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Re: A Bit OT, But Not Really

 

Jim Yanik used an old computer ? Why am I not quite taken aback by this ? LOL

If he's dead then he's dead, but at least he is remembered. If he is alive his health could be to the point where he might not be able to participate on the net anymore.

We all gotta go sometime.


Re: Dead 7603

 

On Mon, Jun 25, 2018 at 07:45 pm, Jim Ford wrote:


then short the exposed tip (which is at the end of the red lead that goes to
the crt) to
metalwork. If there is a spark, then the CRT is receiving the output from the
multiplier
No. That is not proper procedure, this is not a lawn mower. You let that ultor voltage arc you are beating the shit out of a bunch of precision resistors in the chain for the CRT bias, stressing old unobtainium parts and once some of that shorts out you'll be sorry. If it is already shorted the voltage does not build up, if you make it so it can, the stress on the rest of it will be more severe as the capacitance discharges.

The arc method of testing is fine on an old "Madman Muntz", but not for Tek scopes.

So, sorry, I disagree.


Re: Dead 7603

 

I think I have a few low voltage supplies to check before getting to the HV stuff.
Thanks.


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------From: Craig Sawyers <c.sawyers@...> Date: 6/25/18 2:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TekScopes] Dead 7603
If you have a better procedure I would like to hear it. I am here to learn, just like anyone else.
Turn the 7603 off, and then unplug the ht lead between the multiplier and the CRT (somewhat carefully!
You may have to undo the P clip that holds the plug/socket to the end of the HT chassis to get
access), and then short the exposed tip (which is at the end of the red lead that goes to the crt) to
metalwork. If there is a spark, then the CRT is receiving the output from the multiplier. If nothing
happens, suspect the multiplier. I have seen two 7603's - one a friends, and one mine, with dead
multipliers.

If you do get a healthy spark, then the HT transformer is OK (which means no shorted turns) and so is
the multiplier. Which means you look elsewhere for the fault.

Craig


Re: Dead 7603

 

No, no ticking.? ?The scope loks and sounds exactly the same plugged in to the mains or not, power switch on or off.


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------From: JJ <jajustin@...> Date: 6/25/18 4:05 AM (GMT-08:00) To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TekScopes] Dead 7603
Does it make a ticking sound - like 1/sec? You may need to put your ear
close to the cover to hear it. If so, it's something in the PSU - rectifier
board, LV board, inverter - likely a shorted tantalum cap.

On Sun, Jun 24, 2018 at 10:18 PM, Jim Ford <james.ford@...> wrote:

Hi, my name is Jim and I'm a Tek-aholic. ("Hi, Jim.")? Long time lurker
(about a year and a half), first time poster.? My latest Tek project is a
completely dead 7603 that I bought on the 'Bay.? I did get a working 7S11
sampling plug-in and a 7A26 and a 7A18 in mostly working condition in the
deal.? Anyway, the 7603, serial number B345179, shows no signs of life
whatsoever.? No lights light, no sounds, no nothing when I pull the on/off
switch out.? I checked the main fuse, the thermal cutout, and the on/off
switch.? No issues there, 120 VAC gets through all of those.? I'm wondering
if the main transformer is blown.? Sounds expensive.? I'm not retired, like
some of you are (God bless you!), so I unfortunately don't have a lot of
time on my hands.? Got a working 7904 and a 5103N/D10 to help troubleshoot,
plus half a dozen odd multimeters in my garage lab.? (Also, a fair number
of 7000 series plug-ins, a Tek TLA711 logic analyzer [I'll do a post on
that one someday], a good collection of HP microwave gear, and some other
manufacturers' stuff).

Yes, I have the service manual for the 7603, but I haven't been able to
decipher where the main xfmr secondary test points are located, if there
are any.? Any guidance, folks?? I'm continually in awe of the man-years
(and some woman-years, too) of collective experience concentrated in this
place called TekScopes!

Thanks!? Jim




Re: Dead 7603

 

Yep, set for 120 VAC.? I did move the jumper to Mid voltage.
I will try a night light in series as soon as I can.?
Thanks, Jeff


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------From: Jeff Urban <JURB6006@...> Date: 6/24/18 10:11 PM (GMT-08:00) To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TekScopes] Dead 7603
That model, if the graticule lights work you got juice to the Xfmr. Other lights are a different story. If you get absolutely nothing, turn it on and see if the blades of the power plug read infinity between. If so it is either the primary of the transformer or a thermal in it, or maybe something to do with the voltage selection. You DO have the voltage selector in properly right ?

