Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought
Being relatively new to ham radio, I am considering some form of
oscilloscope. I am intrigued by PC-based systems (eg., BitScope Pocket Analyzer) I've read a few NG posts about used HP scopes and a few negative remarks about PC scopes. My question: Given my neophyte status and the likelihood that I would use a scope for anything more the basic / with learning, moderate/ complexity, .... is the PC-based scope a good choice for me? Cost is under $400, not incl. a $40 analog probe. John AB8O PS, apologies for cross-posting to two groups...just trying to get some good answers! |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought
jawod wrote:
Being relatively new to ham radio, I am considering some form of oscilloscope. I am intrigued by PC-based systems (eg., BitScope Pocket Analyzer) I've read a few NG posts about used HP scopes and a few negative remarks about PC scopes. My question: Given my neophyte status and the likelihood that I would use a scope for anything more the basic / with learning, moderate/ complexity, ... is the PC-based scope a good choice for me? Cost is under $400, not incl. a $40 analog probe. If you are willing to go the Ebay route, and your budget is in the $400 range, you can pick up a seriously nice analog scope. I have a pair of Tektronix 2245As in my lab that cost me quite a bit less than that each. If you really need a DSO then that puts the price up a bit. If your need is for something small and portable, then some of the newer stuff is probably the only option, but I doubt you will get the same level of performance/price. Welcome to the hobby, BTW! I'm really pleased to see your interest in getting the test equipment side in motion. I am QRV on most bands from 160m to 10Gigs, and the majority of my gear is homebrew. I have been a ham for almost four decades, and over that time have spent a lot more on test gear than I have on commercial radios. Having the gear to check out my creations goes a long way to having the confidence to actually put them on the air and make contacts. There is an old piece of wisdom that HP can't make a 'scope, and Tek can't make a spectrum analyser. My experience supports that. Maybe that doesn't answer your question directly, but I hope that helps in some way. GL & 73, Alf NU8I Scottsdale AZ DM43an 160m 10Gigs |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought
I have turned away from PC based test equipment because my PC changes
every few years and my applications become "Legacy Applications" that either die or require an expensive upgrade. The older test equipment still works as good as it ever did. Pick a readily available scope (EBAY?) and read the specs. Compare it to the other candidates. Chances are that a Tektronix 453 with a bright screen will do everything you want for less than $100 including shipping. It just gets better from there. Considering they are now 40 years old and still useful is mind boggling! Pick one, buy it, learn it. If it does not meet your expectations you can usually get something out of it on Ebay & buy another. On Thu, 07 Sep 2006 23:03:43 -0400, jawod wrote: Being relatively new to ham radio, I am considering some form of oscilloscope. I am intrigued by PC-based systems (eg., BitScope Pocket Analyzer) I've read a few NG posts about used HP scopes and a few negative remarks about PC scopes. My question: Given my neophyte status and the likelihood that I would use a scope for anything more the basic / with learning, moderate/ complexity, ... is the PC-based scope a good choice for me? Cost is under $400, not incl. a $40 analog probe. John AB8O PS, apologies for cross-posting to two groups...just trying to get some good answers! John Ferrell W8CCW |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought
Hi John,
"John Ferrell" wrote in message ... I have turned away from PC based test equipment because my PC changes every few years and my applications become "Legacy Applications" that either die or require an expensive upgrade. I agree, although I'd say this is less of a problem these days than, say, a decade back... if you go with a USB interface there's a good chance the driver will work over the course of a couple major Windows OSes (e.g., Windows XP is largely backwards compatible with drivers back to NT); if test equipment manufacturers started using Ethernet more often, it'd make the equipment more or less usable over more than a decade of OSes. The other nice thing in recent years is that laptops are now cheap enough (~$500 new) that you can often afford to, e.g., dedicate one to some specialized piece of test equpiment you have indefinitely. Desktops are ridiculously cheap -- ~$250 new in many cases --, but of course bulkier (and no integrated LCD). Chances are that a Tektronix 453 with a bright screen will do everything you want for less than $100 including shipping. It just gets better from there. Any analog scope has rather limited utility for debugging digital logic. It can certainly be done, but I'd defy you to try to debug, e.g., an I2C or RS-232 exchange that hangs with one. Pick one, buy it, learn it. If it does not meet your expectations you can usually get something out of it on Ebay & buy another. This is good advice... those old scopes have pretty much depreciated as much as they're going to, so learning on one is relatively cheap. ---Joel |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought
jawod wrote:
Being relatively new to ham radio, I am considering some form of oscilloscope. I am intrigued by PC-based systems (eg., BitScope Pocket Analyzer) I've read a few NG posts about used HP scopes and a few negative remarks about PC scopes. My question: Given my neophyte status and the likelihood that I would use a scope for anything more the basic / with learning, moderate/ complexity, ... is the PC-based scope a good choice for me? Cost is under $400, not incl. a $40 analog probe. John AB8O PS, apologies for cross-posting to two groups...just trying to get some good answers! First, go to E-Bay and look for a decent analog scope. As you are referring to Dollars, you are probably in the US so you are better off looking for Tektronix scopes. I suggest you split your money on a miniVNA and a Tek scope. This is an unbeatable combination! Search for miniVNA on the net and the E-bay for the scope!. Cheers Dan / M0DFI |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought
jawod wrote: Being relatively new to ham radio, I am considering some form of oscilloscope. I am intrigued by PC-based systems (eg., BitScope Pocket Analyzer) I've read a few NG posts about used HP scopes and a few negative remarks about PC scopes. My question: Given my neophyte status and the likelihood that I would use a scope for anything more the basic / with learning, moderate/ complexity, ... is the PC-based scope a good choice for me? Cost is under $400, not incl. a $40 analog probe. John AB8O PS, apologies for cross-posting to two groups...just trying to get some good answers! I think I'd also opt for a used analog scope. I think It's better from a portability viewpoint, since I'm unsure if they make the data aquisition cards for laptops. www.telstar-electronics.com |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Advice on Oscilloscopes Sought | Equipment | |||
ADVICE on aerials for 5.680 | Shortwave | |||
4:1 balun advice sought... | Antenna | |||
Choosing a FET (2SK19) replacement for 1970s vintage solid stateam/shortwave receiver. Advice Sought | Shortwave | |||
handheld CB+weather radio (US) advice sought | CB |