My wife hates ALL of you! (& she now hates me even more 😔) But MasterCard and Visa LOVE me ! 😆🤣😷 Thanks for the test equipment overview. Just a quick tip... for oscilloscopes & spectrum analyzers, a great bargain can be had by purchasing Rigol brand equipment. I was on the quest for a spectrum analyzer for over 2 years.. just to tune repeater duplexers. For under $2k, it was brand new and pretty nice.
But... what about capacitor leakage over time? That could be pretty damn daunting with something as complex as an HP spectrum analyzer.. I always saw the HP 8590 series working hard at the task of duplexer tuning and transceiver service in the public safety world. So... when I started assembling a collection of RF and electronics test gear, I automatically went for HP and Agilent branded equipment, UNTIL I saw the pricing (even used). I went the route of Rigol and was happy.... UNTIL I saw eBay listings for HP spectrum analyzers. I was tempted and succumb to the temptation. The first unit I got was DOA. The second unit, an HP 8591C arrived and was functional. It was dead on as far as calibration, though it hadn’t been calibrated in 15 years. The only “issue” is the fact that it is a 75 ohm unit. It is easy enough to change to50 ohms in the [Amplitude Menu]. But, as I am routinely an idiot, I required the application of a large P touch label on the face of the SA to remind me prior to operation. I have a GPS disciplined oscillator/ 10Mhz Reference which I use for all of my bench gear and the HP internal oxdo comes incredibly close to matching that precision. The only thing I am afraid of.... the appearance of “MAGIC SMOKE”. Does anyone have any thoughts on the acquisition of more sophisticated test instruments from the 1990s era? Due to medical concerns (and the fact that I’m an old fart), i’d be terrified to even contemplate recapping such a beast. Thanks and great video as always!
Great to hear that you have equipment calibration in the USA hard to find here in Australia , have a mint Tektronics 465M that I would love to get calibrated. Peace from Oz.
Jesus, I remember training on the Simpson 260-8. That thing was a beast of a multimeter. Super reliable as well, since you could chuck that thing off a cliff and it would still work. Also a super simple block diagram. Very straightforward, and easy to comprehend.
Dear friend forgive the daring to write to him on his channel but I would like your opinion technique of the problem of my Yaesu FT-450. Here I explain what happens with my Yaesu FT-450. A few days ago I made the mistake of trying a radio from a friend of mine when my FT-450 was on receiving, they had two different antennas but the separation between the antennas on the roof are 3 meters. When I was testing the radio in transmission I felt a burning smell from my friend and I realized that it was coming from my radio, at the moment I turned it off and when I turned it back on it had changed many things like: - TRANSMIT BUT DOES NOT GIVE ANY OUT POWER IN (AM) MODE ON ANY BAND. - THE SYSTEM (ALC) DOESN'T WORK, NEVER MARK ANYTHING ON THE DISPLAY, BEFORE IT WORKED VERY GOOD. - ESPECIALLY IN 6M (50MHZ) BEFORE HAD 100 WATT, NOW ONLY HAS 10WATT AND WHEN CW OR SSB TRANSFER FEELS MY VOICE OR NOISE IN THE RADIO HORN. - THE INTERNAL RADIO TUNER ANTENNA DOES NOT ADJUST IN SOME BANDS AND HIGH SWR WITH GHOST ANTENNA DUMMY 50OHM ADJUST 1: 1 ALMOST ALL BANDS, I REMOVED THE RADIO TUNER ANTENNA AND CONTINUES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE INT-TUNER OF THE FT-450. - BEFORE ALMOST ALL BANDS DRAWN 100 WATT CW AND ALMOST 90 WATT SSB. NOW HIM RESULT WITH LOAD DUMMY 50OHM PER BAND IS: 160m ... fm .... 100 watt cw .... 100 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 100 watt ----------------------------- 80m ... fm .... 100 watt cw .... 100 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and dgital .. 100 watt ----------------------- 40m .... fm .... 70 watt cw .... 70 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital ..40 watt ----------------------- 30m ....... fm .... 70 watt cw .... 70 watt am .... no carrier no power ----------------------- 20m ....... fm .... 70 watt cw .... 70 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 40 watt ----------------------- 17m ....... fm .... 50 watt cw .... 50 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 30 watt ------------------------ 15 m ........ fm .... 80 watt cw .... 80 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 80 watt ------------------------- 12m ......... fm .... 80 watt cw .... 80 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 50 watt When I transmit on the phone you can hear it on the radio horn ------------------------- 10m ......... fm .... 50 watt cw .... 50 watt am .... 10watt fonia and digital .. 50 watt --------------------------- 6m ......... fm .... 20 watt cw .... 20 watt am .... 20 watt fonia and digital .. 20 watt, When I transmit in fonia it is heard in the radio horn. He also seems to be crazy, he makes noise and he seems to have serious problems. I RESET HOME OF THE RADIO AND CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PARAMETERS THE HIDDEN MENU IS CORRECT, THE RECEPTION IS CONSIDERED GOOD IN ALL THE BANDS AND MODES. I CHECK THE BOARDS OR BOARDS AND ALL ARE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, NONE COMPONENT SEEMS TO BE BURNED. BEFORE MAKING THE ERROR MY RADIO WAS WORKING NO PROBLEM WITH 100 WATT IN ALL THE BANDS AND THE AUT INT ALSO WORKED NO PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT WITH THESE DATA YOU CAN GIVE ME AN IDEA OR OPINION OF WHAT PROBLEM THE TEAM HAS THOUSAND THANKS IN ADVANCE. note :Now I have realized that when I press the ATT or IPO key that is only for reception it falls even more the power in all the bands, in addition I tested it in reception 6m 50mhz and it has problems also at the reception . BEST 73.- EDUARDO CO8LY
