[time-nuts] Test Equipment

Bob Camp lists at cq.nu
Tue Feb 2 12:54:09 UTC 2010 

Hi

The 2.x firmware is the magic that lets it run down to HF type frequencies. You really do not want to "upgrade" the firmware.

It would be very nice to find a back shelf somewhere with a set of original manuals for the 2.x version. 

Now if it just had a SR-620 counter built into it ....

Bob


On Feb 2, 2010, at 1:20 AM, Don Latham wrote:

> Oh, forgot. My firmware appears to be something like A.02.4 or something like that, and the manuals are A.05.0 or so. another possible problem.
> Don
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Camp" <lists at cq.nu>
> To: "Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement" <time-nuts at febo.com>
> Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 6:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
> 
> 
>> Hi
>> 
>> The big question in my mind about these is how well they do below 30 MHz. Until I know I can trust them it down there, I'm not selling very much stuff.
>> 
>> I have yet to find a data sheet from before 2000 when they shipped with the sub-800 MHz stuff enabled. I get the impression that the E8285's never quite did as well below 30 MHz as the 8920's do.
>> 
>> Bob
>> 
>> 
>> On Feb 1, 2010, at 7:29 PM, Don Latham wrote:
>> 
>>> 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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>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
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>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
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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
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.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
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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