Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Robert763]

Never made it to APEX. (I'm UK based). The last "traditional" surplus store I visited was Apache Reclamation & Electronics in Pheonix Arizona. They have now closed. I picked up a HP41 calculator for $20 

Murphy's in El Cajon near San Diego are still going but I haven't been there for several years
https://murphyjunk.net/

Nothing left in the UK

[factory]

Anchor Surplus in Nottingham are still trading, but no idea what they have now, I went in 2018 a few months before the fire that destroyed most of the site, but somehow I completely missed the museum part (that survived).

David

[Robert763]

Even before the fire Anchor had virtually nothing of interest. Twenty or more years ago (wow it really is that long) they had lots of stuff at good prices. Changes in UK MOD disposal proceedures and other factors killed them off. There were stories of shady dealing many years ago. I don't know what was going on but at one point thay had a "trade" wharehouse and the two retail shops (one in Coalville). They also seemed to have two sets of tills and two different price labels on stock in the cattle market store. I don't know what was going on but it was odd. Maybe they had stuff on consignment. They currently have no surplus electroncs just cheap consumer tat.
I used to do a round-robin trip of stores in Bath (Hanney?), Bristol (Target), Nottingham (Anchor) and Yorkshire (M&B Radio, Johns Radio and another) with a visit to family and maybe a radio rally thrown in. That was from Christchurch on the south coast before the M3 extension and A34 A43 improvements. A long drive (in a small diesel van) but I was younger.
 
Robert.

[factory]

Getting somewhere with Kicad and the TE related Panaplex footprints (need to double check the NPTH size), going to build a test board.



Edit: these have an error from the datasheet, the left hand digit should have pins 9 & 10  swapped for the anode/keep alive pins, also the three digit has an error from me (middle digit has A7 instead of B7).

David

[Vince]

Very good !  Thanks, now I fdo'nt have to mess around doing the same thing, you can just send me your Kicad file ! 

.. and I will just add a DIL footprint to it, wire up the traces and call it a day...

[TERRA Operative]

That's one messed up footprint those things have....

Also, anyone here have access to Chinese datasheets?

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/help-needed-finding-datasheet-for-ths700-series-scope-replacement-lcds/msg4847540/#msg4847540

[manticore00]

Here are some pics of the innards of a HP 53181A Frequency Counter with the 3GHZ range and front accessible channel 2. Let me know if you'd like any additional angles or details!

[duckduck]

Here are some pics of the innards of a HP 53181A Frequency Counter with the 3GHZ range and front accessible channel 2. Let me know if you'd like any additional angles or details!

You are the man. Thanks, manticore00!

[McBryce]

Here are some pics of the innards of a HP 53181A Frequency Counter with the 3GHZ range and front accessible channel 2. Let me know if you'd like any additional angles or details!

I've a 53181 with the same configuration. If you ever need any info or measurements (if it breaks) let me know. However, they seem to be extremely robust and reliable, so that may never happen. By the way, I put a switch on the power cable to power it down completely without having to unplug it, otherwise the oven is running 24/7.

McBryce.

[duckduck]

Here are some pics of the innards of a HP 53181A Frequency Counter with the 3GHZ range and front accessible channel 2. Let me know if you'd like any additional angles or details!

I've a 53181 with the same configuration. If you ever need any info or measurements (if it breaks) let me know. However, they seem to be extremely robust and reliable, so that may never happen. By the way, I put a switch on the power cable to power it down completely without having to unplug it, otherwise the oven is running 24/7.

McBryce.

Excellent. Thank you.

I'm right with you on the switch:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/what-did-you-buy-today-post-your-latest-purchase!/msg3625312/#msg3625312

I'm the kind of TE user that keeps everything powered off when I'm not using it. If I ever buy a GPSDO or fancy 10 VDC reference I would of course make an exception. I have deliberately not read up on volt- or time-nuttery as I was the kid that sync'ed my digital watch with the US Naval Observatory and I know that I would fall down the rabbit hole never to be seen again.

EDIT:

USNO Master Clock time announcement: +1 (719) 567-6742

Yeah, it sounds the same as it did 30 years ago.

[m k]

Getting somewhere with Kicad and the TE related Panaplex footprints (need to double check the NPTH size), going to build a test board.

One must wonder what kind of a pre patent application pin arrangement study group was formed.

