[Test-Equipment] wiltron 560A ???

[John Miles]

I'm not familiar with the Wiltron line-up, but that looks like it's only a digital-storage and signal-processing mainframe meant for use with external signal sources and detectors.  It would not be useful as-is, and if it's designed only for scalar network analysis, it would not be useful as a general-purpose spectrum analyzer in any event.  

$300 is a very tough budget to meet if you want to end up with anything usable.  There are only a few spectrum analyzer options in that price range.  With a lot of patience at the eBay game, an HP 141T/8552B/8443A outfit could probably be put together in that ballpark... or you could build an analyzer from scratch.  This will save you money ONLY if you already have a lot of recyclable parts on hand!  Starting points could include:

http://www.web-ee.com/Schematics/RF_Spectrum_Analyzer/9808035.pdf

http://users4.ev1.net/~wsprowls/ and http://www.zianet.com/erg/

-- john, KE5FX

> -----Original Message-----
> From: test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Eugene Hertz
> Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 10:50 AM
> To: test-equipment at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Test-Equipment] wiltron 560A ???
> 
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> New to the list and fairly new to test equipment.  I've been 
> interested in getting a *cheap* spectrum analyzer for HF and 
> general electronics testing/design assistance work.  I probably 
> only need a few hundred megs upper limit, 1GHz would be great.
> 
> I've been keeping an eye out for something <$300 and I found 
> something called a wiltron 560A, but I have no idea what it 
> really is or what it could be used for.  I found a description of 
> it here: 
> http://www.tucker.com/java/jsp/doorway_partnoWTN560A_invid7762.htm
> 
> but I still cant figure out if this can be used like a typical 
> spectrum analyzer and/or tracking generator combo or something. 
> 
> Anyone know what this unit can and cannot do? (Also, the one I 
> located has no probes or detectors, but I dont know how big a 
> deal that will be).
> 
> Thanks for any and all advice
> Eugene
> 
> 
>