[Test-Equipment] giga 6061A vs HP 8656x

[Eugene Hertz]

Thanks, Brooke for the note.

I am looking for a general purpose gen to somewhere near 1GHz.  Specs for me (a hobbiest) are not too critical, however it could be useful to have very low output -127 to -143dbm output to play with receiver sensitivity etc.  But probably not critical.

I was thinking of the 8640B but for sometimes less money one can get these 8656B's which I think would be better for lack of the plastic and breakable parts.

the 8648A is way outside my price range, looking to spend <$500 which seems it can be done on ebay if you are patient (I am!)

Thanks for the note. Opinions and advice always welcome
Eugene





>-----Original Message-----
>From: Brooke Clarke [mailto:brooke at pacific.net]
>Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 02:19 PM
>To: 'Eugene Hertz', test-equipment at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] giga 6061A vs HP 8656x
>
>Hi Eugene: 
> 
>It depends on what Sig Gen specs are important to you. 
> 
>A few years ago I wanted a Sig Gen that could be computer controlled for 
>making measurements on receivers and found an HP 8648A and like it very 
>much. 100 kHz to 1 GHz. There are other flavors that go higher in 
>frequency, but don't have the nice modulation features that this box has 
>for testing pagers. 
> 
>The heavy rack mount size HP sig gens that came out of Spokane, WA were 
>optimized for low phase noise and even today are excellent if that's the 
>key spec you need. I got a tour of the factory and they had small 
>cranes all over the place since they weigh more than one person is 
>allowed to lift. 
> 
>There are a lot of HP 8640 generators on the surplus market, but they 
>have some problems with the plastic parts failing. 
> 
>73, 
> 
>Brooke Clarke, N6GCE 
> 
>-- 
>w/Java http://www.PRC68.com 
>w/o Java http://www.pacificsites.com/~brooke/PRC68COM.shtml 
>http://www.precisionclock.com 
> 
> 
> 
>Eugene Hertz wrote: 
> 
>>Hello all, 
>> 
>>looking for an rf gen to near about 1Ghz or so. Been thinking about the HP 8656B or possibly 8657A depending on what I can get for cheap(ish). Came across a gigatronics 6061A for a few hundred less that the typical HP units and was wondering, is this a decent unit? Should I stick to HP? Should I avoid the 6061A like the plague for any reason (reliability, parts, etc?) 
>> 
>>thanks 
>>Eugene 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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