[Premium-Rx] OT: HP3586B questions!

[ToddRoberts2001 at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/9/2004 3:50:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
georgg at bigpond.net.au writes:
Hello All,

I have the same question, but for an HP3746A. I gather these make a
reasonable receiver, especially for LF/VLF.

In my view, it should classify as premium, given the amount of electronics
in it and its capabilities. I recently noticed one for sale from a second
hand dealer for $4K+ (!).

I would be most interested to hear from anyone who has used one of these or
something similar as a receiver.

Regards,
George Georgevits
Power and Digital Instruments Pty Ltd
                                                                              
                                                     Hi All, I have used an 
earlier version  Selective Voltmeter an HP312A as a receiver. When used in 
stock form, a Selective Voltmeter has several problems when trying to use it as a 
receiver. The main problem is they have no AGC. You have to constantly switch 
the input attenuators when tuning across various signals to prevent 
overloading and the same problem occurs with fading signals. Secondly, there is no front 
end selectivity or filtering, so the front end is wide open to all kinds of 
intermod and overloading when connected to a normal antenna. Using a 
pre-selector here can help. Thirdly most Selective Voltmeters usually have limited 
selectivity choices and were designed for either narrowband carrier or SSB 
bandwidth. They can be used for precision monitoring of signal levels and can have 
very accurate frequency and signal strength readouts, but for general signal 
monitoring with an outside antenna most are frustrating choices as a receiver. If 
somebody came up with an AGC circuit and a good preselector for one then a 
selective voltmeter might make a pretty respectable receiver. 73 Todd Roberts 
WD4NGG.