7603

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100 MHz non-storage mainframe Tektronix 7603 Produced from 1973 to 1990 Manuals Tektronix 7603 Manual (PDF, 35 MB) Tektronix 7603 Manual (hires PDF, 60 MB) 7603/R7603 spec sheet (All manuals in PDF format unless noted otherwise)

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix 7603 is a general-purpose 100 MHz non-storage, large screen scope that takes two 7000-series vertical plug-ins and one 7000-series horizontal plug-in. There is also a rack-mount version, the R7603.

The AN/USM 281C is a ruggedized 7603 without readout (was also known as 7603N Option 11S) that includes two AM-6565 (7A15AN11) single-trace amplifiers, a TD-1085 (7B53AN11) dual time base, and a clip-on front panel cover with probes and accessories.

Key Specifications

Bandwidth	100 MHz with 7A11, 7A16, 7A17; 110 MHz with 7A19, 70 MHz with 7A18
Fastest calibrated sweep	5 ns/Div
CRT std.	P31 phosphor, 8 × 10 divisions of 1.22 cm (Tek T7400/154-0640-00 tube); 15 kV acceleration (-3/+12); Option 8: P11 phosphor
CRT Opt. 4	P31 phosphor, 8 × 10 divisions of 1.0 cm (Tek 154-0672-00 tube); 18 kV acceleration
CRT Opt. 6	P31 phosphor, 8 × 10 divisions of 1.22 cm (Tek 154-0673-00 tube, spectrum analyzer graticule)
Vertical modes	Left / Alt / Add / Chop / Right
Trigger Source	Left / Vert Mode / Right
Inputs	Z Axis
Outputs	Camera power, Vert signal, +Gate, +Sawtooth
Line Voltage	100 / 110 / 120 / 200 / 220 / 240 V, +/- 10%, 50—440 Hz
Power	Max. 170 W
Weight	13.6 kg / 30 lb (instrument only)
Operating Environment	0°C – +50°C, < 15,000 ft

Options

Due to the long production time of the 7603 many options were available. As some options became standard (e.g. built-in fan) some numbers where assigned twice. Later models were equipped with an IEC socket, making all Ax options obsolete.

Opt.1: Without readout (= 7603N)
Opt.3: Extra EMI shielding
Opt.4/Opt.13: Maximum-brightness CRT with reduced area (8x10 cm graticule)
Opt.5: Fan
Opt.5 (later models): 400 Hz line frequency
Opt.6: Spectrum analyzer graticule
Opt.7: Without Signals Out
Opt.8: P11 phosphor
Opt.8 (later models): protective front panel cover, 7603 only
Opt.11S: Ruggedized variant AN/USM 281C, specified at 50 MHz
Opt.20: Rear GPIB socket for 7D20, removes +Sawtooth, +Gate, vertical signal outputs, R7603 only
Opt.76: P7 phosphor
Opt.77: P7 phosphor with spectrum analyzer graticule
Opt.78: P11 phosphor

Internals

The 7603 was made in various versions for many years, with revisions to some subassemblies like the vertical output amplifier and HV circuits. It uses a linear power supply, a fan is optional. CRT deflection plates are not distributed. The vertical output amplifier is built around a 155-0080-00 hybrid (U450). Other custom Tek ICs used include 155-0011-00 clock & chop blanking (U55), 155-0022-00 vertical channel switch (U214), 155-0022-00 trigger channel switch (U324),and the 7000 series readout system chips.

Modifications

Official Modification 36005 added a ground strap to the vertical amplifier to prevent >1 GHz oscillations.

There was an official Tek mod to add pushbutton illumination for plugins, which involves adding a regulator, but there is also a quick'n'dirty method from Rolynn Prechtl:

I've done multiple units the cheap and dirty way. No additional regulator, no pulling the LVPS to find a place to add extra components and the best part, no cost.
Look for P90 and P10 on the rear edge of the Main Interface ECB (left side as I remember).
Connect P10-1 (gnd) P90-7 or 8 (gnd).
Connect P10-2 (+5V) to P90-4 (+5V).
Two wires and you're done.
Have experienced no problems with the extra current demand from the +5V regulated supply.

Prices

	Year	1973	1976	1980	1984	1990
Mainframe only	Catalog price	$1,600	$1,800	$2,260	$2,865	$4,235
Mainframe only	2015 value	$8,500	$7,470	$6,480	$6,510	$7,650
Mainframe with 2 × 7A18 + 7B53	Catalog price	$3,520	$3,955	$5,225	$6,880	$10,315
Mainframe with 2 × 7A18 + 7B53	2015 value	$18,720	$16,410	$14,970	$15,640	$18,630

Links

Pictures

Tektronix 7603, front view
R7603
7603, left side - center left: vertical amplifier
7603, right side - left: calibrator, center left: readout, center right: cover of HV board
7603, top view - top: Z axis board, bottom: horizontal amplifier board
Interior view of rear panel showing part of LV regulator board (version without fan)
Rear view with LV regulator board flipped out (version without fan)
Low voltage regulator board
Bottom view of backplane. Backplane interconnect board is seen in center, vertical interface and trigger selector piggyback boards on left/top left, logic board on right.
Logic board (normally situated on back of main interconnect facing the PSU)
Trig Select and Vertical Interface boards
Backplane interconnect without Vertical Interface and Trigger Selector piggyback boards
7603 Option 8 (blue P11 phosphor)