[HECnet] discontinuance of VMS

On 06/06/2013 12:33 PM, lee.gleason at comcast.net wrote: I still use a handheld digital multimeter (Fluke 77) that I got 22 years ago. It still works great, holds its calibration, and does its job well. But if I were a proper American, I should've thrown it in the trash 15-17 years ago and purchased a new one, for no valid reason. The two tools I use the most for electronics are a Tektronix 465 and a Fluke 8022. Both made around 1975, both heavily used and have many many hours on 'em, and both still work perfectly. I expect them to keep doing so for quite a while longer. Back in the day, if you were wiling to pay extra for quality, you really got it, not like today. Absolutely. I strongly prefer top-end, older test equipment to newer low-end stuff, and the prices are about the same. My lab is a sea of HP and Tektronix logos. For a current oscilloscope, you end up getting garbage unless you spend $50K or more. (the HP scope I was just looking at is $300K, no typo there...and that's what it takes to outperform the 20-year-old 54120B that I have on the way for about $1K!) BTW, I have a "parts unit" 465 here, it's really beat up. Its yours if you want it, for spares for your working 465. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA