I find it difficult to comprehend the events of the last month since returning from Australia. The temptation to write exclusively about Covid-19 and the effects on our industry was hard to resist. I have therefor directed my focus on positive issues, and continue to tell you what I learned during my trip.

The stopover in Hobart, Tasmania was brief. Before docking in Melbourne, I was able to climb Mount Wellington, which is over 1,000 metres tall. The temperature was near zero and visibility the length of your arm. It reminded me of Snowdon summit. The Captain then announced that the remaining cruise, scheduled to conclude in Singapore would be suspended and would prematurely end at Perth due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Majestic Princess is the sister ship to the one in lockdown at Yokahama, Japan. The third cruise liner was later in quarantined in San Francisco bay.

Two internal flights took me to Dubbo for the next to-day training session, the Australian Aftermarket Service Dealer Network (AASDN) group once again providing delegates from north-east Australia. I have the greatest respect for this network. Its membership includes the very best independent technicians all working together in a mutually respectful environment, something we in the UK need to reflect upon. They travel thousands of miles to attend training seminars, sharing an inter-group communication network to be proud of.

Genuine passion
Remarkably, they do not have access to manufacturer tools and repair data, and are currently fighting the federal government for the Right to Repair Bill. Does any of this sound familiar? Therefore, as it stands collaboration with dealerships for programming and component replacement is absolutely essential.

During my week-long stay, I had the opportunity to spend a day training a young technician at Pat Crowley Automotive. It is refreshing to meet young apprentices with a genuine passion for their career development. The final week of my tour bounced me back all the way to Perth.

I was introduced to entirely new AASDN group members as well as Capricorn. You may recall my comments regarding membership group benefits. Capricorn is the company based in Perth that provides the corporate veneer to group membership; everything from operation financing, legal services, health and welfare and managerial software. They also provide parts finance factoring, as opposed to parts supply. The individual members order parts from a variety of suppliers then settle a single invoice from Capricorn at the month end.

Their services also extend to unique access to corporate insurance, banking, legal services including, employment contract, leasing agreements and property law.

Insights
So, what have I gained from my second visit down under? Number one has to be a renewed friendship, one I value very much, an insight into how individual small businesses can co-exist in harmony within a competitive environment, and one which lacks a great deal of what we take for granted in the UK.

Despite having no emissions regulations whatsoever, the workshops I visited have an advanced understanding not only into the operational functions of Euro 5 and Euro 6 but in my opinion, a more advanced approach to service and repair options. Yes, I do mean that. There is no requirement for any vehicle to be subject to an emissions test.  Amazing isn’t it?

Despite this, and the fact that there are almost no Euro 6 vehicles in Australia, the diesel emission course was one of the most popular. Companies like Rincap Automotive not only import specialist ultrasonic baths from Spain but also high-quality OE DPFs from Wales. Not New South Wales, but the one separated by Offa’s Dyke.

Cat and Pipes provide OE replacement DPFs across the globe. Rincap owner Bryce also has fully grasped the initiative of recovering DPFs and EGR coolers in factory-controlled conditions. (See Fig.1 and Fig.2). That statement is intended to focus on current popular on car treatments in the UK which simply contribute pollution into the atmosphere or drainage systems .

Dig down
In Sydney, where land is more expensive than a divorce settlement, they build up or dig down, creating multi-storey workshops. To give an example, the main Audi dealership in Sydney is housed in a high street multi-storey complex.

So, this brings me to a confidence I have been carrying for some time, the Pico 4425A! This is a development from the current range of scopes but now including active probe inputs (See Fig.3 and Fig.4)

What are the advantages? Simply connect the input device to a channel and it will auto recognise it and select the appropriate scaling. You can conduct a circuit load test with the appropriate resistive lead supplied. The new version offers much better sensitivity at both higher and lower frequency ranges. The probes contain a small active amplifier close to the probe tip, thereby reducing the capacitance of the probe, often less than 2pf. This offers a much higher bandwidth.

We will be introducing a scope update training programme as soon as 4425A and Pico 7 become fully available. Please note the non-standard cases that can be provided for WH kits supplied by ADS.

My personal very best wishes, and best wishes from all at ADS. Keep well and look forward to the UK recovery with confidence.