[DH7DN]

G-I

• GAS: Gear Acquisition Syndrome - Note that GAS could be misdiagnosed in cases of HUM.
• GPSDO: Generic Pathological Syndrome Desiring Oscilloscopes
• HFO: High Frequency Obsession - May be a mutation of TEA. The gear you own will never have enough frequency range driving you to buy faster scopes, better generators, faster spectrum analyzers, etc.
• ICBM: Immaculate Chassis, Board and Mechanisms - This is an associated condition to PFC and is an extension of it. As the title implies, this condition relates to all internal elements of a piece of equipment. It is most commonly acquired through the noble intention of inspecting the internals in order to identify issues, make repairs and perform preventive maintenance - but for some, it is a slippery slope. For sufferers, the minimum standard tolerable will usually be that found in equipment as it rolled off the assembly line. However, some of those satisfied with this are conflicted when they encounter manufacturer issues - such as chassis rust. This condition is considered as serious when chrome, nickel or gold plating is found on mounting brackets or shielding panels and regular fastenings have been replaced with stainless steel bolts and domed nuts. (see also: PFC)
• IHEG: I Have Enough Gear - Those with TEA don't understand what this means. It seems to be associated with people who have had an inordinate amount of pressure from outsiders, such as spouse and family. From the scant reports available, it is rarely spoken and, if so, is done in hushed tones. The structure of the term is haphazard and all indications are that it is an alien import that has been forced into place.
• HUM: Hyperbolic Unboxing Mania - Someone with HUM shows quite often the same symptoms as GAS, and that can lead to the wrong assumption of the latter. One of the most typical signs of HUM is the creation of videos showing the unboxing of packages with electronics and test equipment. One study observed that watching those videos can have a negative impact on patients with GAS. Patients with HUM will usually acquire gear that often times doesn't satisfy their needs. HUM is often confused with SCM.
• IMD: Instrumentation Mania Disorder - When there aren't enough hours in the day to stop thinking about test equipment.

I think the TEA council should assemble in a general conference and recoin the term GAS to Gear Acquisition (High-)Score instead of Gear Acquisition Syndrome 

Once you've lost the battle accepted and embraced the syndrome, it's time for trying to get the gold medal at TEA Olympic Games   (I wouldn't be opposed to "throwing equipment" as a sports discipline)

[m k]

Drilling examples.
(not me)

[KrudyZ]

Drilling examples.
(not me)

Since this is a phenolic board it might have been punched not drilled, which could explain the repeat pattern.
Of course it could also be multiple drill heads, spaced incorrectly, going at it at the same time...

[bastl_r]

Never made it to APEX. (I'm UK based). The last "traditional" surplus store I visited was Apache Reclamation & Electronics in Pheonix Arizona. They have now closed.

Holys...
In germany you will never find a store like this!
Here in industry, the vast majority of usable but no longer needed things and devices are disposed of in a certified manner, and in the scrap yards, attention is only paid to the separation of recyclable materials by type, which is why nothing turns up anywhere.
Giving them directly to employees is too expensive because of the associated storage and bureaucratic effort, and then there is always the question of liability.
regards

[AVGresponding]

Drilling examples.
(not me)

[Neomys Sapiens]

Just scored my second AM501 for 45.-€. It looks clean and I have been assured that it works. There is one left...(Kleinanzeigen)

[Robert763]

Never made it to APEX. (I'm UK based). The last "traditional" surplus store I visited was Apache Reclamation & Electronics in Pheonix Arizona. They have now closed.

Holys...
In germany you will never find a store like this!
Here in industry, the vast majority of usable but no longer needed things and devices are disposed of in a certified manner, and in the scrap yards, attention is only paid to the separation of recyclable materials by type, which is why nothing turns up anywhere.
Giving them directly to employees is too expensive because of the associated storage and bureaucratic effort, and then there is always the question of liability.
regards

You certainly used to. Helmut Singer in Aachen  https://web.archive.org/web/20160223230209fw_/http://www.helmut-singer.de/
I was a customer and even visited them. Unfortunatly they went out of business in 2017/2018.

Robert.

[Neomys Sapiens]

Never made it to APEX. (I'm UK based). The last "traditional" surplus store I visited was Apache Reclamation & Electronics in Pheonix Arizona. They have now closed.

Holys...
In germany you will never find a store like this!
Here in industry, the vast majority of usable but no longer needed things and devices are disposed of in a certified manner, and in the scrap yards, attention is only paid to the separation of recyclable materials by type, which is why nothing turns up anywhere.
Giving them directly to employees is too expensive because of the associated storage and bureaucratic effort, and then there is always the question of liability.
regards

You certainly used to. Helmut Singer in Aachen  https://web.archive.org/web/20160223230209fw_/http://www.helmut-singer.de/
I was a customer and even visited them. Unfortunatly they went out of business in 2017/2018.

Robert.

Emsstrom isn't bad either. And there is Hoefler Elektronik. And Buescher at the old Henschel airfield near Kassel.

