[NLRS] HP power meter

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

I have a working HP432A and several coaxial and waveguide heads. Some of 
the coaxial ones work, I haven't tested the waveguide heads yet. I should.

Last summer at the Cedar Rapids hamfest I stole ($15) an HP436A with a 
broken sensor and no cable. The seller said the meter worked fine, the 
8482A sensor needs a thermocouple. The sensor is disassembled. As I 
watch sensors sell on epay, I ask is there intrinsic value besides 
coaxial heads working to 26.5 GHz or higher over the HP432A and HP8478? 
The "modern" heads are not self calibrating like the substitution of the 
thermistor heads and some are thermocouple and some are diode detectors. 
I'm sure the diode detectors are much better for short pulsed signals 
but I don't need to ever measure short pulsed signals.

My question, "Is the HP436A and 8481 or 8484 family sensors enough 
better to justify paying hundreds of dollars for working a cable and a 
working sensor?" I realize many of the sensors are significantly more 
sensitive than the vintage 8478 but also as easily destroyed by excess 
RF as the 8478.

73, Jerry, K0CQ