It is rare for a primary of a power transformer to open up. But on any given Tuesday a connection could be defective and it didn't show up. If you get an open reading find the actual primary and measure it. Maybe stick 120 VAC in it through a 100 watt incandescent.

If your main low voltage supplies are all there you should check for HV, and it is not like that requires a HV probe, there are places to measure where you can tell. The cathode voltage is only about 3KV, so even if it goes overload on a DVM that can handle 2KV it shouldn't hurt it. if it has HV then go to the deflection plate voltages, just because it is easy. The ones on the top should be within a few volts of each other, same with the side ones.

After that you might need to go to the CRT grids.

Whatever, if it does absolutely noting that is usually a good omen. If it is just something stopping the 120 VAC from getting to the iron, that is easy. (unless you need the transformer, but sometimes it is a thermal cutout and that can be replaced. Usually.

Keep us posted.


Re: Opinion on tds 460a

 

Good to hear. Ive read that the 460 is known for leaky caps on the adq
board. I just grabbed a working 460a with a screen that says "passed self
test". For under $100. I wont pick it up till my next trip north.

On Monday, June 25, 2018, <toby@...> wrote:

On 2018-06-25 8:23 PM, musicamex@... wrote:
Was the 460a an improvement over the 460 regarding the leaking
electrolytic capacitors? What is the general opinion of the 460a?
I REALLY like mine! But I can't compare to any other DSO's; it's the
only one I've used.

I haven't had any problems with it yet, capacitors or otherwise. Touch
wood.

--Toby

Thanks






--
Good judgement comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgement.

99 times out of 10 a blown fuse is not due to a bad fuse.....


Re: Opinion on tds 460a

 

On 2018-06-25 8:23 PM, musicamex@... wrote:
Was the 460a an improvement over the 460 regarding the leaking electrolytic capacitors? What is the general opinion of the 460a?
I REALLY like mine! But I can't compare to any other DSO's; it's the
only one I've used.

I haven't had any problems with it yet, capacitors or otherwise. Touch wood.

--Toby

Thanks




Opinion on tds 460a

 

Was the 460a an improvement over the 460 regarding the leaking electrolytic capacitors? What is the general opinion of the 460a?

Thanks


Re: A Bit OT, But Not Really

 

Jeff, Jim lives, or lived near Orlando, Florida. I tracked down his telephone number last year, but I have never got any answer. It just keeps ringing, so the account was still active.

I know that he used a very old computer, since he would complain about no Win 95 drivers for his equipment.

I was trying to see if he was OK, but I still have no answers. I won't go into details online, to protect his privacy but I had exchanged enough messages on Usenet with him that I am worried about him.

Jim had been a tech at Tektronix Orlando branch, until it was closed and he was always willing to answer questions.


Michael A. Terrell
--

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Urban <JURB6006@...>

Whatever happened to Jim Yanik. On Usenet he was the preeminent authority on Tek equipment. I guess he worked for them for about 100 years. I mean if you posed a question, once I did, 7063 with such and so symptom and he comes back with "I think you got the model wrong, sounds like a 7603. you are probably looking at C ___ (or whatever) and he was right quite a bit. maybe he didn't have to go to work, just phone it in.

He also used to sign his posts with "Jim Yanik NRA member". I like that, Put your views out there and fear nothing. The irrational fear of guns is ridiculous, would you rather I electrocute you, make a makeshift MASER out of the part from a microwave oven, use a hammer or a knife ? But he put it right out there.

And he never started any political shit, except for the "NRA member" in his sig line. I would have really liked to meet him. I mean, I have no real desire to meet the President, but Trump is so unusual I wouldn't mind it. People go for celebs n shit and that is all meaningless, I want to meet Yanik, but it is probably too late.

He is one of the people who would not be here to learn like I am, but he did freely share his gained knowledge quite a bit.

One day, there were simply no more posts by him on Usenet. I guess he died. We lost a good resource when that happened.

Mike Terrell I recognize from Usenet, so he remembers Yanik, and would probably concur with what I posted here. But I don't recognize anyone else here from there, but then I haven't ran into everyone either.

He shared his vast Tek scope knowledge for free. Obviously he wanted to keep this amazing technology out of the dumpsters. And it was amazing for the time it came out. Some of the best sources for Tek surplus are in Israel, and those people know what they're doing. Shipping is a bit of a problem to the US, but if you need it you need it.

