Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) : Discussion and Group Therapy Thread

[Cubdriver]

That meter looks like it cleaned up really nicely. Do you know of a source of pin plug test leads? I have two meters that use them but no leads. I was going to try test fitting a mini-banana plug connector into a pin socket and see if it fits and is workable but haven't had a chance yet.

IIRC ProbeMaster is the answer. I have a set with the normal right angle protected bananas and they're gorgeous. They have a compatibilty matrix for many multimeters that could prove useful.

Thanks for the tip! I just placed an order for a Probemaster set with pin plugs - I'll let everyone know how they work out. Probemaster 8019S, 48" long with 0.080" dia pin plugs.

-Pat

[25 CPS]

That meter looks like it cleaned up really nicely. Do you know of a source of pin plug test leads? I have two meters that use them but no leads. I was going to try test fitting a mini-banana plug connector into a pin socket and see if it fits and is workable but haven't had a chance yet.

IIRC ProbeMaster is the answer. I have a set with the normal right angle protected bananas and they're gorgeous. They have a compatibilty matrix for many multimeters that could prove useful.

Thanks for the tip! I just placed an order for a Probemaster set with pin plugs - I'll let everyone know how they work out. Probemaster 8019S, 48" long with 0.080" dia pin plugs.

-Pat

I must've been in a bad state - it took me a while of staring at the Probemaster website to figure out you specify the test probe end as well as the instrument connector. I got confused for some reason and thought that they cateogrized everything by the instrument connector type.

I'm going to hold off until after the truck gets its spring servicing in the next few weeks but what I might do is order a set of pin and reverse banana plug leads plus a test probe set to use with either.

[Cubdriver]

I got a shipping notification today, so I should have them by early next week - they're coming from the left coast via USPS. I'll post pics and let you know what I think when I get them.

-Pat

[25 CPS]

I got a shipping notification today, so I should have them by early next week - they're coming from the left coast via USPS. I'll post pics and let you know what I think when I get them.

-Pat

Cool - I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts on them when they arrive.

On my end, it was the opposite notification while I was at work yesterday afternoon that a delivery had arrived:





As usual, the package - quite the artistic package too - was left in full view dead centre of the front porch on prominent display for maximum enticement of any enterprising porch pirates that might happen to go by. Luckily it was still there when I got home.



That was the replacement Agilent U1213A that arrived and that was about the extent I was able to test it today between doing a side job, having a nap, and heading out to a couple of appointments and then my regular job. For a very brief test it was promising though. It powers up, the display and backlight work and I was able to null the DCA reading but I still need to get it on an actual current measurement test bed. This one like the one I bought from the Keysight eBay store in 2020 came with the plain flat battery door that blocks the optical path for the data connection so I'll have to either transplant the battery door from the damaged meter or break out the second one since I ordered two from Keysight at the time and have an extra. Tomorrow before going to work is going to be about the earliest I can do that though but timing's looking tight already so it's doubtful.

[Cubdriver]

Glad to see your replacement meter came, and even more importantly was still there when you got home. You'd think it would be common sense as a delivery person to put a package in at least a somewhat inconspicuous spot if possible. Obviously, I expect too much from people, as common sense is a horribly misnamed thing.

-Pat

[25 CPS]

Glad to see your replacement meter came, and even more importantly was still there when you got home. You'd think it would be common sense as a delivery person to put a package in at least a somewhat inconspicuous spot if possible. Obviously, I expect too much from people, as common sense is a horribly misnamed thing.

-Pat

It baffles me. The gap between that recycling bin on the right and the wall next to the door is big enough for fairly large parcels. It's been a few years since I had anything delivered that wouldn't fit in there and it's well concealed since the porch has a brick wall on either side and the bin in front means any package hidden there beside the front door is pretty much invisible from the street. You'd have to be on the porch pretty close to the front door to be able to see it. Sometimes the delivery people do put them there but it's the rare exception and definitely not the rule.

Anyways, I'm glad the replacement meter arrived intact and didn't get porch pirated. I'll be happier once I have a chance to give it a proper test run to make sure all the functions all work properly and I can finally close the book on the whole fiasco.

[Robert]

I went to the local radio rally yesterday. Really just a carboot sale for the local repeater group. I was selling. Mostly big stuff with low value like a scope mobile and instrument mobile. As I on my own there wasn't much opportunity to look around and buy. I did however pick up one item of TE.
A Rohde & Schwarz CRTU-G digital radio test. It is missing the front handles. "I think it's working OK" the seller said. Not too much of a gamble at £200 though considering it cost over 1000 time that.
Had a quick play this evening. Happy to say it booted into base software no problem and the Spectrum Analyser is picking up off-air signals. So no gross failures.
Now just need to back up the HDD and then load CMU 200 base software onto it. That gives a full function 100kHz to 2.7GHz signal generator, 10MHz to 2.7GHz spectrum analyser and a 50W power meter.

Robert.

[Zenith]

A splendid haul.

I've been tempted by the odd Marconi 2955, but I've never bitten.

[Robert]

The 2955 is OK but once you have used a HP 8920A/B or one of the R&S units you won't want to go back to it.
The only problem with the CRTU and basic CMU 200 is the lack of analog audio demodulation and SINAD measurement.
I have a cheap 8920A if you are interested.....

