Useful Engineering Links
Welcome To Sphere Research's Canadian Test Equipment & Parts Site!
Oh, Canada.... This Section Updated November 7, 2009
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3394 Sunnyside Rd.
West Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Z 2V4
Phone: +1 (250) 769-1834
FAX:+1 (250) 769-4106

A great source for test equipment, repairs, calibrations, useful metrology information, and of course, SLIDE RULES!

Just SCROLL DOWN to see everything!
CLICK to see Parts By the FootCLICKCLICK to SEE!
 Parts by the Foot!
Now OPEN, our PRODUCTION PARTS WAREHOUSE
Literally millions of parts available at great prices!
CLICK to visit the parts warehouse! CLICKCLICK HERE
CLICKTo Visit The Parts Section
   I'm in a HURRY! Show me all the: CLICKOscilloscopes CLICKMeters CLICKPower Supplies CLICKCounters
Crude Oil, shown in US$:

CLICK for current US/Canadian Gas Prices
CLICK for current US/Canadian Gas Prices

Want to know the rated gas mileage for YOUR CAR? Go to this site (www.fueleconomy.gov) for updated figures, all the way back to 1985! Uses the new rating system, so it's actually semi-realistic.
CLICK HERE for the un-skewed alternate data for M3, Inflation, etc. at ShadowStats.com. Scare Yourself.
Calculatoredge
A wide range of on-line calculator tools for every engineering discipline.
CLICK to visit!
CLICK to visit!
Visit e-Calc, for both on line and downloadable calculators, including unit converters and full scientific versions. Even the dreaded RPN entry is supported for you hp buffs. Very neat!
The Slide Rule Universe
CLICK to go back to THE SLIDE RULE UNIVERSE Home Page
Go to the Slide Rule UniverseClick to VISIT or RETURN



Hex Color Chart, CLICK for bigger PIC!
Websafe Hex Color Chart,
CLICK for bigger PIC!


Ohms Law Chart, CLICK for bigger PIC!
Ohms Law Chart
CLICK for bigger PIC!


Warning Symbol, click for a larger one!
Warning Symbol, click for a larger one!


Places to go in the Aviation World:
CLICK to visit the AEA
CLICK to visit!
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)


AEA/Avionics News Articles
Walt's Finding It On The Web:
Jan/08: Test Bench Resources
Feb/08: Semiconductor Parts Info
Mar/08: Test Gear Support
Apr/08: Small Business Support

Walt's Feature Articles:
Jan/08-The World of RNP
Feb/08-The World of Night Vision, Part 1
Mar/08-The World of Night Vision, Part 2
Apr/08-Greening Your Business

Walt's Archived Articles at Avionics Magazine:
Click to see!
Click to see!



CLICK to visit the FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA-USA)

Need a copy of AC43-13-1B? CLICK HERE!
See all downloadable AC's HERE.

CLICK to visit the ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)


CLICK to visit the RTCA
Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA)

Available Standards Documents

CLICK to visit Transport Canada
Transport Canada (AIR)




Just Plain Useful Information
Visit James Howard Kunstler's Site HERE.
(author of The Long Emergency, The Geography of Nowhere)

Visit The New York Times Freakonomics Blog
CLICK to Visit.

(The Hidden Side of Everything)


Military Information
CLICK to visit DSCC
Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC)

Mil standards and specs


CLICK to visit DoD Assistdocs
Assistdocs.com - US Dept. of Defense

DoD Document Search



























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Test Equipment Navigation
return home
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TEKTRONIX
Used Tektronix
Equipment

Go to the Tek EquipmentEquipment
Go to the Tek Cross-reference DataCross-Ref Data
Go to the Tek CRT DataCRTs & Data
Go to the Tek PartsParts
Hewlett-Packard
Used HP
Equipment

Go to the HP EquipmentEquipment
Go to the HP Cross-reference DataCross-Ref Data
Go to the HP CRT DataCRTs & Data
Go to the HP PartsParts
FLUKE
Philips
Used Fluke + Philips
Equipment

