TestEquipment

The goal is not to have all of the test equipment, or none, but to have the right test equipment.

Footprint is important. You will want to spend some time thinking about Storage. Try to get equipment that has a digital interface, so that you can automate your setup.

Specific Equipment

Calculators

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/general-computing/a-warning-to-engineers-about-calculators/50/ - Calculators can't agree on how % is to be used. they also disagree with mathematical notation.

Curve Tracer

Don't buy one without GPIB/USB/Serial. Useless for documentation.

DVM

Density = Mass over Volume. Are you dumb?

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/ppmgeek!-5-5-digit-dvm-volt-ref-cal-(for-arduino-or-any-uc-w-spi)/ - DIY 5.5 DVM. I haven't dug through this yet.

Load

Dummy load in a bucket of water (drum) with enameled wire (must be enameled to allow for the heat to dissipate, whereas plastic coated wire would melt the insulation first).

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/makeshift-load-bank/
• https://youtu.be/WECW88rJYrE

Pick and Place

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/parts-not-coming-out-of-component-tape/msg5762797/#msg5762797 - having trouble getting parts out of tape reels

Spectrum Analyzers

There is the TinySA, similar in idea to the NanoVNA.

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/used-spectrum-analyzer-buyer_s-guide/
• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/tinysa-ultra-launched/ - see this link for official tinysa resellers

Vector Network Analyzers

• https://theamphour.com/533-microwave-measurement-with-joel-dunsmore/ Amp Hour 533 "Cables are Dogs". Dogs, and VNAs huh...? ... There is a book written by this fellow that would be worth reading if you are working with a VNA (Handbook of Microwave Component Measurements). As noted in the podcast, the first couple chapters are theory, the second section of the book is solving practical problems, and gives specific steps for a given scenario.
• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/inexpensive-cal-standards/ - Notes on cals for VNAs.
• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/how-to-measure-vswr-of-tiny-antennas-how-to-eliminate-effect-of-vna-cables/ - calibrating with antennas
• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/banggood-50-ohm-bnc-feed-through-terminator-a-quick-review/50/ - 50 ohm terminator deep dive. Considering parasitic effects (i.e. when a component's package inherent capacitance or inductance starts to affect the circuit at high frequency).

All Purpose Tools

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/redpitaya-for-impedance-analyzer/msg5705383/#msg5705383 https://youtu.be/xRgviNyggNwanalog discovery as an impedance analyzer, though the nanoVNA will have a better range. (the ad is a better overall tool).

Tips/Techniques

Consider Digital Interfaces for All Equipment

If you want to get serious work done, you are probably going to want to script or automate your setup. So beware of old Bench DMMs, function gens, and other equipment that doesn't have at least a GPIB interface.

Output of equipment at 0 Volts

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/itech-it6121-precision-power-supply-always-display-a-tiny-reading/msg5424086/#msg5424086 Equipment is not guaranteed to output 0 volts, unless specified.

Try to Support Local Businesses

If there is a vendor of a tool or TE near you, then buy from them.

Automation

• https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/rf-test-automation-423998 rhode & scwharz has some resources. not sure if these links are very useful though. double check.

External Links

• https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/Main_Page The Tek Wiki, is actually quite well done.
• https://sigrok.org/wiki/Supported_hardware buying equipment? a nice image gallery of compatible hardware with sigrok