http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/ 2010-09-09T07:16:51-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/ http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/lib/images/favicon.ico text/html 2008-07-07T23:50:08-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:attenuator_repair_for_hp_agilent_microwave_equipment&rev=1215489008&do=diff From the HP_Agilent_Equipment Mailing List on Yahoo: ---------- Since Agilent continuously ups the spare part prices and discontinues parts it has become more and more important to go past normal repair practices. Step Attenuators for example can be repaired without any special tools or cleanroom enviroment ! Lets take a look at the failure modes first, there are a few: text/html 2008-07-02T10:11:38-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:bus_cable_wiring_for_hp_8566_8568&rev=1215007898&do=diff This information relates to the Bus Cable for the HP 8566/8568 Spectrum Analyzers series. ---------- Wiring on display end corresponds to pin numbering stamped on “DB-50” connector. Wiring on RF “centronics connector” end is as listed below with connector contacts facing you and long side of “D” to the left: text/html 2008-08-10T07:46:42-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:cleaning_tek_7603_intensity_pots&rev=1218368802&do=diff From the TekScope mailing list: ---------- Hi! Some time ago, I asked about the correct way of cleaning the intensity pot of my 7603. I got a few helpful answers and some hints about the archive. I had a few free days and decided to tackle the task. The intensity pot at my 7603 was jumpy, and the readout-intensity pot worked only erraticaly. So I removed the right part of the cabinet and examined the assembly closely. There are two pots and a switch on a coaxial axle. They seemed to be se… text/html 2008-07-07T23:50:47-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:coax_connectors_and_adapters&rev=1215489047&do=diff A few words of advice regarding adapters ! Every RF Lab needs them and has them but the importance of adapters is always underrated ! a adapter can make or break a measurement so choosing the right adapter and buying quality is essential! First off you can break your adapters in different categories. text/html 2008-07-07T23:51:27-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:extender_for_tek_7000_series&rev=1215489087&do=diff Craig Saywer has made a home brew 7xxx flexible extender a year or so ago. He has uploaded details onto his server, and he says you are welcome to download it. ---------- Notes * All cables are 3 feet long (or 1 metre) * You need two donor plug in's for the support frame, and a card guide at both ends (or one, with a homebrew Al plate to support the other) * You need either a scrap 7xxx backplane from which to pillage an edge connector, or buy one from Farnell (check archives under… text/html 2009-10-16T08:53:02-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:gpib_under_linux&rev=1255697582&do=diff From the Tekscopes newsgroup on Yahoo ---------- I just this year went the linux route with IEEE-488 (GPIB) and python. I use a NI pci controller card and that is easy enough to set up under the “Linux-lab project” <http://linux-gpib.sourceforge.net/> but there is not a binding for pyvisa to that package... text/html 2008-12-25T09:17:29-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hard_drive_conversion_to_cf_for_hp16500&rev=1230214649&do=diff I believe this was a posting on the [hp_agilent_equipment] newsgroup on yahoo. I did not write it down at the time and now I forgot... ---------- A friend and I both have 16500's, my drive is making noises, his finally failed. After realizing that replacement drives were not readily available (Quantum 84MB IDE) for a reasonable prices and these older drives have a poor reliability record we decided to see if the drive could be replaced with a newer IDE drive. A variety of drives in the sever… text/html 2010-08-26T21:48:54-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_3458a_precision_digital_multimeter&rev=1282873734&do=diff From: Dick Moore <richiem@hughes.net> To: volt-nuts@febo.com Hi, Marv -- RE my 3458 -- It was very clean externally, leading me to think it had been used in a test or lab environment, but it needed a display board and a ROM board, both of which I installed. Then it went to Loveland for calibration. That was last September. Because the ROM board was replaced, there was no “before” data to compare the cal to. It goes back to Loveland this September, and now there will be “before” and “after” d… text/html 2008-07-07T23:53:33-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_4352a_vco_analyzer&rev=1215489213&do=diff A while ago I bought a couple of 4352A VCO Analyzers, mainly out of curiosity and because they were cheap. I had since then time to play around with those and wanted to share my findings with the group. All in all I consider the 4352A a instrument worth having in a well equipped lab especially if your work involves PLL Synthesizers or VCOs. text/html 2008-07-07T23:53:02-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_859x_cpu_configuration&rev=1215489182&do=diff David Franklin <dfranklyn@mindspring.com> wrote: ---------- I have an 8592B that I am trying to get going. It was working fine when the display became scrambled. I sent it to Agilent for repair and they returned it to me with the following: “Display video is scrambled and unstable”. “Problem