Go to the Fluke EquipmentEquipment
Go to the Fluke PartsParts
Go to the Fluke/Philips CRT DataCRTs & Data
GENRAD
Used General Radio
(Genrad) Equipment
Go to Microwave Power MetersPower Meters
Go to Microwave Power MetersScalar Analyzers
Go to RF SemiconductorsRF Semiconductors
CLICK to see Generators!
Go to GeneratorsRF/Function
Generators
CLICK to see Power Supply Parts
Power Supply Parts
NEW STUFF, CLICK to see!NEW STUFF, CLICK to see!NEW STUFF, CLICK to see!
Go to the NEW STUFF!Lots of NEW Arrivals!
Go to the HOT Deals!Go to the HOT Deals!Go to the HOT Deals!
Go to the NEW STUFF!Assorted HOT Deals!
Capacitors, CLICK to SEE!
Go to CapacitorsCapacitors

CLICK to see Inductive parts!
Go to InductorsInductive Parts
Power Resistors, CLICK to See!
Go to Power ResistorsPower Resistors

Connectors, CLICK to see!
Go to ConnectorsConnectors
FANS, CLICK to see!
Go to FansFans
CLICK to see the Test CablesLeads
& Cables



Go to ToolsProduction Tools
Go to Service ManualsService Manuals
Go to ToolsData Books
*Optics*
Optical Equipment

CLICK to see the Meggers
Go to MeggersMeggers
CLICK to go to the Power Supplies
Go to Power SuppliesPower Supplies
CLICK to go to the RF/Microwave Parts
Go to the RF/Microwave PartsRF/Microwave Parts
TUBETUBETUBETUBETUBETUBE
Go to Vacuum TubesVacuum Tubes
Meters, CLICK to see!Meters
CLICK to go to the Nixie Tubes
Go to the Nixie TubesNixie Tubes

Go to the NumitronsNumitrons/VFD/LCD
CLICK to go to the CRT's

Go to the Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's)Standard CRT's

Go to the Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's)Euro CRT's
Go to the Tek Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's)Tektronix CRT's
Go to the -hp- Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's)- hp - CRT's
Visit classic old gear from Long Ago!
Visit the SemiconductorsVisit Standards
Go to LoadsVisit the Telecom Section
SLIDE RULESGo to the Slide RulesSlide Rules !
return home
Go to the Sphere FAQ Go to Sphere's FAQ Page
Useful Engineering Links


Semiconductor Data Sheet Archives
CLICKDatasheet4U Archive (by number) http://www.datasheet4u.com/
CLICKDataSheet Archive (by number) http://www.datasheetarchive.com/
CLICKDataSheet Catalog (by maker) http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/
CLICKData Sheets (by number) http://www.datasheet.org.uk/
CLICKAllDataSheet (by number) http://www.alldatasheet.co.kr/
CLICKAllDataSheet (by number) http://www.alldatasheet.com/

Semiconductor Manufacturer Logos & IDs
CLICKSemiconductor Manufacturer Logos (by image)
http://freespace.virgin.net/matt.waite/resource/logos/index.htm

CLICKSemiconductor Manufacturer Logos (by image)
http://www.dialelec.com/semiconductorlogos.html

CLICKSemiconductor Manufacturer Logos (by image and name)
http://www.elnec.sk/support/ic-logos/

CLICKIdentifying Semiconductor SMD Parts By Type
(by code markings, very useful for ID'ing unknown SMD parts!)
http://www.tkb-4u.com/codes-and-markings/smd-codes-markings/database



Semiconductor Manufacturers
CLICKAnalog Devices http://www.analog.com/en/index.html
CLICKAllegro http://www.allegromicro.com/
CLICKASI -hp- 5082 Diodes http://www.advancedsemiconductor.com/diodes/5082/5082.shtml
CLICKFairchild Semiconductor http://www.fairchildsemi.com/
CLICKInternational Rectifier (IR) http://www.irf.com/indexsw.html
CLICKLinear Technology http://www.linear.com/index.jsp
CLICKMaxim/Dallas http://www.maxim-ic.com/
CLICKMicrochip Technology http://www.microchip.com/
CLICKMSK http://www.mskennedy.com/store.asp?pid=7943&catid=19680
CLICKNational Semiconductor http://www.national.com/
CLICKON Semiconductor http://www.onsemi.com/PowerSolutions/home.do
CLICKPhilips/NXP http://www.nxp.com/index.html
CLICKTexas Instruments http://www.ti.com/
CLICKVishay http://www.vishay.com/

