Analogue Scope buy or not

[colin.hepburn]

Originally Posted by bikerhifinut

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Hope that's enough for now.

A.

Hi Andy
Yep that’s plenty for now Thanks
I will see how well it works before I spend on new probes but hope its ok
Will be checking out you tube for tutorial Vids have to see if maplin still do good paperback books too

[bikerhifinut]

They do the R A Penfold book, or as I call it "The Ladybird Book of Scopes".
It will get you started I used it.
I look for books at radio fairs and charity shops.
Bound to be an online resource and Morgan Jones' books have a scope section in the later editions.
ETC ETC ETC........................................

[Richard]

Originally Posted by colin.hepburn

Hi All
Thanks for the advice
I took a punt on the HAMEG 20Mhz Oscilloscope HM203.6 and Won it for £54
I have downloaded the service manual but its in German but schematics are good a clean
it only comes with one probe thou
Can anyone suggest a descent Budget set of probes for this thing
Hope it works OK

Hi Col,

I can't remember the last time I used the probes. Maybe they'd be more useful for tracing/fault finding than testing but I made up several connector leads using 4mm and BNC cables. The Maplins flexible test cable and stackable 4mm plugs are good and a couple of BNC/BNC cables with one end chopped off and tailed into 4mm plugs. And a few adaptors, Maplins again, Phono to BNC etc

[John Caswell]

If you are going to use the 'scope to its full advantage then you will definitely need a pair of probes as they will reduce the loading on the circuit under test/inspection.
You do not need anything fancy but 10:1 (switched if possible to 1:1). As the 'scope is 20MHz width then 20-40 MHz probes will be fine, there are plenty on eBay at about £10.00.
For amp testing then a good pair of 8R metal clad w/wound resistors mounted on a heatsink ( big flat ali plate) with BNC cables to terminate in the scope.

John

[colin.hepburn]

Hi Andy/Richard/John/All
Thanks for all the tips

General Shopping list for scope
Book how to use helpful
New 20 MHz probes set
Some screened 50R cable
TBNC/BNCs
4mm plugs
Budget used Single Generator of some sort
Have I forgotten anything?

[John Caswell]

Hi Colin et al,
Don't use TNC, they are screw on type, and not readily available at low cost,
stick to BNC.
Unless you are doing a lot of work at RF frequencies (i.e. 20MHz upwards) it really doesn't matter if you use 50R or 75R coax cable, but do buy the correct BNC for the cable as often they are not interchangeable.
Croc clips, both small and large, on the ends of the coax are useful for attaching to circuitry.

John

[bikerhifinut]

If it comes with a probe, you may be lucky and it may be a switched x1 x10 one. That'll save you a few bob if it is.

A.

[bikerhifinut]

Would a test CD be suitable for use?
I have the HIFi news test CD from the 80's and its got a selection of test tones and sweeps and I just remembered i have it.
if you have a gash Hi Fi Cd player you could use it or even maybe your laptop?
Ok up to 20kHz only of course. But most of your diagnostics will be done with 1kHz sine waves to begin with.

Theres odd DIY circuits about, might be worth looking at.

A.

[bikerhifinut]

Found this link, lots of others. Fancy a go meself and adapt it for variable frequency.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sine-Wave-...UAAOSwDNdV2vDT

[colin.hepburn]

Just ordered a used copy of the book Cost me £8.43 from Amazon someone wants £34 for used copy for a £3.99 Book maplin have it but won’t deliver it collect only