Upon the date 10:44 PM 5/5/01 -0600, Jim Strickland said something like:
It's not a computer, but it's surely over 10
years old...
I got a scope today, a Tektronix either a 535a or 545a according to the
operator's handbook in the little hidey hole in the top of the case. (which
I'll gladly scan if anyone wants a copy).
So I'm a 'scope newbie, does the probe impedance (13 pf) have to match the
rating on the jack on the scope (47 pf) for the waves coming out of the
calibration jack to be properly square? And if so, does anyone have a source
for probes that work with ancient scopes like this?
Also, how do I tell a 535a from a 545a?
Well Jim, the markings at the top of the front panel above the CRT show the
model number. This should be the case and I've never seen or heard of
anything different on TEK scopes. -And I've been a TEK
collector/enthusiast/user for _decades_.
As for studying how to care, use and feed these wonderful pieces of
engineering, please go to this URL:
http://www.reprise.com/host/tektronix/home/default.asp
-and rumage around.
It has much of what you (or anyone, BTW) need to begin understanding TEK
scopes in general.
Other than the waveform distortion (at worst the square waves wind up looking
like shark teeth, and at best they're a bit sloped on the leading and top
edges) the scope seems to work fine as far as I can tell.
Also, can anyone recommend a good book on scope use for newbies?
Check the above site. It has a basic use section. Doesn't have pictures of
the 535 or 545* scopes, but you'd know the model from the front panel ID. I
don't have a scanner at this time, otherwise I'd put up scans from my 535
and 545B manuals.
Look at this page for a bit of Heaven :-) (IMO)
http://www.vaxxine.com/phil/scopes/stan-g.htm
Have fun learning with it Jim.
Regards, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL:
http://www.antiquewireless.org/