Display Data
CLICKLCD Datasheets http://www.woe.onlinehome.de/e_lcddata.htm

Software Patches amd Updates
CLICKThe Software Patch (windows and apps) http://www.softwarepatch.com/
CLICKMicrosoft Windows (windows and apps) http://www.microsoft.com/windows/default.mspx

Shareware/Freeware Software
CLICKTUCOWS (windows and apps) http://www.tucows.com/
CLICKNONAGS (FREEWARE windows and apps) http://www.nonags.com/
CLICKLINUX Links (os and apps) http://www.linuxlinks.com/

Obscure Materials + Parts
CLICKMu Metal (Magnetic Shielding) http://www.mumetals.com/index.html
CLICKLighted Knobs (EHC Knobs) http://www.ehcknobs.com/
CLICKMagnetic Shields (Magnetic Shields Ltd.) http://www.magneticshields.co.uk/

Test Equipment Manual Sites
CLICKAgilent Manuals (type and model number) http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/facet.jspx?lc=eng&cc=US&t=80039.k.1
CLICKTektronix Manuals at BAMA (model number) http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/
CLICKHP Manuals at BAMA (model number) http://bama.sbc.edu/hp.htm
CLICKKeithley Manuals (searchable) http://www.keithley.com/support/support
CLICKGeneral Manuals at BAMA (maker, model number) http://bama.sbc.edu/
CLICKHP Journals (on-line editions) http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/past.htm

Tektronix Frame/Plug-in Reference Sites:
CLICKTM500 Modules http://www.caip.rutgers.edu/~kahrs/testeq/tm500.html
CLICKTM500/TM5000 Modules http://www.barrytech.com/tektronix/tektm500/tektm500.html
CLICK7000 Frames & Modules http://www.caip.rutgers.edu/~kahrs/testeq/7000.html

Test Equipment Manufactuer's Transitions

A few years ago in 1999, Hewlett Packard split into: Hewlett Packard http://www.hp.com/ (computers and peripherals) and Agilent www.agilent.com/ (Test Equipment and analytical equipment) Which then in turn then divested the RF semiconductor portion in 2005 to: Avago http://www.avagotech.com/ Danaher Corporation http://www.danaher.com/ Bought Tektronix www.tek.com/ (Test Equipment Manufacturer) in 2007 And had previously bought Fluke www.fluke.com/ (Test Equipment Manufacturer), which itself had previously acquired Wavetek (Test Equipment Manufacturer) which had merged with Datron (Test Equipment Manufacturer). For added confusion, The RF portion of Wavetek became Willtek Communications, which you can find here: http://www.willtek.com/english/ Prior to this, PMI/Pacific Measurements (Microwave Test Equipment) had been acquired by Wavetek, but those assets eventually wound up as part of Gigatronics (Microwave Test Equipment), who mercifully are still around here: http://www.gigatronics.com/ Long time avionics icon IFR (Avionics Test Equipment) and test equipment maker Marconi (RF Test Equipment) both became part of Aeroflex (Electronic Systems and Test Equipment) http://www.aeroflex.com/
Can't get what you need from the manufacturer, or is the manufacturer gone? Try these on line List Groups for help:
Here are some of the most popular groups:
Tektronix:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/TekScopes/
HP/Agilent:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/hp_agilent_equipment/
Agilent:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/agilent/
AILtech/Eaton/AIL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AILtech/
Manual Exchange:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Manual_Exchange/
And, an interesting group that may prove useful to Avionics News readers:
Mode S:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mode_S/
Technical Resource Sites
CLICKSMD Soldering http://www.tkb-4u.com/index.php
CLICKCircuit Library http://www.electronics-circuits.com/cirdir/
CLICKRadioShack Catalogs From 1939 On http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalog_directory.html
CLICKZ3801A/Z3816A GPS (resources) http://www.realhamradio.com/GPS_Frequency_Standard.htm
CLICK555 Timer (tutorials) http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/555/555.html
CLICKOp Amps (tutorials) http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/741/741.html
CLICKOp Amp Calculator http://www.pic101.com/opamp_calc.htm
CLICKLCD Panel Specs (maker/type) http://eio.com/datashet.htm
CLICKFree Programming Tools (Assembler/Basic/C++, etc.) http://www.freebyte.com/programming/
CLICKConnector/Cable Reference http://www.connectworld.net/connectors.html
CLICKIntro to Graphic LCDs (maker/type) http://www.geocities.com/dinceraydin/lcd/gfxintro.htm
CLICKDSCC Mil standards and documents (specs and docs) http://www.dscc.dla.mil/Programs/MilSpec/
CLICKFree Patents Online (Patent Search) http://www.freepatentsonline.com/
CLICKUS Copyright Office (Copyright Info) http://www.copyright.gov/
CLICKUS Patent and Trademark Office (Patent and Trademark Search) http://www.uspto.gov/
CLICKUS Harmonized Tariff Schedule (categories and numbers) http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm

