On Tue, 19 May 1998, Mike DeMetz wrote:

> > aha! I have taken my DMM back to the shop and demanded they fit the scope
> > button back on it :-)
> >
> > Seriously, I cannot afford a full scope, has anybody got any recommendations
> > of a cheap PC based scope system ( I can see VIPS and PICO in a catalogue
> > here.... )
> >
> Tech America has a handheld LCD scope/meter for $199. Only good up to
> 5Mhz(steady signal).
       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And this makes it unsuitable for serial digital troubleshooting unless
special signals are generated for testing. A poor man's digital analyzer
would do it, but a real scope is more versatile.

My advice (been there): Haunt your local ham club or school and find out
when the next garden/garage sale is on. Then, pick up a reasonable 'old'
scope for $100 or less. You should be able to net a Hameg or whatever 2 x
20 MHz (perhaps valved - although better not) this way.  Insist on
checking it out on the spot, you should get the scan line on the screen,
don't take it otherwise.

Peter