"Oscilloscope Basics"

If you watch an electrical engineer tackling a tough design project, or a service engineer troubleshooting a stubborn problem, you’ll see them grab a scope, fit probes or cables, and start turning knobs and setting switches without ever seeming to glance at the front panel. To these experienced users, the oscilloscope is their most important tool but their minds are focused on solving the problem, not on using the scope.

Making oscilloscope measurements is second nature to them. It can be for you too, but before you can duplicate the ease with which they use a scope, you will need to concentrate on learning about the scope itself: both how it works and how to make it work for you. The purpose of this primer is to help you learn enough about oscilloscopes and oscilloscope measurements that you will be able to use these measurement tools quickly, easily, and accurately.

73,
~George N2APB, Joe N2CX and Alan W2AEW

SESSION NOTES ...

Material presented here is authored by Alan Wolke, W2AEW.  Email:  "alan dot wolke at gmail dot com", website:  http://www.dorkage.com

Here is the application note that the slide deck file was based on:  XYZ's of using a Scope.pdf

Here is the link to Alan's main YouTube Channel page: http://www.youtube.com/user/w2aew/videos   There are a few dozen videos there, most of them are geared around practical applications of oscilloscopes, geared towards the hobbyist/amateur. Things like "How to measure the length and impedance of coax with a scope," or "How to Monitor your ham radio with scope", etc. There are also videos that are more geared around high-end equipment and applications too, but it's all fun.

BASICS OF OSCILLOSCOPES

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REFERENCES

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