Hitachi V-212U Oscilloscope

[ad4mg]

OK, here's one for the electronics gurus ... a few months ago, a friend, who was moving, gave me a little-used Hitachi V-212U Oscilloscope, still in it's original packaging, in the original box, complete with the manuals.

I've never owned, nor used a scope, so would anyone care to comment on how useful this instrument would be as far as amateur radio applications?

Anyone have any past experience using this particular oscilloscope?

Since it's literally been over a decade (and possibly two) since this scope was plugged in, are there are particular concerns I should be aware of, or anything in particular I should check or do beforehand?

The unit is in pristine condition, not a mark on it, and the power cord and cables appear to be like new.

In short, what do I have here, an instrument that will be very useful once I learn how to use it, or another decoration to add to the many already gracing the shelves of the shack?

[N8YX]

A quick spec check reveals this to be a 20MHz unit.

Will work for monitoring your rig's IF and inspecting a received station's audio...or as a tuning scope for RTTY/AMTOR, etc.

Can be set up for trapezoid display (exciter/amp linearity) up to roughly 15M. Built a sampling head.

Can be used for two-tone linearity tests with the appropriate generator and sampling head.

Can be used as a poor man's spectrum analyzer/panadapter with the appropriate pan-display unit. (Several designs exist.)

It's hard to be without one. Each of my operating positions have some form of scope inline. Granted, they're not lab quality but for the more simplistic monitoring tasks I don't need to drag out an Iwatsu or HP unit.

http://www.rigpix.com/rfmeasure/kenwood_sm220.jpg

http://www.foxtango.org/ft-library/FT-Library/FT101ZD-901-902/YO-901_advert.jpg

Each of the units above has a vertical B/W of ~10MHz; out of the box, the Hitachi you picked up will more than suffice for everything except pan-display duties.

[WØTKX]

I have the same scope... picked it up used for $50.00 :rofl:

[ad4mg]

Thanks ... sounds like it's a keeper!

Now, must teach self how to use said scope. The included operating manual appears to be a poor translation to English, with errors obvious to even myself. I see numerous sites on the web with basic tutorials on using oscilloscopes. Other than the operating range, I imagine most of these things are pretty similar at the basic level.

Now, off to teach the old dog some new tricks ... :lol:

[WØTKX]

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/oscilloscope_tutorial.html

http://www.virtual-oscilloscope.com/

[N8YX]

First - monitor your audio:

http://www.nu9n.com/scope_your_audio.html

Next - RTTY tuning. There is much more info available online:

http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/rtty/2007-11/msg00237.html

Two-tone test generator. I prefer 1000 and 1800hz, but any non-harmonically-related pair will work:

http://www.circuitsarchive.org/index.php/Stereo_Test_Tone_Generator

Poor man's spectrum analyzer/panadapter:

http://www.science-workshop.com/

I'll see if I can find more.

[N8YX]

Here's another good one:

http://web.telia.com/~u85920178/scope/osc-0.htm

[ad4mg]

Man, good stuff, guys! I'll soon add oscilloscopes to the list of trades I'm not a master at ... :D

[n4aud]

I have an old scope here and have used it for all sorts of stuff, aligning receivers and whatnot. They are confusing at first but as you use it things start to make sense and you'll find yourself using it more and more. I look at scopes on Ebay pretty often but I'd rather buy one in person since the ones on Ebay usually only tell if it shows a trace and they never come with probes. Handy tool once you start fooling with it.

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

A 20 mHz 'scope and a signal monitor, like a SAM 3, make an excellent cheap spectrum analyzer.
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/sam.htm

[n2ize]

I have an old oscilloscope CRT so I decided to start building my own scope from scratch. So far I've located a transformer that I think will work. Now I need to get some specs on the tube and start building up the supply. In time I think I'll have a good working standalone scope.

[N8YX]

I have an old oscilloscope CRT so I decided to start building my own scope from scratch. So far I've located a transformer that I think will work. Now I need to get some specs on the tube and start building up the supply. In time I think I'll have a good working standalone scope.
An early 80s issue of Radio Electronics carried a complete set of plans for a do-it-yourself scope. I have the issue and will photocopy the article if you wish.

[WØTKX]

Jeebus Luke, have you at least hooked up a microphone to the darn thing? :neener: :rofl:

[ad4mg]

Jeebus Luke, have you at least hooked up a microphone to the darn thing? :neener: :rofl:
I did take it out the box, hooked up the probes, and turned it on to check it out. It appears to be working perfectly ... the display is nice and crisp.

I'm reading up on 'scopes, and learning quite a bit! It's all new to me, and I usually proceed with a lot of caution, having smoked my share of equipment in years past. My first amplifier comes to mind ... a sweep tube amp. I managed to let quite a bit of smoke out of that thing, and cooked the finals in my IC-751 as an added bonus ... :think

[WØTKX]

Jeebus Luke, have you at least hooked up a microphone to the darn thing? :neener: :rofl:
I did take it out the box, hooked up the probes, and turned it on to check it out. It appears to be working perfectly ... the display is nice and crisp.

I'm reading up on 'scopes, and learning quite a bit! It's all new to me, and I usually proceed with a lot of caution, having smoked my share of equipment in years past. My first amplifier comes to mind ... a sweep tube amp. I managed to let quite a bit of smoke out of that thing, and cooked the finals in my IC-751 as an added bonus ... :think

Get brave... :rofl:

[n2ize]

I have an old oscilloscope CRT so I decided to start building my own scope from scratch. So far I've located a transformer that I think will work. Now I need to get some specs on the tube and start building up the supply. In time I think I'll have a good working standalone scope.
An early 80s issue of Radio Electronics carried a complete set of plans for a do-it-yourself scope. I have the issue and will photocopy the article if you wish.

I'd appreciate that. If possible do you think you could post it up on the web ? Or email it to me ? I will furnish you with an email address.

[N8YX]

I have an old oscilloscope CRT so I decided to start building my own scope from scratch. So far I've located a transformer that I think will work. Now I need to get some specs on the tube and start building up the supply. In time I think I'll have a good working standalone scope.
An early 80s issue of Radio Electronics carried a complete set of plans for a do-it-yourself scope. I have the issue and will photocopy the article if you wish.

I'd appreciate that. If possible do you think you could post it up on the web ? Or email it to me ? I will furnish you with an email address.
Can do. PM me.

It'll be a few days before I can get the thing scanned, however.

[N4VGB]

I've never owned, nor used a scope, so would anyone care to comment on how useful this instrument would be as far as amateur radio applications?

In short, what do I have here, an instrument that will be very useful once I learn how to use it, or another decoration to add to the many already gracing the shelves of the shack?



What you have is the single most useful piece of test equipment ever made, learn to use it. :yes: