Would this be Useful?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bguzaldo
  • Start date Start date
I'm not sure that has X/Y mode. Without that, you won't be able to use it to perform azimuth alignment.
 
my recommendations would be to buy either a good used unit from a old local repair guy who can show you it works and is somewhat calibrated, or
get a decent low end new scope or an older techtronix like a 453 which is what i did. buying a funky old scope you also have to figure in probes and getting it fixed etc.........better to buy new or somehting you can get parts and schematics for. jmho
 
Thanks guys, It has a vertical Input and a horizontal output so I don't know if that answers your x/y question JP. But to purerad--I'm also watching a tektronic scope so I'll probably just go with that, definitely worth the money.

Thanks again,
-Barrett
 
Yeah...I'd stay away. The other thing is there's no mention of the bandwidth and not having a model number will make it tough to find out...for diagnostic tools you want t spend what you have to spend to get known good functioning gear or will place yourself at risk for chasing your tail.
 
I’ve only used software O-scopes for years now. They work great and they’re free. I don’t even have a hardware scope anymore. Diagnostics is one area the PC really shines, even in a primarily analog studio.
 
Tim, I second that for things like azimuth adjustment but a soft-scope will not help you if you are trying to diagnose power supply ripple or signal oscillation in megahertz, or even working with bias frequency (typically 150kHz...sometimes as low as 100kHz)...even audio interfaces that operate at 192kHz are still going to max at under 100kHz bandwidth because of the nyquist frequency, and I don't know if the freeware scopes will operate at 192kHz...if there are some then put them up here. That could be valuable.

Totally not trying to be a Debbie-Downer, but I think its important for readers to realize that soft-scopes are relatively limited because of the bandwidth limitations. They are GREAT for azimuth adjustment on a limited budget, which I'm pretty sure is where you are coming from. I figure that's what most readers would b using a scope for, but I have been wowed by the value of even my humble old Tek 455 for *knowing* that power supply rails are producing clean power, and being able to *see* what a signal is doing at a very high magnification for ruling out issues. At present this can only be accomplished with an all-analog scope or an analog scope with a digital user interface (the the Velleman pocket scopes, etc.) It gives me a sense of security. Again, these are more than basic maintenance tasks.
 
Yeah, setting azimuth is the main use for me. I have a nifty multimeter for many other things you mentioned. In many cases using an O-scope can be overkill because a full-featured multimeter has the functionality for the task at hand. As heavily as I am into electronics, calibrating, modding, repairing, inventing, as well as ham radio for many years, I don’t need a hardware scope for any of it.

Between the Winscope softscope and my multimeter I have everything I need for anything I do. My old O-scope just wasn’t being used at all and was taking up needed space so it went bye bye. I once had other dedicated devices like a frequency counter and other radio related diagnostic tools. I got rid of all that stuff too. Smaller, lighter, less expensive technology made much of it unnecessary.

A hardware scope is certainly helpful for some things.

:)
 
Beck said:
...As heavily as I am into electronics, calibrating, modding, repairing, inventing, as well as ham radio for many years, I don’t need a hardware scope for any of it.

:)
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Tim, honestly, I have a real hard time believing that you actually MEAN it...if you slowdown a bit a think again...heh heh :D
Seriously, I'd say, you hardly can get away without a somewhat good lab scope when doing a lot of stuff (as listed above :) ).... well, you've said "heavily", so I take it as you are doing a lot of different "stuff".
A soundcard and a freeware???! - no way, man ... :drunk::D:drunk:

Well, of course, there are ways around and "tricks" here and there for various specific situations, but , again, for someone who "heavy into it" it's just not practical, imho....

I'd say two channel (dual trace) scope 10Hz (or up) is a must if you are into electronics/repair/mods/design.... Uhhhhhh, especially if you are "designing" circuits or experimenting .... !!!!
Well, it's what I think from where I stand. I could not live without one, actually sometimes I may feel like I could not do a thing without a scope... whenever and where ever is a question/mistery/problem - I switch it on and grab the probe -:spank:
**************

-Barrett!
Also you do not really HAVE to have a scope to just keep your deck up and running, unless you get into some trouble and need to find the problem... in which case, the scop may or may not be a help , it depends.
But if you are getting into electronics, then sooner or later you'd need one (imo), it's not just a repair/test tool, but it's also a learning/self-educating device.
If you decide to get an oscilloscope, then I see no good reason for why not to find a good working and practical unit - so you can actually use it.
Look for a two channel 10-15MHz (or higher) unit, that is at least described as "in working condition" and has test probes and manual included (You WILL need it!) . You can find one for under 100 bucks on eBay , sometimes you can find one really cheap too, just keep looking.
I've found one example (quick search) , so something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BK-Percision-15MHz-Oscilloscope-model-1432-dual-trace-/270581071110

/regards
 
Well, we must be into different things. I’ve been building electronics since I was about 10 and only had a hardware scope for a few years before I got rid of it. A signal injector and multimeter I need, but a scope not really much of one at all. Software scope 20 Hz - 20 kHz is all I need for audio.

I fix everything myself, from cars to radios to audio equipment. I’m also into alternative energy... wind solar and build stuff for that. I work with Wi-Fi as part of my job, and design and maintain stuff for that. I used to build my own ham antennas as well. I have two patents... one for a firearm related electronic device and one for an audio device. I built the prototypes from scratch. I’ve modded half the things in my studio, including my PC at the board level.

I don’t use a hardware scope for any of the above because I don’t need one. Having a software scope is not the same as not having a scope at all, so nowhere have I said a scope isn’t useful. And it doesn’t matter if it’s freeware or not. This is one of the simplest things to do with a PC and a soundcard, so one shouldn’t be surprised they’ve been around for many years and cost little to nothing.

However, I don't doubt you need a good hardware scope for what you do.

By the way, I don’t drink... not even a little, and never have. Perhaps if I did I would need a scope. ;)

Cheers my friend... :drunk:
 
Beck said:
...I don’t drink... not even a little, ...:
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me neither. drinking makes me sleepy. I can't stand it :mad: , actlually I hate the fact that I must sleep and there's no way around it. grrrrrrrrrr

I see what you are saying. I guess you just found your way around.
Well, still, even with "audio" equipment there is more than just "audio" to deal with there, you know that ;)
But when dealing specifically with audio per say and designing (read - experimenting, trying diffrent things in the circuit etc...) I simply must have two channels of signal (signal in and signal out on screen), and I need a pair of trusted probes on hands and I must have easy to use (REAL KNOBS and switches !!!., that is heh eheh :D ) controls of the test-device (scope, in this case). Again, I am talking practicality here. :)

*************
BTW 1 , how the jet fighter project is going? ;)

BTW 2, is there something more frustrating than a rusted broken bolt? :D
 
Dr ZEE said:
BTW 1 , how the jet fighter project is going? ;)
Click to expand...

Pretty good. The Air Force thinks the Illinois Air National Guard has it and the Guard thinks the Air force has it, so no one is looking for it at the present time. I need a bigger garage though.

BTW 2, is there something more frustrating than a rusted broken bolt? :D
Click to expand...

Nope, nothing. :)
 
Beck said:
....Nope, nothing. :)
Click to expand...
Uh! Wrong. There is.
-A Pair of those. :p

But wait! There's something even worse. It's when they get together.
;)
 

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