I saw the technology, when companies were building table radios with series filaments and a 50C5 output tube, Tek had dual timebase, all kind of things. Yanik worked on most of it.

So, who all remembers him ?


Re: Novice question - 475, what mode is this?

 

Hello Jeff, regarding your comment quoted below,
As I mentioned, I was not quite sure about the DM43, but on the DM44 (that has differential Delta time measurement), what it does is alternating 2 different delayed sweeps (one controlled by the o'scope's main delay time base multiplier, and the other, controlled by the Delta time knob (on the DM44 itself) so, yes, it really triggers the B sweep at 2 different points of the A sweep.
The net result is that, when you are in "A Intens" horizontal mode, you have 2 intensified segments (and not just one).
When you switch over to B Dly'd horizontal mode, you see the 2 delayed sweeps superimposed on the screen, which you turn the delta time control to make them coincide.
You read directly the time difference on the DM44's display, in the same unit as the A sweep time base / div.
While the display works great and is fairly consistent on both the "A Intens" and "B dly'd" modes, it gets confusing when you are in MIX mode (all that with the DM44).
As I learnt a bit more about the DM43 operation, It seems it doesn't superimpose on the screen 2 delayed sweeps at different delays (as the DM44 does) and I think it's safe to assume now that the artifact that Dmitri is seeing is not linked to the DM43's time measurement (but again, it wouldn't hurt to make sure it was not set to that function, to rule out the DM43 as a possible cause).
KRgrds,
Fabio


..., Also
what Fabio said is totally new to me, the meter set to time can affect the
triggering ? Seems odd to me but there are plenty of things much odder.
Knowing how Tek designs stuff there must be a good reason for this
interaction.
Hello Jeff,


Re: OT: LED lamp bulbs at ridiculously low prices at (some) Costco stores

 

The original coating used when iintegrating spheres wee first used was barium sulphate in an emulsion.
recipes can be found in the early literature.
Bruce

On 26 June 2018 at 06:39 "Ed Breya via Groups.Io" <edbreya@...> wrote:


The integrating cube sounds good if sufficient. You can improve the uniformity and efficiency to arbitrary degrees by adding more surfaces, say starting in the corners, making it k-hedral, approaching a sphere as k goes up, but of course it quickly gets a lot more complicated and tedious. Just doing the eight corners should give a large improvement - beyond that it's diminishing returns, and lots and lots of pieces to deal with. Another option for larger sized ones that's occurred to me over the years, is to put a reasonably-accurate, suitably-sized sphere - like an over-inflated beach ball - inside a cardboard box, and fill the outer volume with polyurethane foam. After it all sets up, you can cut ports and other access to the inside, and roll the liquid coating. You could even slice it in half, and gain full access to the insides, then put the two pieces back together for use. This whole thing would be basically plastic and cardboard, so could melt or burn if you put a very hot source right in a port.

Your flat white paint should be pretty good. It may be worthwhile to see if there's any kind of super-reflective paints or coatings available, like maybe what's used on projection screens, if you want a slight improvement. The coating on my real 12" sphere looks like a flat white TiO2 DAG of some sort. I think when they make these, they pour in the DAG and roll it around to coat the insides, then dump out the excess. Also, as I recall, there's a baffle between the orthogonal ports to block any direct passage. This is more important as the ports get bigger, relative to the sphere size.

Ed



Re: OT: LED lamp bulbs at ridiculously low prices at (some) Costco stores

 

First build/acquire an integrating sphere.
Bruce

On 26 June 2018 at 00:50 "Daniel Koller via Groups.Io" <kaboomdk@...> wrote:


