[Boatanchors] Inexpensive Scope Probes

[Carl]

With a 465 available for $100 these days why bother? Bench and rack analog 
models to 300-400MHz are now selling for less than the probes.

Carl
KM1H

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Macklin" <macklinbob at msn.com>
To: "rbethman" <rbethman at comcast.net>; "BOATANCHORS" 
<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 11:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Inexpensive Scope Probes


>I bought mine from Pomona. since I only have 35MHz scopes they work very
> well.
>
> I have been thinking of making a VHF/UHF converter to use ahead of the 
> 35MHz
> scopes so I use the scopes on  VHF and UHF gear.
>
> Bob Macklin
> K5MYJ
> Seattle, Wa.
> "Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "rbethman" <rbethman at comcast.net>
> To: "BOATANCHORS" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 8:36 AM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Inexpensive Scope Probes
>
>
>>I don't know how long it has been since you were in the Navy.  If you
>> are like a large number of us, it has been a couple or more decades
>> since we left the military.
>>
>> I would "normally" agree that non-spec items are to be shied away from.
>>
>> I went ahead and bought the same ones that are being offered currently.
>> (It is 2011 now....)
>>
>> I attached these new ones to the dual channel inputs, along with an
>> Honest to goodness Tektronix Probe.
>>
>> Both got fed a 38.8 MHz PLL circuit test point.
>>
>> I swapped them back and forth from ch1 to ch2.  Running my hands over
>> them, and even twisting them around each other resulted NO CHANGE in
>> waveform.  The same result even when wrapped under the chassis of the
>> mainframe of the Tek 5440.
>>
>> They also compensate very well.
>>
>> Since I'm savings significantly, I'll go ahead an use them.  *IF* there
>> is an "unseen" difference on traces, when one is laid over the other, it
>> has got to be about 1% or less.
>>
>> I think they are more than usable for Amateur Radio.  The larger number
>> of us are working on our own equipment.  We don't have a need for NIST
>> traceability.
>>
>> You'll find the nuts and bolts you buy are loaded with "forgeries", and
>> that they will NOT hold the same torques.  I worry more about that when
>> I start to bolt together 400 pound or greater pieces of gear.
>>
>> YMMV.
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> Bob - N0DGN
>>
>> On 2/8/2011 11:25 PM, Glenn Little WB4UIV wrote:
>>> While in the navy, we ordered a Tektronix scope probe.
>>> Due to competitive bids and "specs" we received a knock off probe.
>>> When I attempted to measure a clock waveform in a computer with the
>>> prescribed scope and this probe, the waveform would change depending
>>> on where along the lead you placed your hand or the position of the
>>> lead relative to the chassis of the computer.
>>> The next order was specified "do not substitute" and we did receive a
>>> genuine Tektronix probe.
>>> There was no problem measuring the clock waveform with this probe.
>>>
>>> Buyer be ware with cheap probes.
>>> Probably useable for audio, but very questionable above a few MegaHertz.
>>>
>>> It all depends on how much you want to trust the waveform displayed
>>> on the scope to be an accurate representation of the measured circuit.
>>>
>>> Just my experience.
>>> I will only use quality probes.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Glenn
>>> WB4UIV
>>
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>
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