[Elecraft] OT - PC Oscilliscope Performance

[Don Wilhelm]

Mike,

For that price, one could do better with a used Tektronics analog 
'scope.  Check with Bob Garcia (Mr. Scope) to see what he has available 
(esaronel at bellsouth.net) - you may be surprised at what you can obtain 
from him.  I speak only as a satisfied customer of Bob's - he is a real 
gentleman to do business with.  I believe he is a retired Tek repair 
type and usually has several Tek 'scopes available for sale.  He can be 
found at hamfests in the SouthEastern US.

Specificlly responding to your quesion:
The 100 MHz rating is good for most HF use, but for most ham purposes, 
one does not need the digital storage features.  Remember that the 
probes must also have the frequency rating of the 'scope or greater - 
the lowest common denominator is the frequency limit.  The digital 
storage qualities are nice when investigating digital circuits or power 
supply transient responses, but are seldom used for normal ham purposes, 
in most cases, one would want a real time display.  The most common use 
of a 'scope for ham radio troubleshooting is to measure RF voltages.  
Yes, my 200 MHz  Tek 475 'scope has dual vertiacal channels and delayed 
sweep, but most of the time is is used as a single channel 'scope with 
normal sweep.  Only investigations of delay parameters and the relative 
timing of digital signals require the use of the delayed sweep and both 
vertical channels.

Bottom line - if you are into digital stuff, this 'scope may be a 
bargain, but for most ham radio related purposes, one can save a lot of 
money with an older Tek 'scope (and HP too).

73,
Don W3FPR

Mike Walkington wrote:
> All,
>
> Just found this PC based oscilloscope http://www.bitscope.com/product/BS310/
> and wonder what you think of it. Yes you are limited by needing a PC, but
> the  waveform generator, spectrum analyser and logic analyser functionality
> seem to be most versatile.
>
> Mike
> VK1KCK
> K2 #2599
>
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