[time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions

[Tom Knox]

On the other end of the price spectrum, depending on budget I think a great value is an Agilent L1500A .  There is currently one on eBay with a tracking generator for $2000 make offer so perhaps $1200-1500 . 
It is portable, accurate , relieable, and super user friendly instrument. If you can afford it you will never regret it.
Best Wishes;
Thomas Knox



> From: albertson.chris at gmail.com
> Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 08:50:18 -0700
> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions
> 
> If you are after the cheapest and smallest spectrum analyzer possible look
> for a TV tuning USB dongle.  Some of these tune over the range of 64-1700
> MHz  There is software to do FFT and plot spectrums  You can set started
> plotting in the UHF range for $20.
> 
> It is a bit do it yourself in that you likely need a selection of
> attenuators and and so on because the dongle expects the signal level of a
> cable TV or TV antenna and the bandwidth is not DC to GHz.  But the cost is
> right.
> 
> Here are some screen shots
> http://blog.opensecurityresearch.com/2012/06/getting-started-with-gnu-radio-and-rtl.html
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 7:56 AM, K3wry <k3wry at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> > Take a look at the RIGOL analyzer.   You can get this new one for about
> > the same money
> >
> > Dr Joe PALSA
> > 804-350-2665
> > Sent from my iPhone.
> >
> >
> > On Jul 14, 2013, at 1:18 AM, "Mark C. Stephens" <marks at non-stop.com.au>
> > wrote:
> >
> > Perry I have a 3585A too, The weight isn't so bad once you get used to it.
> > :)
> > Mines on a rack shelf that I can slide it out onto the workbench for
> > maintenance.
> >
> > Performance wise, they are fantastic for phase noise measurement using
> > John Miles's Phase noise software.
> > Although a little slow, It is pretty nice to see what's going on down at
> > 10 Hz.
> >
> > I really can't find a replacement for my 3585A, other than the "B" model.
> >
> > Also the boards come up cheap on eBay if you need parts.
> > I have almost a complete set of spare boards I bought for 10 bucks each.
> >
> > So all in all, you got yourself a good Analyser, cheap to maintain and
> > good specs.
> >
> > Run it through the performance tests as per the manual, this SA will be a
> > pleasant surprise for you :)
> >
> >
> > -marki
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> > Behalf Of Perry Sandeen
> > Sent: Sunday, 14 July 2013 1:10 PM
> > To: time-nuts at febo.com
> > Subject: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions
> >
> >
> >
> > List,
> >
> > I just purchased a HP 3585 spec analyzer on E bay for a reasonable price.
> >  I wanted this instead of the 181 series as the range was more to what I’d
> > be using and it was of a newer vintage.  The 3585a goes from
> > 10 Hz to 40 MHz which is a most useful range for my purposes. so far, so
> > good.
> >
> > The problem is I didn’t know the beast weighed a svelte
> > 88 pounds! Double Hernia time!
> >
> > What I’d appreciate advice for a used spec analyzer in the $1,000 range
> > that is at least much lighter.  A smaller size would also be a benefit.  I
> > probably would never use it above 100 MHz. A slightly smaller screen would
> > be OK.
> >
> > Suggestions appreciated.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Perrier
> > _______________________________________________
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Chris Albertson
> Redondo Beach, California
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