[Zenith]

It depends what you mean by cheap. Cheap and HP 8920 don't usually fit easily in the same sentence, in my experience.

[Robert]

£800

[Zenith]

I assume you are not in a rush. I'm off on holiday for a fortnight on Thursday. I'll contemplate it.

It would really have to be picked up and seen working. I have the impression you live around Cambridge, or at least roughly in the East Anglia area.

[mnementh]

I have a picture somewhere of daffodils in full flower, weighed down by about 3 inches of snow. I recall it was taken in early April about 8 years back. Very unusual for the south west of England, but it does happen from time to time.

For the past three weeks the weather has been unusually warm and sunny, with almost no rain.

speaking of daffydils...







I'm quite pleased with this last one; the composition was accidentally quite excellent, and better clarity than many from my iPwn.

mnem
The best camera is the one you have when you need one.

[tggzzz]

speaking of daffydils...
The best camera is the one you have when you need one.

(very true, although I phrase it as "a camera in a cupboard is useless" )

Daffodils and snowdrops are always cheery, a harbinger of spring

I also like ramsons a.k.a. wild garlic, both the appearance and the fragrance. They are common in the nearby woods.


They've recently become fashionable; I hope they aren't over harvested by idiots who unwittingly destroy them by pulling the stem rather than cutting it.

All are long gone here. We've had an unusually warm and dry couple of months. Tomorrow it should hit 25C, and there is a good chance it will hit 30C next week, which would be the earliest ever.

[Robert]

I assume you are not in a rush. I'm off on holiday for a fortnight on Thursday. I'll contemplate it.

It would really have to be picked up and seen working. I have the impression you live around Cambridge, or at least roughly in the East Anglia area.

Yes just off the end of the M11.
I'll be at Dunstable downs on the 18th...

[AVGresponding]

Here's a question for the Keepers Of Arcane Knowledge: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/anyo ... -company)/

[tggzzz]

I assume you are not in a rush. I'm off on holiday for a fortnight on Thursday. I'll contemplate it.

It would really have to be picked up and seen working. I have the impression you live around Cambridge, or at least roughly in the East Anglia area.

Yes just off the end of the M11.

An Edwin Abbott territory. I remember Cottenham well, up until 1987.

[25 CPS]

I broke down and ordered two CE Manufacturing multisection capacitors, the 30/20/20/20 uF at 525 V that's a drop-in replacement for the can that's found in different Dynaco amplifiers. I'm debating back and forth between doing the Dynakit Stereo 70 that I've got plus one Mark IV, or both Mark IV amplifiers, and also debating between getting the Authenticap competing equivalent for the remaining amplifier of the three or doing a restuff of one of the original capacitor cans that's going to be replaced by one of the CE.

Regardless, the CE capacitors haven't shipped yet and I really hope Canada Post doesn't go out again.

A parts order for one of the mainline parts houses is also in the works once I finish going through some parts list for some tube audio stuff I've been itching to do for a long time. And my favourite bench power supply, the Canadian Research Institute one is showing signs that it's due for a recap so I need to pull it out and inspect it to build up a list for that because there's no diagrams for it that I've been able to find. The plan is to stock up on recurring part values across several things slated for restoration to have an order large enough to get over the free shipping threshold.

[Robert]

Anyone in the UK want a R&S CRTU / CMU 200? 0.1-2700 MHz sig gen with AM FM DSB SSB mod, 10-2700 MHz Spectrum analiser and uW to 50 W power meter. £500. Can't post it but I'll be at Dunstable Downs on the 18th...

Robert.

[bd139]

I have a picture somewhere of daffodils in full flower, weighed down by about 3 inches of snow. I recall it was taken in early April about 8 years back. Very unusual for the south west of England, but it does happen from time to time.

For the past three weeks the weather has been unusually warm and sunny, with almost no rain.

speaking of daffydils...







I'm quite pleased with this last one; the composition was accidentally quite excellent, and better clarity than many from my iPwn.

mnem
The best camera is the one you have when you need one.

Fuck daffodils

[MED6753]

I'd love to see why but the video is blocked here due to copyright.

Fuck copyright.

[bd139]

I'd love to see why but the video is blocked here due to copyright.

Fuck copyright.

Fuck copyright indeed.

Enjoy https://cjsmith.uk/bunghola/flowers.mp4

[MED6753]

I'd love to see why but the video is blocked here due to copyright.

Fuck copyright.

Fuck copyright indeed.

Enjoy https://cjsmith.uk/bunghola/flowers.mp4

Which one is you?

[bd139]

I'd love to see why but the video is blocked here due to copyright.

Fuck copyright.

Fuck copyright indeed.

Enjoy https://cjsmith.uk/bunghola/flowers.mp4

Which one is you?

All of them at some point

[Robert]

Anyone bought wafer switches lately? Had a look at some today for work (I've plenty of stock for personal use) and was shocked at the prices. £30-50 per wafer and £50-60 for the mechanism
That's 5 to 10 times what the were last time I looked.
Seriously considering a board full of DPCO relays instead. It for a bit of TE so on-topic.

Robert