Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[xrunner]

I think kits that go together without a problem or two lack 'personality' - this way you will 'own' that K2.
Rob

It's a given too, that this K2 kit will have one of the highest levels of workmanship of any that have been assembled to date. 

[mnementh]

So... do I pack my tools away, brew a pot of tea and wait quietly for the end of the world to come this afternoon, or do I go out and buy myself a lottery ticket before the caulking dries on my fuel pump repair? 

mnem
 

Nope.  That job is done.  What vehicle did you have to cut a hole in the floor for access?  Engineers that do that stuff to us should be throttled slowly and painfully.  But not terminally.

What are you talking about? I LOVE it when the engineers design in a service door so I can work on the other side of the PCB!!! 

Franken-Cruiser is far beyond any such recriminations; I saved it from the boneyard 7 years ago and have kept it running out of sheer perversity and masochism. My carma on that deal is so positive, it's winding backwards.  Besides... I did THAT surgery a year ago; effing cheap-ass fuel pump kakked a regulator.

mnem
Franken-Cruiser and I have a love-hate relationship: I love the vehicle when it runs; it hates to see me with more than $10 in my pocket.

[Housedad]

Major kudo's to you for keeping it going.  We motorheads all seem to have that one car that just won't die off gracefully.  My nightmare is a 1996 Taurus my daughter drives now in college,her sister before her that their grandma bought used and left it to them her will.

I truly feel and understand your pain.

[Kosmic]

Interesting. How flat are they, though? I'm less concerned about them going beyond rated 3dB and more concerned about significant peaks and valleys within the operating range.

Ok Ok, will improve my setup and produce some proper results with screenshot and everything 

Ok, so there it is. I tested the frequency response of 9 probes.

Table of content:

(Including previous tests)

-->Part 1, Batch 1 Frequency response
Part 2, Batch 1 Fast pulse
Part 3, Batch 2 Frequency response
Part 4, Batch 2 Fast pulse
Part 5, Batch 3 Frequency response
Part 6, Batch 3 Fast pulse

The Setup:
I used a noise source to generate a signal from DC to 500Mhz. The impedance of the source being 50Ohms, a 50Ohms Terminator was connected directly on the output of the noise source. The probe under test was connected to the termination with a bnc-to-probe adapter. The other end of the probe was connected to an Oscilloscope (Lecroy DDA-110, 4GS/s, 1Ghz bandwidth).



Kuman P6100 100Mhz:
I think I bought this probe on Amazon. Physically identical to the other P6100 probes. In term of flatness the P6100 is the worst.



Frequency response of the Kuman P6100 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


JinHao P6100 100Mhz:
Similar to the Kuman P6100. But for some reason with a little bit more attenuation. Still, the frequency response is strangely similar to the Kuman P6100.



Frequency response of the JinHao P6100 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


NoName Chinese P6500 500Mhz
Look like a clone of the Tektronix P6139B. Physically the P6500 is really nice. I don't think the cable is silicon but it's quite flexible. The tip is also gold plated. Frequency response is fairly strait with a bump at around 225Mhz.



Frequency response of the P6500 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


Cleqee P4100 100Mhz 100x:
Probably the worst probe I have. Do not follow the reference and is probably not doing 100Mhz.



Frequency response of the P4100 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


Hantek T3100 100Mhz 100x:
The Hantek T3100 look well constructed. and seem to perform well up to 250Mhz.



Frequency response of the T3100 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


Tektronix P6106 250Mhz:
Overall really good performance.



Frequency response of the P6106 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


Tektronix P6054a 150Mhz
The P6054a seem to exceed his frequency rating.



Frequency response of the P6054a (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


Tektronix P6056 3.5Ghz 50Ohms


Frequency response of the P6056 (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.


60dbm.com Active Probe 1Ghz 50Ohms
Bought this probe on ebay (https://www.ebay.ca/itm/RF-Active-Probe-0-1-1500-MHz-1-5-GHz-analyzer-oscilloscope/332884643332?hash=item4d81788e04:g:CzsAAOSwWlNZzA4E) a while ago but never really had the time to test it properly. Look like the design was inspired by a article published in Elektor magazine in 2004 (https://elektrotanya.com/files/forum/2009/10/e04a036.pdf). Overall the probe perform really well up to 800Mhz. The 5dBm attenuation is normal.



Frequency response of the Active Probe (Green) from DC to 500Mhz, 50Mhz per division. Noise source in Cyan.

[mnementh]

mnem
*Retail Therapy*

MPJA update: Aside from one fan and the TEXAS oscilloscope probe, everything was $2.95 or less.

The 10mm x 3.6mm pigtail fuses come in a nice assortment of 10ea 0.5, 1, 2, 3, & 5A @250VAC.

