Tektronix · Oscilloscope · c.1991 on
Tektronix built the TDS 540 as a four-channel, 500 MHz digitizing scope, and its user manual was first printed in July 1991. It samples at 1 GS/s on one channel, 500 MS/s on two and 250 MS/s on all four, on a 7-inch monochrome CRT. Tek's 1993 brochure credits a Motorola 68020 and Tek's own TriStar DSP for the waveform math and fast averaging, and a HiRes mode reaches up to 12 bits on single shots. GPIB is standard. Record length is 15,000 points, or 50,000 with Option 1M. It isn't a digital phosphor scope, and it has no floppy drive (the color TDS 544A had one). The TDS 540A, B, C and D are later generations with their own manuals, so check the badge. An original with Option 1M and Option 13's printer ports is the one to look for.
Options and accessories
Check the listing photos and the rear panel against this list, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing option or probe should come off the price.
Early TDS scopes are known for surface-mount electrolytic capacitors leaking corrosive electrolyte onto the boards. Setups and calibration constants sit in memory chips with built-in lithium cells, rated to hold data about five years without power, so old chips can forget.
New to used bench gear? How to check used test equipment covers self-tests, fuses, the voltage selector and shipping, and what “calibrated” means in a listing.
Buying guide
We'd buy ergah's TDS 540 at $525 delivered, the top of the $360–525 band, because it's titled in perfect working condition and its photo shows waveforms on the screen. There are at least 8 for sale, all in the US, and three of these are titled READ, which flags a fault spelled out in the description. On any of them, ask for a photo of the self-test result and a Signal Path Compensation pass, and whether the surface-mount electrolytics have been replaced, since early TDS scopes are known for leaking ones. Skip avioelectronica's, which reaches $1,059 delivered once its $609 shipping is added.
$200.31est. delivered
The lowest delivered TDS 540 not titled with a problem, at $200. The photo shows rack ears, and the title makes no test claim, so ask for a photo of the self-test result.
TEKTRONIX TDS 540 FOUR CHANNEL DIGITIZING OSCILLOSCOPE 500 MHZ (JHY55)
$525.00est. delivered
Titled in perfect working condition, and the photo shows waveforms on screen. Ask for the Signal Path Compensation result and whether Option 1M or Option 13 is fitted.
Tektronix oscilloscope TDS540 500MHz 1GS/s in perfect working condition.
$234.99est. delivered
Titled for parts with a READ note, at $235 delivered, well under a working one. Read the description for the fault, and buy it only if you can repair a TDS or want a donor.
Tektronix TDS540 4-Channel 500MHz 1GS/s Oscilloscope *Parts *READ
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$200.31est. delivered
$112.50 + $87.81 shipping
Buy It Now$112.50
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Rack ears in the photo. Plain title, no test claim.
Seller: solanotraders
99.9% positive
Used$525.00est. delivered
$485.00 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$485.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Titled perfect working condition. Photo shows waveforms.
Seller: ergah
100% positive
For parts$234.99est. delivered
$199.99 + $35.00 shipping
Buy It Now$199.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Project piece
Titled for parts, READ. A repair project.
Seller: ersinc03
99.8% positive
Used$354.71est. delivered
$295.00 + $59.71 shipping
Buy It Now$295.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Our take
Titled READ!, so the description flags a problem.
Seller: f4techno
100% positive
Used$379.97est. delivered
$250.00 + $129.97 shipping
Buy It Now$250.00
Our take
Titled READ!!, so the description flags a problem. $130 shipping.
Seller: fastscrap
100% positive
Used$471.99est. delivered
$399.99 + $72.00 shipping
Buy It Now$399.99
Our take
Plain title. Photo shows rack ears and a lit screen.
Seller: buyhitek
99.4% positive
Used$487.55est. delivered
$399.00 + $88.55 shipping
Buy It Now$399.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Our take
Plain title, no test claim.
Seller: phine_finds
100% positive
Used$1,058.58est. delivered
$450.00 + $608.58 shipping
Buy It Now$450.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
$609 shipping takes it to about 2.2 times the median.
Seller: avioelectronica
100% positive
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