[time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions

Tom Knox actast at hotmail.com
Sun Jul 14 17:08:57 EDT 2013


I think the L1500A is also called an E4401B, also the E4403B 9KHz to 3GHz  is not much more on the used market. 
Best Wishes;
Thomas Knox



> From: lists at rtty.us
> Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 15:33:09 -0400
> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions
> 
> Hi
> 
> If you decide to go  with a L1500A: try to verify it's got a reasonably good CRT *and* valid cal data in the EEPROM. It's of the generation that looses a lot when the cal data goes away. Yes, it's no worse than a mid range "old style" analyzer without the data, but it's a *lot* better with it. 
> 
> Bob
> 
> On Jul 14, 2013, at 3:24 PM, Tom Knox <actast at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > On the other end of the price spectrum, depending on budget I think a great value is an Agilent L1500A .  There is currently one on eBay with a tracking generator for $2000 make offer so perhaps $1200-1500 . 
> > It is portable, accurate , relieable, and super user friendly instrument. If you can afford it you will never regret it.
> > Best Wishes;
> > Thomas Knox
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >> From: albertson.chris at gmail.com
> >> Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 08:50:18 -0700
> >> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> >> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions
> >> 
> >> If you are after the cheapest and smallest spectrum analyzer possible look
> >> for a TV tuning USB dongle.  Some of these tune over the range of 64-1700
> >> MHz  There is software to do FFT and plot spectrums  You can set started
> >> plotting in the UHF range for $20.
> >> 
> >> It is a bit do it yourself in that you likely need a selection of
> >> attenuators and and so on because the dongle expects the signal level of a
> >> cable TV or TV antenna and the bandwidth is not DC to GHz.  But the cost is
> >> right.
> >> 
> >> Here are some screen shots
> >> http://blog.opensecurityresearch.com/2012/06/getting-started-with-gnu-radio-and-rtl.html
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> On Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 7:56 AM, K3wry <k3wry at aol.com> wrote:
> >> 
> >>> Take a look at the RIGOL analyzer.   You can get this new one for about
> >>> the same money
> >>> 
> >>> Dr Joe PALSA
> >>> 804-350-2665
> >>> Sent from my iPhone.
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> On Jul 14, 2013, at 1:18 AM, "Mark C. Stephens" <marks at non-stop.com.au>
> >>> wrote:
> >>> 
> >>> Perry I have a 3585A too, The weight isn't so bad once you get used to it.
> >>> :)
> >>> Mines on a rack shelf that I can slide it out onto the workbench for
> >>> maintenance.
> >>> 
> >>> Performance wise, they are fantastic for phase noise measurement using
> >>> John Miles's Phase noise software.
> >>> Although a little slow, It is pretty nice to see what's going on down at
> >>> 10 Hz.
> >>> 
> >>> I really can't find a replacement for my 3585A, other than the "B" model.
> >>> 
> >>> Also the boards come up cheap on eBay if you need parts.
> >>> I have almost a complete set of spare boards I bought for 10 bucks each.
> >>> 
> >>> So all in all, you got yourself a good Analyser, cheap to maintain and
> >>> good specs.
> >>> 
> >>> Run it through the performance tests as per the manual, this SA will be a
> >>> pleasant surprise for you :)
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> -marki
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> >>> Behalf Of Perry Sandeen
> >>> Sent: Sunday, 14 July 2013 1:10 PM
> >>> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> >>> Subject: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> List,
> >>> 
> >>> I just purchased a HP 3585 spec analyzer on E bay for a reasonable price.
> >>> I wanted this instead of the 181 series as the range was more to what I’d
> >>> be using and it was of a newer vintage.  The 3585a goes from
> >>> 10 Hz to 40 MHz which is a most useful range for my purposes. so far, so
> >>> good.
> >>> 
> >>> The problem is I didn’t know the beast weighed a svelte
> >>> 88 pounds! Double Hernia time!
> >>> 
> >>> What I’d appreciate advice for a used spec analyzer in the $1,000 range
> >>> that is at least much lighter.  A smaller size would also be a benefit.  I
> >>> probably would never use it above 100 MHz. A slightly smaller screen would
> >>> be OK.
> >>> 
> >>> Suggestions appreciated.
> >>> 
> >>> Regards,
> >>> 
> >>> Perrier
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> -- 
> >> 
> >> Chris Albertson
> >> Redondo Beach, California
> >> _______________________________________________
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