Useful Suppliers
CLICKDigi-Key (CANADA) http://dkc1.digikey.com/ca/digihome.html
CLICKDigi-Key (USA) http://www.digikey.com/
CLICKElectronic Hardware Corp. http://www.ehcknobs.com/
CLICKEPCOS http://www.epcos.com/
CLICKFastener Express http://www.fastener-express.com/
CLICKLEDtronics http://www.ledtronics.com/
CLICKMagnetic Circuit Elements http://www.mcemagnetics.com/
CLICKRAF Electronic Hardware http://www.rafhdwe.com/
CLICKRose/Bopla Enclosures http://www.rose-bopla.com/
CLICKTamura http://www.tamuracorp.com/

Semiconductor Company Name Changes
Having trouble figuring out who is who these days? No surprise, there have been so many buy-outs, divestitures and mergers, it's hard to know who's who in the semiconductor zoo these days. Her's a list of some commonly sought after makers.

Was Is Now
RCA and GEFirst Harris, then Intersil, except for the CMOS, which went to TI
Motorola On Semiconductor
Burr Brown Texas Instruments (TI)
Unitrode Texas Instruments (TI)
HP First Agilent, now Avago
General Instrument
became
General Semiconductor
Vishay
Siliconix Vishay
Telefunken Vishay
Dallas Semiconductor Maxim
Philips Semiconductor NXP
Semiconductor makers that now appear to be totally gone from production: Philco, Delco, CBS, Sylvania, Westinghouse, Clevite, Bendix, Transitron, Tung-Sol, Hoffman Semiconductor. Please Correct me if I am wrong!

Electronics Magazines On-Line
CLICKEDN http://www.edn.com/
CLICKElectronic Design http://www.elecdesign.com/
CLICKElectronic Engineering Times (Asia) http://www.eetasia.com/
CLICKElectronic Products http://www.electronicproducts.com/
CLICKElektor http://www.elektor-electronics.co.uk/
CLICKEveryday Practical Electronics (EPE) http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/
CLICKMicrowaves & RF http://www.mwrf.com/
CLICKMicrowave Journal http://www.mwjournal.com/
CLICKNuts and Volts http://www.nutsvolts.com/
CLICKRF Design http://www.rfdesign.com/

Resistor Color Codes
color code chart


Resistor Color Codes
More useful color code and component data is located HERE and capacitor codes are HERE.

Great classic component color code chart from New Zealand!
CLICK for bigger PIC!
CLICK for bigger PIC!
Places to go that are a bit beyond your normal daily stroll:

CLICK for a wonderful tour of our planetary system!
CLICK for a wonderful tour
of our planetary system!



CLICK for data on our planetary system!
CLICK for data
on our planetry system!





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