[sdiy] OT: Transistor Testers

[Grant Richter]

Most of the transistor testers test for parameters that are not that much of
interest to synth-DIY. For exponential conversion, log conformity, Vbe and
Rbe are critical but too specialized for conventional testers.

Active circuits should be designed to minimize dependence on beta (hfe
current gain) so all you really need to know is it above a certain level. A
lot of multimeters now have hfe testing built in.

A transistor curve tracer or other advanced transistor tester may not be a
rewarding use of funds for synth-DIY. They are very good if you are building
discrete transistor power amps with a minimum of negative feedback.

> From: "Scott Evans, Gen Mgr" <esresource at earthlink.net>
> Reply-To: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 13:04:02 -0800
> To: DIY <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> Subject: [sdiy] OT: Transistor Testers
> 
> Hi out there!
> 
> Just wondering if any of you use a transistor tester on your work bench.
> What tester do you use? How useful do you find it? I am looking at
> Sencore and Tenma types. I believe the Tenma hooks up to a scope.
> Current work bench includes DVM (has a diode checker), power supply,
> scope, sweep function generator and a software based spectrum analyzer.
> The projects that will be worked on are synth kits, raw boards and some
> prototype projects. Any comments welcomed. Thanks in advance.
> 
> Scott
> 
>