[Test-Equipment] HP 141 analyzer low gain

[Arthur Shulman]

I had exacly the same problem with my 141T & 8445B, right down to the 20db loss
of gain. It was not the mixer, but low gain in the 50Mhz amp that outputs to the
IF section. My repair shop advised it was not worthwhile to continue the repair
due to the labor involved in dissasembly, so I replaced the RF section with a
known good unit. Has worked perfectly since, & I have the old module, still
unrepaired by me.
Suggest you try to borrow a different RF section, any range, and determine by
substitution if the problem lies in the RF or IF plugin. Then you can decide what
to do next. I think servicing this unit is almost impossible without the extender
cables, & I highly recommend you consider that if you find the problem requires
extensive dissasembly.
I seem to recall that the amp with low gain was buried beneath a mass of other
circuitry & hardware & was impossible to access for direct measurements. It was
possible to measure gain loss around that block, however, & that's why I feel
confident about the diagnosis, despite the fact that I was unable to determine
the exact failed component.
Please let me know what you discover, & good luck!

Arthur Shulman VE3ZV