Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[m k]

So a late model from later years, good find.

one of those 400Mhz v6.0 logic analyzer modules.

Quite a hassle before it started working, finally still very straight forward.
So maybe not for few bobs but for few quineas for sure, and a decent thing.

For Pulseview you first get a correct firmware file, pico2_dig26.uf2 from github.
Then you hold down BOOTSEL button and connect the module, flash drive appears and you drop the firmware file there.
Drive disappears and the module is flashed and ready.

If the drive doesn't appear you need a driver, I used Zadig and a virtual serial port appeared.

Next you can start Pulseview, if after autoscan only demo is available you go to connect device.
First select driver (raspberry-pico).
For interface I had to select serial port, first COM17 then 18 and finally 19, when corrcect uf2 firmware was present.
Then scan finds a device you can select.
If you're not sure what port should be used, just disconnect the module and the port disappears.

Use puTTY for first level troubleshooting, connect the device, put "*i" to terminal and hit enter.
If connection is present you'll get a response.
I also downloaded sigrok-cli, but it didn't reveal much more than puTTY.

You can also try blink examples.
I downloaded a Thonny portable, thonny-py38-4.1.7-windows-portable.
There you first configure a correct interpreter from Run menu, then just load a blink example and hit Run.
The LED should start blinking.

[rvalente]

Good Morning Rvalente,   Nice score, but you better hope it works, because of the warning on the back:
'No user serviceable parts inside'

hahah true, makes me remember the Eggs Cartons currently sold here, that must complain with the allergenic warnings "Contains Eggs"

[Cyclotron]

And some more HeathKit. This time, from 1971 and from the desert. It is pristine except that the desert air has dried out all the oil and grease. Most of the knobs are frozen in place, but there's no corrosion on the contacts. It's just the oil/grease on the shafts that's gone hard.

I've sprayed them with some panzer pee and will let it sit for a day to free up.  I have high hopes to bring this back to a nice place in my collection.

[Vertamps]

I finally got to test this Codi Semiconductor voltage ref i got last month. Its 760uv lower than my VREF10-001 r9.
There is no ac signal/noise on the outputs, however I tried tearing it down because i wanted to check for filter caps and i believe the
hefty weight of this small unit is because its filled with silicone. Very little info on these.

[Vgkid]

*Snip*

Thanks for the teardown . I saw it on ebay , and was curious about it.

[Vertamps]

*Snip*

Thanks for the teardown . I saw it on ebay , and was curious about it.

Ill consider trying to get it apart, the two center filled silicone holes may be calibration holes or could have screws under there. Once i start cutting
i have to come to terms this may permanently damage it.

[madao]

I got Tek 130 few weeks ago.

analog instrument is dead, cannot be saving. (front bearing destroyed)

Replacement instrument came from UK, same modell, but opposide zero point and 50µA instead 200µA

[dew]

Stumbled on a lot at allsurplus.com.

Listed as "2 Pallets of Test Equipment"

https://www.allsurplus.com/en/asset/2/31704

(1) Fluke 760A Meter Calibrator
(1) HP 8642A Signal Generator
(1) Tektronix 7903 Oscilloscope + 7A18 + 7A18A + 7B15
(1) HP 3048A Noise Measurement System
(1) Systron Donner 1720B
(1) Fluke 332A
(1) Quantum Design Digital R/G Bridge Model 1802
(1) HP 8553B Spectrum Analyzer - RF Section
(1) North Atlantic Wideband Phase Angle Voltmeter
(1) Tektronix 7603 Oscilloscope
(1) DM 501A Digital Multmeter
(1) Panel Meter Calibrator Model 1040A
(1) Hp 5328A Universal Counter
(1) Uninterruptible Power Supply - APC/SRC
(2) Fluke 891A
(12) Fluke 893A
(1) HP E2487C PreProcessor
(1) Biomation 851-D Digital Logic Recorder
(1) Tektronix A6902B Isolator
(1) Model 502 Function Generator
(1) Tektronix TFP2 FiberMaster
(1) Hp 8753A Network Analyzer
(1) Fluke 332A
(1) Tektronix 492
(1) NIZ 50V Supplyst
(1) HP 435B Power Meter
(1) Naval Training Equipment Center Model Vo-1600 Video Casette Player

[BILLPOD]

WOW Dew, you stumbled into a gold mine.   Sounds like you will be busy for quite a while.
I'm glad a EEblog Forum member got it.   I hope you keep us informed as to your progress going through each item.   I hope you got a good price for the lot

[madao]

Make of  compoment clip for Tek 130 with "press" for sheet with "long" hole.

[dazz1]

Hi
Weighing at 48kg, this 6kV transient impulse tester was struggle to get inside.

If I ever need to simulate  a lightning strike or a grid event, this is the instrument to do it with.    I am now able to confirm that electrical equipment is robust enough to withstand the electrical hammer blow of a 6kV transient pulse.
It can even fire a 6kV pulse back into the power distribution network of a building via the coupling filter  (Only 22kg)  to test the resilience of the supply network.  I doubt I will be doing that test because it might fry a lot of my neighbours appliances. 
It also has a cable set to enable a transient pulse to be inserted in the power cable between the wall socket and the equipment.  Truly a versatile item of test equipment.  Capable of destroying the most delicate electronics test instrument.

I would rate this pair the least likely instrument I will ever use.  I don't even want to switch them on.  If someone wants this pair of electronics destroyers more than I do, please PM me.

