[time-nuts] Test Equipment

Mon Feb 1 22:49:41 UTC 2010

Hi

I *suspect* that any size that was common in 2003 will be ok. I have no basis for that claim. That likely will limit you to 2 gig and down. 

Each time I called Amtronix, Rick answered on the first ring. It's definitely someplace I would recommend dealing with.

How's the display on your unit? That sees to be the weakness of a lot of test gear these days.

Can't wait to measure -100 dbc/Hz phase noise with mine :) ....

Bob

On Feb 1, 2010, at 5:34 PM, Don Latham wrote:

> Just bought one last week. As advertised, came with a cal and checkout
> sheet.  BTW, cost another $150 to have manuals printed out. But, I'm old
> fashioned and have a hard time using manuals onscreen...
> I also got the feeling (phone order) that I can call Amtronix and at least
> reach a Real Person who will talk to me.
> I think the E8285A will replace at least three present instruments with
> better, once I master Instrument Basic :-).
> Does anyone know which low-cost PCMCIA memory card will work? They're on
> Epay for as little as $10
> Don
> 
> Bob Camp
>> Hi
>> 
>> I do believe the last (or maybe next to last) of the Amtronix E8285A's is
>> now on it's way to a basement in Pennsylvania. If anybody else here is
>> looking for one, I'd sure call Rick pretty quick.
>> 
>> Bob
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
>> Behalf Of John Ackermann N8UR
>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:14 PM
>> To: john.foege at gmail.com; Discussion of precise time and frequency
>> measurement
>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
>> 
>> If RF measurement is your bag, and you're able to spend a couple of $K
>> (actually, <$2K if what I've seen recently holds), consider a
>> communications service monitor like the HP
>> 8920A/8920B/8921/8924/8935/E8285 (all pretty much the same thing).
>> 
>> You get an RF generator, RF power meter, RX frequency meter and
>> modulation analyzer, audio generator, audio analyzer, digital o'scope,
>> and in most units a spectrum analyzer (many have a tracking generator,
>> too) in one box.  And I've probably forgotten a few things.  If you get
>> one with spec analyzer and tracking generator, there's software that
>> lets you do swept insertion/return loss and cable fault finding.
>> 
>> None of its capabilities are as good as those of a dedicated box
>> performing a single function, but they're good enough for the vast
>> majority of uses.  An 8920 was the first significant piece of test gear
>> I bought, and if I ever have to sell out, it'll be the last one to go.
>> 
>> The prices came down a lot when Lucent surplused hundreds (thousands?)
>> of them from their portable and cell phone production lines.  I saw an
>> 8935 with spec an, fully functional (as far as I could tell) for about
>> $1500 this summer.
>> 
>> A guy who sells and services a lot of these boxes is Rick at
>> http://www.amtronix.com -- that web site will give you lots of info
>> about the various versions and options.  (I just noticed he has some
>> Agilent 8285As as a "hobbyist special" with spec an and tracking
>> generator for $650.  That looks like a deal.)
>> 
>> John
>> ----
>> john.foege at gmail.com said the following on 01/21/2010 03:43 PM:
>>> Just that John, I'm looking to setup a general purpose lab. I'd lean
>> towards RF type stuff since I'm a HAM.
>>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: "J. Forster" <jfor at quik.com>
>>> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:22:11
>>> To: <didier at cox.net>; Discussion of precise time and frequency
>> measurement<time-nuts at febo.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
>>> 
>>> I made the mistake of setting up a purpose-built lab once, and soon
>>> discovered to do most things, you really need at least a basic general
>>> purpose lab.
>>> 
>>> The only exception is, I suppose, if you are going to repair a specific
>>> instrument and do nothing else.
>>> 
>>> Also, as others have pointed out, you really need to define what are
>>> your
>>> area(s) of interest. Specialized gear gets $$$ pretty quickly.
>>> 
>>> -John
>>> 
>>> ====================
>>> 
>>>> John,
>>>> 
>>>> That sounds like asking what is the best vehicle for you to buy. If you
>> do
>>>> not know what you want to do with it, I am not sure we can help you all
>>>> that much. However, if you have a specific objective, I am sure you
>>>> will
>>>> get a lot of valuable information here.
>>>> 
>>>> You have a (good) analog scope, you may want a power supply or two, a
>>>> soldering iron and maybe a desoldering station if you do surface mount.
>>>> You also want a good hand-held multimeter. Some sort of signal or
>> function
>>>> generator may be useful too. These vary widely depending on frequency
>>>> range and features. There is no good single answer to any of these
>>>> questions without knowing more about what you do with it.
>>>> 
>>>> Many of us on this list have more than one of pretty much everything (I
>> am
>>>> guilty of that too) to reflect the fact that no single instrument is
>>>> universal, with possibly one exception: my favorite hand held DMM is a
>>>> Fluke 8060A, but I am sure some people will have another favorite :)
>>>> 
>>>> Don't start spending what little money you have until you know what you
>>>> need. If you just need to spend money, may I interest you in a
>>>> wonderful
>>>> business opportunity in Nigeria?
>>>> 
>>>> Didier KO4BB
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ------------------------ Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless thingy while
>>>> I
>>>> do other things...
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: John Foege <john.foege at gmail.com>
>>>> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:35:22
>>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency
>>>> measurement<time-nuts at febo.com>
>>>> Subject: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
>>>> 
>>>> I realize that this e-mail is somewhat off topic, however, I also
>>>> believe that I will get some of the best answers from the members of
>>>> this list:
>>>> 
>>>> I have recently started to build an electronics lab, and am currently
>>>> trying to acquire test and general equipment for my little basement
>>>> workshop of horrors. So far, being on a limited budget, I have
>>>> acquired a Tek 2465A in good working order, a Fluke 1953A counter, and
>>>> my little gem (ok not quite so little) HP5345A with the 4-ghz freq
>>>> converter plugin w/ opt 11 & 12.
>>>> 
>>>> I'd just like to ask everyone what they would be, if they were in my
>>>> shoes, attempting to acquire. Unforunately, however, I am just out of
>>>> engineering school and not working with much of a budget here. I'd
>>>> kill to have all the fancy gear some of you nuts have.
>>>> 
>>>> I'd really love a DSO instead of the Tek 2465A I have. I'd kill for a
>>>> good spectrum analyzer or VNA etc.
>>>> 
>>>> Any suggestions on what I should acquire and/or suggestions for
>>>> economical equipment that I should make that is a must have? I am a
>>>> good DIYer when it comes to building equipment, so often I attempt to
>>>> build that which I cannot afford.
>>>> 
>>>> I appreciate everyone's' opinions in advance. Thank you.
>>>> 
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> 
>>>> John Foege
>>>> KB1FSX
>>>> starving-engineer!
>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL
> Six Mile Systems LLP
> 17850 Six Mile Road
> POB 134
> Huson, MT, 59846
> VOX 406-626-4304
> www.lightningforensics.com
> www.sixmilesystems.com
> 
> 
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