The oldest Tektronix scope out there, and why soccer will soon be America’s number 1 sport
Like most who read this blog, you know that the scope is the quintessential tool for general-purpose debug and electrical analysis. And I’d venture that most of you have a ubiquitous old scope lying around the house and/or lab somewhere.
Some folks have even made it their passion to collect information about some of these older scopes, as evidenced by these Web sites:
Classic Tektronix Scopes
Tektronix Resource Site
The Museum of Tek Scopes
AnaLog’s Tektronix T922R Service Notes
These vintage products from a different era were unique from the perspective that Tektronix built most everything in house—from the PCB, knobs, and switches, to the cathode ray tube, to the mechanical chassis. Now, of course, there’s a supply chain and many parts are sourced from around the world. In addition, the scope was shipped with a detailed service manual that shows all the circuitry and described repair information down to the individual component level.
The oldest scope I have at home is a mid-’80s vintage 2440 prototype. This scope has special meaning for me since it was the very first product I helped design for Tektronix. I still use it for basic work, and it is still worth quite a bit on the used market. Of course, it sits center stage in my living room. I know that many of you have even more classic models out there. Let me know about the oldest scopes you have.
There is no soccer mania in the United States because the game simply does not produce enough goals for the US audience. However, in my last conversation with FIFA, they agreed to proceed with my “US rules” proposal to have 1) unlimited substitutions every 15 minutes and 2) increase the width and height of the goal posts 2x. I can already see the 2014 World Cup Final results: USA, 79; Spain, 78. The world is going to love us for these rule changes!
ark54 commented:
I bought a Tek RM35 at auction from the Navy many years ago. It was somewhat similar to the scope I used in the USAF. I gave it away after being hired by Tek and having access to the latest and greatest.
In college, I complained to my lab professor that it was tedious to calculate the signal period by counting graticule lines and multiplying by the timebase, and suggested designing a circuit that would do it by starting and stopping a counter based on a static comparator threshold. He called me lazy!
HankC, Boston commented:
I have a Tek 515A, which is late-50's vintage.
I also have a 2445B.
TomC commented:
My oldest scope would be a Telequipment D54.
Matt K commented:
For Brian Terrell:
You have a DAS 9100 still in the box?? If you're interested in getting rid of it or the Manuals, please drop me an email at: matt {at} solderadvocate {dot} com. The units I have also didn't come with probes, but I did discover that they're basically just TTL/CMOS->ECL converters, and should be pretty easy to make.
I'm still working on the 475A, but am making progress...
Opcom commented:
I wouldn't trade my RM503's for any other scope. Very aesthetically pleasing hybrid design, (much more handsome than the HP counterpart was, {sorry, HP}) Beautiful bright traces and high accelerating voltages, real nice XY mode, a true analog electrostatic CRT (haha well a lot of older scopes have those).. and I love rack-mount test gear. A pair of 7904's and a shelf of plugins serves my home lab today. I have 'beater' plugins that I won't cry if I ruin somehow, and then some high end ones..
Bob Landman commented:
Forgot to add a 475A and a 2440 (digital 500MHz with 1k of memory (because Tek didn't think more memory was that important back then).
It was (and still is)!
Bob Landman commented:
Thanks to Jim Williams (who wanted one of my P6042 current probes, I have a rare Tek 556 dual beam scope with 1A1 dual trace and 1A7 high gain differental vertical plug-ins. Also have a spare "jug" from Stan Griffiths. Also a 545 with a CA vertical plug-in and a RM547 also with a CA plug.
Couldn't bare to let them end up in some dumpster. They all work.
Former Tek FE Santa Clara North - 1978-9
Tektronix was a great place to be from...
Brian Terrell commented:
Andy T has it right, American so-called soccer is a game for young girls not men. Try watching a Welsh rugby scrum or even an English public school rugby game to find what hard sport is all about.
I have several Tek scopes., the oldest is a 310 and the most used is a 453 which still gets used on a regular basis.
For Matt K, I have a brand new DAS9100 in original box with a complete set of manuals. Alas, without the probes which got stolen at an exhibition it isn't very useful. The manuals are enormous in several volumes and weigh something of the order of 20kgs.