. @@Commsprepper Thank you for answering me, my radio has several problems and I only ask for guidance and opinions on where I could have the problems, if you want I can tell you the history of the problems of my Ft-450 and you only have to give me your opinion, all around here. If you think that you cannot help me, just tell me and there is no problem, thank you very much for your response and take the time to answer me. Greetings to the family and take good care of yourselves.
Thank you. There is probably tons of video showing how to use the equipment but it might be something to show how each works. Also maybe you could show us new hams what it is you look for. I've been to a couple of hamfest but have no idea what to look for.
Very good advice ( I have given away to some HAMs extra equipment collected over the years =) Use this as an incentive to upgrade and learn more about the hobby =)
Good info.... I remember Block 1 at Alley Hall at Keesler AFB when I started retraining into SATCOM. This was the Basic Electronics portion of the training. The instructor had a giant "moron sized" Simpson multimeter... by the time we ended our training a year later, after using "O" scopes and Spectrum Analyzers, we were laughing at that 6 foot tall multimeter.... USAF had a good building block approach to training though. I have a Fluke multimeter and a MFJ Antenna analyzer. I'd like to eventually pick up an "O" scope and a spectrum analyzer.... good video 73
You are just getting started. 40 yrs an electrical engineer you should see my collection. My kids are wondering what they will do with it. haha Ebay has become a retail market.....beware
😆. Back in the late 1970’s, I worked afternoons at the TV repair shop next to my parents retail business. Both businesses were located adjacent to “The Projects” (federal section 8 housing) with gunshots ringing out on a daily basis. It was my job to take the incoming TV’s, stereo components and assorted electronic appliances from the front counter and “BAG ‘EM” ! 😳🙄🤣 A single contractor grade garbage bag for televisions and double domestic kitchen grade bags for stereo gear. Then, the owner would come by and “fog the bag” , spraying a lethal concoction of chemicals into the bag and sealing it up again. After A few days, the equipment would be removed from the bag and the bag would be tossed.. with POUNDS of DEAD ROACHES inside. Yuck! This guy, the owner of a small business that was there in the community for decades.. (from the early 1960’s until the early 2000’s) really took me under his wings and hired me at the age of 9 or 10 and , Not only paid me for my labor, he also did his best to instill electronics knowledge and business ethics and knowledge into my tiny skull. As it was located in the ghetto, many times people would not be able to afford repairs. Dozens of times, I saw him work out payment arrangements and even service the elderly folks’ equipment. He always told me to do what was the most honorable and right, not what was the most profitable. Eventually, my folks sold their building to him and moved their business up to the suburbs. I lost contact with him but never forgot the lessons taught. Fast forward several decades and I was watching the news on Christmas Eve a few years after the millennium. I saw a familiar sight. The storefront of the tv repair shop. The owner, a gentle man.. an OLD and gentle man (he was 91 at the time)... opened his doors to an asshole who said he needed batteries for the kids’ Christmas presents that he just purchased somewhere. Yup,.. he opened the door. He was shot and beat to death with a hammer. The asshole killer left with a few bucks and left my friend to die on Christmas Eve. The medical examiner said he clung to life for many hours prior to succumbing to the injuries. Tragic and sad. Even more tragic.. though he was the first person to take me shooting and teach me about 2A and took me up to his hunting cabin to teach all of this... he COMPLIED WITH THE STUPID NJ LAWS and wouldn’t carry concealed when at work because “once I step outside the shop to assist a customer, etc.. I am violating the law”. The killer didn’t really seem to care much about ANY law.. RIP Paul Garafola. ❤️
😆 Ha... Saw what you did there with the active o-scope 👍
Collecting test equipment can become quite addicting. The legacy green screen stuff is where it's at. Thanks for sharing !
