[Boatanchors] Oscilloscope Recommendations

[Rob Atkinson]

One of the older scopes like the Tek 465 is fine.  From my experience
any Tektronix scope that goes up to 30 Mc (for a HF op) is okay.  It
becomes a matter of how much weight you want to move around.  For
monitoring your signal or tracing or looking at the output of a stage,
you don't need double trace; single is fine for all that.  However for
troubleshooting you'd get to see the  input and output on a stage at
the same time.

Don't be intimidated by the controls.   Look for a 465 or something
more basic and you'll be fine.  The real fancy ones with the plug in
modules (7000 series) can be a bit much for a first time user.  I have
used oscilloscopes for years and never really read much about how to
use them.  Just fire it up, get it to display a trace, hook up a test
signal (only don't transmit right into it or give more than its rated
voltage) to the vertical input (always on the front panel) and start
twiddling knobs until you start seeing what looks like the analog
signal you expect to see.   Books on scope usage and all that are
certainly helpful and will add to your ability to use one and be a
benefit, but don't let any of that stop you at first.  Just get one,
power it up, get a trace, and give it a signal and start messing
around with it.

I'd go to a hamfest and look for one there.  I'd also avoid HP scopes.
HP made great test equipment but on oscilloscopes, Tektronix is the
undisputed vintage scope king,  If you DO get one shipped to you, make
sure the seller has the plastic fiberglass reinforced SHELL that fits
over the front panel and protects it.  DON'T buy one if they don't
have that.  The front panel is often loaded with very fragile switches
and I have learned the hard way that a scope can be easily damaged if
it doesn't have the protective shell over the front.  Bubble wrap and
such IS NOT adequate.  Don't buy from some non-technical bozo who
doesn't even know what an oscilloscope is.  Tek sold the shells for
all the old portable field scopes such as the 465.

73

Rob
K5UJ



On Sat, Aug 16, 2014 at 2:45 PM, Bill Stewart <cwopr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> Tnx Doug for the offer.
> I am still in a bit of befuddlement about just
> what I need. I will keep your offer in mind.
> At the moment I am leaning toward the Tec 465B
> but that might change.
> Tnx...73 de Bill K4JYS