Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[0culus]

Tonight's TEA should I do this or not question

One of the boxes I got from the garage treasure house was filled with probes. I spent this afternoon sorting them out; tonight I will test them. Most of them are pedestrian but there are six FET probes of various bandwidths, along with another four or five other BNC powered probes. To use them on the scopes I have, I will need to buy a Tek power source. On one hand, a 4GHz probe on a 300MHz scope is serious overkill, and selling them, I would more than cover the cost of all the gear I have purchased in the last three or four months. On the other, how cool is it to have a couple of GHz test probes on the bench?

So... should I fork out the cash for a power supply and keep all the probes or liberate some cash that I might use for, umm, more practical test equipment?

If you have a potential application for the FET probes, might be worth keeping them. If they can use the type 1101 accessory power supply, I found one of the older style ones with 4 outputs for a good price a while back on fleabay, to power my P6201 FET probes.

Keep in mind that probing at frequencies like that is not going to be easy even under ideal conditions. A traditional ground wire will have orders of magnitude too much inductance. You will definitely need the tiny wire tip grounding accessories that hopefully the probes have still....

[Brumby]

... but can I see it's feet? 

Aside from some twitchy controls that probably only need a clean, that is the only shortcoming I've found with the 1740A I recently acquired.  All four rear feet have been "truncated".  This isn't a big deal as I plan on setting it up on a shelf (as soon as I acquire the space I mentioned a while ago  ).

Have done some spot cleaning on the front panel and so far every "mark" I've come across has cleaned up perfectly.  I even thought I had a small scratch on the screen protector - but that disappeared after a clean with just a damp cloth.

So far, the only thing that stops this from looking "factory fresh" is the browning of the screen bezel.

This was a brilliant win.  Thanks to Bean for the heads up!

[beanflying]

... but can I see it's feet? 

Aside from some twitchy controls that probably only need a clean, that is the only shortcoming I've found with the 1740A I recently acquired.  All four rear feet have been "truncated".  This isn't a big deal as I plan on setting it up on a shelf (as soon as I acquire the space I mentioned a while ago  ).

Have done some spot cleaning on the front panel and so far every "mark" I've come across has cleaned up perfectly.  I even thought I had a small scratch on the screen protector - but that disappeared after a clean with just a damp cloth.

So far, the only thing that stops this from looking "factory fresh" is the browning of the screen bezel.

This was a brilliant win.  Thanks to Bean for the heads up!

No worries at all What you NEED now is a 3D Printer  https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/replacement-knobs-feet-and-fittings-for-test-equipment/msg2267919/#msg2267919

[Brumby]

Don't laugh.  It's on my list.  (I have been following that thread.)

I am also having visions of putting together a large format motion system to support a laser cutter capable of a 48" x 36" working area ... with the option of fitting a 3D printing hot end, etc.

Lots of challenges with such big spans.

[mnementh]

just wanted to say thanks to you guys who pointed out firefly.

have been binge watching and am up to episode 7.

not sure how I missed this series.  spent a lot of time in Heidelberg the last half of 2002.  maybe afn didn't carry it?

It was mismanaged and canceled in its first season, so it's understandable that not everyone who would enjoy it knew about it. The follow up movie, Serenity, was made thanks to support/pressure from fans. Amazing.

Always a pleasure to find another Brown Coat. Even better, a Brown Coat TEA lover.

So whatami, chopped Reaver?!? 

When you're done with Firefly and Serenity, hit Cowboy Bebop. This was one of the inspirational things for Firefly. Weird, hilarious and excellent.

Edit: must go to bed. Kempton tomorrow. TE fishing time! 

Faye Valentine was my laptop wallpaper all through my 2nd go round at Uni; toon crush number 1739.  Fortunately, my girlfriend said I could have her if I could catch her, provided I share.

mnem

[mnementh]

https://youtu.be/QFjUbEAP-5U

She is one butt-ugly space mule... but the fact that she is... is beautiful.

I won't get to be a "Rocket Man"; but I may live to see the day when "... it's just my job, 5 days a week..."

mnem
We did that. 

[Carl_Smith]

So... should I fork out the cash for a power supply and keep all the probes or liberate some cash that I might use for, umm, more practical test equipment?

I don't see much point in having 4GHz scope probes if your best scope is 300 MHz.  Which leaves only two options.  #1: Sell the probes and spend all the money on test other test equipment you can use, or, #2: Get a scope that needs 4GHz probes.      This being TEA, the #2 option is probably indicated.

[mnementh]

mnem
*perspective*

[wch]

So... should I fork out the cash for a power supply and keep all the probes or liberate some cash that I might use for, umm, more practical test equipment?

I don't see much point in having 4GHz scope probes if your best scope is 300 MHz.  Which leaves only two options.  #1: Sell the probes and spend all the money on test other test equipment you can use, or, #2: Get a scope that needs 4GHz probes.      This being TEA, the #2 option is probably indicated.

