12 May 2013

Scope Sunday 43

Once again, I find myself apologizing for a lengthy absence, but this term's teaching obligations got the better of me. I taught three classes this Spring, and that's a schedule that I should remember NOT to repeat. However, I have submitted final grades for two of the classes, and I'm looking forward to getting back to my "other" jobs. In the meantime, here are three scope-related updates:

1. Last weekend, I attended NEAR-fest up in Deerfield, N.H. This year, the weather was beautiful, but the pickings were slim. I did, however, buy two scope plug-ins, 1A7A and a 7M13.


Both of these plug-ins remind me of Jim. Jim suggested that the 1A7 manual was one of the first examples of the word "cascode" being used to refer to the transistor circuit (I subsequently found an earlier reference). And, of course, the 7M13 is the plug-in that he used to put his "signature" on the cartoon in App Note 94. The cartoon shows off his 7104 scope, "I'm going as fast as I can."

2. On the way home from NEAR-fest, I stopped by Electronic Surplus Services in Manchester, but I all found was a shelf of undesirable plug-ins (mostly 7A18 vertical amplifiers and slow time bases).


Compare the photo above to the photo below that I took ONE YEAR AGO. Other than better picture quality, not much has changed. I guess there isn't much market for $20 7A18 plug-ins and 7B53 plug-ins.

3. Next weekend is the Dayton Hamvention. Let me know if you're going; I hope to see you there. Here's a picture I took last year: