[Test-Equipment] HP8555A needs some help :-(

[Andreas Troschka]

Hello list,
Hi Jose,

600USD isn't so much compared to most prices I saw in the last two years on 
the european market.
It is not rare to be requested to place 1500-1800USD on the seller's hand for 
such HP sp. analyzer without the preselector!
2200USD are actually requested for the same unit if tested and calibrated.

You've payed 600USD because of the fact you catched an "as-is" offer with the 
consequent risks.

Do you have the service manual for the RF unit? If not I'll look how to scan mine.

So far I can remember servicing this plugin needs extension cables to have it 
out of the main-frame. This cables are not so easy to find and expensive (look 
at epay #3821803903).

To buy a working plugin maybe the best idea.
Such plugins are often offered on eBay in the US and Canada as you know, but 
you have to use a secure payment system.

Andreas

vy 73s de IK2WQI - JN45OL



Jose V. Gavila wrote:
> Hello my friends,
> 
> Well, sometimes you are lucky and sometimes not so... My case has been 
> the last.
> 
> I bought from eBay Germany an 'as-is' HP140T system, composed of a 8555A 
> RF plug-in, 8552B IF plug-in, 140T mainframe and a 8445 preselector 
> (with connecting cable). Here in Europe these units are not as common as 
> in other places, as USA or Canada, so price is higher (I paid about 
> US$600 for the set; yes, you can call me fool and be right :-( )
> 
> Finally, after some work to get it shipped to Spain, it arrived 
> yesterday. Packaging was superb, including an sturdy wood box, so it was 
> in good shape. I got to check the unit and, yes, you guessed it, did not 
> work. I got a trace but not the usual one (I think there is a problem in 
> the PS of that 140T but this is not big trouble, as I have fixed other 
> similar units). So I took the modules out and plugged them in my other, 
> known good, 140T mainframe. And, yes, I got a more common trace, with 
> the usual 'V' following the frequency tune in full span mode, 
> attenuators doing their work and so on. But, applying the calibrator 
> signal and selecting a suitable frequency range, there was no sign of it 
> on display. I checked with another known good 8552B IF plug-in but got 
> same result. All I can see seems to be noise.
> 
> So, I am afraid, the 8555A is faulty... and, sadly, it was the main 
> cause for this buying :-(!!!. It seems I have bad luck with 8555As, 
> because first one I bought was never delivered (I paid for it to a 
> 'gentleman' in USA and it was never shipped). Well...
> 
> So, please, could you help me?. I could need, besides any help you can 
> provide, a 8555A parts unit to fix mine or, if someone has a reasonably 
> priced one, a working one.
> 
> Please, let me know also about your experiences fixing these units.
> 
> Thanks and best regards,
> 
> JOSE
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>  73 EB5AGV / EC5AAU - JOSE V. GAVILA
>     La Canyada - Valencia (SPAIN) - Loc: IM99SM
> 
>  Vintage Radio: http://jvgavila.com
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