Of course, this is one of those subjects, like religion, sex, drugs, rock-and-roll and politics that I hesitate to respond to here as there are some fanatics about incandescent light bulbs in our ranks.? ?On the other hand, it's a topic near and dear to my heart as I have only a few incandescents left in my house.? ?I replaced all the PAR30 65 Watt flood lamps with CFLs at least 10 years ago, and started replacing them with LEDs starting 1/1/2014.? Out of 37 installed LEDs of all different types,? NONE have yet to fail.
A question I have that may be of relevance to others here is how does one measure the light output of an LED?? ?This is not at all trivial, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if the stated output, in Lumens, on the box of many of the Chinese made LED bulbs is just a lie.? ?Lumens are not easy to determine because it's the light output of the bulb, multiplied by the response curve of the human eye (the so-called photopic response, for color daylight vision).? That means you need a sensor that is closely matched to the human eye, and then you have to integrate around the bulb.? ??
Most light meters have an extended response in the infra-red, which if properly filtered can give a better response, but they are often 10-20% off from the human eye's response.? ?You can't simply apply a correction factor because the spectral output of LEDs varies a lot and it's not a simple black-body light curve like an incandescent bulb.? You have to measure the spectrum, apply a curve to it, and then integrate around the bulb.? If I were ever so lucky as to have a 7J20 plug-in for my 7854 scope, this measurement is exactly what I would be doing with it!
Interestingly, I recently discovered a TI light sensor chip which has a very accurate photopic response.? It's the OPT3001.?? ?Even better, there are Chinese companies selling breakout boards (and probably knock-offs) of this chip for $5 and I have one on its way to me fro me-bay.? ?I'll just replace the chip with a free one sampled from TI....
So I am curious to play with this chip and see what kind of measurements I get from my LEDs.? ?Does anyone here have any direct experience with such light measurements of non-black body sources?
? Dan






On Monday, June 25, 2018, 12:11:29 AM EDT, Ed Breya via Groups.Io <edbreya@...> wrote:

This is OT, but I just have to say I happened to stop by the Fremont Costco today, and stumbled upon some amazing deals on certain types of LED bulbs, like six-packs of PAR-xx/xxW equivalent spots for two dollars, and other stuff. They are mostly in the good warm-white 2700K/3000K range. PGE has some promotional subsidy pricing going on in some California markets, so anyone in the right areas can pick up some great deals. This is reminiscent of what they did in the CCFL era a decade or more ago. I've been an early adopter of LED illumination, and have all kinds of them collected over the years, so of course, I had to get a bunch of different ones to try out, and some more of ones that I paid five to ten times as much for only months ago. These are even cheaper than various questionable ones I've picked up at flea markets recently - and are brand new. Only certain ones (maybe slow-sellers) are priced in closeout ranges, like six-packs or two-packs for two or three bucks, depending on the particulars, but it may be worth a look. I don't know how long the deals and stock will last, but I'll be back looking for more. Usual disclaimer - no, I don't own a Costco store.

Ed





Re: Dead 7603

Craig Sawyers
 

If you have a better procedure I would like to hear it. I am here to learn, just like anyone else.
Turn the 7603 off, and then unplug the ht lead between the multiplier and the CRT (somewhat carefully!
You may have to undo the P clip that holds the plug/socket to the end of the HT chassis to get
access), and then short the exposed tip (which is at the end of the red lead that goes to the crt) to
metalwork. If there is a spark, then the CRT is receiving the output from the multiplier. If nothing
happens, suspect the multiplier. I have seen two 7603's - one a friends, and one mine, with dead
multipliers.

If you do get a healthy spark, then the HT transformer is OK (which means no shorted turns) and so is
the multiplier. Which means you look elsewhere for the fault.

Craig


Re: OT: LED Measurements ... LED lamp bulbs at ridiculously low prices at (some) Costco stores

 

hi,

LED measurements are made with a strict geometry & equipment; and accurate determinations are not always trivial.
Some useful web sites with information are found at NIST (US) & NRC (Canada) as well as other international standards labs (NPL (UK), PTB (Germany), etc.



.


Cameron, Howard, Yoshi & George & others have written a number of peer reviewed publications describing such measurements.
These are some of the experts in this area.






Have a look at the spheres that they use (typically Labsphere Inc.)
Although, I have in a pinch in the past used two ~ half moon bake pans (with punched-out 1" holes, as necessary), sprayed with a flat white teflon paint on the inner surface, dried & then bolted together, as an inexpensive integrating sphere ! Measurement detectors, for absolute work, are often calibrated by a National Lab; but for home work, one could buy a photopic filter from Thor Labs or Edmund and use a standard Si detector, or buy a Si module with a built-in filter & use the manufacturers specs(Newport is good & used units can be found on eBay) for a reasonable result.

For LED measurements: temperature monitoring and control are a definite necessity during measurement & stability determinations & during actual use.
The LED spectral response shifts and degrades over time, a constant issue.

It is fun !


Lost Horizontal Sweep on my 2465

 

Hello from a long-time reader and first-time (I think) poster.

I recapped a 2465 two years ago, after which I got a clear, crisp trace. However, about a year later, the horizontal sweep stopped working.

For troubleshooting, I put a 1 KHz, 200 mV signal on Channel 1, and set the sweep rate to 0.2 ms/div (per 2465 setup instructions in manual).