The "20A"  needle tip probes are the usual China-direct cheapies; 20AWG silicone wires 36" long, same price as China-direct on fleaBay.

The 10-place DIP Switches were on closeout for 0.29; I got what should be a lifetime supply. 

The alligator leads are also the usual China-direct cheapies; 10 strands of 0.10mm conductor crimped under the insulation.  I'll have to take them apart and solder them both ends, but they were only $1.89. Alligators are fair quality with teeth that align well.

The coaxial DC power octopus pigtail is actually pretty good; 10" of 18ga into 4 x 4" of 20ga, all 5.5 x 2.1mm size connectors.

The fans were $4.95 and $1.95 each; hopefully I'll get some "me time" for doing that 2465 fan thing sometime soon. 

And 10 pieces of opto-interruptors to upgrade my 3DPrinter with. 

The 200MHz HK TEXAS probe seems quite nice; makes beautiful, crisp and symmetrical sine, square & sawtooth waves on my old 20MHz gen right out of the baggie with no adjustment. Just like my 100MHz cheapies, and the  ones that came with my 1054Z. The BNC adapter ferrule that came with fits snugly, doesn't try to stay stuck in the BNC. 

Fuck; I'm gonna need to get a bigger bin for probes before long...

mnem
*toddles off to ded*

[mnementh]

Major kudo's to you for keeping it going.  We motorheads all seem to have that one car that just won't die off gracefully.  My nightmare is a 1996 Taurus my daughter drives now in college,her sister before her that their grandma bought used and left it to them her will.

I truly feel and understand your pain.

I abandoned my mom's ninety-something Taurus by the side of the road to save my own sanity. With her blessing. Got her a nice 100K Saturn. No regrets; that thing made Franken-Cruiser look like a model citizen. 

Ok, so there it is. I tested the frequency response of 6 probes.

The Setup:
I used a noise source to generate a signal from DC to 500Mhz. The probe under test was directly attached to the end of the noise source by a bnc-to-probe adapter. The other end of the probe was connected to an Oscilloscope (Lecroy DDA-110, 4GS/s, 1Ghz bandwidth).

   The signal coming out of the noise source from DC to 1Ghz, 100Mhz per division.

Neat. When I get to Canada, I'll hit you up about mailing you my P2200, P6100s and my HK Texas probe so you can nuke them too and see how they compare. 

Also, thanks for giving us this reality check. I think my P6100s are probably the Kuman ones, but can't hurt to have more samples and more datapoints.

mnem
*knocks self unconscious with a clock mallet*

[bitseeker]

Ok, so there it is. I tested the frequency response of 6 probes.

The Setup:
I used a noise source to generate a signal from DC to 500Mhz. The probe under test was directly attached to the end of the noise source by a bnc-to-probe adapter. The other end of the probe was connected to an Oscilloscope (Lecroy DDA-110, 4GS/s, 1Ghz bandwidth).

...

These are great, Kosmic! Thanks for running the tests. What is the noise source that you used. I know there are downsides to using one, but it'd still be useful for when my spectrum analyzer arrives since I don't have a scope with as much bandwidth as yours.

[bitseeker]

mnem
*Retail Therapy*

Very nice therapy. Mmm, hmm. I'll have to check out that site.

The fans were $4.95 and $1.95 each; hopefully I'll get some "me time" for doing that 2465 fan thing sometime soon. 

I have a 33120A with a noisy fan. Maybe they have something that'll fit.

The 200MHz HK TEXAS probe seems quite nice; makes beautiful, crisp and symmetrical sine, square & sawtooth waves on my old 20MHz gen right out of the baggie with no adjustment. Just like my 100MHz cheapies, and the  ones that came with my 1054Z. The BNC adapter ferrule that came with fits snugly, doesn't try to stay stuck in the BNC. 

I ordered a pair of 200MHz probes from scopewa. Should arrive around the same time as my SA.

[0culus]

Got some pr0n shots of nixiefreqq's favorite type of calculator. 

[Specmaster]

Anyone here in the UK wanting a Tek 5103N scope, there's one on Shpock https://www.shpock.com/en-gb/i/XN2g_ORcD2ZHW8R7/tektronix-5103n-analog-oscilloscope?utm_campaign=User+Alerts&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=alert&utm_source=alert in Bromsgrove, looks in reasonable condition.

[med6753]

$180 USD for a 2MHz scope? I don't think so. 

[beanflying]

$180 USD for a 2MHz scope? I don't think so. 

Lash out you might get 4MHz for a bargain  eBay auction: #113740599031 Same seller has a 335 as well but I am being 'good' 

[Specmaster]

$180 USD for a 2MHz scope? I don't think so. 

Last time I checked the spec I think it said it was 100MHz but it also plug in modules. I know the seller stated 2Mhz but its wrong.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[bd139]

Mainframe is only 2MHz unfortunately.

