Dual lead scope probe adapter -- does this look like a pricing error?

[Mr.CRC]

Hi:

After many years of not knowing enough to buy these, I am now stocking
up. And scope probe to BNC adapters have been a big revelation too.

So this is the N2890A Passive Probe that came with an Agilent scope I
bought a while back:

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-34025.970775.00&cc=US&lc=eng

If you look at parts, (can't seem to post a working URL) it shows the
dual lead adapter as $6.09 and the PCB socket adapter as $24.38

Well, the dual lead adpter is *made from* the socket by having someone
solder wires on and heatshrink it!

So the socket if anything should be cheaper! I think it's an error.

I am trying to buy up all the adapters, but their stupid web store won't
let me enter my billing address, which it already has, but says it doesn't.

So now I am looking for alternate suppliers of 5mm scope probe tip

BNC adapters
dual lead adapters
PCB sockets

I have found a few sources, but the bare PCB sockets seem to be the
hardest to find.

It seems there are subtle differences in the probe tip diameter and
taper than can make using 3rd party probe tip accessories problematic.

Beware if you use adapters whether or not the inner contacts are getting
pried apart by an over sized probe tip, or even making reliable
penetration depth.

Note that even adapters supplied by the probe maker (like Agilent) might
damage their own adapter, because the probe tip might be larger than
some other model that the adapter was actually designed for, but they
cross referenced it to the new probe without checking little details.

 

[Mr.CRC]

* WHERE?? Not on that page; even options & accessories.

If you see the N2890A probe page, there is a link on the right under the
section "Support Center > Parts"

 

[garyr]

This site http://www.frontiernet.net/~jadale/Loop.htm states that: "A
properly designed Loop primarily responds to the magnetic component of the
radio wave. Note that noise resides primarily in the electrical
component..."

Whereas this site shows that that is not the case:
http://vk1od.net/antenna/shieldedloop.

So what is the purpose or function of the shield?

Consider three receivers:

1) Shielded loop antenna, receiver with differential input (center-tapped
transformer or instrumentation amp). The two ends of the inner conductor
of the antenna connected to the differential inputs and the shield
connected to ground.

2) Same as above but without the shield.

3) Unshielded loop antenna, receiver with single-ended input.
One end of the loop connected to the receiver input and the other to
ground.

Assuming equal gains and environment would there be any difference in the
noise level at the outputs?