[Test-Equipment] Re: Re: RF Instrument Calibration

Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:38:29 -0500

Of course, using a signal generator (with dependable calibration) by 
itself, or with an RF power meter, is the OBVIOUS way to go IFF one has 
access to those instruments!  There are folks who do not have them (yet) 
and for them the QEX article presents a simple and inexpensive way to 
build a calibration source.  A CMOS clock oscillator with a suitable 
attenuator makes a good backup source, or a "starter" source for a 
signal of known frequency and amplitude - see the article.
73 all, de W1AEL.

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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Re: RF Instrument Calibration (Gary Schafer)
>    2. Re: RF Instrument Calibration (Dave Emery)
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> --__--__--
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 12:47:59 -0500
> From: Gary Schafer <[email protected]>
> Reply-To: [email protected]
> Organization: CEMCO
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF Instrument Calibration
> 
> How about a regular signal generator.
> 
> 73
> Gary  K4FMX
> 
> Allan Henry Kaplan wrote:
> 
>>Kees K5BCQ wrote:"What can I do as a rough calibration check of my 
>>Spectrum Analyzer (Marconi TF-2370) ?"
>>
>>The latest issue of QEX has an article on an RF calibration source - 
>>just a few parts and easy construction.   This looks like a real handy 
>>device to have in the lab.
>>
>>By the way, I found an Italian source for the manual on Google.
>>"MANUALI
>>SPECTRUM ANALYZER -Marconi TF 2370- service-operator, � 60,00. ...
>>www.radiosurplus.it/manuali.htm - 43k"
>>
>>good Luck and 73, Allan, W1AEL.
>>
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> --__--__--
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 21:23:10 -0500
> From: Dave Emery <[email protected]>
> To: Gary Schafer <[email protected]>
> Cc: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF Instrument Calibration
> Reply-To: [email protected]
> 
> On Sun, Jan 25, 2004 at 12:47:59PM -0500, Gary Schafer wrote:
> 
>>How about a regular signal generator.
> 
> 
> 	And/or a power meter or calibrated detector.
> 
> 	Generally one wants a source of a signal at known level and
> probably some sort of calibrated attenuator (perhaps as part of the source
> as in signal generator) so one can feed various known level carriers
> into the analyzer to see what it reads on weaker and stronger signals.
> 
> 	Of course many spectrum analyzers that do not include a tracking
> generator (and some that do) have a -30 dbm at say 100 mhz output for
> making just such a check.    Usually there is a pot for adjusting these
> to be exactly on the money at -30 dbm.
> 
> 	And if you have a tracking generator (as that one does I think)
> you need only use a power meter to measure its output level (or even
> a calibrated scope in a pinch).    The rest is just a matter of seeing
> what the tracking generator signal looks like at various levels using
> both internal and external attenuators.
> 
> 