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Re: Boonton 92BD Troubleshooting

 

I've definitely been thinking about using those connectors Matt!? ?I have a bazillion of them!?


On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 11:06?AM Matt Harris via <kd4pbs=[email protected]> wrote:
Michael,
Don't overlook the idea of wholesale replacing the connector with something else in case you can't find the OEM.? The original seems to be about the size of the usual "Aviation" connectors one finds on things like amateur radio microphone connectors.
Re: Thoughts on upgraded(?) replacement parts for vintage equipment

 

I think anyone who finds a way to keep an electronic piece of equipment past its lifetime (still within its original specs or better) gets respect from me.? Whether that means using original parts or upgrading/modifying due to lack of original parts, wishing to improve upon existing designs, etc.
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But I understand those who have great reverence and respect for these instruments.? In a similar way to those who respect vintage cars and guitars (both of which I enjoy as well).??
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I once shared a modification I made to a CG5010 oscilloscope calibrator by Tektronix.? There is a double stacked encoder on it and one shaft broke off.? So I drilled a separate hole in the front panel to make for another encoder as a replacement.? I now have a working scope calibrator.? I shared this with the group (Tek) and someone said I butchered it.? Which at the time I took offense to.? But looking back I realized that I am still relatively new to this kind of work.? I don't have the decades of experience working with this stuff like most of you.? So I can understand why someone would feel some kind of why for altering some of this equipment permanently.? I feel the same way when I see certain guitars from the 60s modified. But at the same time, I moded my 1967 Fender Bronco to make it more playable which some would call sacrilege!
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-Frank
Re: Agilent 34461A schenmatic

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks for the effort, Jared!

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jared Cabot via groups.io <jaredcabot@...>
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2024 8:16 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Agilent 34461A schenmatic
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See if these images are of any help.
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I tried to get the markings as clear as possible, as clear as my phone could manage anyway......
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Regards,
Jared
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On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 10:27 PM, Keith Harvey wrote:
Thank you Jared.
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I don't know how helpful photos will be unless they clearly show the manufacturer part number, but it's certainly worth a try.
Re: Thoughts on upgraded(?) replacement parts for vintage equipment

 

When restoring HP equipment, I try to stay as close as the original as possible, out of respect for the design team.
With other brands I have often redesigned whatever has failed and/or can be improved : better precision, improved stability, or to replace unobtainium parts with something better and easily sourced.
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Joel Setton
Re: 8665B noisy signal & Cal Errors

 

Hi Matt, thank you for your reply! I will be sure to check out the connections on mine, and clean them before reassembly. Right now I have the PS unit apart, and just placed an order for all new power caps. The 15V cap had huge dents in it (not surprisingly, as this was the source of my noise), and the 38V cap weighed almost nothing (I had some triangle-wave noise on that rail). Not surprisingly, they all tested bad on the LCR meter. All of the tantalums looked OK, and the thin film axials tested OK as well. So I'll start with the obvious suspects and go from there.?
Re: Boonton 92BD Troubleshooting

 

I would do that for myself, but I've had people ak about cables for existing probes. Switcraft stopped making them so They've gone from $2 to $25 on the surplus maket, and som appear to be used. I'm considering? using the plated brass dustcaps? to make my own. Custom probes can be built without a connector at that end. I bought a couple meters just to get varios probes with the cables. I won't modify the 4200 or 9200 series, but the older units wilson't bother me.? So called 'Aviation connectors'? (Think CB microphones) also have a two pin version. but I question the quality. I used them in radio repair years ago, and they weren't very good The contacts didn'tt wet while soldering, and the insulators broke easily.


On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 11:06?AM Matt Harris via <kd4pbs=[email protected]> wrote:
Michael,
Don't overlook the idea of wholesale replacing the connector with something else in case you can't find the OEM.? The original seems to be about the size of the usual "Aviation" connectors one finds on things like amateur radio microphone connectors.
Re: Boonton 92BD Troubleshooting

 

Michael,
Don't overlook the idea of wholesale replacing the connector with something else in case you can't find the OEM.? The original seems to be about the size of the usual "Aviation" connectors one finds on things like amateur radio microphone connectors.
Re: Thoughts on upgraded(?) replacement parts for vintage equipment

 

Microdyne serviced the Scientific Atlanta clone of one of our designs We still built a few new units a tear but most of the analog IC were obsolete so I selected modern replacements fr each. The tech had to log the reason for the substitution,? but itt was either accept the update, or wait to locate olsd stock from questionable sources. .S A bought one receiver from us, and copied the entire circuitry, except for the front panel. They replaced the LED displays with an early LCD panel that didn't age well. We sued them, and they lost the case.

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 10:43?AM Jared Cabot via <jaredcabot=[email protected]> wrote:
I have no problems upgrading things. If it means the instrument can go harder, better, faster, stronger, then all good.
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For example, I am currently repairing a 53132A Universal counter. Turns out an LM308AM opamp and TL431C (2.2% tolerance) vref on Channel 1 were bad, so they are getting LT1008 (A drop-in upgrade also specified in the later parts list) and TL431BCDR2G (0.4% tolerance, +/-50ppm) parts on both channels.

I figured while I was in there, why not use some nicer parts for the repair?
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If I see a potential for an easy upgrade, why not take it and get better performance? The more likely you are to use it, the less likely it will go to waste.
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Jared
Re: Thoughts on upgraded(?) replacement parts for vintage equipment

 

I have no problems upgrading things. If it means the instrument can go harder, better, faster, stronger, then all good.
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For example, I am currently repairing a 53132A Universal counter. Turns out an LM308AM opamp and TL431C (2.2% tolerance) vref on Channel 1 were bad, so they are getting LT1008 (A drop-in upgrade also specified in the later parts list) and TL431BCDR2G (0.4% tolerance, +/-50ppm) parts on both channels.

