7603
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.
Variants include the a rack-mount version (R7603), and the AN/USM 281C, 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, 7A24, 7A26; 110 MHz with 7A19, 70 MHz with 7A18 |
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| Fastest calibrated sweep | 5 ns/Div |
| CRT |
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| Vertical modes | Left / Alt / Add / Chop / Right |
| Trigger Source | Left / Vert Mode / Right |
| Inputs | Z Axis |
| Outputs | Camera power, Vert signal, +Gate, +Sawtooth |
| Power | 100 / 110 / 120 / 200 / 220 / 240 V, +/- 10%, 50—440 Hz, 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 were assigned twice. Later models were equipped with an IEC320 mains socket, making all Ax (power cable style) 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
Links
- Detailed repair report @ amplifier.cd (German) / (translated)
- Tek 7603 @ barrytech.com (waybackarchive)
- Catalog page with specs
- Repair Report #2
- Repair Report #3
- Repair Report #4 - 7603 with 7D20
- EB5AGV's Tektronix R7603 / 7D20 page
- Picture of a completely disassembled 7603
- Håkan's 7603 PSU re-cap
- Zenwizard Studios - Tektronix 7603 Lab Check in and Calibration
Documents Referencing 7603
| Document | Class | Title | Authors | Year | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7000 series brochure March 1973.pdf | Brochure | 7000 series brochure, March 1973 | 1973 | 7A11 • 7A12 • 7A13 • 7A14 • 7A15A • 7A16A • 7A17 • 7A18 • 7A19 • 7A21N • 7A22 • 7B50 • 7B53A • 7B70 • 7B71 • 7B92 • 7CT1N • 7D11 • 7D13 • 7D14 • 7D15 • 7M11 • 7L12 • 7S11 • 7S12 • 7T11 • 7704A • R7704 • 7904 • R7903 • 7603 • R7603 • 7403N • R7403N • 7313 • R7313 • 7613 • R7613 • 7623 • R7623 • P7001 | |
| Tekscope 1977 V9 N1.pdf | Article | Counter and Oscilloscope Combination Makes Difficult Measurements | Emory Harry | 1977 | DC505A • 7B53A • 7A18 • 7603 |
Internals
The 7603 was made in various versions for many years, with revisions to some subassemblies like the vertical output amplifier and HV circuits. A fan is optional.
The vertical output amplifier is built around a 155-0080-00 hybrid (U450). CRT deflection plates are not distributed.
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
Reduce ringing in vertical amplifier
Official Modification 36005 added a ground strap to the vertical amplifier to prevent >1 GHz oscillations.
Plugin backlight power
Like the other 76xx models, the 7603 has a linear supply which does not provide +5 V for lights (A9). There was an official Tek modification 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 (+5 V) to P90-4 (+5 V).
Two wires and you're done.
Have experienced no problems with the extra current demand from the +5V regulated supply.
Alternative addition of a simple buck regulator module is depicted in the modifications gallery below.
Prices
| Year | 1973 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1990 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainframe only | Catalog price | $1,600 | $1,800 | $2,260 | $2,865 | $4,235 |
| In 2023 Dollars | $11,100 | $9,700 | $8,400 | $8,500 | $9,900 | |
| Mainframe with 2 × 7A18 + 7B53 | Catalog price | $3,520 | $3,955 | $5,225 | $6,880 | $10,315 |
| In 2023 Dollars | $24,300 | $21,300 | $19,500 | $20,300 | $24,200 |
Pictures
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Tektronix 7603, front view with display
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Tektronix 7603, front view
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7603 Option 8 (blue P11 phosphor)
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7603 demonstrating use of front panel calibrator
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R7603
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Late model 7603 with microprocessor-based readout
Internal
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7603, left side - center left: vertical amplifier
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7603, right side - left: calibrator, center left: readout, center right: cover of HV board
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7603, top view - top: Z axis board, bottom: horizontal amplifier board
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HV board (below SN B330000)
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HV board (later version, DC restorer circuits on daughter boards, neons)
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Interior view of rear panel showing part of LV regulator board (version without fan)
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Rear view with LV regulator board flipped out (version without fan)
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Low voltage regulator board
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Low voltage regulator board fixed for maintenance
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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.
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Logic board (normally situated on back of main interconnect facing the PSU)
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Trig Select and Vertical Interface boards
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Backplane interconnect without Vertical Interface and Trigger Selector piggyback boards
Modifications
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Pushbutton illumination supply using a small step-down regulator module
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Components
Some Parts Used in the 7603