ELECTRONIC LINKS: Tools, Test Equipment, Data and Purchasing ResourcesCompiled by Eddie Ciletti Fall 2010
TEST EQUIPMENT
- A Dual Trace Oscilloscope, where Dual Trace = Two Channels (think STEREO). 20 mHz is enough bandwidth to look at Audio and into the RF region. These are is just about the most basic analog scopes you can buy. The alternative option is 'used,' but that requires buying from a reputable source and getting a guarantee.
BUYING PARTS
- OSCILLATOR: Your workstation also does this and more (like pink noise), but a handy battery-powered unit is more portable and this one has remarkably low distortion - 0.03% - for it's price.
- Soldering Tip Options: Most soldering irons come with one tip and it's not the one you want. Be sure to buy all three. You'll see a big price difference between the Real and the Chinese, the latter being affordable enough to buy more than one. Soldering tips do wear out.
- Don't forget the solder and the wick! We've been using the solder on the right - it works well and is affordable. My fave Desoldering braid is in the center - I buy the big spool because it is more cost effective. Be sure to buy this exact type - even if you choose a shorter length - because it works the best of all I've tried.
Below is a sample of a handful of places to get parts and stuff they carry...
VENDOR Type LOCATION ABC Surplus walking distance from IPR All Electronics Surplus California Allied new (mass quantities) Chicago Axman Surplus Several in Twin Cities area DigiKey New (mass quantities) Thief River Falls, MN Mouser MPJA Surplus and New-ish Florida New Sensor / Electro-Harmonix New Yawk: Gotta Problem Wit Dat? Tubes and More Tubes, Guitar parts & Accessories Arizona