I figured while I was in there, why not use some nicer parts for the repair?
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If I see a potential for an easy upgrade, why not take it and get better performance? The more likely you are to use it, the less likely it will go to waste.
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Jared
HP/Agilent 4284A electrolitic capacitor defect & A2/A3 board schematic

 

Hi,
I have a problem with my LCR meter HP4284A:
Due to some faulty electrolytic capacitors, some burns occurred on the A2 and A3 boards.
Unfortunately, the HP service manual is not complete with diagrams in all its parts (I guess due to confidentiality constraints), so now I cannot complete the repairs if I do not find the value of the R432 resistor on the A2 "modulator" board.
I would like to thank anyone who can help me with the diagram of the A2 and A3 boards or simply with the value of the R432 component on the A2 board? Thanks
--
Alessandro
IW3HIR
Re: Agilent 34461A schenmatic

 

See if these images are of any help.
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I tried to get the markings as clear as possible, as clear as my phone could manage anyway......
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Regards,
Jared
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On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 10:27 PM, Keith Harvey wrote:

Thank you Jared.
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I don't know how helpful photos will be unless they clearly show the manufacturer part number, but it's certainly worth a try.
Re: Agilent 34461A schenmatic

 

Gotcha. That makes perfect sense!?
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Looks like someone will help with photos, but when I'm dealing with unknown parts it is helpful sometimes to trace out the circuit a bit. If youre interested in knowing what that IC is for example. This is especially helpful for when a search comes up with multiple part #s. At least you can identify this is an op-amp, regulator, etc.?
Re: Boonton 92BD Troubleshooting Cataract

 

Well, it seems I'm a youngster at 59.? Worn glasses since 1979, for nearsightedness up until the last 15-20 years when farsightedness has set in as well.? I'll keep the special replacement lenses in mind for when my God-given ones get too dim and yellowed.? I'm a firm believer in technological helps for when we need them.? I'm looking forward to becoming a cyborg in my old age!? ? Jim Ford, Laguna Hills, California, USA?


On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 6:07 AM, Harold Foster
<halfoster@...> wrote:
I'm in northern AL and would be more than willing to help if possible - and I'm sure that there are many others in the group that would as well.? As Steve suggested, if you could give at least a general geographic area then hopefully someone will step up and offer assistance.
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Hal
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Re: Thoughts on upgraded(?) replacement parts for vintage equipment

 

I fully agree.? Though it is slightly OT, comes to my mind the nice display replacement card for the Tek DC508 frequency counter.? Else these nice units would not be usable any more as these old LED display are all slowly dying.
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73 from Claude VA2 HDD
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Re: Agilent 34461A schenmatic

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thank you Jared.

I don't know how helpful photos will be unless they clearly show the manufacturer part number, but it's certainly worth a try.

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jared Cabot via groups.io <jaredcabot@...>
Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2024 10:49 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Agilent 34461A schenmatic
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I'll take photos from my 34461A when I get home from work if you like?
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Jared
Re: Agilent 34461A schenmatic

 

Ok, I am used to FB for ferrite beads; E is a new one on me.? ?I'm a professional EE working on airborne military radar subsystems for Raytheon at the moment. The 34416A DMMs are leased and belong to the program (government).? No way am I going to risk voiding warranty or calibration.? ? Jim


On Sun, Oct 6, 2024 at 9:49 PM, Jared Cabot via groups.io
<jaredcabot@...> wrote:
I'll take photos from my 34461A when I get home from work if you like?
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Jared
Re: Boonton 92BD Troubleshooting Cataract

 

I'm in northern AL and would be more than willing to help if possible - and I'm sure that there are many others in the group that would as well.? As Steve suggested, if you could give at least a general geographic area then hopefully someone will step up and offer assistance.
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Hal
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Re: Boonton 92BD Troubleshooting Cataract

 

On 2024-10-07 7:58 AM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:
The VA is to do mine. I want iit, but I've been unable to find anyone willing to spend an entire day with me. The VA wo't do the surgery without an escort, because of the need for sedation.
Where are you located, and where's the facility?

Steve Hendrix
(ex USAF myself...)
Re: 8131A Error F500

 

That's good!? If the error is on the transducer board, that board has no ASICs.? Just some transistor arrays that could be hard to find these days.? But there are ways around that.??
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Re: Thoughts on upgraded(?) replacement parts for vintage equipment

 

DaveD & Michael - you both pretty much mirror my feelings on it.? The 5087A is the reason that it has been on my mind lately since it is a current work in progress.? I currently have 7 of them that I have accumulated over the years and, of course,? only enough cards to fully populate 4, which will be sold. My plan is to use my own designs in two of them as I am looking for functionality first and the cool HP case is just a bonus; I'm currently using a Brandywine FDA-1050 as my main distribution amplifier and it will be replaced by the HP units and sold.? I've done several iterations of the output amplifier and divide-by-2/5 cards just trying different approaches for fun and seeing how much I can better the original performance. High hopes for the batch coming in - I went fully modern with the designs and not only is the BOM cheaper, hopefully the HD numbers are quite a bit lower.? Only one design each for the divider and the output amplifier - just install different values L&C for the filter section as well as a jumper for the divider.? I did not do any of the multiplication cards as they are just not something that would ever be used (and I already have a couple of each just in case.)? I did do a pretty much exact copy of the input amplifier just for giggles - I already have a *ton* of the originals.? I did the PS board as well, also just for fun - same design, just moved the bulk filter cap to the board itself and used a DIP-14 package for the reg.? The end result of this, for me, is two fully populated units with only one original card (the input card) in each.? Nicely functional but hardly "original."??
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Hal
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