passive oscilloscope probe

Many users of oscilloscopes fail to get the best from their instrument simply through not using a proper input probe. It is not an uncommon sight to see `scopes being used with ordinary unscreened test leads, or with large lengths of screened cable hung on the input terminals. The unscreened leads may, of course, pick up all kinds of interference signals, whereas a long screened lead greatly increases the effective input capacitance of the oscilloscope -thus attenuating high-frequency signals from high source impedances. The latter problem can be overcome by using a passive oscilloscope probe. The 10: 1 probe described here can be constructed from standard parts.