[time-nuts] Test Equipment

Don Latham djl at montana.com
Tue Feb 2 19:12:26 UTC 2010 

Hi Bob: I finally figured that out. I had the manuals printed, anyway.
kinda added to the cost, but...
Don

Bob Camp
> 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!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> 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
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> 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
>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
>> To unsubscribe, go to
>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>> and follow the instructions there.
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com
> To unsubscribe, go to
> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
> and follow the instructions there.
>


-- 
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

More information about the Time-nuts_lists.febo.com mailing list