I recently got a Hp54659B module for my Hp54600B , and I must say that your video has been very useful for me . The FFT of this older oscilloscope is better than many new 100 mhz LCD oscilloscopes. At least in BF where I have fun with audio amplifiers.
I'm glad it was helpful. I didn't see very many videos showing enough of how this scope works in practice. I am continually surprised at how useful and well-made this scope is, despite the hate HP receives for their scopes. I think this is one of the good ones.
@@aktfkfja A module adds functions, what do you need? I needed to have the FFT analysis, the 54659b module added three functions (rs 232 port, parallel port, FFT analysis). This can be verified by reading the HP manual relating to the 54659b module. It is also clearly indicated by writing on the back of the module (Measurement/storage module RS232/parallel interface). The application of this module will be indicated on the oscilloscope start screen. Furthermore, the oscilloscope menu will be enriched with new options relating to FFT and storage. I have not found any documentation on the web for form 54629B. hello
I tried my HP54645D with similar results, but "only" up to about 350MHz where trigger goes away.. Quite remarkable. I also tried my stock standard Tek 475. It goes a bit over 400MHz with stable trigger. Had no idea this could work. Thanks for the inspiration!
I think it works due to the sample clock sliding around a bit. I think it probably would not work so well but for the periodic nature of what we are measuring.
@@W6EL On the HP up until about 200 - 210 MHz both "line" and "dot" displays appear quite stable. On the Tek, we see what we see. Stable display and Trig View shows trigger. Never had the courage to try. Thanks again!
I don't have the cables! It's almost cheaper to buy a scope with the cables and then sell the scope and keep the cables! Cables by themselves tend to be pricey. I was thinking about hacking up an old IDE cable, connecting it to headers on a board and making my own probes... I dunno. It seems pretty handy, even just as a triggering option. Glad you like the video! 73!
Scope bandwidth are defined at whether there's more than -3dB rolloff at the bandwidth limit. If you start at Vpp=1V at low frequencies and it gets down to Vpp=0.707V (1/sqrt(2), aka 3dB) or less when you increase the frequency to 150Mhz, you know you've gone past the front end's analog bandwidth limit. You're merely at the natural LPF's roll off (transition band), not the passband anymore.
I did a back-to-back for my 54601b vs a current "budget scope" and their XY mode and just how much the 30+yr old 54601B blows the current scope away in XY mode... it's here if anyone wants to see th-cam.com/video/V80Cp8LVenE/w-d-xo.html
@@benjammin1001 oh wow that is really much worse than I expected! This is why I’m always so hesitant with these newer scopes that seem so fancy and inexpensive. You just never really know what to expect with their performance. With HP/Agilent though, I get a much better feeling! Thanks for posting!
@W6EL - that scope I compared to I basically bought as a pricey DMM with a screen. I did not buy it for performance. I've played with other budget scopes prior and they all strive for Waveforms/sec, but they neglect so many other things. Aside the 54600 family being green screens, they still out perform current budget scopes in so many ways. I also have an agilent MSO6054A and the comparison would be even more unfair. Especially comparing the MSO6054's hardware decode for serial protocols. So yea... Budget scopes are budget.
@@W6EL - also, after looking at the monochrome Z from tempest, I'd need an inverter and DC offset adjust and the the game would look better on the scope. When I have some free time, I'll probably make something to do that and then make another video for the 54601 side of things.
I recently got a Hp54659B module for my Hp54600B , and I must say that your video has been very useful for me . The FFT of this older oscilloscope is better than many new 100 mhz LCD oscilloscopes. At least in BF where I have fun with audio amplifiers.
I'm glad it was helpful. I didn't see very many videos showing enough of how this scope works in practice. I am continually surprised at how useful and well-made this scope is, despite the hate HP receives for their scopes. I think this is one of the good ones.
Do you know the difference between 54629B and 54659B? I am looking of a module for my old hp 54600B but dunno which to pick.
@@aktfkfja A module adds functions, what do you need? I needed to have the FFT analysis, the 54659b module added three functions (rs 232 port, parallel port, FFT analysis). This can be verified by reading the HP manual relating to the 54659b module. It is also clearly indicated by writing on the back of the module (Measurement/storage module RS232/parallel interface). The application of this module will be indicated on the oscilloscope start screen. Furthermore, the oscilloscope menu will be enriched with new options relating to FFT and storage. I have not found any documentation on the web for form 54629B. hello
@@tiromancino_tt - I might have a manual for the 54659 module. I'll check.
@@benjammin1001 Hi friend, thank you for your offer to help me.
I have already found this user manual online.
Thank you all the same
Hello, thank you for this great video ! Can I ask you what printer did you use to print the file at 4:41 please ?
I believe that would be the Brother 5250DN. Any printer that supports generic postscript should be ok.
@@W6EL Thank you !
I tried my HP54645D with similar results, but "only" up to about 350MHz where trigger goes away.. Quite remarkable. I also tried my stock standard Tek 475. It goes a bit over 400MHz with stable trigger. Had no idea this could work. Thanks for the inspiration!
I think it works due to the sample clock sliding around a bit. I think it probably would not work so well but for the periodic nature of what we are measuring.
@@W6EL On the HP up until about 200 - 210 MHz both "line" and "dot" displays appear quite stable. On the Tek, we see what we see. Stable display and Trig View shows trigger. Never had the courage to try. Thanks again!
Great video! Do you happen to have the logic analyzer cables for this scope? I have a set for my scope and I love it.
I don't have the cables! It's almost cheaper to buy a scope with the cables and then sell the scope and keep the cables! Cables by themselves tend to be pricey. I was thinking about hacking up an old IDE cable, connecting it to headers on a board and making my own probes... I dunno. It seems pretty handy, even just as a triggering option. Glad you like the video! 73!
@W6EL Do it! The LA function is why I want this scope so bad, it's a killer app on top of a killer app!
@RetroRepair as soon as I have a need I will give it a go!
Scope bandwidth are defined at whether there's more than -3dB rolloff at the bandwidth limit. If you start at Vpp=1V at low frequencies and it gets down to Vpp=0.707V (1/sqrt(2), aka 3dB) or less when you increase the frequency to 150Mhz, you know you've gone past the front end's analog bandwidth limit. You're merely at the natural LPF's roll off (transition band), not the passband anymore.
I did a back-to-back for my 54601b vs a current "budget scope" and their XY mode and just how much the 30+yr old 54601B blows the current scope away in XY mode... it's here if anyone wants to see th-cam.com/video/V80Cp8LVenE/w-d-xo.html
@@benjammin1001 oh wow that is really much worse than I expected! This is why I’m always so hesitant with these newer scopes that seem so fancy and inexpensive. You just never really know what to expect with their performance. With HP/Agilent though, I get a much better feeling! Thanks for posting!
@W6EL - that scope I compared to I basically bought as a pricey DMM with a screen. I did not buy it for performance. I've played with other budget scopes prior and they all strive for Waveforms/sec, but they neglect so many other things.
Aside the 54600 family being green screens, they still out perform current budget scopes in so many ways. I also have an agilent MSO6054A and the comparison would be even more unfair. Especially comparing the MSO6054's hardware decode for serial protocols.
So yea... Budget scopes are budget.
@@W6EL - also, after looking at the monochrome Z from tempest, I'd need an inverter and DC offset adjust and the the game would look better on the scope. When I have some free time, I'll probably make something to do that and then make another video for the 54601 side of things.
It"s a 100MHz scope... not 400. FFT are available on many new scope.
Very good. How many current 100 MHz scopes can be pushed to 400 MHz though...?