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Old 14th Oct 2010, 3:16 pm   #7
WME_bill
Octode
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Exeter, Devon, UK.
Posts: 1,553
Default Re: What test equipment do you own/use

This is an interesting idea. My problem is that a lot of old equipment finds it's way into my shed, usually behind my back (or perhaps my wife's). I spend a bit of time getting it working initially, and then find I have to do maintenance to keep it working. Thirty or forty year old equipment seems to fail when you turn your back on it. Small things like switch contacts, or a transistor expiring from old age.
But some stuff in my workshop does seem reliable (in my hands), perhaps because is physically small and fits around my bench, so I use it more frequently.
So I'll list that:
Avo 8 MkII (wouldn't be without it), Fluke 77 DVM, Solartron 7040 DVM.
Variac 1A and Isolation transformer.
Weller TCP50, and Antex soldering and de-soldering irons.
Tin of old fashioned original Fluxite for re-tinning old joints and components.
Oscilloscopes. I find my SE Labs(EMI) SM111/TF2204 at 20Mhz a reliable delight to use. Otherwise HP1707 75Mhz very fine traces, Tek 2230 100Mhz digital storage, HP181 storage+various plug ins up to 1Ghz sampling.
Power supplies. Oltronix B403 triple output 40v/20v/6v, Farnell LT30, dual 30v.
AF signal gen: Farnell FG1 function generator.
RF signal generator: Marconi TF2016 AM/FM covering MF to 120Mhz, and TF2015 AM/FM covering VHF to 500Mhz.
Pulse and Square wave: HP8012 50Mhz or Philps PM5570 100 Mhz
Oscilloscope Calibrator: Bradley 192, Cossor 1097 millimicrosecond pulse generator.
Frequency meter/counter: PM6614 500 Mhz.
Marconi TF2700 component bridge.
Avo CT160 valve tester, Avo TT537 transistor tester.
Waddington transistor tester (Wireless World June 1970). Very useful, shows how it failed, and Waddington Fet tester.

Mainly used for maintenance of my collection of oscilloscopes which cover the whole technical history of the analogue scope 1935 to 1985. Some day I may write a book, including pictures, circuits and servicing information so that other people can keep theirs' going. Otherwise any other test gear, signal generators and old radios, Roberts, Hacker or almost anything electronic.
Bill m0wpn

Last edited by WME_bill; 14th Oct 2010 at 3:22 pm.
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