Yea, it's like 4:00 AM and I'm not sleeping. Head hurts.
Pickle recipe: I'll work on it. This was the best I've ever made. I made some changes to how to do the recipe. Same proportions, just done differently.
Parts yes, obsolete parts are a problem. I ordered 5 pairs for $25 off of ebay in HK for the transistors. They went obsolete. the one I don't need is available here for about $5.00. That's cheap enough. I hope I don't get counterfeit ones. Might have to sacrifice one and rip the top off and look at the die. Complimentary pairs MJ15011/MJ15012. Other parts are easy.
Cables: These are close: **broken link removed** 12" IS TOO SHORT. The connector on the instrument is a 2-lug Triax which i am going to try to change to a 3 lug version after it's fixed. The 2-lug versions get mistaken for BNC connectors. They are the same size externally. There's a number of ways to go, all messy.
Best:
1. Change 2-lug Triax to three lug Triax or get an adapter. it's not an easy change as it looks.
2. A Triax to 3 alligator clips (green, red, black) is very useful (3-lug preferred, 2 lug is scarce) 3' or 1 meter length preferred.
3. A Triax adapter to BNC but with the right arrangement. center-center, inner shield to BNC shield & Triax inner shield, triax outer chield unconnected.
They all have different advantages and disadvantages. Getting the two lug Triax to 3-lug Triax makes the most sense and then go from there.
First, I have to get the thing fixed. I'm bidding on a 12" three-lug cable and i ordered a couple of three lug Triax female connectors which i hope will fit.
The nice cable is sold by Keithley where they use a graphite impregnated cable so the dialectic doesn't create much friction. The friction generates a current.