I think you guys are missing something

[C2]

or not?

No test equipment or GP forum? Where would we slot discussion of an oscilloscope, power meter, SPA, real test equipment, or even s smoldering iron, ya no?

Well, I've come across the Rigol series of Chinese equipment and it appears the DS1054Z is a really good entry level option, with features unheard of just a few years ago in a package so cheap. Watch Dave Jones' youtube review and teardown if you're interested. Tequipment has the best price. It's 4 channel 50 MHz with 12M memory, and all the advanced decoding, trigger, 24M memory and bandwidth upgrade to 100 MHz can be easily hacked for free. You'd get over $1000 scope for $400.

I'm not affiliated with anything, just sharing some old internet info...

Good luck...

 

[LeapFrog]

Thanks, but at this time no thanks. 400$ !? Now a Tektronix 453 on fleabay, that is within reach for me. Dave Jones makes good videos, but as an example his most recent video covers a 5000$ scope, that requires a seperate pc just to use the thing. Way out of reach for most enthusiast/hobby techs... Just my 2 cents.

Tool sub-forums are not a totally bad idea..
And as far Irons go, the weller wps18mp is a trinket, with no base and a tip system that will leave you cursing when the thing starts to wobble and flex.

I should have spent my 30$ on an older (used), bigger, more sturdy weller.
I have about thrown this darn thing across the room! I regress @ least it's USEABLE for the occasional small task..

 

[C2]

To be fair, the scope to which I think you are referring is geared for education, so the entry level student may well be seeing one...but yeah he does have a boat load of expensive equipment being tossed his way... Still a good resource.

Soldering, I prefer Hakko, an FX-888 is a great one to consider...(and some on here have referenced $500+ irons..., if you're worried about a new $400 scope).



I really do miss my 4-channel Iwatsu.

 

[LeapFrog]

Hakko FX-888 & DS1054Z.

Sorry i'm way late to respond here, I just wanted to say those are great suggestions!
I have health issues that keep me from earning much money, it's hard to work when you can't stand properly.
The
Rigol DS1054Z
is a great scope that anyone serious about electronics could afford, I only mention the dinosaur Tektronix 453 because i'm broke & struggle to buy new equipment.
I am not experienced enough to make money in Radio, I could install a new outlet or light switch no problem for a home, and get paid in confidence.

I don't know of any school I can go to and learn how to work specifically on 30 year old radios, I want restore radios and repair broken ones, so I am teaching myself!