[time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions

[Bob Camp]

Hi

If you decide to go  with a L1500A: try to verify it's got a reasonably good CRT *and* valid cal data in the EEPROM. It's of the generation that looses a lot when the cal data goes away. Yes, it's no worse than a mid range "old style" analyzer without the data, but it's a *lot* better with it. 

Bob

On Jul 14, 2013, at 3:24 PM, Tom Knox <actast at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 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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