Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope or scope is an electronic measuring instrument that creates a visible two-dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences. The horizontal axis of the display normally represents time, making the instrument useful for displaying periodic signals. The vertical axis usually shows voltage. The display is caused by a "spot" that periodically "sweeps" the screen from left to right.

Alternatives to the oscilloscope

There is an affordable alternative to an oscilloscope that is useful for many tasks, and perhaps superior for radio repair, and that is to listen to the signals.

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The basic plan is to mix (multiply) an intermediate frequency with the signal, and then amplify and listen to the result through a speaker. In other words, you are using amplitude modulation to shift the signal down into the audio band. (For audio frequency signals no modulation is necessary, of course.)

Related Topics:
Amplitude modulation - Audio frequency

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With modern solid-state circuits, such equipment is cheap and can run from a small battery.

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This diagnostic system was widely used for almost all early radio development, and is still used in Asia, and by impoverished amateur radio operators. In the Soviet Union, the standard radio diagnostic tester combined a multimeter with an oscillator, frequency mixer and audio amplifier that could perform this task.

Related Topics:
Soviet Union - Multimeter - Frequency mixer - Audio amplifier

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