[Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis

[Fuqua, Bill L]

   One thing you have to be aware of.
The older and more complex the test equipment you have, the more time you find yourself having to 
work on it, taking away from your projects. I have a stack of instruments that I need to find time to
dig into and fix. I have not gotten around to it because I had obligations to others to repair their stuff.
   The nice thing about an inexpensive 7000 series scope is that if something fails, it is modular and you
only have to replace a plug-in, frame or power supply. Avoid the 465 and 475 scopes. They are usually 
well used by now and the gold contact pads on the input attenuators wear thru causing all sorts of problems.
   You have to remember the difference between going cheap and going inexpensively. No matter what
you do there will be tradeoffs. 
   One thing that really bugs me is that the  new high quality stuff, besides being very expensive, is that
it is nearly impossible to maintain. And the factories are not interested in maintaining it for you for $ only
after a few years and want you to replace it. 
73
Bill wa4lav

________________________________________
From: test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net [test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Francesco Ledda [frledda at att.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 9:28 PM
To: Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment
Cc: Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment
Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis

Agree 100%.  There is no need to buy a Chinese toy, when you can get a good and high quality US made unit!

KF5rxv

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 19, 2014, at 7:50 PM, "Carl" <km1h at jeremy.mv.com> wrote:
>
> Find a working HP-141T system, vintage but a decent SA for ham use. I used one on the workbench about 12 years and now its used for TX monitoring.
> They all need a bit of  TLC as caps dry out and take SS parts with them. Only the CRT is in the unobtainium category so be sure it is nice and bright. Its better than paying $3-4K for a newer HP prone to the same issues and has proprietary parts. The 141T is all discrete components, ie: transistors, diodes, cap, etc.
>
> The only thing you will find somewhat reasonable for a VNA is one of the kits that work with a PC. Not cheap but less pizzas needed.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Burns" <brian at lessonsinlutherie.com>
> To: "'Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment'" <test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 7:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis
>
>
>> Hello Ron,
>>
>> ~ Maybe something like this will work for you
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PHSNA/info
>> This is a current project and pretty simple to build, still evolving but
>> very functional right now.
>>
>> That certainly looks like what I've had in mind. However my building
>> experience is from all the way back in the 1950's, and programming is way
>> over my pay grade! Do you mean I'm finally going to have to wrap my mind
>> around a "flow of holes"?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
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