[Test-Equipment] help for a scope dope

[Fred Olsen]

Richard Keller wrote:
> The last time I used a  scope (and I use the term very loosely)
> was in the early 60's using a trusty Navy OS-8

Dick, calling an OS-8 a scope is indeed loose terminology!  ;<)

> acquired a 4-chan 300 MHZ analog TEK.

Model?

> This thing looks so complicated with all the knobs and switches,
> I understand the basics of scope design but have no clue where to
> begin my path to higher practical knowledge.

You didn't say 'new' or 'used' but I'm hoping you got the manual with 
it.  Tek manuals go a long way toward learning to use the instrument. 
There have also been some primers from them on scope basics.  The 
present one is naturally enough oriented to the current models but if I 
can find a link to an older edition I'll pass it along here and to you.
http://www.tek.com/Measurement/cgi-bin/framed.pl?Document=/Measurement/App_Notes/indexes/oscilloscopes.html&FrameSet=oscilloscopes
Start with "Primers" > "XYZs", but don't overlook the rest.
http://www.tek.com/Measurement/programs/xyz_scopes/index.html
(Thanks John.)

If one can stand Yahoo and all its attendant baggage, there is a large 
Tek group there with quite a few very sharp people who are perfectly 
willing to answer any question.  There are many test gear pros and 
ex-Tek folks in residence.  For anyone considering joining a Yahurl 
group, if you can handle the traffic I would suggest taking the messages 
as email rather than trying to post from the group page.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TekScopes/

One more thing.  With that high-performance scope you MUST use quality 
probes to get decent results.  Tek's probes are expensive but they beat 
just about everything else.  Ask for help in selecting something 
appropriate if need be.

Best of luck with the scope,
Fred
-- 
<><
--
Outgoing checked by Norton AV