Tom Z commented:
HP 120AR, in full working order (though it does tend to overheat if I don't point a fan at it), including the manual. The bandwidth is listed in kilocycles/sec rather than kilohertz.
Andy T commented:
@sceptic: I grew up in one of "the colonies" and played rugby (we called it "rugger") in high school...I think I still have some bruises left from it....
Bob L commented:
How to improve soccer? Add spikes to the ball. That way the goalie would think twice before blocking those shots! Of course, some alterations of the shoes would be required...
And remember folks, we're just joking around. No need to get so serious. (Ya hear me Wilson?)
Vince W commented:
Sorry Guys! Football( soccer to you) has been played sucessfully for over a hundred years outside the US without the need for major changes to the goal size or design. But feel free to invent your own version and call it footballRus :-)
Sceptic commented:
Andy T,
Sounds like you need to take in a game of Rugby (football) or even Australian Rules (football).
Proper hard mens games where the chaps play unhindered by that namby-pamby padding they wear in 'GridIron' lol.
madjohn commented:
Iremember using 545's,453's,475's back in the sixties, and 100mhz scopes such as 585 for working on the fastest mainframe computers
of that time. still have a working 585 in my closet. soccer should be called football (as in
England) and american football should be called
"gripball", after all the ball never contacts
the foot, and heaven forbid if you ever drop it!
Ken commented:
An interesting tit-bit is that in the 60s a US authority called tenders for CROs which had the specification so tightly written around a Tektronix unit down to dimensions and front panel design that it seemed to rule out any alternatives however a competitor (whose name I cannot remember) produced a clone to fit the specification exactly. I never found out who the successful tenderer was. The clone was offered for general sale in Australia but I doubt if any were sold here.
Ken commented:
I too have a Tektronix 555 and several extra plug-ins including an 1M1 and TU-2 test modules. There are Type 21
Joe Bleau commented:
Working 556 with a handful of plugins, 7603, 7934, and a pile of 7k series plugins.
Andy T commented:
You put soccs on your feet, don't you Navon?
www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=soccer
Now you know.
Tom H commented:
I have a working 545A with a dual chnl preamp and the 30 Mhz preamp.
norrislte commented:
I have good memories of a 555 dual beam scope.
The power supply for that was very heavy.
Matt K commented:
I just picked up my first scope, a 475A, last weekend. It has a partially bad power supply, which I'm in the process of fixing.
I know you didn't ask, but I also have 4 (yes, four), DAS 9100 logic analyzers with a good assortment of modules. None of them work, but I hope to get at least one or two functioning again. On a related note: does anyone know where to get ANY info on the DAS 9100? I can't find anything online...
John P. Guckel - Milwaukee, Wisconsin U.S.A. commented:
I have two Tektronix 453A's that are both still humming along O.K.. The oldest scope I have is a Claugh Brengle. Circa 1930's or 40's.
Navon commented:
Ones who cannot master a sport try new ones or new rules. So many ideas how to destroy the game of football (I cannot understand why you insist calling it soccer)!
N2IXK commented:
My home shop has a Tek 7623 and a 453 in good working order, as well as an old 310 in need of some TLC.
Brad commented:
My list:
3 foot high wall around so that the ball can be kept in play more.
Goals at least 2 feet wider and 6 inches higher (ever notice how many "just miss"
And the most interesting one ... the goals should be on the same side of the field, 30 feet apart, now that would be fun to watch.
drgnwgn commented:
I have a Model 323 Sony Tektronix that still works.
Wilson commented:
Ever seen an overweight, unfit soccer player? No? that's because it is a sport not a past time like super slow baseball and players aren't continually substituted to recover from a bit of running about. The only interesting thing about the the Superbowl is the adverts - that has to tell you something.
no idea what this has to do with scopes but yes - Soccer is a finer sport than any American 'pseudo sport'
Dubtron commented:
I believe the oldest Tek Scope I have is a type 555 Dual Beam with external power supply.
Andy T commented:
Soccer needs hoops for a goal, the ability to kick, catch, carry (which can then ONLY be dislodged with a kick), and throw the ball and to get rid of that "don't touch me" rule that obviously came from a back-seated six year old.
Then it MIGHT be a scintilla more interesting.
