[Elecraft] Oscilloscopes

[Jim Miller KG0KP]

How do you know what the frequency rating of a scope is?
What is the rating of my Techtronics 475?
We used them at work for required adjustments to tolerances of 2/10 
nanoseconds.

Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
To: "Jon Kåre Hellan" <hellan at acm.org>
Cc: "'Elecraft List'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Oscilloscopes


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
>
>
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html