485

The Tektronix 485 is a dual-trace, portable analog oscilloscope with a maximum bandwidth of 350 MHz, introduced in March of 1972.

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The impedance of the inputs can be set individually to 50 Ω or 1 MΩ. The scope achieves its maximum bandwidth when the inputs are in 50 Ω mode.

A distinguishing feature – at least in a portable oscilloscope of its period – is the Alternate Horizontal Mode. In this mode, the B timebase is shown in a separate full-width scan, as opposed to the more common Mixed Mode, where the B timebase is shown on the same line as the A timebase, after the delay time.

The 465, which was introduced after the 485, only received this feature in its "B" incarnation (465B).

Variant 485-1 omits the "A EXT Trigger display", as does variant 485-2 which additionally only has 50 Ω inputs.

John Addis was project leader for the vertical section, assisted by Wink Gross. Glenn Bateman, Ron Peltola and Bob Firth designed the low- and high-impedance attenuators. Murlan Kaufman was project leader for the horizontal and logic systems and designed the trigger generator. Bob White designed the trigger amplifier and external trigger view circuits. Keith Taylor did the work on the fast sweeps, the horizontal and the Z-axis amplifiers. Dick Troberg designed the high efficiency power supply system.

Key Specifications

Input Impedance	50 Ω / 1 MΩ // 20 pF
Rise time	1 ns (50 Ω) / 1.4 ns (1 MΩ)
Bandwidth	350 MHz (50 Ω) / 250 MHz (1 MΩ)
Deflection	5 mV/div to 5 V/div in 1−2−5 sequence, 2% accuracy
Time Base	1 ns/div to 0.5 s/div in 1−2−5 sequence
CRT	P31: 154-0652-00 / 154-0652-05 (B091500+); P11 (Opt.78): 154-0652-04 / 154-0652-09 (B091500+); 21 kV acceleration, 8 × 10 divisions (0.8 cm/div)
Calibrator	5 V into 1 MΩ / 0.5 V into 50 Ω / 50 mA using optional loop adapter, 1 kHz or 1 MHz, rise time less than 1 ns, output resistance 450 Ω
Outputs	Positive gates from both time bases (~4 V), positive-going sawtooth from Time Base A (~10 V)
Weight	9.3 kg (21.5 lb)
Power	AC 90–136 or 180–272 V, 48–440 Hz, 60 W @ 115V

Links

• Tek 485 @ amplifier.cd
• 485 troubleshooting by devttys0 @ YouTube
• 485 Restoration and Repair / 485 Power Supply and Tube Alignment / 485 Horizontal Alignment / 485 Vertical and Trigger alignment by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube

Documents Referencing 485

Document	Class	Title	Authors	Year	Links
Tekscope 1972 V4 N2 Mar 1972.pdf	Article	A Nanosecond Portable Oscilloscope	Gene Andrews	1972	485

Patents that may apply to 485

Page	Title	Inventors	Filing date	Grant date	Links
Patent US 3906344A	Oscilloscope having selectable input impedances	John Addis • Ron Peltola	1974-04-04	1975-09-16	485

Prices

Year	1972	1973	1976	1980	1982	1986
Catalog Price	$4,200	$4,200	$4,550	$6,035	$6,975	$9,100
In 2023 Dollars	$30,900	$29,100	$24,600	$22,500	$22,200	$25,600

Internals

The 485 includes a switching power supply and uses custom integrated circuits for most of the gain blocks. Triggering uses tunnel diodes.

Pictures

External

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  Time base A, External trigger display switch

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Internals

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  Top, Horizontal Amp board

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  Underside, Power supply, A-Trig board

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  LHS, Vertical Amp board

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  RHS, Sweep/Inverter board

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  A-Trigger board

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  Vertical attenuator Assy

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  Vertical attenuator Assy, 50Ω Board

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  Vertical attenuator Assy, Hi-Z Board

Components