Bought a Tektronix 556 today, any tips?

[djn]

I bought a 556 this morning. It has 5 extra modules and the stock tilt cart too and all the probes and manuals. Is it a good Oscope

 

[stratus46]

I bought a 556 this morning. It has 5 extra modules and the stock tilt cart too and all the probes and manuals. Is it a good Oscope

If you haven't already downloaded the manual, here's a link.

https://archive.org/details/tektronix_556

It's a fine old scope. My main issue would be the size and power consumption and the fact of some tubes in it. Looks to be 50 MHz so it's way overkill for audio and baseband SD video. Borderline for analog HD video. Have fun with it.

G²

 

[1audio]

If you have the real estate its pretty good. Heat output is in the 500W range. Its a bear to use with two complete 547's in one chassis. If you don't have experience with a 5XX tek, it can be pretty overwhelming. I had one briefly. As nice as it was it was not that useful.
Here is where you can get support: TekScopes@yahoogroups.com .

 

[djn]

Thanks Guys. Truth be told, it just looks way cool and fits my style. It will also be useful. I have 4 amp projects cued up and needed an Oscope.

 

[infinia]

gather all the manuals.
i'd recommend going through the calibration procedure even if you don't have the supporting gear you'll learn a bunch. Don't actually turn any pots inside unless you have accurate tools matching or exceeding the test procedures gear list.

 

[djn]

Good idea Infinia. I've been reading the manual, but for me, I need to read and do at the same time.

Here it is in my room.

 

[brock0735]

djn-I had a 556 but the CRT died, it's a beast but I liked it, do you want to sell yours? I could buy it cash or cash and trade, Tek 465 or Tek 544 / 546. Brock brockkoren@gmail.com

 

[Bigun]

I bought a 556 this morning. It has 5 extra modules and the stock tilt cart too and all the probes and manuals. Is it a good Oscope

looks great, I mean it’s industrial art/sculpture/archeology at its best and being useful is a bonus.

 

[BKnut]

An excellent unit to leave on in the winter months.

 

[duncan2]

I had one and yes it kept the room warm but I can understand why Brock0735 would swop you a Tek 465 for it as its a TRUE dual beam , the Tek 465B I had was pretty good .

If I remember correctly it had a Blue phosphor trace --quite attractive.

 

[Mark Tillotson]

Its certainly a slice of history - I remember seeing one at the first place I worked, and it was shared between dozens of engineers, moving around the building as needed!

 

[astouffer]

50Mhz is certainly not overkill for audio. Fast opamps and tubes can easily oscillate into the VHF range.

 

[Bigun]

These old scopes, being analogue, are a pleasure to use. The digital scopes are awful, I’ve been given several and I got rid of ‘em when the opportunity arose. Maybe some of these low cost digital scopes are better nowadays, I’d consider one, they seem to be leaning back towards analogue style controls. But I’m in no hurry, I’m happy waiting for my old Leader scope to warm up, sometimes with a CRACK inside it when something has to arc it’s way to being fully awake.

“Any tips?” - just one, use it and become familiar with it.