New scope...

[Sylvia Else]

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

Sylvia.

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:
=============

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.

** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.


....... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:
=============

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.

** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.


....... Phil

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 2:19 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:
=============

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.


...... Phil

Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one, it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort if it\'s going to fail
again before long. It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 2:19 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:
=============

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.


...... Phil

Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one, it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort if it\'s going to fail
again before long. It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:

================

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

> Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


....... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:

================

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

> Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


....... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:

================

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

> Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


....... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:

================

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

> Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


....... Phil

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 3:21 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:

================


My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


...... Phil

Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

On closer examination, it looks as if it wasn\'t the transistor I
replaced that\'s failed, but the corresponding one on the other half of
the output (half drives left of centre, half drives right of centre).
Which makes a kind of sense. So I\'ll try repairing it after all.

Also, the circuit diagram specifies BF472, but the transistor itself is
a BF470, which is a somewhat lower voltage variant. Perhaps the
accountants got involved in the design, and I\'m paying the price.

Sylvia.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 3:21 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:

================


My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


...... Phil

Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

On closer examination, it looks as if it wasn\'t the transistor I
replaced that\'s failed, but the corresponding one on the other half of
the output (half drives left of centre, half drives right of centre).
Which makes a kind of sense. So I\'ll try repairing it after all.

Also, the circuit diagram specifies BF472, but the transistor itself is
a BF470, which is a somewhat lower voltage variant. Perhaps the
accountants got involved in the design, and I\'m paying the price.

Sylvia.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 3:21 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:

================


My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.


** I have four scopes all l over that age.
Two are Aussie made BWDs and the third a NLS mini-scope made in the USA.
The oldest I built myself 50 yeara ago.
All are working fine.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

** Giant step backwards for any low cost model.

The transistor you need can be bought from WES Components in Summer Hill.
Failures are due to time and self heating effects.

I have had to replace half a dozen to get an 80s Taiwanese scope going again.
Damn poor design.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, the problem is not sourcing another one,

** Then do so.

it\'s a question whether
doing so would be a waste of money and/or effort

** Wot - $3 and half an hour?

It\'s not even as if it\'s had that much use since I
last repaired it.

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


...... Phil

Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

On closer examination, it looks as if it wasn\'t the transistor I
replaced that\'s failed, but the corresponding one on the other half of
the output (half drives left of centre, half drives right of centre).
Which makes a kind of sense. So I\'ll try repairing it after all.

Also, the circuit diagram specifies BF472, but the transistor itself is
a BF470, which is a somewhat lower voltage variant. Perhaps the
accountants got involved in the design, and I\'m paying the price.

Sylvia.

 

[Jan Panteltje]

On a sunny day (Sat, 21 Aug 2021 14:06:35 +1000) it happened Sylvia Else
<sylvia@email.invalid> wrote in <iobcecFn4p2U1@mid.individual.net>:

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years.

Ha! I Have a Trio CS1562A 10 MHz dual channel analog scope, and is all I ever needed at home.
Fix your analog scope if you can!


>A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

There are cheap digital ones, USB PC is not practical.
All depends on what you do.
What counts most is understanding of what you do,



>Anyone have experience with such a device?

Well I designed and build scope-pic:
http://panteltje.com/panteltje/pic/scope_pic/index.html

Not as good as my analog, but was fun to build, never use it though
Most RF (radio) stuff can be done with an rtl-sdr USB stick and software spectrum analyzer (is what I do).
http://panteltje.com/panteltje/xpsa/index.html
tons of software exists online and free for that.

But if I needed a new scope I would go for a stand-alone, not a PC based one.
Isolation for a start.

There are cheap Rigols some you could even modify in software to get more bandwidth IIRC
Do not remember a model number right now, oh,
https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Hack-Upgrade-a-Rigol-DS1054Z-Digital-Oscill/

So if I needed a scope I would go for that perhaps ;-) Just for fun.

Does not J. Larkin have one?

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:
=================

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

** Very good scopes.

Even have full Mumetal shielding on the tube - unlike Asian scopes.