[BU508A]

Never made it to APEX. (I'm UK based). The last "traditional" surplus store I visited was Apache Reclamation & Electronics in Pheonix Arizona. They have now closed.

Holys...
In germany you will never find a store like this!
Here in industry, the vast majority of usable but no longer needed things and devices are disposed of in a certified manner, and in the scrap yards, attention is only paid to the separation of recyclable materials by type, which is why nothing turns up anywhere.
Giving them directly to employees is too expensive because of the associated storage and bureaucratic effort, and then there is always the question of liability.
regards

You certainly used to. Helmut Singer in Aachen  https://web.archive.org/web/20160223230209fw_/http://www.helmut-singer.de/
I was a customer and even visited them. Unfortunatly they went out of business in 2017/2018.

Robert.

Emsstrom isn't bad either. And there is Hoefler Elektronik.

gyrotune isn't bad either.

[Vince]

QUAD 33 / 303 Vintage amps restoration

This is the end.

After many months and many Euros spent chaing parts, today I finally was able to button the pwoer amp up, wire it up to the 33 pre-amp and see what's what.

Worked fine for a few minutes then all hell broke loose. The power amp went kaput again.... again... again.

I am done, I will not repair it this time. I have better things to do with my precious time and limited money.
I am completely, completely.. fed up with this amp, I really am. 
This power amp is a pile of sh*t, I give up. It's not worth my time, I want, I need to move on... if just to preserve my sanity.

I hope I can get part of my money back even if sold for parts only...

I checked the output of the pre-amp with the scope. Seems to work fine.
I guess the "magic" happens mostly in the pre-amp not the power amp, so I should be able to get some money for the pre-amp alone, and get whatever for the defective power-amp.

I will try to see the glass half full and say that it was a learning experience. Let's call it that.

You can't fix them all I guess... some stuff just doesn't want to live, there is no point going against their will....  you gotta be reasonable and let it go at some point...

[Vince]

EDIT : while I am at it I feel it's my obligation to share my experience with warn you big time about  " DADA Electronics " :

/www.dadaelectronics.eu

A QUAD specialist for the 33/303 and a couple other models, located in Belgium.

I ordered a a few parts to restore my amps from them. All in stock of course.
They were more than happy to take my money, but I never received the parts, and they never e-mailed to tell me why, apologize for this or that reason that would explain the delay. No.
So after two weeks I e-mailed them to ask what was going on. No reply.
A month later still no news from them so I e-mailed again. Still no reply.

It was me having to contact them to get info about my order. And they would never reply to me.

Basically I sent money to a black hole and that's all.

Then I Googled to see if I could find info about DADA having problems currently, going bankrupt or god knows what... what I found was this :

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.dadaelectronics.eu

Customer reviews on that famous "TrustPilot" review website.
Everybody had the same horrible experience that I did, or much worse.

At that point I gave up on my order and DADA.
Luckily I paid via Paypal and since DADA didn't provide me with a tracking number, Paypal refunded me fully no questions asked. Thanks Paypal.

So I feel I better warn my fellow TEA friends not to waste their precious money and time with this "company", most likely a kid operating from his bedroom in the basement of his parent's house trying to ride  the trendy vintage amp specialist wave, when he probably doesn't even know about ohm's law, nevermind what customer service means.

[m k]

Drilling examples.
(not me)

Since this is a phenolic board it might have been punched not drilled, which could explain the repeat pattern.
Of course it could also be multiple drill heads, spaced incorrectly, going at it at the same time...

Yes, punching is much more probable than drilling, clearly with 5x5 tool.
Hole edges of the other side are also quite evenly cracked.

The funny part is that I was after the card edge, holes were irrelevant.
But then the board is different than was in sales pictures and edge is also different.
And for others the edge is probably completely irrelevant.

[m k]

Worked fine for a few minutes then all hell broke loose. The power amp went kaput again.... again... again.

You obviously go back once more, after some cooling.

Seems to be over heating something so you check those you've changed and continue from there.
If all of those are ok you have a dilemma, is the final problem a simple one just behind the next corner.
Then if one of your new ones is burned the situation is easier, just put in something bigger.

[Vince]

This amp just keeps blowing left and right.
I am not going to fix it because it will most likely blow again soon after.
I am throwing the towel.

There is no point in fixing it because I have zero confidence that it would still work once whoever buys it, receives it. Especially if it's a long trip abroad.
And if by miracle it does work when he unpacks it, it will probably blow again soon, and he will get mad at me, cause me trouble with Ebay, give a zero star review or however that works, blah blah blah...
It's just much more trouble than it's worth.

So I will be listing it as "untested" so that nobody can complain about what they get.