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Oscilloscopes

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:52 pm
by parkview
I have a largish 100MHz Tectronics 465B o'scope which I picked up at an auction for $100 back in 1990 when I worked in San Jose, California. It's my pride and joy as I use to use them a lot back in the '70's and '80's when I was in the Navy. However, it does take up a lot of desk real-estate, so I don't drag it out unless I really need too.

Earlier this year, Bitscope released a USB based DSO that you could run off a Raspberry Pi, MAC or a PC: http://www.bitscope.com/product/BS05/ Awesome, so a few weeks later it lobbed onto my desk for a play.

First thing, it's a tiny 20mm wide x 110mm long bare board that has been shrink wrapped in clear plastic. It takes a bit of getting use to and to gain confidence that it's reporting correctly what it should be.

I used it last night to monitor the noise on the Z-axis of my 3D printer:
BitScope_2.jpg
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The leads are of the grab claw type. Here I have them grabbing onto the bolt slot:
BitScope_3.jpg
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Here is an action screen shots of the software working on my PC:
BitScope_1.jpg
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I would recommend it if your in need of a cheep-ish o'scope.

Re: Oscilloscopes

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:37 pm
by Jubbp
Thanks Paul,

I've always wanted a o'scope, thought they were cool but have never known how they are used. Maybe a lesson at a meeting some time.

PJ

Re: Oscilloscopes

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:46 pm
by parkview
love too. They are a handy tool to have around, as they let you see into the 'black box'.

Cheers,

Paul

Re: Oscilloscopes

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:43 pm
by BeJay
That looks pretty good for what it is. I have a hacked RIGOL DS1052E 50Mhz DSO that I software hacked to 100Mhz using Dave's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnhXfVYWYXE

It does everything I've needed so far, but it would be nice to have a USB scope, so I will be sure to check it out!

Cheers

BeJay

Re: Oscilloscopes

Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:02 pm
by parkview
Talking of Oscilloscopes, for the August 2015 meeting, I brought along two old beasts.

1) a 1960's valve based Tektronix 503. We used these in the Navy Electronics training school. I had tried flashing it up before the meeting, but as I had suspected, with it sitting in storage for the last 24 years since I had last used the 10MHz 'scope, time had not been kind to it. The valves lit up, but straight way I could hear the old capacitors crackling away and then the electrons escaped in a soft cloud of smoke:

Tektronics 503.jpg
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Luckily I have two of these and the original repair manual. One day I might get around to replacing the capacitors.

2) Next to it is a 100MHz 1970's vintage all transistorised Tektronix 465B. I was presently surprised to see that it still works:
Tektronics 465B.jpg
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