I measured voltages and traces around the U800 chip, and my results are as follows. Pin 1: -1.5 VDC, Pin 2: -3 VDC, Pin 3: 14.5 VDC, Pin 4: -0.74 volts, with spikes to zero volts, Pin 5: 0 VDC, Pin 6: -0.38 VDC, Pin 7: 88.6 VDC, Pin 8: -0.38 VDC, Pin 9: 1 volt p-p (mostly negative, with spikes up to zero volts), Pin 10: 15 VDC, Pin 11: 0.6 volts pk-pk (almost sinusoidal with 0.3 us period, but with longer period information as well), Pin 12: 4 Volts pk-pk (square wave with 1.6 ms period and about 30% duty cycle), Pin 13: 5 VDC, Pin 14: 100 mV pk-pk (differentiated square wave), Pin 15: no signal, Pin 16: 3 volts pk-pk (sawtooth with about 40% duty cycle), Pin 17: 2 volts pk-pk (stair-step), Pin 18: 3 volts pk-pk (sawtooth with 90% duty cycle), Pin 19: -0.5 VDC, Pin 20: no signal, Pin 21: no signal, Pin 22: -0.4 VDC, Pin 23: no signal, Pin 24: 500 mV pk-pk (almost sinusoidal, 0.5 us period.

CR807 checked good with an ohmmeter (in circuit). There was plenty of isolation between the wires to the CRT horizontal deflection pins and the chassis.

Am I safe in concluding that my U800 is bad? Also, where in the manual can I find DC voltage levels for U800? I found the key traces and voltage levels for the horizontal amplifier (pages 257ff in the manual). Any advice will be appreciated. Best Regards, Jim Silva


A Bit OT, But Not Really

 

Whatever happened to Jim Yanik. On Usenet he was the preeminent authority on Tek equipment. I guess he worked for them for about 100 years. I mean if you posed a question, once I did, 7063 with such and so symptom and he comes back with "I think you got the model wrong, sounds like a 7603. you are probably looking at C ___ (or whatever) and he was right quite a bit. maybe he didn't have to go to work, just phone it in.

He also used to sign his posts with "Jim Yanik NRA member". I like that, Put your views out there and fear nothing. The irrational fear of guns is ridiculous, would you rather I electrocute you, make a makeshift MASER out of the part from a microwave oven, use a hammer or a knife ? But he put it right out there.

And he never started any political shit, except for the "NRA member" in his sig line. I would have really liked to meet him. I mean, I have no real desire to meet the President, but Trump is so unusual I wouldn't mind it. People go for celebs n shit and that is all meaningless, I want to meet Yanik, but it is probably too late.

He is one of the people who would not be here to learn like I am, but he did freely share his gained knowledge quite a bit.

One day, there were simply no more posts by him on Usenet. I guess he died. We lost a good resource when that happened.

Mike Terrell I recognize from Usenet, so he remembers Yanik, and would probably concur with what I posted here. But I don't recognize anyone else here from there, but then I haven't ran into everyone either.

He shared his vast Tek scope knowledge for free. Obviously he wanted to keep this amazing technology out of the dumpsters. And it was amazing for the time it came out. Some of the best sources for Tek surplus are in Israel, and those people know what they're doing. Shipping is a bit of a problem to the US, but if you need it you need it.

I saw the technology, when companies were building table radios with series filaments and a 50C5 output tube, Tek had dual timebase, all kind of things. Yanik worked on most of it.

So, who all remembers him ?


Re: Dead 7603

 

On Mon, Jun 25, 2018 at 02:31 am, Craig Sawyers wrote:


That diagnosis gives no information regarding the location of any HV fault.
Yes, but we must know if there is a HV fault. Hope it's not the multiplier. But we do need to know if there is B+.

I figure the best way to proceed, once it is established that the low supplies are up, HV then plates and then grids. Agree ? If there is a short at the ultor supply the cathode end will balk at having too much voltage, neons, whatever else, maybe spark gaps. If there is a short on the cathode side there will be ultor voltage and a bit high, but it won't fry anything out and I am pretty sure it will not cause shutdown. Measuring the ultor voltage can be a real PITA, but it is not always necessary. For the cathode end, usually you can just add a 10 meg resistor in series with the probe which will double the range, just multiply the reading by 2. Many have 2 KV as the top range, so that works for actual measurement. If no resistor it just goes to overload and that tells you there is HV.

If you have a better procedure I would like to hear it. I am here to learn, just like anyone else.


Re: Novice question - 475, what mode is this?

