction I have to feed. I sold half my kidney for this lot. I also have bids in on another HP Spec Analyzer HP 8559A and a Tek PS2520OG Programmable PSU. Fingers corssed I get them all and the seller can do a bulk shipping for me!

Those cables & connector will cost you more than the equipment after you passed several GHz