[Test-Equipment] Vector network analyzer choice

[John Miles]

You won't go wrong with any of the HP 8753 series; they are the
standard-bearers of the VNA business.

That being said, a friend in town just got a good deal on an Advantest
R3762AH that has impressed me a great deal.  It seems to be a Japanese
competitor to the 8753C.  Very nice piece of gear in the $6K-$7K range,
including the S-parameter test set.  The guy he bought it from has more
left, and has been selling them on eBay.  Let me know if you need a pointer.
If the model you buy doesn't have a built-in S-parameter test set, you will
probably want one.... and a calibration kit, too.  These will need to be
factored into your budget.

Both the R3762AH and the HP 8000-series VNA lineup are supported by my PC
plotter emulator program (www.speakeasy.net/~jmiles1/ke5fx/7470.htm) as of
the latest rev.  I would recommend steering clear of the 8510B if that's
under consideration; I have been pretty unimpressed with its GPIB
performance (~3 minutes to download a plot, due to some really lame
firmware).  Being able to document results easily is vital!

-- john KE5FX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Forster" <jfor at quik.com>
To: "Larry Aamodt" <aamola at wwc.edu>; "Test Equipment List"
<test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] Vector network analyzer choice


> Larry Aamodt wrote:
>
> > I'm looking for wisdom from those on this list who may
> > have experience with HP/Agilent vector network analyzers.
>
> Two comments:
>
> You may be able to buy a one year old ANA from a leasing company at
significant
> discount. Call around.  They go stale faster than donuts.
>
> Be aware that modern ANAs use lots of custom MICs and special assemblies.
If one
> dies, it can cost a not so small fortune to repair. In one case, I an HP
> generator (5.9 to 6.5 GHz) with a bad output amp. They wanted $1300 for
the
> module and urged me to buy it quickly before the part price went up. I
declined
> and opened up the module case. There was a loose screw inside. HP refused
to do
> anything, even though it was obvious that the thing was defective in
original
> manufacture. Be warned.
>
> -John
>
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