first oscilloscope advice.

[AlanBeckett]

Though they tend to be seen as a 'must-have' item, scopes have little application in radio restoration, more so for TVs, and even more for digital applications which you seem to be involved in. I suspect that many, once bought, stay on the shelf.

I'm sorry David, but I can't agree with that. It is true that a 'scope, and indeed a Signal Generator(s) are not necesary to repair a Vintage Radio. However, that's simply because once upon a time it worked, and put simply, all you have to do is get back to the state it was in when it came off the production line. Having a 'scope and a signal generator allows you to look at the actual signals and appreciate what's going on. It's all very well saying 'it's am', but do you really understand what it means? By the way I don't mean you, just a general you. A picture on the 'scope is worth a thousand words, and I would suggest that it's even more true with TV. I read lots of Posts saying things like 'The Field sync is dodgy, what do I do?' and I want to say 'Well what does the signal coming off the Integrator look like?'
I know, I've spent two thirds of my life looking at 'scope traces, on some of the best units on the planet. Having said that, just as in the Mechanical World where I wouldn't be without a Drill and a Lathe, in the Electronic World I wouldn't be without a Meter, a Sig. Gen. and a 'scope.
Alan