[Specmaster]

Mainframe is only 2MHz unfortunately.

Doh! Google failed me this time, interestingly though it's been sold[emoji28]

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

[med6753]

$180 USD for a 2MHz scope? I don't think so. 

Lash out you might get 4MHz for a bargain  eBay auction: #113740599031 Same seller has a 335 as well but I am being 'good' 

That's not a bad price....even for it not working. But shipping is a killer. 

Whoever bought that 5103N for $180 USD has no idea they got reamed but good on that deal. 

[beanflying]

$180 USD for a 2MHz scope? I don't think so. 

Lash out you might get 4MHz for a bargain  eBay auction: #113740599031 Same seller has a 335 as well but I am being 'good' 

That's not a bad price....even for it not working. But shipping is a killer. 

Whoever bought that 5103N for $180 USD has no idea they got reamed but good on that deal. 

$22 AUD postage for me but I am being 'good' so it doesn't matter .....   

[bd139]

Whoever bought that 5103N for $180 USD has no idea they got reamed but good on that deal. 

I've seen them go for £5 (around $7) here so yes indeed they did get reamed.

Also to note they are built in the same mainframe and have similar parts to the Telequipment D83. So run a fucking mile 

[med6753]

Whoever bought that 5103N for $180 USD has no idea they got reamed but good on that deal. 

I've seen them go for £5 (around $7) here so yes indeed they did get reamed.

Also to note they are built in the same mainframe and have similar parts to the Telequipment D83. So run a fucking mile 

Every time I see something like this I look at my $100 USD 7904 with 4 plug-in's included and just smile. 

[BravoV]

HP 8565B ... local offer ... cosmetically flawless, assume working fine ... how much do you consider it a decent price ?

Sigh ... I'm guessing as TEA brotherhood in this thread, my TEA budget already in deep negative zone. 

[bd139]

HP 8565B ... local offer ... cosmetically flawless, assume working fine ... how much do you consider it a decent price ?

Sigh ... I'm guessing as TEA brotherhood in this thread, my TEA budget already in deep negative zone. 

Good question. I think I'd expect a "danger money discount" for lugging it whatever they offer

Don't even mention the words "negative" and "budget" 


Talking of which. Took afternoon off today. Unfortunately I'm going to lose the evening due to an incident with an older relative who has broken a leg.

First integration test assembly complete!



Looking good



There are no RF bits on this yet which is where the meat and two veg of this build is unfortunately. This is all stuffing, alignment and computery bits which I can do with eyes shut. Next bit is the hard one 

[Ero-Shan]

I'm such a dumb ass. I should have known better, and I knew better.
I also never needed nor wanted one. Even less for what I paid for it.
I always took pride in retaining a last bit of sensibility. And then that.
And it's not even working!

It is cold comfort that I can put the blame on you. Yes you! It is you who kept telling me that every TEC (Test Equipment Collection) must have at least one.

God's messenger dropped it half an hour ago at my door.
The unexpectedly small and light bugger came wrapped in I-don't-ever-want-that-again. We all have seen an amazing variety of packaging options, but this looks like the seller wanted to get rid of some hazardous waste.


After disposing the 'thing' (which easily filled my trashcan) and washing my hands not only once, I took a quick look at my new acquisition.


At least it still has its feet, and the outside is reasonably clean and unmarred. Only the print on the buttons disintegrates.

I should rename myself to Roger Dimwit. 

[bd139]

That's the sort of packaging that dead people come rolled in 

More seriously - good find. Let us know if it works or not 

[nixiefreqq]

Got some pr0n shots of nixiefreqq's favorite type of calculator. 

was at the doc on wed and my bp was really low.

that got it back up again.

thanks!

(I miss rpn just the way I miss measles, mumps, and chicken pox)

[med6753]

I'm such a dumb ass. I should have known better, and I knew better.
I also never needed nor wanted one. Even less for what I paid for it.
I always took pride in retaining a last bit of sensibility. And then that.
And it's not even working!

It is cold comfort that I can put the blame on you. Yes you! It is you who kept telling me that every TEC (Test Equipment Collection) must have at least one.

God's messenger dropped it half an hour ago at my door.
The unexpectedly small and light bugger came wrapped in I-don't-ever-want-that-again. We all have seen an amazing variety of packaging options, but this looks like the seller wanted to get rid of some hazardous waste.


After disposing the 'thing' (which easily filled my trashcan) and washing my hands not only once, I took a quick look at my new acquisition.


At least it still has its feet, and the outside is reasonably clean and unmarred. Only the print on the buttons disintegrates.

I should rename myself to Roger Dimwit. 

Well gee, if it bothers you that much and to relieve your guilt you could send it to me! 

And ditto...seriously, nice snag. Let us know what you find wrong.