is caused by A16 processor and is no longer available. Return unrepaired”. text/html 2008-12-06T21:06:13-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_8753_a_to_b_conversion&rev=1228615573&do=diff HP 8753A to B Conversion There are three main differences in between the A and B. One is the Firmware, the second one is the phaselock board (8753B had an improved board) also the B has a source that provides higher output power. Lothar Note: 8753A and B ROMs are in the ROM Images directory of the Manual pages. text/html 2008-07-07T23:54:16-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_attenuator_part_number_information&rev=1215489256&do=diff From the HP_Agilent_Equipment Mailing List on Yahoo: ---------- Generally HP Sold Step attenuators under 2 part designations: 849x and 33321 or 33322x. All 849x attenuators were sold as end product for bench use, the 3332x variants were sold as OEM models at a discounted price to instrument manufacturers and ATE integrators. text/html 2008-11-06T12:06:49-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_lever_switch_repair&rev=1225991209&do=diff My 8552B had been damaged in transit and the SCAN MODE switch arm lever broken off and missing. A previous post asking for advice on how to fix this switch got no response, so I assume that most of you have easy and cheap access to spare switches and have never needed to fix a broken one. But that's not the case outside the US so I had to “bite the bullet” and have a go myself. text/html 2008-07-07T23:54:48-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:hp_power_sensor_information&rev=1215489288&do=diff The 8481/82/85/87 basically all use the same thermocouple. HP used to sell those as spare parts for about $50 ea, now the price is up to $300 ea with a 100pcs min order (1 waffle pack.) So what is the reason for the sensors to have different frequency specifications? text/html 2009-10-17T10:15:02-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:low_cost_digital_storage_scopes&rev=1255788902&do=diff From Sam, the moderator of the LeCroy_Owners_Group on Yahoo ---------- My diatribe on various low cost (<1K$ US) DSO's. This is also to address Jason's post about replacing his 9350CL Now right off the bat, those of you that know me are aware that I design electronics for a living, and I have used, repaired, and worked on (or a combination of all three) just about any piece of electronics test equipment that you can name and that I have no connection to any test equipment manufacturer or re… text/html 2008-12-01T23:35:09-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:my_philosophy_about_test_equipment_manuals&rev=1228192509&do=diff Since I host a number of free manuals in pdf on my web site, here my take on the subject: 1) we need quality outfits such as Artek Media, Qservice, AA4DF and a few others. They provide valuable service by having access to paper manuals very few people have and the quality of their scans is generally much better than what I and other “amateurs” in the business can do, and their prices are so reasonable, I wonder why I would spend an hour looking for a free manual if I can get it from one of thos… text/html 2009-03-15T16:11:08-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:precision_voltage_references&rev=1237147868&do=diff John Ackermann N8UR wrote: " I'm interested in learning some basics about precision voltage calibration (as can be realized by the hobbyist, not Josephson Junction systems!). A Google search hasn't turned up anything like a tutorial. Anyone know of any good app notes or other references on things like standard cells, zener references, precision potentiometers, etc? -- and how to use them? Thanks, John" text/html 2009-12-21T01:19:35-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:removing_tek_2430_2440_power_supply&rev=1261376375&do=diff Assumptions: The right side means the side on your right when you're looking at the instrument's CRT, similarly for the left side. 1. Remove the 4 screws (Torx T20) in the rear rubber feet. 2. Stand up the scope on its rear rubber feet (the rear cover is now loose). text/html 2008-11-07T06:56:58-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:repair_coils_on_hp_attenuators&rev=1226059018&do=diff Just wanted to let you know I was able to repair and rewind the 4 damages bobbins. I first tried using the original #35 AWG magnet wire size, but due to the physical repair I had to do on the damaged plastic bobbins I was not able to wind the same number of turns as the original coil, so the resistance was too low (about 42 Ohms instead of the original 50 Ohms). text/html 2008-07-20T20:42:15-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:replacing_backup_battery_on_tek_2246_scope&rev=1216600935&do=diff From Tom Jobe, on Tekscopes: ---------- Post #1 Recently there has been some discussion of 2246's and the back up batteries for them were mentioned, so I thought I would chime in with some 224X battery information for the archives just in case it would be of any use to anyone. text/html 2008-07-07T23:56:00-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:replacing_leaf_springs_on_hp_equipment&rev=1215489360&do=diff This posting appeared on the [hp_agilent_equipment] mailing on Yahoo groups. ---------- After hunting around for suitable material to replace corroded, tired or missing leaf springs for the switches in some of my HP test equipment, I happened upon a source I already possessed. Those little EAS or AM antitheft labels you find inside DVDs, consumer electronics, or other high-value items you pick up at Target or Walmart. These are the stick- on, rectangular tags which are about 1.75”L by .4”W. … text/html 2008-09-23T20:09:52-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:replacing_rotary_encoder_lamp&rev=1222214992&do=diff mikenearlibertymo wrote: > I recently bought a couple units off ebay and one had no manual sweep > or step functions. The problem was a burnt out grain of wheat lamp in > the opto resolver. The lamps are same/similar to what you find in > those “Mag” machined aluminum flashlights. I used a 6.3V unit to fix > it. text/html 2008-07-07T23:55:22-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:restore_eeprom_of_hp_8753&rev=1215489322&do=diff Conrad G0RUZ <conrad@g0ruz.com> wrote: Hi Our trusty HP8753B/85047A combination which has Option 006 installed now refuses to work at all above 3 GHz. The frequency doubler option just does not appear in the menu any more. Agilent have said that they cannot repair it due to an obsolete memory module/loss of image. I am sure that this is a common problem on these old work horses, can any one advise how to get the necessary part/s and how to re-program any corrupt memory. Sorry the fault descri… text/html 2009-02-07T07:56:24-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:sampling_explained_to_the_lay-person&rev=1234011384&do=diff On Fri, Feb 6, 2009 at 6:58 PM, George <unclegeorgessurplus@yahoo.com> wrote: " Greetings to the group, I need to know from all who know what Sampling is all about and make the answer simple enough for a 10-14 year old to understand. I was just given a Sampling plugin for the 5XX series scopes along with several others, that is also missing the nuvister and some of the transistors as well, and that is another issue I could use some assitance with? Thanks in advance to all who respo… text/html 2008-09-15T19:50:17-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:soldering_beam_lead_diodes&rev=1221522617&do=diff From the hp_agilent_equipment newsgroup: ---------- I have been messing around with RF+Microwave stuff for over 27years now, I been on both sides of the fence - hobbyist and professional, right now I'm both :) Usually if you go by the book there are three ways to properly mount beam lead devices: text/html 2008-07-07T23:56:42-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:soldering_thermo_couples&rev=1215489402&do=diff Let's talk a little about thermocouple wire alloys: There are about 6 principal thermocouple pairs in common use: * Type E - CR-CN * Type J - Fe-CN * Type K - CR-AL * Type R - Pt/13/Rh-Pt * Type S - Pt/10/Rh-Pt * Type T - Cu-CN text/html 2009-02-07T01:21:40-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:tds210_dead_backlight&rev=1233987700&do=diff " I just acquired a TDS224 4 Channel 100MHz DSO that other than the backlight being dead is otherwise perfect. Does anyone have any details about the dimensions of the CCFL tube used in these scopes before I tear into it? Also has anyone had any success opening the instrument without destroying the labels that you normally have to destroy? Deane any parts? Thanks to all, Sam W3OHM" text/html 2008-12-01T23:30:07-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:tds_series_firmware&rev=1228192207&do=diff From the Tekscopes group at yahoo: ---------- " Team, I was wondering if anyone knows what the latest firmware / software revisions are for the three digit TDS series. I am mostly looking for the 754 / 784 series but since the three digit series is not being built any more, it might be a good idea to collect this info and put in the files area for future reference. Thanks " text/html 2009-10-09T10:48:46-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:tek_468_repair_tips&rev=1255099726&do=diff From the TekScopes mailing list: ---------- I just finished a 468 that had a bad rom. Just for the record, there is an error in the troubleshooting section relating to the testing of just the analog section of the scope. If the processor fails, you will have a hung up trace off screen on the left side of the scope. text/html 2008-06-30T20:35:48-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:tracking_generator_-_convert_tr-502_to_tr-503_configuration&rev=1214872548&do=diff Conversion of TR-502 Tracking Generator to the TR-503 R.F.Configuration For the information of anyone interested, I finally managed to get my Tek TR-502 Tracking Generator working properly with a Tek 492 spectrum analyzer. It turned out all that was required was to change the 52.5 MHz crystal to an equivalent 55 MHz unit and to retune the 4-cavity, 2nd local oscillator filter from 2200 MHz to center on 2182 MHz. This filter has a square pass-band, steep sides, and it is only about 15 MHz wide. … text/html 2008-07-07T23:57:25-04:00 http://www.ko4bb.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=test_equipment:using_the_hp3048_noise_measurement_test_set&rev=1215489445&do=diff There was a fairly long thread on Time-Nuts about how to use the HP 3048 to measure spurs. Here are some of the responses: ---------- Martyn first wrote: " To test the 3048A accuracy I inject a spur at a known level using a directional coupler (similar to the single-sided spur calibration method). I confirm the spur level on the spectrum analyzer. However the 3048A always says the spur is 6 dB lower than it actually is (6 dB plus/minus 0.5 dB). "