[Elecraft] Oscilloscope Requirements?

[Jim Wiley]

TAC -


You might consider purchasing a used model.  I have an older Tektronix 
TDS-200  60 MHz digital scope, and it works very well for me with ham 
radio related issues.  All things being equal, I would have preferred 
the 100 MHz version, but 60 MHz was what I could afford at the time (I 
purchased the instrument new).  However, since then, there has been a 
goodly selection of competent instruments available from eBay and 
various instrument suppliers, such as Tucker electronics.  Do a Google 
search for used / reconditioned test equipment.   If you make your 
purchase from a company that refurbishes such instruments, they will 
usually offer a 90 day or longer warranty.


2 channel operation should be enough for whatever you will need.  I have 
4-channel capability in a Tek 7603 series analog scope, but have yet to 
have a need to use it.  Some models of digital scopes include a FFT 
(Fast Fourier Transform) function that will allow you to use the 
instrument as a spectrum analyzer for signals that are within it's 
bandwidth capabilities.  Interesting features of digital scopes:  The 
ability to display a waveform, and simultaneously see frequency, P-P, 
RMS, values in digital form. Also the ability to change the sweep speed 
after the fact, expanding or compressing the vertical and horizontal 
scales after the signal has gone.  Very useful for analysis of one-shot 
phenomena.


Good luck with your purchase.


- Jim, KL7CC

On 9/24/2012 3:40 AM, TAC wrote:
> I've decided to spring for a new digital storage oscilloscope and thought I'd
> solicit some opinions on how much scope I really need for general
> electronics and ham radio. 2 or 4 channel, 100 or 200 Mhz, memory buffer
> size, etc?Anyone using the PicoScope?  At work we have 500 Mhz, 4 GSa/s
> Agilent scopes and unfortunately that's a little out of my budget.  I was
> looking at the PicoScope line (http://www.picotech.com/) which look pretty
> interesting.  Looks like there are a number of cheap knock offs out of
> China. Thnx,-TAC
>
>
>
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