Re: Tektronics 545B

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Ed Phillips by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>

Tesla list wrote:
 >
 > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" 
<Parpp807-at-aol-dot-com>
 >
 > Au contraire.
 >
 > A Tek 545B is a fine scope for coilers. I use my scope when RF would fry the
 > insides from a newfangled sand state marvel. True, they are now very
 > difficult to get
 > repaired but the internet is loaded with many Tektronics experts, and 
manuals
 > are available. I picked up a 544 and a 547 at Dayton for 50 bucks. The 
547 is
 > very restorable.
 > The 544 has a future for its parts as both scopes are closely related to the
 > 545B. Coilers will immediately appreciate the trigger circuits on the Tek
 > scopes. I recommend the
 > 545B and any of its near relatives. These were top-of-the-line 
instruments in
 > the
 > early 1970s. My top price would be $100 for a clean, working
 > scope.
 >
 > And be it ever thus:
 > Real oscilloscopes like real radios weigh more than 70
 > pounds and they glow in the dark.
 >
 > Ralph Zekelman

I agree with all of that, and would add to the last sentence that they
PUT OUT A LOT OF HEAT, as the power input is over 500 watts.  I have a
much newer, smaller, lighter, and better 465B here which, since it's
mostly solid state, I wouldn't think of using anywhere near a TC.

Ed