[Test-Equipment] HP equip questions

[gil smith]

Hi Jose:

At 12:50 PM 1/14/02 +0100, you wrote:
>I own an 8553L and an 8553B... and the differences are, at least, two:
>there is an extra (narrower) BW position on the 'B' and, most important,
>'L' can't use a tracking generator (8443A which is, IMHO, very useful!)

It seems odd that there would be an L version preceeding a B version, but
it sounds like the B is the later model.  It just opposes HP's normal A/B/C
version scheme -- the only other L variant I know of is the 5245L counter,
which was also available in a (presumed-later-model) M version.

As for the tracking generator, I believe the 8444A TG is the one used with
the 1250 MHz units, but I have no info it.  I didn't know the 8553L model
could not use a TG. 

I have an 8443A (110MHz TG/counter) and the companion 110MHZ 8553B RF
plugin -- have not tried these out yet.  I am waiting on arrival of manuals
for the 8443A and the 141T, which will hopefully define the interconnect
cable and terminator.  I have the parts to make the cable for the 8443A,
but I am not sure if it needs all six coax lines.  I hope the manual will
fill me in.  I also need to make a terminator, and I understand that it
only needs three of the coax lines terminated.  Can anyone shed any light
on the cable or term?  

If the TG is not installed, and neither is the terminator, what happens?
Is the unit calibration affected?

thanks,

gil


>I own also an 8554B but not an 8554L... but _guess_ it will be a similar
>thing. If you can live without tracking generator (I do as I have not yet
>found one) and also with a bit wider BW, it is just fine. 
>
>Regards,
>
>JOSE
>
>At 06:04 14/01/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>>> And I am curious about the differences between an 8554B and 8554L spectrum
>>> analyzer RF module -- they are both 1250MHz units, so what is different?
>>> The L version (which I have) actually seems like it may be earlier than
the
>>> B versions, which is a bit odd since HP uses successive letters to
indicate
>>> revisions. 
>>
>>Gil, I can't remember all the exact specifications, but the "L" version
>>was
>>the low cost version.  If I recall correctly, there was also an 8553L RF
>>plugin as well.  If you're really curious, I'll try and remember to
>>check
>>my manuals/catalogs to get the differences.
>>
>>As I recall, the differences weren't enough to make a real difference
>>to the average user.
>>
>>73
>>
>>- Mark  N1VQW
>
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