SC - thanks for the comment and channel support. Hank
My wife hates ALL of you!
(& she now hates me even more 😔)
But MasterCard and Visa LOVE me !
😆🤣😷
Thanks for the test equipment overview.
Just a quick tip... for oscilloscopes & spectrum analyzers,
a great bargain can be had by purchasing Rigol brand equipment.
I was on the quest for a spectrum analyzer for over 2 years.. just to tune repeater duplexers.
For under $2k, it was brand new and pretty nice.
But... what about capacitor leakage over time?
That could be pretty damn daunting with something as complex as an HP spectrum analyzer..
I always saw the HP 8590 series working hard at the task of duplexer tuning and transceiver service
in the public safety world. So... when I started assembling a collection of RF and electronics test gear,
I automatically went for HP and Agilent branded equipment, UNTIL I saw the pricing (even used).
I went the route of Rigol and was happy.... UNTIL I saw eBay listings for HP spectrum analyzers.
I was tempted and succumb to the temptation. The first unit I got was DOA.
The second unit, an HP 8591C arrived and was functional. It was dead on as far as calibration,
though it hadn’t been calibrated in 15 years. The only “issue” is the fact that it is a 75 ohm unit.
It is easy enough to change to50 ohms in the [Amplitude Menu]. But, as I am routinely an idiot,
I required the application of a large P touch label on the face of the SA to remind me prior to operation.
I have a GPS disciplined oscillator/ 10Mhz Reference which I use for all of my bench gear and the
HP internal oxdo comes incredibly close to matching that precision.
The only thing I am afraid of.... the appearance of “MAGIC SMOKE”.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the acquisition of more sophisticated test instruments from the 1990s era?
Due to medical concerns (and the fact that I’m an old fart), i’d be terrified to even contemplate recapping such a beast.
Thanks and great video as always!
@@PowderMill It is always a risk. Anything self procured / maintained is a gamble. I try to get it from someone reputable but even then ......
Great to hear that you have equipment calibration in the USA hard to find here in Australia , have a mint Tektronics 465M that I would love to get calibrated.
Peace from Oz.
Jesus, I remember training on the Simpson 260-8. That thing was a beast of a multimeter. Super reliable as well, since you could chuck that thing off a cliff and it would still work.
Also a super simple block diagram. Very straightforward, and easy to comprehend.
I love my 260
The MFJ antenna analyzer has its own freq. Counter built in
Good info and that oscilloscope was the first thing to catch my attention lol nice setup
Thanks for the comment and channel support.
Dear friend forgive the daring to write to him on his channel but I would like your opinion
technique of the problem of my Yaesu FT-450.
Here I explain what happens with my Yaesu FT-450.
A few days ago I made the mistake of trying a radio from a friend of mine when my
FT-450 was on receiving, they had two different antennas but the separation
between the antennas on the roof are 3 meters. When I was testing the radio in transmission
I felt a burning smell from my friend and I realized that it was coming from my radio, at the moment
I turned it off and when I turned it back on it had changed many things like:
- TRANSMIT BUT DOES NOT GIVE ANY OUT POWER IN (AM) MODE ON ANY BAND.
- THE SYSTEM (ALC) DOESN'T WORK, NEVER MARK ANYTHING ON THE DISPLAY, BEFORE IT WORKED
VERY GOOD.
