[Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis

[David]

I have done this before using my Icom 706 but one problem is that as a signal
generator, the transmitter even when set to the lowest output leaks so much that
the whole setup will not work at signal levels even significantly above the
noise floor.  I have a TS430 as well and when using it this way, it suffers from
the same problem.

I guess putting the transmitter into a fully shielded enclosure with
feedthroughs might fix it but then access to change the frequency is cumbersome.

On Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:14:42 -0600, you wrote:

>One of the best and most economical pieces of test equipment is a ham
>transceiver such as an older Kenwood TS430. Remove the diode that allows
>general coverage and you have a continues coverage receiver and signal
>generator from around 50 kHz to 30 MC. 
>
>You can use the receiver as a manual tuned spectrum analyzer, signal level
>meter, frequency meter etc. You can even measure intermodulation levels
>using the CW filter.
>
>In the transmit mode (be care full not to turn the carrier level up too
>high) you have a signal generator with very accurate frequency calibration
>with variable level although uncalibrated level. Use with an external step
>attenuator as a great enhancement. 
>
>On a limited budget something like this will do a lot for you.
>I have spectrum analyzers, tracking generators, scopes, signal level meters
>various analog and synthesized signal generators etc. But I still often use
>the transceiver for quick and easy checks of some things.
>
>73
>Gary  K4FMX
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: test-equipment-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:test-equipment-
>> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David
>> Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 10:54 PM
>> To: Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment
>> Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis
>> 
>> On Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:52:47 -0500 (EST), you wrote:
>> 
>> >> What I'm mostly interested in is ham receiver design, building,
>> and
>> >> alignment. So, that would involve looking at the passbands of the
>> tuned
>> >> circuits associated with RF amplifiers, mixers, and IF stages,
>> including
>> >> crystal or other types of filters. Perhaps 1 kHz to 100 kHz wide
>> at a center
>> >> frequency of  around 2 mhz. Of course it would be nice to be able
>> to look at
>> >> RF amplifier circuits at up to 30 mHz, as it's the good old HF
>> region that
>> >> I'm interested in.
>> >
>> >Doesn't it seem like this requirement can be met with a sweep generator
>> and oscilloscope?
>> >
>> >Wayne
>> >WB4OGM
>> 
>> I have done this before but it is really only feasible if low accuracy
>> is
>> acceptable.
>> 
>> The sweep generator should have a marker output if any frequency
>> accuracy is
>> required but an alternative is to use an oscilloscope which has a gated
>> timer
>> counter but that is a rare feature and offhand I do not know of any
>> modern
>> oscilloscopes which support it.  The Tektronix 7000 series can and maybe
>> the
>> 2247A or the 2465 series with the right options can also.
>> 
>> Amplitude resolution will be good but the dynamic range will be terrible
>> without
>> logarithmic scaling.
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