[time-nuts] time-nuts Digest, Vol 67, Issue 142

[Dave Baxter]

Hi..

If the price is right, the 8590 analyzer if healthy makes a good
introduction to that class of instruments, you'll learn a lot.

Yes, they are not the top of the range, but they are not shabby either.

Get yourself signed up to the HP_Agilent group (also on Yahoo) for
detailed info, and they are not too dificult to fix either.

There is a lithium backup battery that perhaps should be replaced if
there is no evidence it has already been done, but look up the correct
procedure before you go wading in.

Re dim traces/screens.  The faceplate protector often gets crudded up on
the inside, making things darker than you'd think.  Bit of a task to
remove and clean, but not dificult.   Manuals are available if you ask
in the right places.   Again, ask before getting the toolbox out.

It's also relativley trivial to make a crude "converter" to get up to
3GHz.  In essance, all you need is a stable oscilator, a mixer, and
perhaps a crude band pass filter.   Not "calibrated" but you'll see
stuff that can help whatever you are trying to do.  The choice of
frequencies is the interesting bit, avoiding any posible IF leakage, and
knowing how to identify (and ignore) images etc.

As to usability, bit of a mixed bag.  They can be easy to drive, but
there are layers of menus too.  However, once you find your way round
them, no problem.

As it has GPIB, look at KE5FX's GPIB software tools for sa's.   Very
good indeed.

As above, if the price is right, get it.   A good first SA to own.  But
see it working first, even if it's just looking at the local broacast FM
stations with a bit of wire in the front input socket.  No signals
(especialy if no "0Hz" spur = no buy, unless the price is very very very
low, even then, it may just end up as a parts donor.)

Dave G0WBX.



---- Original Message ----

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:38:50 -0700
From: Joseph Gray <jgray at zianet.com>
Subject: [time-nuts] OT: HP 8590A
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
	<time-nuts at febo.com>
Message-ID:
	<c793a5fe1002191638j24a8913dnad62d8800dee3b5d at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Since the list members are familiar with lots of test equipment, I'd
like to ask what the folks here think about the HP 8590A Spectrum
Analyzer. Is this model ok? Are there any particular failures I should
be aware of in this 20+ year old equipment?

I have a chance to buy one locally. The only option is has is GPIB. I
took a preliminary look at it and it passes the simple test/cal
procedure from chapter 1 of the Ops manual. This model only goes to
1.5GHz, but would still be useful for Amateur use. I do wish it would go
up to 3GHz, however. I have never owned a spec an, but am somewhat
familiar with their usage.

Thanks for the input.

Joe
KA5ZEC