 

Mike Merigliano
5:37am #149175

"Okay, but I did not think the posts about the Tek 475 had anything to do with Bob's computer, so I would have never guessed this."

Hmm, the quote function didn't work...

Anyway, I saw the left side, what he posted made it sound like he didn't. That's the only reason I mentioned it.

I will be watching this thread to see what happens about the B trigger. Also what Fabio said is totally new to me, the meter set to time can affect the triggering ? Seems odd to me but there are plenty of things much odder. Knowing how Tek designs stuff there must be a good reason for this interaction.


Re: Novice question - 475, what mode is this?

 

Hello Dmitri,
Fabio here again,
On my last message, I was mistaken about the DM that ou have. I looked at it briefly on my mobile and thought it was a DM44, but it's in fact a DM43.
I`m not sure how the time measurement on the DM43 is done (as it doesn't have the second delta-time knob as I suggested) and I`m not sure if it alternately displays the main delay and then the delta delay, or if it only displays one of them at a time.
So, the ghosting in your case, may not be related to the Time measurement function of the DM that I guessed but still, depending on how the DM43 does its thing, it MIGHT be related... so my advice to further troubleshoot this ghosting may still apply.
Make sure the "Time" function of the DM43 is not engaged and see if the ghosting goes away (from your pictures, it's difficult to tell if you have the time function activated).
Also, on your second picture that you suggest the ghosting is present even on a "simple trace"... well, it's not really as you think...
You may have turned the delay time multiplier knob all the way Counter-ClockWise, so that you "suppressed" most of the display of the Main Time base (the slower A time base), but as we can see from the pictures, you're still running on MIX horizontal mode, with the A and B time-bases set at 2 different speeds (A slower and B faster) so, for all that matters, there's no difference for the scope, between the working conditions on your first picture and on your second so, no surprise that it displays the same weird artifacts..
What could really tell something in regards to whether the ghosting effect is present on a "simple" trace or not, is to set horizontal mode to A (lock knobs) only, move the B time base knob to the locked position (with A), and set the A time base to the same speed that you have the B on your pictures.
The suggested setting above will really disable the "B" sweep and, if the ghosting disappear, we may discover that the problem is linked to the operation of the B Delayed Time base, OR, if if it doesn't disappear, then we're looking at some problem that is common to both the A and B sweep modes; maybe on the triggering circuits.

KRgrds,

Fabio

On Sat, Jun 23, 2018 at 06:13 pm, Dmitri Shuev wrote:


Thank you all for suggestions - it worked! Indeed, after rotating both the
outside (A) and the inside (B) timebase knobs a few times, and cranking up the
intensity control, I did get something that resembles the sample trace:
/g/TekScopes/photo/60634/0?p=Name,,,20,1,0,0

It seems though that the trace is bit blurry, jittery/jumpy, and with a
significant amount of ghosting... The same symptoms (blurry, unstable and
ghosting) are present on a simple trace as well:
/g/TekScopes/photo/60634/1?p=Name,,,20,1,0,0

I suppose that I will start by trying to clean both A and B Volts/Div
Attenuator Switch contacts...


Re: OT: LED lamp bulbs at ridiculously low prices at (some) Costco stores

 

The integrating cube sounds good if sufficient. You can improve the uniformity and efficiency to arbitrary degrees by adding more surfaces, say starting in the corners, making it k-hedral, approaching a sphere as k goes up, but of course it quickly gets a lot more complicated and tedious. Just doing the eight corners should give a large improvement - beyond that it's diminishing returns, and lots and lots of pieces to deal with. Another option for larger sized ones that's occurred to me over the years, is to put a reasonably-accurate, suitably-sized sphere - like an over-inflated beach ball - inside a cardboard box, and fill the outer volume with polyurethane foam. After it all sets up, you can cut ports and other access to the inside, and roll the liquid coating. You could even slice it in half, and gain full access to the insides, then put the two pieces back together for use. This whole thing would be basically plastic and cardboard, so could melt or burn if you put a very hot source right in a port.

Your flat white paint should be pretty good. It may be worthwhile to see if there's any kind of super-reflective paints or coatings available, like maybe what's used on projection screens, if you want a slight improvement. The coating on my real 12" sphere looks like a flat white TiO2 DAG of some sort. I think when they make these, they pour in the DAG and roll it around to coat the insides, then dump out the excess. Also, as I recall, there's a baffle between the orthogonal ports to block any direct passage. This is more important as the ports get bigger, relative to the sphere size.

Ed