[R-390] HP spectrum analyzer question

[Barry Williams]

The Heath SB 620 works well and is usually around $100 when you can find 
them. You are limited to a smaller range when using 455kHz and I can't 
remember it now. Maybe 500 kHz.


Barry 

p.s. I'm also using a HP 3586B as a receiver.


> It's a dessert topping AND a floor wax!
>
> The issue is, the HP Spectrum analyzers were not designed to be radios with spectrum displays.
>
> The radios with spectrum displays were not designed to be HP Spectrum analyzers.
>
> They both have similar to identical functional components, and they can sometimes be pressed to do each other's jobs, but they were designed with entirely different user communities in mind.
>
> I do know people who use their radios as spectrum analyzers. And I also know people who use their spectrum analyzers as radios. But IMHO this is far from optimal, reminds me of using a butter knife as a screwdriver, and a screwdriver for a butter knife.
>
> One issue is that superhet radios really have a dynamic range at the IF level of maybe 30 dB before they really begin compromising performance. That's not too bad ifyou're using it  as a radio and is why superhets almost universally have AGC. But it sucks if you're using it (for many purposes) as a spectrum analyzer.
>
> Tim.
>