- ESPECIALLY IN 6M (50MHZ) BEFORE HAD 100 WATT, NOW ONLY HAS 10WATT AND WHEN
CW OR SSB TRANSFER FEELS MY VOICE OR NOISE IN THE RADIO HORN.
- THE INTERNAL RADIO TUNER ANTENNA DOES NOT ADJUST IN SOME BANDS AND HIGH SWR
WITH GHOST ANTENNA DUMMY 50OHM ADJUST 1: 1 ALMOST ALL BANDS, I REMOVED
THE RADIO TUNER ANTENNA AND CONTINUES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT
THE INT-TUNER OF THE FT-450.
- BEFORE ALMOST ALL BANDS DRAWN 100 WATT CW AND ALMOST 90 WATT SSB. NOW HIM
RESULT WITH LOAD DUMMY 50OHM PER BAND IS:
160m ...
fm .... 100 watt
cw .... 100 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and digital .. 100 watt
-----------------------------
80m ...
fm .... 100 watt
cw .... 100 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and dgital .. 100 watt
-----------------------
40m ....
fm .... 70 watt
cw .... 70 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and digital ..40 watt
-----------------------
30m .......
fm .... 70 watt
cw .... 70 watt
am .... no carrier no power
-----------------------
20m .......
fm .... 70 watt
cw .... 70 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and digital .. 40 watt
-----------------------
17m .......
fm .... 50 watt
cw .... 50 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and digital .. 30 watt
------------------------
15 m ........
fm .... 80 watt
cw .... 80 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and digital .. 80 watt
-------------------------
12m .........
fm .... 80 watt
cw .... 80 watt
am .... no carrier no power
fonia and digital .. 50 watt
When I transmit on the phone you can hear it on the radio horn
-------------------------
10m .........
fm .... 50 watt
cw .... 50 watt
am .... 10watt
fonia and digital .. 50 watt
---------------------------
6m .........
fm .... 20 watt
cw .... 20 watt
am .... 20 watt
fonia and digital .. 20 watt, When I transmit in fonia it is heard in the
radio horn. He also seems to be crazy, he makes noise and he seems to have serious
problems.
I RESET HOME OF THE RADIO AND CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PARAMETERS
THE HIDDEN MENU IS CORRECT, THE RECEPTION IS CONSIDERED GOOD IN ALL
THE BANDS AND MODES.
I CHECK THE BOARDS OR BOARDS AND ALL ARE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, NONE
COMPONENT SEEMS TO BE BURNED. BEFORE MAKING THE ERROR MY RADIO WAS WORKING
NO PROBLEM WITH 100 WATT IN ALL THE BANDS AND THE AUT INT ALSO WORKED
NO PROBLEM.
I HOPE THAT WITH THESE DATA YOU CAN GIVE ME AN IDEA OR OPINION OF WHAT PROBLEM
THE TEAM HAS THOUSAND THANKS IN ADVANCE.
note :Now I have realized that when I press the ATT or IPO key that is only for reception it falls
even more the power in all the bands, in addition I tested it in reception 6m 50mhz and it has problems
also at the reception .
BEST 73.- EDUARDO CO8LY
EDUARDO, thank you for the comment but I must apologize - I don't know what your problem is. I am sorry you have a bad radio.
.
@@Commsprepper Thank you for answering me, my radio has several problems and I only ask for guidance and opinions on where I could have the problems, if you want I can tell you the history of the problems of my Ft-450 and you only have to give me your opinion, all around here.
If you think that you cannot help me, just tell me and there is no problem, thank you very much for your response and take the time to answer me. Greetings to the family and take good care of yourselves.
Thank you. There is probably tons of video showing how to use the equipment but it might be something to show how each works. Also maybe you could show us new hams what it is you look for. I've been to a couple of hamfest but have no idea what to look for.
W2AEW has great vids on test equipment. I could not match his. You won't find deals at Hamfests. It's been 20 years since Hamfest were any good.
Where can I go to find an alignment company that can check an oscilloscope?
