Build your own Test Equipment !!!

[Fred]

I have several scopes and I don't agree with you. A logic probe many times is faster to move around without lifting your eyes from the circuit. A cheap logic probe is not a big investment and at the same time a valuable tool if you are only interested in logic levels.
Regards,

Hi,
You are probably right : i dont work much with digital circuits, but when i did i was looking for "semi-damaged" cmos IC´s with "dirty" outputs that where ruining the signals...but that may be special cases.
I do have a probe, i should try it again sometime...
Regards,
Fred.

Here is a LC meter .I made the Pic 16f84a version, working great and probably a must have for metal detector builders.

[gwzd]

The logic probe is not needed if you have the scope,

I have several scopes and I don't agree with you. A logic probe many times is faster to move around without lifting your eyes from the circuit. A cheap logic probe is not a big investment and at the same time a valuable tool if you are only interested in logic levels.
Regards,

[amtech2005]

Build your own Test Equipment !!!

Fred , This is great , Everyone will post what "Test Equipment" is absolutely Needed , or what is not needed at all . Another purpose of this thread is , if someone buy's a good "piece of test equipment" at a "Dirt Cheap Price" , And then they need a schematic , no problem , we can look for a link , or if the file fits here on this Forum , we can post it here . Everyone's post about test equipment is now very welcome !!!! ........Thank's...........Eugene

[Fred]

Hi,
There is equipment that is very cheap to buy and that is not worth building.
The multimeter, soldering station are among them IMO.
The oscilloscope as a precision instrument , will be dificult to build correctly if a reliable result is intended.
The logic probe is not needed if you have the scope, but all other devices are easy to build and dont require dificult calibration.
Regards,
Fred.

[amtech2005]

Build your own Test Equipment !!!

Hi Max , Thanks for your input !! That's what makes the forum here so Great !!! 2nd opinions , or even 1st opinions. Here is my Top Ten list :

1. Of course number #1 is the Oscilloscope , 15 to 20 mhz minimum !!
2. A. Desktop Solder station "50 watt" maximum is good , with manual Temperature adjust.
and B. 30 watt solder pencil "Back-Up"
3. Signal Generator square/sine wave or a Function Generator.
4. Transistor Tester.
5. Capacitance Tester.
6. Inductance Tester.
7. D.M.M. "Digital Multi-Meter" or good volt/ohm/amp meter combo.
8. Logic Probe or an I.C. Tester .
9. Bench-Top power supply with "over-current" protect/shut-off
10. The most important for us at Geotech ?? A Good , Decent "BREADBOARD" for prototyping circuits !!!!!!
The above is a Great list but everyone has there own preference , so other suggestion's are Welcome here !!!................Eugene

[Max]

Hello , What I have done is , I came up with a list of the 10 "Most Wanted" or required pieces of "Solid State" test equipment for the Electronics-Test/Repair/Hobby Bench. With exception of the Oscilloscope , all other 9 pieces of test equipment are kinda easy to build. I will post the complete list and schematics as soon as my time permits , or if someone has Ideas and Schematics , Please , post them here !!!...........Thank-You........Eugene

Hi,
the poor man scope could be some soundcard and PC... just a bit of electronics like some op amp... I think many magazines published that stuff from middle 90's till today.

That will be not good for many advanced purposes... but poor people will take advantage of existing, cheap computer equipment.

So, I suggest , instead of regular scope (CRT) project , some interface for soundcard based scopes: I think elektor magazine published some but cannot find anything at now.

PS: I suggest those in the list

1. inductance meter
2. capacitance meter
3. frequency meter
4. phase meter
5. ac/dc millivoltmeter
6. transistor hfe meter
7. free oscillator (1Khz to, at least, 1MHz )
8. low resistance meter (0.01 ohm resolution)
9. Q-meter
10. soundcard o'scope

Kind regards,
Max

[amtech2005]

Build your own Test Equipment !!!

Hello , What I have done is , I came up with a list of the 10 "Most Wanted" or required pieces of "Solid State" test equipment for the Electronics-Test/Repair/Hobby Bench. With exception of the Oscilloscope , all other 9 pieces of test equipment are kinda easy to build. I will post the complete list and schematics as soon as my time permits , or if someone has Ideas and Schematics , Please , post them here !!!...........Thank-You........Eugene

[amtech2005]

Build your own Test Equipment !!!

Here is a link of vintage "free" Heathkit Schematics . Both tube type and solid state. Might be something here worth downloading for the electronic test bench : http://www.vintage-radio.info/heathkit/ ..................Eugene

[amtech2005]

Hello , This is where "Heathkit" Schematics are more than Welcome !!!!!
We will be looking for up to date , Easy to build , compact , Various Test equipment fom 'A to Z" for everyones Modern Electronic Test Bench . I think there will be a bunch of information posted to build the neccessary Test equipment , that will be required to build the "VLF" Metal detector or the Pulse Induction Metal Detector you always wanted !!!.....You can Make a Specific Request , or Post a Cool Schematic !!!.......I hope this thread will be successfull...........And this should be my last "NEW THREAD POSTED" for a long time !!!.....There are enough topics now on this "Geotech Forum" to keep Everyone busy for a "Very Long Time" ......No Work Shortage or Bad Economy Here !!!!...............Thanks..............Eugene