I wasn't necessarily considering a scope just yet, I don't really know what to use it for, but boy they look fun.
I am sure I will be using it all the time once I have one.
(Although I am keen to measure ripple to start with)
Anyway, I have read a bunch of advice and best value seems to be old analogue scopes.
I like the idea/am happy with learning on an analogue having read much of the advice.
I haven't seen any come up super cheap.
Now, one has come up locally.
Which is handy, as I have had a couple of issues with shipped electronics recently.
It is a Telequipment D83 for £70.
I have never used a scope before and don't know what I am looking at.
I have asked if there are probes.
If not are there reasonable value replacements available?
Could I get an idea of cost of half decent replacement probe please?
https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/Telequipment_D83
https://w140.com/tekwiki/images/9/97/Telequipment_d83_oscilloscope_sm.pdf
From searching here, it seems like a few telequipments are being used.
So, that means they are suitable for audio.
50Hz seems good I believe?
It is dual channel which I think I saw was pretty important.
Another working one sold recently for more.
Should I wait for a cheaper one?
Is this a decent one to start me off?
The screen looks quite sharp.
What are the things I should look out for?
I imagine that these older scopes are more repairable anyway?
It has loads of buttons, so it has to be good, right?
Thanks
I am sure I will be using it all the time once I have one.
(Although I am keen to measure ripple to start with)
Anyway, I have read a bunch of advice and best value seems to be old analogue scopes.
I like the idea/am happy with learning on an analogue having read much of the advice.
I haven't seen any come up super cheap.
Now, one has come up locally.
Which is handy, as I have had a couple of issues with shipped electronics recently.
It is a Telequipment D83 for £70.
I have never used a scope before and don't know what I am looking at.
I have asked if there are probes.
If not are there reasonable value replacements available?
Could I get an idea of cost of half decent replacement probe please?
https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/Telequipment_D83
https://w140.com/tekwiki/images/9/97/Telequipment_d83_oscilloscope_sm.pdf
From searching here, it seems like a few telequipments are being used.
So, that means they are suitable for audio.
50Hz seems good I believe?
It is dual channel which I think I saw was pretty important.
Another working one sold recently for more.
Should I wait for a cheaper one?
Is this a decent one to start me off?
The screen looks quite sharp.
What are the things I should look out for?
I imagine that these older scopes are more repairable anyway?
It has loads of buttons, so it has to be good, right?
Thanks
the chances of buying a 40 year old scope that works 100% is ?
but we all have to start somewhere.
but we all have to start somewhere.
Try it with the built-in 1kHz square wave generator before handing over the money.
There probably are probes, but use your own leads to test if not.
Check all the controls and switches to look for intermittent operation.
The one I saw had poor connections on the large time base control, check that.
Certainly the price is ok if it works, especially with functional probes.
However for tubes you'll need x100 probes, but most scopes will have x10 probes.
This will serve you well for a long time if it works ok, so don't over think it.
The 50kHz bandwidth is ok for basic audio work.
There probably are probes, but use your own leads to test if not.
Check all the controls and switches to look for intermittent operation.
The one I saw had poor connections on the large time base control, check that.
Certainly the price is ok if it works, especially with functional probes.
However for tubes you'll need x100 probes, but most scopes will have x10 probes.
This will serve you well for a long time if it works ok, so don't over think it.
The 50kHz bandwidth is ok for basic audio work.
REW has a scope function, FWIW. You'll need a USB audio interface to get a signal into your computer so REW can display it. Googling "sound card oscilloscope" brings many articles on the idea, particularly on the necessary input conditioning and probes.
Maybe a good place to start. You can always decide you want the performance of a "real" scope after running one of these for a while and experiencing the limitations.
$10 probes from ebay or aliexpress should be good enough, if it doesn't come with probes.
Based on my experience shopping for a 'scope at a yard sale that had been sitting in storage for some time, let it run for a while before handing over your money. I'd decided to buy a Tektronix, then the screen went funny and smoke came out. And the price went down to zero.
Amateur radio festivals often have swap meets with test equipment. And various kinds of parts which can be of interest to audio builders.
http://southgatearc.org/rallies/rally-list.htm
Based on my experience shopping for a 'scope at a yard sale that had been sitting in storage for some time, let it run for a while before handing over your money. I'd decided to buy a Tektronix, then the screen went funny and smoke came out. And the price went down to zero.
Amateur radio festivals often have swap meets with test equipment. And various kinds of parts which can be of interest to audio builders.
http://southgatearc.org/rallies/rally-list.htm
I bought a HP digital scope for $50 at one of those. Worked perfectly; It was 9-bit...
Well, I couldn't resist the Telequipment D83. (and its manuals)
Now need to set aside some time to play. (And watch some yt to see how to use one 🙂 )
There are a couple of things that i have found already. There seems to be a bit of a loose connection somewhere. The trace drops out sometimes.
The second channel doesn't read when set to a section of volts/div.
Now need to set aside some time to play. (And watch some yt to see how to use one 🙂 )
There are a couple of things that i have found already. There seems to be a bit of a loose connection somewhere. The trace drops out sometimes.
The second channel doesn't read when set to a section of volts/div.
Both could be dirty pots/switches, so don't worry about this just now, unless you need to decide whether to return it.
How about the action of the time base (large knob), is it intermittent also?
How about the action of the time base (large knob), is it intermittent also?
Walmart in US has DMM / Scope from about $40 and up, brand new.
70 GBP for a 40 year old unit is high in comparison.
70 GBP for a 40 year old unit is high in comparison.
Thanks. That is sort of what I was thinking.
