[Elecraft] Oscilloscopes

[Don Wilhelm]

Jon,

For use on the HF bands, go for a 'scope rated at 100 MHz or higher, and 
be certain to use probes that are also rated for 100 MHz or more.
The frequency rating of a 'scope is the point where the vertical 
response is down 3 dB, so you will not be able to do valid voltage 
measurements at frequencies beyond about 1/3 of the frequency rating of 
the 'scope.  The 50 mHz 'scope will give valid voltage measurements up 
to about 16 MHz while the 100 MHz 'scope will be good up through 30 MHz.

If good measurement of voltages is not important to you, then the 50 MHz 
'scope may be OK, even though the voltage (signal amplitude) may be 
attenuated, it will still show a proper waveform up to its rated 
frequency and often beyond - unless the input waveform is a pulse or a 
square wave where the rise time is one of the important parameters - for 
most amateur radio purposes, that is not important.

Analog vs. Digital - no comment, but I prefer the real time analog 
'scope, no potential  digital artifacts to deal with.

73,
Don W3FPR

Jon Kåre Hellan wrote:
> Hi
>
> I'm thinking about buying a scope. I've seen many people recommend 
> getting an old analog scope, but they're big! I borrowed a compact 100 
> MHz digital scope from work, and it was nice. 50 MHz scopes are a lot 
> cheaper, though.
>
> Will I regret getting a 50 MHz scope instead of a 100 MHz one?
>
> 73
> Jon LA4RT
>   
>