Very good advice ( I have given away to some HAMs extra equipment collected over the years =) Use this as an incentive to upgrade and learn more about the hobby =)
Thanks for watching and taking the time to write a comment. Respectfully - Hank
Good info.... I remember Block 1 at Alley Hall at Keesler AFB when I started retraining into SATCOM. This was the Basic Electronics portion of the training. The instructor had a giant "moron sized" Simpson multimeter... by the time we ended our training a year later, after using "O" scopes and Spectrum Analyzers, we were laughing at that 6 foot tall multimeter.... USAF had a good building block approach to training though. I have a Fluke multimeter and a MFJ Antenna analyzer. I'd like to eventually pick up an "O" scope and a spectrum analyzer.... good video
73
I went to Alley and Jones Halls for Ground Radio back in the '80s.
Alley Hall.. '97 then went into electronic warfare ;-)
Great videos.
Thanks
Nice deal on the "O" scope.
Thanks. Now I might sell it. I don''t have a Patron account.
Commsprepper Lol!
Good info and some nice test equipment. Thanks for sharing!
+Kentucky Woodsman thank you.
Great setup, great info! And we'll take software bugs all day long, as opposed to the type that crawl out of the back of a TV ;-)
Agreed. Thanks for the comment.
Great video Comms. Thanks for the advice!!!
Thanks Solar!
nice vid! being half way there what would the features of a basic frequency counter be?
Something that can read up to 500MHz and portable.
Another excellent video!
Thank you and thanks for the channel support and taking the time to write a comment. I answer everyone I get.
Solid advice... shared.
Thanks.
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for supporting the channel.
Yes, good things come to those who can wait. But I would, at the very least have a multi-meter, and SWR meter, the rest can come latter.
Agreed.
Awesome sir great video
Thanks.
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel.
Thank you!
Thanks for watching and channel support.
You are just getting started. 40 yrs an electrical engineer you should see my collection. My kids are wondering what they will do with it. haha Ebay has become a retail market.....beware
thanks for the comment.
James skippinhopper I
You are gonna need some equipment for your equipment. yet I still need more equipment for my equipment
😆. Back in the late 1970’s, I worked afternoons at the TV repair shop next to my parents retail business.
Both businesses were located adjacent to “The Projects” (federal section 8 housing)
with gunshots ringing out on a daily basis.
It was my job to take the incoming TV’s, stereo components and assorted electronic appliances
from the front counter and “BAG ‘EM” ! 😳🙄🤣
A single contractor grade garbage bag for televisions and double domestic kitchen grade bags for stereo gear.
Then, the owner would come by and “fog the bag” , spraying a lethal concoction of chemicals into the bag and sealing it up again.
After A few days, the equipment would be removed from the bag and the bag would be tossed.. with POUNDS of DEAD ROACHES inside.
Yuck!
This guy, the owner of a small business that was there in the community for decades..
(from the early 1960’s until the early 2000’s) really took me under his wings and hired me at the age of 9 or 10
and , Not only paid me for my labor, he also did his best to instill electronics knowledge and business ethics
and knowledge into my tiny skull.
As it was located in the ghetto, many times people would not be able to afford repairs.
Dozens of times, I saw him work out payment arrangements and even service the elderly folks’
equipment. He always told me to do what was the most honorable and right, not what was the most profitable.
Eventually, my folks sold their building to him and moved their business up to the suburbs.
I lost contact with him but never forgot the lessons taught.
Fast forward several decades and I was watching the news on Christmas Eve a few years after the millennium.
I saw a familiar sight. The storefront of the tv repair shop.
The owner, a gentle man.. an OLD and gentle man (he was 91 at the time)...
opened his doors to an asshole who said he needed batteries for the kids’
Christmas presents that he just purchased somewhere.
Yup,.. he opened the door. He was shot and beat to death
with a hammer. The asshole killer left with a few bucks and left my friend to die on Christmas Eve.
The medical examiner said he clung to life for many hours prior to succumbing to the injuries.
Tragic and sad. Even more tragic.. though he was the first person to take me shooting and teach me
about 2A and took me up to his hunting cabin to teach all of this... he COMPLIED WITH THE STUPID
NJ LAWS and wouldn’t carry concealed when at work because “once I step outside the shop to assist
a customer, etc.. I am violating the law”.
The killer didn’t really seem to care much about ANY law..
RIP Paul Garafola.
❤️
Sad story but glad to hear you learned so much from what sounds like a great mentor. Thank you for the comment.
this thing you call patients ??? what is that?
It''s something that happens when not drinking.
i remember my dad mentioned something about patience as well... i dont recall what though...