Hi Just a quick video to share an announcement here which showed up on my Twitter timeline. So thanks to the viewer that uh appointed me to this, it's just released. Um, the TMA announces retirement of times one times ten switchable oscilloscope probes and I who's the TMA I Never never actually heard of the TMA but uh, if we go over and check them out TM Alliance Uh dot Org The Test and Measurement: Alliance They're called uh, they're in California and they're an alignment. An Alliance of Test and measurement companies.

Um, comments down below please if you've heard of them because I didn't know such an alliance actually existed. The Alliance of leading Electronics Test and measurement Companies think standardization we do into marketing. Who makes up this crap I don't know. um.

test probing. So it looks like they do like Um standards or something for testing. It's a bunch of test and measurement companies that have got together formed an alliance and they set like standards together where necessary and appropriate. in Um Fields Like test probing, environmental I Assume that's like uh, you know, a piece of being product uh Environmental Testing operatability.

Um, so that's interesting uh and connector standards okay, and protocol standards as well. and yeah, compliance standards as well. And check it out. There's actually a lot of Partners Keysight tektronics Rhoden Schwartz Uh Lacroix Teledyne Lacroix Siglet Fluke National Instruments mixing GW Instead Rigol Picoscope it's a who's who hand Tech Bryman BK Precision Pro Master Fleur Pomona uh Pmk they make probe which will get into they're one of the big Euro German Europe I Believe a German maker of Um scope probes uh Test deck 01 Um and there's probably others.

but anyway, they've got this announcement. Uh, the TMA announces retirement of times one times ten switchable oscilloscope probes. The TMA and International Alliance of test and measurement companies today announces a significant industry-wide decision to retire retire. I Think they mean ban? Uh, that's the only way I can take this times 1 times 10 switchable oscilloscope probes in all new Alliance member oscilloscope products.

So that presumably all of those companies mentioned and it's effective from the start of Q3 2023 This decision is backed by industry-leading oscilloscope companies as part of the blah blah they include Keysight, Techtronics. Yeah, so all the biggies, right? All the big oscilloscope manufacturers. This proactive measure. Here comes the wank.

Words is proactive Measure comes as a response to Growing concerns about limitations and potential risks associated with switchable probes. The TMA has identified several key reasons for the discontinuation of these probes. so it looks like all these manufacturers going to discontinue ship in times. 1 times 10 switchable probes with all new Scopes As of Q three Um, Ironically, I was just complaining about this probably a couple last month.

I Think on uh Twitter I goofed up like you know everyone's done it right. You've had the probe switched to the times one or times ten when your oscilloscope was set to because there's no way for the probes to auto detect because everyone's used to this. Of course, there's just no way to detect which switch position you have it in. Um, even if your probes got that automated.

Uh, you know, a probe detection. It can't detect a physical switch like this. It can identify times ten, but it can't identify like probes like this. So yeah.

Anyway, they've got a whole bunch of reasons here. Let's go through them: Lack of Auto detection? Yeah. Switchable Pros Can I order a detector which can lead to incorrect readings. These inaccuracies can cause customer station over a fear.

Well, you know. fair Enough increased complexity. The switchable design adds unnecessary complexity to the oscilloscope setup, including the likelihood of user error and time considering troubleshooting. True, uh, reduce reliability.

The times one times 10 switch has been found to be a common Point Yeah I've I've had probes fail so causing frustrating equipment, downtime, and maintenance costs. Fair enough manufacturing. Uh. Bomb cost minimization of course Penny Pinch in? come on Mark it in a penny pinch in Um, the accountant count Department of penny pinching by eliminating the need for switchable Pros Manufacturers can reduce the number of components in the bond costs, thereby lowering production costs, ultimately providing more cost-effective solution to customers and enhanced durability.

Fixed times: 1 times 10 Probes less prone to wear and tear due to the absence of switch mechanisms Yes result in a longer lifespan and a reduced need for Replacements improves signal Integrity of the fixed nature at times 1 times 10 Pros can lead to better single integrity and more accurate measurements by minimizing risk of attenuation Distortion caused by support switch contacts or impedance mismatches. True their streamlined product offerings by focus on Times One times Ten Pros Manufacturers can concentrate their resources on improving these core products, resulting in high quality and more specialized offerings. Simplify user training. The use of fixed times 1 times 10 Pros can make it easier for technicians and Engineers to learn a master the proper use of oscilloscopes, reducing the need for extensive training minimization for potential errors grown.

Enhanced compatibility standardized in on Fixed Times 110's timestamp Pros can help ensure greater compatibility across different oscilloscope models. Brands making it easy for users to Interchange probes and Equipment as needed. And of course, there's an environment thing, isn't there? Impact reduction by eliminating need for additional switch components, the production of fixed times 1 times 10 Pros can contribute to a reduction in electronic waste, aligning with global sustainability goals of course and promoting responsible manufacturing practices. As a result of these concerns, all TMA partners and their subsidiaries will only Supply fixed times one at times 10 probes With future oscilloscopes from Q3 2023 going forward by streamlining the oscilloscope setup, eliminating their names to measurement Yeah, blah blah blah the TMA remains committed to yeah Wayne wank.

So there you have it. Um, looks like these major manufacturers are going to effectively ban discontinue supplying switchable probes. You won't get switchable probes with your products anymore. Presumably, you'd still be able to get them from suppliers who aren't part of this.

Alliance But ah, there you go. Um, that's I I don't know I know what to think? Um, some of those reasons are you know they're actually legit reasons? but I don't know? Leave it in the comments down below. Do you think they should ban? Are they switchable probes? Looks like well stock up? So I don't know. I'm kind of scratching my head about this one.

Um, leave it in the comments down below. Do you think it's a good idea to effectively ban? Well, they're not Banning them. They're just not going to supply them anymore. Um, the more the major manufacturers are not going to simply give you your time switchable probes anymore.

So there you go. What a bummer. Half: are you: Are you a switch switchable probe? Fanboy Or do you hate these things? You absolutely hate them with the passion. Yes, damn it.

they should ban these things. and yes, burn them all in hell. Anyway first: I've heard of this test and measurement Alliance but um, yeah, it seems seems pretty big. Um, so yeah, all these Partners there looks like they've all agreed to it.

So there you go. Um I don't know thoughts and comments down below. good or bad that they've been in effectively. Um, switchable probes? Ah, catch you next time foreign.