On closer examination, it looks as if it wasn\'t the transistor I
replaced that\'s failed, but the corresponding one on the other half of
the output (half drives left of centre, half drives right of centre).
Which makes a kind of sense. So I\'ll try repairing it after all.

** Good.

Also, the circuit diagram specifies BF472, but the transistor itself is
a BF470, which is a somewhat lower voltage variant. Perhaps the
accountants got involved in the design, and I\'m paying the price.

** BF472 from WES = about $1.25

Maybe buy a few, if they are used elsewhere.


...... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

Sylvia Else wrote:
=================

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

** Very good scopes.

Even have full Mumetal shielding on the tube - unlike Asian scopes.

On closer examination, it looks as if it wasn\'t the transistor I
replaced that\'s failed, but the corresponding one on the other half of
the output (half drives left of centre, half drives right of centre).
Which makes a kind of sense. So I\'ll try repairing it after all.

** Good.

Also, the circuit diagram specifies BF472, but the transistor itself is
a BF470, which is a somewhat lower voltage variant. Perhaps the
accountants got involved in the design, and I\'m paying the price.

** BF472 from WES = about $1.25

Maybe buy a few, if they are used elsewhere.


...... Phil

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 6:40 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:
=================

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

** Very good scopes.

Even have full Mumetal shielding on the tube - unlike Asian scopes.

I just wish it were easier to repair. At first sight, it appears quite
modular, with plugs and sockets. Then one notices the multiple wires
soldered directly to boards. The power transformer has wires soldered
directly to more than one board. I even have to wonder how they managed
to assemble it, unless they used special right-angle soldering irons.

Sylvia.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 6:40 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:
=================

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

** Very good scopes.

Even have full Mumetal shielding on the tube - unlike Asian scopes.

I just wish it were easier to repair. At first sight, it appears quite
modular, with plugs and sockets. Then one notices the multiple wires
soldered directly to boards. The power transformer has wires soldered
directly to more than one board. I even have to wonder how they managed
to assemble it, unless they used special right-angle soldering irons.

Sylvia.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 6:40 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:
=================

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

** Very good scopes.

Even have full Mumetal shielding on the tube - unlike Asian scopes.

I just wish it were easier to repair. At first sight, it appears quite
modular, with plugs and sockets. Then one notices the multiple wires
soldered directly to boards. The power transformer has wires soldered
directly to more than one board. I even have to wonder how they managed
to assemble it, unless they used special right-angle soldering irons.

Sylvia.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 21-Aug-21 6:40 pm, Phil Allison wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:
=================

** Dunno wot POS you bought - big secret ?

My BWDs ( models 821 & 824 ) have had zero repair in 20 years.
The mini-scope none in 30.

If an analog scope is all you need and are used to - don\'t change.


Hardly a secret, I posted the circuit diagram of the X final amplifier
previously. It\'s a Hameg HM203-5.

** Very good scopes.

Even have full Mumetal shielding on the tube - unlike Asian scopes.

I just wish it were easier to repair. At first sight, it appears quite
modular, with plugs and sockets. Then one notices the multiple wires
soldered directly to boards. The power transformer has wires soldered
directly to more than one board. I even have to wonder how they managed
to assemble it, unless they used special right-angle soldering irons.

Sylvia.

 

[Clive Arthur]

On 21/08/2021 05:06, Sylvia Else wrote:

My 40 year old scope seems to have failed again the same way it did a
while back - one of the X-axis drive transistors has failed - the same
one as last time. Could just be chance again, but one has to wonder.

If I had a replacement, I\'d use it, but either I only sourced one last
time, or I\'ve lost the other(s). Either way, I think I should cut my
losses, and get a new scope.

My needs are fairly basic - after all, I lived with a 20MHz scope for
forty years. A USB/PC one would probably suffice.

Anyone have experience with such a device?

Sylvia.

The Analog Discovery 2 is very good. I have one I uses with an old Asus
notebook PC running Linux, it makes a very portable and capable package.

https://digilent.com/analog-discovery-2-100msps-usb-oscilloscope-logic-analyzer-and-variable-power-supply/

Though in the office, the four channel Rigol is more convenient.

--
Cheers
Clive