Truth is I spend very little time working above 100Mhz. My homebrew stuff rarely goes faster than 30HMz.  Of course, that hasn't stopped me from accumulating test equipment (2465, 8840B, etc) that does an order of magnitude or more better than that.     But that's a different story.

I will probably figure out how to test them and see if I can find them an owner who will appreciate than more than me.  Same with the LeCroy differential probes and amp.

[0culus]

In that case, I definitely agree with the above. Sell the 4 GHz probes and use the proceeds to finance things that you are more likely to use. 

[bd139]

Well this is a surprise. Took the 400E to bits completely and checked it over. Literally nothing up with it at all. It's immaculate.

All relevant capacitors reading decently low ESR so I'm leaving them (ESR meter earning its keep already!) and no sign of any damage to any other components in the unit. All rails on spec.

So I figured feck it, so hooked up my DG1022Z to the front with a 50 ohm termination and put 1V RMS into it at 1KHz and what does it read? 1V RMS precisely!

Cranked the frequency up. 500KHz, needle hasn't budged. 2MHz, same again, 6MHz same again, 10MHz same again. All good. This is where the response tails off apparently. Nope - got all the way up to 17.6MHz before it even budged. Well done HP. money well spent. Incidentally this will make a rather good HF power meter with a suitable load as it's good up to 300V RMS and termination is external.

.....

Now on the shopping list:

1. Matching 427A
2. Matching 5221B nixie counter.

Not that I have a fetish (or one I am willing to talk about here) but can I see it's feet? 

My 419A and Oculus's power meters don't have feet and I am not sure if Mondays 427A Multimeter has feet or not? I will be adding something to the feet and knob design when done.

Whatever floats your boat 

Drop me a PM to remind me and I’ll take some detailed measurements and photos for you later today.

[bd139]

mnem
*perspective*

That reminds me of something utterly hilarious. My uncle was dying from skin cancer which had metastasised pretty bad and got into his brains. He was in pretty good spirits and not even slightly bothered about this really as he was 88. He spent the last four weeks of his life trying to come up with some good last words to instil wisdom and perspective in people. Basically ended up writing an Asimov type short story on perspective which concluded that nothing at all mattered (I’ll post it if i can find it). He prepared his last words for speech and was going to be silent after that. This was done. His last words slipped out later however “fucking hell jonno there’s a biro up my arse.”  He will always be remembered for that.

[URI]

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Interesting.

I bought this little signal genarator and it's based on the ADF4351, too:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/New-35M-4-4G-simple-signal-generator/172210964785

It's having problems locking to the internal xtal, too.
Since it has a working 10MHz reference input (a must have for my gear) it locks reliably to, I haven't bothered much since.

Perhaps we can find out, what's the problem is?   

[bd139]

Interested in finding out why as well as I was going to buy one of them for cheap microwave experiments ie not fishing out for an HP or something

[med6753]

mnem
*perspective*

That reminds me of something utterly hilarious. My uncle was dying from skin cancer which had metastasised pretty bad and got into his brains. He was in pretty good spirits and not even slightly bothered about this really as he was 88. He spent the last four weeks of his life trying to come up with some good last words to instil wisdom and perspective in people. Basically ended up writing an Asimov type short story on perspective which concluded that nothing at all mattered (I’ll post it if i can find it). He prepared his last words for speech and was going to be silent after that. This was done. His last words slipped out later however “fucking hell jonno there’s a biro up my arse.”  He will always be remembered for that.

It sort of reminds me of how big of an asshole Trump is. 

[bd139]

Indeed lol

Engineering my way into hamfest early failed so gone for a McDonald’s breakfast 

[med6753]

Indeed lol

Engineering my way into hamfest early failed so gone for a McDonald’s breakfast 

All the good stuff will be gone. Hamfest here in 2 weeks.

[0culus]

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Interesting.

I bought this little signal genarator and it's based on the ADF4351, too:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/New-35M-4-4G-simple-signal-generator/172210964785

It's having problems locking to the internal xtal, too.
Since it has a working 10MHz reference input (a must have for my gear) it locks reliably to, I haven't bothered much since.

Perhaps we can find out, what's the problem is?   

Interested in finding out why as well as I was going to buy one of them for cheap microwave experiments ie not fishing out for an HP or something

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Well, I finally got it to lock after much fiddling. It works, better than the old one, but man the PLL chip gets blazing hot. Wouldn't be surprised if that isn't why the first one worked for a while then failed.

I did finally get it to lock after fiddling. These things are a bit touchy for sure. And the PLL itself runs damn hot.

[beanflying]

She is one butt-ugly space mule... but the fact that she is... is beautiful.

