[time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Specifications

[jimlux]

On 3/23/16 10:38 AM, Ian Stirling wrote:
> On 03/23/2016 01:23 AM, timenut at metachaos.net wrote:
>
>> I have another question about test equipment. When using a spectrum
>> analyzer
>> to examine the output of a frequency standard, what are the minimum
>> specification needed? Bandwidth, resolution, sensitivity, etc?
>
>    Spectrum analysers are not precision frequency counters.
> A few years ago I bought an HP 8568B "boat anchor" spectrum analyser
> from the site. It is a wonderful instrument, over USA $30,000 when it
> was in production until 1997. But it sits unused because my
> http://signalhound.com USB-SA44B — 4.4 GHz Spectrum Analyser with
> a laptop Windows 7 computer is so much more convenient.
> The SA44B is effectively a superbly calibrated measuring receiver
> with software that makes it a spectrum analyser.
> Indeed, I have listened to NPR on 93.9 MHz on it.
>

I use a SA-44 a lot at work. There are some good and bad things about 
the software (both the earlier version and the latest Spike software).. 
but overall, for under a kilobuck, it's not a bad device.