|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
139.139.83.70
Anyone know if this is ok to use? I just picked it up at the thrift shop, will try it out tonight to see if it works, if not will return it. What measurements can I do with it? It is a 20MhZ scope. I am new to the test equipment world, but I am aware that being an audio geek means that I should amass some test equipment to do DIY things when I get a chance. I know there are a lot of smarter test gurus out there then me, so let me know if this scope is good for anything, and if so, what. Thanks.
Thanks in advance,
Audioquest4life
Follow Ups:
I have a Goldstar Oscilloscope for sale. Hardly used in excellent condition. Can you help me. Lots of leads and orriginal manual.
Of course you won't be doing any commercial band radio work with it but who cares? Should be the perfect thing for a committed tweaker but there are definitely a few tricks to learn.Have you used a scope before?
I second the X 10 probe comment since much of audio signaling occurs at at a pretty low level it helps make what you see seem bigger. Some important concepts to master, and it may take a while to truly master these things: scope ground circuit ground referencing, dialing in and triggering on stuff. Once you can do that and you have something to go look at boom off to the races.
It might behoove you to play around with some gear you care less about first since scope probe tips make great short circuits and a misplaced one can bring even the best designed circuit to the grave or worse yet fires, exploding components etc.
Also don't forget the safety part. I don't know of anyplace in the world where it is a good idea to go sticking you body parts into high voltage AC circuitry that is supplying most gear.
Here's a good primer on Oscilloscopes:
http://www.tek.com/Measurement/App_Notes/XYZs/
Hope this answers many of your questions. It's probably overkill for your level of expertise, but hey, if you got it cheap enough and want to learn, go for it! Just be careful poking around power supplies and big capacitors!
bluelobster made some excellent points.
Similar to a DVM or multimeter: it is not a matter of whether an oscilloscope is ok to use or not. It's more of a question of whether there's a need (on your behalf) or not.
If you do not understand the basics of electronics to begin with, it would be hard for you to grasp the concept of DVM/multimeter, letting alone how to use/what to do with oscilloscope.
Similar to a tube tester: an oscilloscope is an indispensible tool if you know how to use it/and you understand what you are looking for. It is not so much of a tool (more like a burden) of you don't understand the basics of it and take on a "me too" bandwagon.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade but to get you to understand what you are trying to do here. Too many times I see people getting things that they have absolutely no understanding of (e.g. tube testers for noob tube amp fans with no electronic/tube operation background), and that equipment ended up to waste.
For more info, plse spend some time google for subjects like "how to use an oscilloscope" or on a broader sense: "how to operate testing instrument" or similar.
*enuf ranting, back to work*
Cheers,
Quest-TD
I'm not familiar with that brand and model but if it works it should be good to test anything in audio. It's a great tool for trouble shooting voltages in the signal path. You may need to get 10x leads to read higher voltages.
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: