HP computers / test gear in Chicago

From: Scott Stevens <sastevens_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Fri May 21 19:13:46 2004

On Fri, 21 May 2004 01:00:25 -0400 (EDT)
der Mouse <mouse_at_rodents.montreal.qc.ca> wrote:

> > I've attempted to GIVE AWAY a working Tek 547 with 3 or 4 plug-ins
> > and the original 'scopemobile' cart.
>
> > Zero takers.
>
> You must not have tried anywhere I had access to! I'd love to get my
> hands on a good 'scope, and yes, I too would prefer a good old tube
> 'scope to one of today's "let's digitize everything in sight as a
> first step" crop.
>
> About all that would stop me from grabbing such a thing would be
> outrageous shipping charges (or, I suppose, if it's physically so huge
> I couldn't fit it into my workshop - and it'd take more than I've ever
> seen in a 'scope to do that).
>

I would hold out for a newer solid-state but not 'digital' scope. I got
a Tektronix 7000 series mainframe at auction last summer for $5 and a
stack of plugins, including the sensitive differential plugin, several
dual traces, and the fast (100 MHz) Differential comparator plug-in for
$5 apiece at the same auction. Also snagged a 5000 series mainframe
with plug-ins at the same auction for $5, and an old rackmount tube
model from the 500-series era.

Those old tube Tek scopes are what got us to the Moon, and they have
fabulous construction. That silver-solder on ceramic construction is
designed to last forever.

People severely undervalue the old analog Tek scopes these days. And
the 7000 series are some of the greatest scopes ever made. The old 500
series tube scopes are technological marvels, and items of beauty to
collect, but the newer 7000 series scopes are items of beauty to use. I
wouldn't be without either in my lab, of course.

For non-collectors who aren't instrumentation-geeks, if you want just
one useful scope, the 465 or 475 are highly recommended. I personally
avoid anything in the Tek 2400 series because they used custom ICs, and
quit producing said ICs years ago. If you have a pile of 2465 'scopes
to scavenge from you're set up to keep one running, otherwise they're a
risky investment.

To keep it on topic, I used to own a 547. The greatest general purpose
tube-type (hybrid, actually) tube mainframe Tek made. If you want to be
a purist, though, you should stick to a 545, which is all-tube (when I
had one I counted over 100 tubes just in the time base)
Received on Fri May 21 2004 - 19:13:46 BST