[tautech]

Scary stuff Dazz 
Is it even safe to visit ?

[dazz1]

Scary stuff Dazz 
Is it even safe to visit ?

It's quite safe.  As long as you don't come around on a Thursday.  That's when I will be rerunning the Philadelphia Experiment.  Purely for demonstration purposes.

The Impulse Tester came with a HV coil so I can generate Electro Magnetic Pulses.  They'll be OK as long as you remember to leave your pace maker at home. We can have fun firing EMPs at the boy racers as they go past, and laugh when their super tech electronic ignition systems emit the magic smoke.   

Who knew an impulse tester could be such fun     !!!

[tautech]

Scary stuff Dazz 
Is it even safe to visit ?

It's quite safe.  As long as you don't come around on a Thursday.  That's when I will be rerunning the Philadelphia Experiment.  Purely for demonstration purposes.

The Impulse Tester came with a HV coil so I can generate Electro Magnetic Pulses.  They'll be OK as long as you remember to leave your pace maker at home. We can have fun firing EMPs at the boy racers as they go past, and laugh when their super tech electronic ignition systems emit the magic smoke.   

Who knew an impulse tester could be such fun     !!!

Yup, have a EEVblog member buddy Alan in Perth that is forbid from welding now he has a pacemaker fitted. 
Suggested he has a custom Mu metal welding jacket made but he's happy not to do any more welding and stay alive.
Getting old is not for sissies !

[dazz1]

Most of the knobs are frozen in place, but there's no corrosion on the contacts. It's just the oil/grease on the shafts that's gone hard.

Try hot kerosene.

[dazz1]

Scary stuff Dazz 
Is it even safe to visit ?

It's quite safe.  As long as you don't come around on a Thursday.  That's when I will be rerunning the Philadelphia Experiment.  Purely for demonstration purposes.

The Impulse Tester came with a HV coil so I can generate Electro Magnetic Pulses.  They'll be OK as long as you remember to leave your pace maker at home. We can have fun firing EMPs at the boy racers as they go past, and laugh when their super tech electronic ignition systems emit the magic smoke.   

Who knew an impulse tester could be such fun     !!!

Yup, have a EEVblog member buddy Alan in Perth that is forbid from welding now he has a pacemaker fitted. 
Suggested he has a custom Mu metal welding jacket made but he's happy not to do any more welding and stay alive.
Getting old is not for sissies !

I did some Google research on EMI and pace makers.  Using an impulse tester would actually be a risk to someone with a pace maker. 

[Robert763]

Arguably they should ony be used in a screened room.
That one is nice but fairly small. It's for simulating indirect effects of lightning. Still capable of killing you though. The direct effects tests are something else. Typically you apply 3 or 4 components, a short pulse of about 200,000A, medium of a few thousand amps and a long duration of a couple of hundred amps. Impact resistant plastic shields and hearing protection mandatory. A part of my day job is lightning protection of aircraft.

Robert.

[ftg]

I might be going from five spectrum analyzers of various conditions to six spectrum analyzers.

What would be a hobbyist price for an Anritsu MT8220A UMTS Master?
There is an upcomming hamfest where some will be available.
Unknown options and only known that the price will be <=999eur.
And that brings us to options, a quick forum and web search did not bring up obvious keygens for the MT8220A, so I guess I'm locked to the options the device has at purchase.

I'm mostly interested in the Interference Analyzer (Option 25), as that sounds cool and usable for hunting down interferering devices.

[Robert763]

A bit of a rare one that. Very capable analyser by the specification. 7GHz and AM/FM/SSB demodulation as standard make it stand out from the crowd. OPt 25 is a waterfall display and nice but not essential.
The MT8222A basically the same plus tracking generator seems more common They seem to go for around 2000 (UKP/Euro/USD) so I'd say 1500 if you want one and anything less than 1000 for a worker with good battery, charger etc would be a bargain.
I have a JDSU JD745A which is similar with tracking gen /VNA functions but only 4GHz. I paid £750 for hat which I think was an absolute bargain as it included the external power sensor, VNA OSL backpack and bunch of other bits. It would be nice to go to 7 GHz though.

Robert
 

[dew]

I did not get it. Just found the listing. It is still active:

2 Pallets of Test Equipment
$550.00 USD (3 Bids)
Closes:
7d9h(May 20, 2026 01:00 PM EDT)

[m k]

Is it new closing time?

Can't find any "too low" stuff.

[sean0118]

The HP 721A is faulty...   power cord cut off. BWD 141 unknown condition...   

[tautech]

The HP 721A is faulty...   power cord cut off. BWD 141 unknown condition...   

You might need this:
https://www.kevinchant.com/uploads/7/1/0/8/7108231/141_sine_-_sqaure_wave_gen..pdf

[dazz1]

Hi

Just been trying to resurrect this HP 4957A Protocol Analyzer.
It is an early version with A000 firmware.  No VT100 emulation and no high speed mode.
It had two RIFA bombs ready to go off.
The battery was leaking and covered in white crystals.
The CRT display is distorted (too low)
The IEC power inlet connector failed, releasing the magic smoke.

Apart from all of that, it is in perfect condition.   

HP 4957A Protocol Analyzer Releases the Magic Smoke

[squadchannel]

CuriousMarc often uses it.
new revision of the ROM on his site.

https://www.curiousmarc.com/instruments/hp-4957a-protocol-analyzer