New on Lectronz: Super Breadboard https://lectronz.com/products/super-breadboard
#Prototyping #TestEquipment #Kits

@N4JAW @M0PWX Having moved three times in as many years (and only minimally unpacked), I’m still finding things long lost / forgotten in my superficial exploration of the boxes. What’s in this box? Wow! That looks interesting, does it work, let’s see…

Just wish I had soldering ability inside and not just out in the very cold garage… 🙃

Enjoy building your “new” kits!!
#GarageFinds #HamRadio #TestEquipment

Review of the Fluke 1953A counter/timer shows it is fully working as hoped (operating under local and remote control.) Verified all inputs and operations via GPIB remote control with a simple LabVIEW program. Have a few more esoteric tests to run in near future, but for now, it looks great for a counter/timer from the 1970’s. #TestEquipment #LabVIEW #NotTimeNut

What to do with an old Ubiquiti AirView2 USB spectrum analyzer when the software won’t run on Win10 or later PC? Answer: Write a LabVIEW program to read/display the raw serial data to keep using it for 2.4 GHz spectral occupancy and channel power info. Plan to use this in future 2.4GHz PlutoSDR ham radio field tests once it warms up a little outside. #HamRadio #TestEquipment #RepairRecycleReuse

I noticed that I had a Pico Technologies PicoScope 2204A USB-based 2-channel 10 MHz oscilloscope with arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) that I bought back in 2021. I don't recall what I paid for it, but it now sells for $185 (with 2 probes as I got, or $149 without).

Installing the software on Linux Mint Debian Edition 6 (LMDE6) was easy and it works well on the couple of laptop computers I've tried it on, so this might turn into something that I often pack with one as basic lab equipment.

I was delighted to find that the software includes a spectrum analyzer function. (With the cheapest hardware, it tops out around 760 kHz, so it's not very useful, but easier to carry than my two HP units.) It also seems to have serial data decoding functions (which I haven't explored yet.)

Pico is based in the UK, but seems to ship from Tyler TX. (National Instruments, based in Austin TX, has long offered similar products built around its LabView software.)

https://www.picotech.com/

#TestEquipment #TestAndMeasurement

Slow work day = A few moments to work on 2026 goal to make the lab a little better everyday. Today’s task is to add crimped connector shrink sleeving and a length marker to this Pasternack RG-58 C/U cable. Luckily it has a SMA on one end to slip the shrink tube onto the cable! (Pre-crimped BNC to BNC cables made without sleeving are no fun!) Task complete and updated cable ohm-meter verified. Ready for use! #AmateurRadio #TestEquipment

Have you noticed that some types of test equipment have gotten much smaller than the rack or half rack width instruments of the past? I am moving towards tiny-instruments and downsizing my home lab (having moved multiple times recently). Latest acquisition is a TinyGTC GPSDO timer counter to replace a larger Fluke counter. Details at the qsl.net blog. #TestEquipment #HamRadio

https://qsl.net/n8dmt/tinygtc-unboxing-and-checkout/index.html

@dtl Nice! Looking forward to seeing how you use your new tiny-instrument! Getting started in tweaking all the frequency-things at this end (never had a GPSDO before in the home lab). Unboxing and initial use post being put together soon.
#TestEquipment

@tom_verbeure Thanks for sharing your journey.
Loved this quote:
“We buy test equipment NOT because we need it, but because one day we might need it.”
#TestEquipment #ItsDeadJim

Check out this photo from last night’s Electronics Night at Tog Hackerspace. We were testing vintage gear, including this oscilloscope and function generator. Proper hands on fun.

#TogHackerspace #ElectronicsNight #VintageTech #TestEquipment #Oscilloscope #FunctionGenerator #Makers #HardwareHacking #DublinMakers #STEM

@tk … the more you build, the more you learn, and repeat…

Trust comes gradually over time.
#HamRadio #AmateurRadio #TestEquipment

https://qsl.net/n8dmt/test-page/diy-test-equipment/index.html

Made some progress on the low-cost noise figure & gain measurement setup, and have it running pretty well at 440 MHz. Have pages of notes and pictures to put together a how-to post or web page. Still need to check calibration at other frequencies, but currently measuring my 10 dB attenuator very accurately for both NF and gain. More fun ahead! #HamRadio #TestEquipment #NoiseFigure

Finished a first draft for my qsl.net web page documenting a low-cost DIY RF Noise Source suitable for making noise figure measurements under automatic program control (with SATSAGEN software). Still have a few more updates to the web page, but completed calibration of the ENR measurements for the new source. More fun ahead!
#HamRadio #TestEquipment #NoiseFigure
https://qsl.net/n8dmt/test-page/diy-test-equipment/low-cost-diy-noise-source/index.html

Now in stock on Lectronz: RF Power Nanny https://lectronz.com/products/rf-power-nanny
#Power #Tools #TestEquipment

@kr1st if I end up buying a TinyGTC, will consider using a screw on RF limiter such as one of the AEL MW16301 (tested at link below). These pass through a max output of approx +16 dBm with a +30 dBm (1W) input level. Will setup a test and measure more frequency and RF level data points before general use…
#HamRadio #TestEquipment

https://qsl.net/n8dmt/rf-limiters-part-2/index.html

@kr1st Nice! Have been thinking about a TinyPFA, then saw the TinyGTC and now focusing in on it. Have you done anything with Timelab? Sold off almost all of my fancy rack test equipment before the first interstate move and pretty limited on 10 MHz sources currently. The flexibility of the TinyGTC is very appealing. Seems to be a winner if it has GPSDO capability. #HamRadio #TestEquipment

Having tons of fun playing with my new (yet pretty old) acquisition: a Brüel & Kjaer precision sound level meter and octave filter. This version was produced in the mid-60s, looks like it was made last week. Works just about perfectly. Very high quality mic + a filter.

#testEquipment #experimentalMusic @ExperimentalMusic

New on Lectronz: ZK-4KX Adjustable Laboratory Power Supply https://lectronz.com/products/zk-4kx-adjustable-laboratory-power-supply
#3DPrinting #Power #TestEquipment

Going through some initial checks with the EG&G 124A lock-in amplifier that I got this week. Also, fun with oscilloscopes!

#electronics #experimentalMusic @ExperimentalMusic #testEquipment

@synx508 Lots of fun (just to replace one BNC jack). Will be a treasure once all back together and part of the lab stock! 73
#HamRadio #TestEquipment #SolderingFun