How many people use a Scope?

[bioroids]

I've heard bad things about software scopes, how its never as accurate having the signal go through adc's then get processed by a standard pc cpu etc.  Ok, digital scopes work on the same principle but they have dedicated parts and software for their jobs.  I've not tried a pc scope though, and was thinking that would come in very handy for simple work.

If you use it to work on audio signals, the pc scope can be a good tool (I use it). If the soundcard is good enough for recording/playing sounds, then the scope will be allright.

But that's a very limited implementation of a scope (you can't really track LFO's, and don't dream of checking clocks and other high frequency stuff)

In other words, a software/soundcard based pc scope will have the limits at 20Khz (pretty low ha) and also at 20hz on the low side (that with a good quality soundcard).

I think there are also a set of hardware stuff that works hooked to a pc. That is a different story, but I never tried them anyway.

Luck

Miguel

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

465B Tektronix is my favorite. Got a cheap minimal function ex-uni prac lab scope too (had a cap vibrate out of the board!) .
Any analog scope at all will do for basic stompboxes... provided you spend some time learning how to use a scope (plenty of tutorials on the web) and, use a proper probe, not a bit of coax!!!!!!
I have needed a digital storage scope (Hameg HM408, not very flash) to solve some curly digital problems, but it isn't needed for normal stompboxing, the Tek is best for that.

[The Tone God]

My main scope is a hybrid. Analog signal section with digital control. I liked it so much I bought another one.

Andrew

[12afael]

I have a very old 75kHz tube RCA, and I´m reparing a heath io-18 500kHz all tube. if some one have tips of how repair the focus on a very old oscilloscope,are wellcome.  I have a 6mm spot.

[brett]

Hi.
I started with a US$40 Telemark (Tectronics predecessor) off e-bay.
Now I use one of those hand-held Vellemans scopes.  Quite good, and only cost $80 on e-bay. 
I also bought a 10x probe so I can work on tube amps.
It really depends on how much fun you get from playing with eqipment you are as to whether you need a scope.
cheers

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

I have a very old 75kHz tube RCA, and I´m reparing a heath io-18 500kHz all tube. if some one have tips of how repair the focus on a very old oscilloscope,are wellcome.  I have a 6mm spot.

A focus problem means one (or more!) electrodes is at the 'wrong' voltage, maybe a high voltage cap gone leaky. When I say 'high voltage', I'm talking maybe 1,000 volts or more, (as you probably know) so BE CAREFUL!!! Sometimes, for REALLY old scopes, you can find data on the CRTs. (modern stuff usually has custom CRTs and data is hard to come by). Actually, the Heath probably has the circuit on the web, what model is it?

[aankrom]

If I had to choose between a scope and a DMM I would choose the scope without a second thought. I have a Beckman Industrial 9060 that used to do military service. I used to have an old Tektronix that I liked much better. (Tiny tubes and silver solder everywhere...)

aa

[freak scene]

i have an old eico 240 (i think).  its a tube powered scope.  reeeeeeaaaallly basic.  i need to learn how to use it badly.  i have poked around with it a bit, but i really dont know what i should have it set to or what im supposed to be looking for.

is there a tutorial out there for using a scope?

[Melanhead]

I've got an old tube oscilloscope from 1965, a Tektronix type 545B. Very nice. Two channels, dual time base generators, delayed trigger function. Huge, heavy, noisy, and hasn't been calibrated since 1972.

hmmmm .... me too!, well it's tube anyway. I can't even remember the model/make. It's in need of a major calibration but it does work. Haven't used it in years though.

[DavidS]

I've got a pretty old Fairchild that I picked up at a secondhand store for $30 bucks. Barely even needed to be calibrated! I hardly ever use it, this thread has me wanting to poke around in some circuits though...

[brett]

Calibration

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Calibration

Some scopes have a little insulated tag sticking out, with 'cal' written under it. What you have there, is a standard amplitude square wave (maybe 10v peak to peak, or 0.5 volt, or whatever).
And, the gain control has a little concentric knob that you use as a fine control to set the gain to match the screen marks.
Similiarly for the sweep speed, you are relying on the mains frequency there (which the square wave cal sifgnal is derived from).