RadioBanter - View Single Post

December 10th 03, 01:12 AM

On 8 Dec 2003 08:00:52 -0800 (Howard) wrote:

I have used Tektronix instruments for almost 30 years now, and don't
know how I could have got along without them. Most of my work has been
in commercial radio and television.

While I agree with much of what you say, it's only fair to point out
that it's the old-timers among us who mostly feel this way. Tek has
changed.

The manuals are written incredibly well, and I have received
assistance from tech support on devices more than 25 years old.

Yes, the OLD manuals were wonderful, but have you looked at a manual
for a Tek scope sold new in the last 10 years? They have no theory of
operation, no parts lists, and no schematics. If you try to call them
for tech info on an old scope today, you're pretty likely to be
politely turned down.

I reflect with fondness on repairing a device like a waveform monitor,
more than 20 years old, and finding a small coil of silver solder on
the chassis in a place that was designed for it, tucked neatly in its
own "home." Tek has used silver solder for decades now...they have
always known it makes a better solder joint...and they want their
stuff to keep on working, 24/7 for years and years.

The special little coils of silver bearing solder WERE neat, but they
were intended for use ONLY on the little ceramic terminal strips. The
silver content was necessary to prevent delamination of the metalized
part of the strip. This was carefully explained in their manual.

I don't think they used that solder in any solid state gear, nor did
they provide the little rolls in any solid state scopes.

And now I hear that they desroy their own equipment so they can sell
more new stuff?! Baloney.

Baloney perhaps, but I belive it is still true. I've heard it from
people who were there and saw it happen.

I think I am hearing from people who not only do not understand that
"you get what you pay for," but have no use for the quality and
accuracy of the products they are complaining about.

The scopes you're remembering are the products made decades ago. Those
were the scopes that made Tektronix' reputation as exceeding the
"state of the art." In recent times Tek has been taken over by the
bean counters who have entirely different priorities.

It's unfortunate that a giant like this has now stooped to this level,
but you really should listen to some of the people here, and
elsewhere, who have worked with them, and for them, in recent times.

I'm afraid that much the same thing is happening to Hewlett-Packard.
The corporate climate that Bill Hewlett and David Packard spent their
lives building has now gone the way of corporate acquisition over
innovation. Agilent may continue to do well, but Bill & Dave's names
have been sacrificed on the alter of profit.

Yes, I own several old Tek scopes. I consider myself a Tek youngster
as I've only been using them for about 35 years. I've got a nice new
one at work that only seems to weigh a couple of pounds and still does
300MHz. It takes me 20 minutes to figure it out every time I turn it
on, but I assume that's just because I don't turn it on frequently
enough.

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Jim Adney
Madison, WI 53711 USA
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