Oscilloscopes

[Harry Bissell]

I got a cheap probe set from ProbeMaster (search the web think its probemaster
or probemasters.com ...) It had 3 probes, a 1x... a 10x... and a switchable
1x/10x. So you have a pair of 1x or 10x probes...

I always use 10x probes. The loading of a 1x probe is just way too much for most
sensitive DIY circuits, and the capacitance will be a bite-in-the- at ss also.
Most modern
scopes have enough input gain to make up the loss.  It svcks when the scope
probe stops
your circuit from working....

OTOH it also svcks when the circuit ONLY works with the scope connected...

H^) harry

Rory McDonald wrote:

> I also picked up an oscilloscope on ebay, but am not sure if I will keep it.
> It is a rackmount version of a Tektronix 7603, with 7b80 timebase and two
> 7a16a input modules.
> Got it for $150 US.  It is a MONSTER- I didnt realize it was so bulky.
> The one thing I really dont like is it has a very loud fan.  I might try to
> replace the fan
> with something more modern.  Anyone out there have comment on if this scope
> will do for basic
> synth calibration/kit building work?
> I might get rid of it and find something newer/smaller.  I originally liked
> it cause I could
> mount it in a rack easily.  Also, can someone recommend what kind of probes
> I should use.
> This is my first scope, if you dont count the REALLY old monster I used in
> High School basic electronics class.
> Thanks
> Rory Mc Donald
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Wilkinson [mailto:synthdiy at mail.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2000 10:17 AM
> To: |||| Philip ||||; synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
> Subject: Re: SV:Re:I am new<>ToolZ
>
> I got a scope on ebay!  It's a big 200 Mhz Tektronix with 4 traces.  $275
> delivered guaranteed working with manuals but no probes.  It's old (manual
> printed 1980) but I imagine it was VERY expensive in it's day. Don't buy one
> from ebay unless it's guaranteed to work.
>
> - Paul
>
> ------Original Message------
> From: "|||| Philip ||||" <thelab at sprint.ca>
> To: <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
> Sent: May 4, 2000 9:46:35 AM GMT
> Subject: Re: SV:Re:I am new<>ToolZ
>
> Many of the better multimeters now read frequency as well as capacitance,
> resistance, "beep" for checking continuity and all of the other V-A
> measurements. It may be wise to invest in one of these.
>
> btw I just got a new analog 40MHz scope for $140 :)
>
> Happy Scoper
> Philip
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: KA4HJH <ka4hjh at gte.net>
> >
> > > >I would recommend a NOT on the frequency counter. If your scope has an
> > > >accurate
> > > >timebase its easy to get a SWAG (sweeping wild-ass guess) at frequency
> > using
> > > >the formula F = 1 / Period. If you have a modern digital scope, the
> > cursors
> > > >will do a "right on"
> > > >for you. You (the human) can do a MUCH better job of interpreting the
> > period
> > > >of a complex waveform with a scope than a frequency counter can do...
> > >
> > > Most frequency counters don't do very far down into the audio
> > > frequency range anyway, which doesn't make them very useful for
> > > audio. Higher frequencies is another matter.
> > >
> > > Of course it doesn't really matter if you can get one for <$5 at a
> > > Boy Scout sale like I did (lots of SWAG at that sale--got a
> > > neurologist's hammer for a buck).
> > >
> > >
> > > >I WOULD recommend a good Chromatic Digital Tuner... such as models by
> > Korg
> > > >etc.
> > >
> > > Got one of those, too. Paid full price, but it was worth it. Like
> > > Harry says, make sure you get a *chromatic* tuner, not a simple
> > > guitar tuner--they have a limited freq range.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
> > > "The Mac Doctor"
> > >
> >
>
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