[time-nuts] Re: Getting phase noise data off an HP 3048A {External}

[John Miles]

> John - This is great news!
> 
> I cut my teeth on the 3048A and I have squirreled away all the pieces to
> it in our lab.  I've used the E5505A for the last 15 years and we
> recently purchased the N5511 from keysight.
>
> I am back to the 3048A for nostalgia, and as it turns out, practical
> purposes.  The new project I'm on does not have allot of funding now.

I can see why funding is short after buying the N5511A. :)  Fun toy to play with, though!
 
> I think our unit was from an air force cal lab as it came with all kinds
> of bits and pieces - precision adapters, splitters, strange bnc loads,
> and K21 AM detector filters, etc.
> 
> In ca 2000, it was really frustrating to only get out .png files using
> the "grafplus" software and I was not smart enough to figure any other way.
> 
> Funny, now the problem is getting files from 3.5" floppys to the
> network!  I think I can muddle through that though...

Seriously, you should consider using Kent Falkenstein's app at http://www.ke5fx.com/pn3048.htm for that, assuming it supports what you need to do.  It's challenging enough to use a 3048A without also having to deal with antique controller hardware and/or software, goof around with floppy disks and plotters, and so on.  

I just ran PN3048 for the first time in two or three years, and yep, it all still works, hardware and software both.  Good thing, too, as I'm on the verge of forgetting how to fix it...

-- john