That it is likely to be repairable in the most part.
It seems to be the intensity control. So I was thinking it might just need a clean.
No the time base control is not intermittent in any way.
I kind of agree with you.
I don't have a Walmart.
I read that the analigue ones are a good way to learn though.
I have lost money in the last few years with shipping of electronic goods.
Where things have become damaged in the post. This was local.
Included delivery and a probe.
The last one of these that sold on eBay went for over a hundred pounds.
I am also hoping that is is more repairable.
We shall see eh?
High voltage circuits, corrosion, old capacitors and pots.
Possibly a weak tube.
If you can deal with those, enjoy rebuilding what may be to your aspiration.
I would buy new, if needed for work.
Probably more functions too.
Your choice, your money.
Possibly a weak tube.
If you can deal with those, enjoy rebuilding what may be to your aspiration.
I would buy new, if needed for work.
Probably more functions too.
Your choice, your money.
Good, clean the controls with deoxit D5. Spray a very small amount, then exercise the control.
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-D...ocphy=9018952&hvtargid=pla-382003658380&psc=1
Walmart does not actually sell oscilloscopes.
Walmart does have a "marketplace" where they will place orders with other sellers and charge it on your Walmart account.
Walmart is OK for work/rough clothes (it's how I got through pandemic, boxes on the porch) but I'd really get my oscilloscopes almost anywhere else.
Walmart does have a "marketplace" where they will place orders with other sellers and charge it on your Walmart account.
Walmart is OK for work/rough clothes (it's how I got through pandemic, boxes on the porch) but I'd really get my oscilloscopes almost anywhere else.
https://www.walmart.com/browse/industrial-scientific/oscilloscopes/6197502_3495604_8200071_9450276
Link is above, I did not know the actual mechanics of the transaction.
Thanks for telling me.
For $100 (or about 70 pounds), I would buy a new scope, even a stripped down toy scope, rather than a 40 year old CRT scope, with unknown hours on it.
Just my opinion.
Link is above, I did not know the actual mechanics of the transaction.
Thanks for telling me.
For $100 (or about 70 pounds), I would buy a new scope, even a stripped down toy scope, rather than a 40 year old CRT scope, with unknown hours on it.
Just my opinion.
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Maybe helpful, maybe not, here is what I did when I was in your position some time ago:
Last time I used a scope was a decade ago and I'm not experienced with measuring at all.
I thought about an old analog scope or a fancy new digital that comes with all kinds of great features like memory and FFT and so on.
I had no idea what I really need and what is worth the money and so on.
I did some research and did not find a digital scope that has a good feature to cost ratio and looks like it would do service reliably in the long run.
There is a lot of Chinese stuff that is affordable, but how good is it really and long will it work?
Professional equipment from well known manufacturers is super expensive, even pre-owned.
Finally I decided to buy an old analog 100MHz scope without probes on ebay.
The idea was that old professional equipment may have good quality and especially decades ago, stuff likely was not built with planned obsolescence in mind to throw away after the warranty runs out.
The square wave looked good and it cost 100€ so the potential loss was limited.
It turned out that I was lucky and the scope is working well in deed.
I use the scope to check for oscillation mostly, do square wave test with my amplifiers (since I don't own a function generator, the low level test square wave signal generator built in is handy) and measure level in general.
I bought cheap probes from Aliexpress and I'm satisfied with the quality.
For things like measuring THD and doing FFT, I use a DAC and ADC together with REW.
Both are affordable at ~150€ each.
The DAC and ADC also can be used for listening and recording of music of course.
A cheap 20€ multi-meter completes the equipment setup.
Overall I'm happy with what I can do given what I spent.
With old scopes there is a risk of course. You may be lucky or not. Best is if you can test it on your own in reality.
Last time I used a scope was a decade ago and I'm not experienced with measuring at all.
I thought about an old analog scope or a fancy new digital that comes with all kinds of great features like memory and FFT and so on.
I had no idea what I really need and what is worth the money and so on.
I did some research and did not find a digital scope that has a good feature to cost ratio and looks like it would do service reliably in the long run.
There is a lot of Chinese stuff that is affordable, but how good is it really and long will it work?
Professional equipment from well known manufacturers is super expensive, even pre-owned.
Finally I decided to buy an old analog 100MHz scope without probes on ebay.
The idea was that old professional equipment may have good quality and especially decades ago, stuff likely was not built with planned obsolescence in mind to throw away after the warranty runs out.
The square wave looked good and it cost 100€ so the potential loss was limited.
It turned out that I was lucky and the scope is working well in deed.
I use the scope to check for oscillation mostly, do square wave test with my amplifiers (since I don't own a function generator, the low level test square wave signal generator built in is handy) and measure level in general.
I bought cheap probes from Aliexpress and I'm satisfied with the quality.
For things like measuring THD and doing FFT, I use a DAC and ADC together with REW.
Both are affordable at ~150€ each.
The DAC and ADC also can be used for listening and recording of music of course.
A cheap 20€ multi-meter completes the equipment setup.
Overall I'm happy with what I can do given what I spent.
With old scopes there is a risk of course. You may be lucky or not. Best is if you can test it on your own in reality.
FWIW I got both one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/195105466570?hash=item2d6d3128ca:g:TzgAAOSw4C1iJrGq&LH_BIN=1 and a discontinued Sigpeak DSO1151E which for $80 has proven to be really useful. Even with its small screen I can see what is happening and running on batteries makes it very easily moved to where I need. I have lots of other more capable scopes but most of the time all I need to see is a waveform. Both of these are more that adequate for that. And tiny.