cheap scope for Hams

Your best bet is to google "Surplus and salvage oscilloscope" and add your city or region,.

The military uses top quality oscilloscopes that never seem to die,. You should be able to get hold of a used one at a bargain price.

If you want a new one, try using a comparison shopping site like Nextag

You didn't say what country you are in. Go to a hamfest if in USA. Go to ebay. The shipping is costly if the scope is heavy so it is better to pick it up. You must decide what frequency you want to measure. You must decide whether the scope is analog or digital. A Tektronix 453 would be ideal because it uses discrete solid-state components. You can repair it yourself unlike later models which use IC's. Please subscribe to the Tek user group on Yahoo. This forum is great. Almost as good as CR4. The moderators and visitors have worked for Tek for 30 years or more and there is no problem that they cannot help you with.