[time-nuts] Test Equipment

Tue Feb 2 00:29:40 UTC 2010

Hi Bob. Display shows use, definitely, but I can see info over the whole
tube. I have a couple of things to do before I can start the learning
curve, but am looking forward to using it.
I'll have a bunch of test stuff for sale if this thing works out ;-)
Don

Bob Camp
> 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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>>
>>
>> --
>> 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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>
>
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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