I won't get to be a "Rocket Man"; but I may live to see the day when "... it's just my job, 5 days a week..."

mnem
We did that. 

Does it have or likely to have a job to do yet?

It sort of reminds me of how big of an asshole Trump is. 

I prefer the one on the lower portion of the attachment, one of the others is interesting and sucks shit in and the other .... 

[URI]

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Interesting.

I bought this little signal genarator and it's based on the ADF4351, too:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/New-35M-4-4G-simple-signal-generator/172210964785

It's having problems locking to the internal xtal, too.
Since it has a working 10MHz reference input (a must have for my gear) it locks reliably to, I haven't bothered much since.

Perhaps we can find out, what's the problem is?   

Interested in finding out why as well as I was going to buy one of them for cheap microwave experiments ie not fishing out for an HP or something

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Well, I finally got it to lock after much fiddling. It works, better than the old one, but man the PLL chip gets blazing hot. Wouldn't be surprised if that isn't why the first one worked for a while then failed.

I did finally get it to lock after fiddling. These things are a bit touchy for sure. And the PLL itself runs damn hot.

Ooookaay.

My SigGen seems to lock to the internal xtal after some warm-up time but only after I tweak the output frequency from the default 34MHz to e.g 134MHz.   

[beanflying]

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Interesting.

I bought this little signal genarator and it's based on the ADF4351, too:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/New-35M-4-4G-simple-signal-generator/172210964785

It's having problems locking to the internal xtal, too.
Since it has a working 10MHz reference input (a must have for my gear) it locks reliably to, I haven't bothered much since.

Perhaps we can find out, what's the problem is?   

Interested in finding out why as well as I was going to buy one of them for cheap microwave experiments ie not fishing out for an HP or something

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Well, I finally got it to lock after much fiddling. It works, better than the old one, but man the PLL chip gets blazing hot. Wouldn't be surprised if that isn't why the first one worked for a while then failed.

I did finally get it to lock after fiddling. These things are a bit touchy for sure. And the PLL itself runs damn hot.

Ooookaay.

My SigGen seems to lock to the internal xtal after some warm-up time but only after I tweak the output frequency from the default 34MHz to e.g 134MHz.   

Seems more like the spec for the ADF4350 (137.5 MHz to 4400 MHz) instead of the 4351  Either that or they havn't set the divide by ratio properly to get to the lower frequencies? https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/ADF4351.pdf

[URI]

Received a replacement ADF4351 signal gen board....and it doesn't work either.  Refuses to lock on the internal xtal, and can't connect an external ref at all because it's missing one of the miniscule 0 ohm jumpers that connects the ref in/out SMA to the rest of the board. 

You get what you pay for with signal generators, that's for sure.

Interesting.

I bought this little signal genarator and it's based on the ADF4351, too:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/New-35M-4-4G-simple-signal-generator/172210964785

It's having problems locking to the internal xtal, too.
Since it has a working 10MHz reference input (a must have for my gear) it locks reliably to, I haven't bothered much since.

Perhaps we can find out, what's the problem is?   

Well, I finally got it to lock after much fiddling. It works, better than the old one, but man the PLL chip gets blazing hot. Wouldn't be surprised if that isn't why the first one worked for a while then failed.

I did finally get it to lock after fiddling. These things are a bit touchy for sure. And the PLL itself runs damn hot.

Ooookaay.

My SigGen seems to lock to the internal xtal after some warm-up time but only after I tweak the output frequency from the default 34MHz to e.g 134MHz.   

Seems more like the spec for the ADF4350 (137.5 MHz to 4400 MHz) instead of the 4351  Either that or they havn't set the divide by ratio properly to get to the lower frequencies? https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/ADF4351.pdf

Hmm. Seems I didn't describe it clear enough:
After power on my ADF4351 based siggen defaults to 34MHz and stays unlocked. When I tweak the output frequency to e.g 134MHz (44MHz won't help) after a while the siggen then jumps to "L" (locked) and after that it stays locked whatever frequency between 34MHz and 4.61GHz I set.

[bd139]

Well that was crap. Spend less than £10 on couple of tuning caps and a vernier drive.

No test gear worth buying.

Did consider buying a couple of old home brew radios for parts but only just broke even on those if I did which wasn’t worth it. Plus it feels bad destroying someone’s hard work.

[med6753]

Well that was crap. Spend less than £10 on couple of tuning caps and a vernier drive.

No test gear worth buying.

Did consider buying a couple of old home brew radios for parts but only just broke even on those if I did which wasn’t worth it. Plus it feels bad destroying someone’s hard work.

Did you happen to see a vehicle with an obvious heavy load in the trunk (boot)?  That was tggzzz. He beat you out again. 

[bd139]

Hahaha. I was pretty near the front of the queue. Think it was just a crap one

Next one on 28th.