[Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis

[Gary Schafer]

I don't remember how low the TS430 will go as a signal source. I remember
trying it in the broadcast band it put out power there. I think that it goes
lower too but would have to look again. It will receive down pretty low,
below 100 KHz as I remember. It will tune all the way down to zero.

As someone pointed out, it leaks pretty badly so not good as a low level
calibrated signal source but it is useful as a signal source for tuning rf &
IF stages, checking filter response etc.

73
Gary K4FMX

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carl [mailto:km1h at jeremy.mv.com]
> Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 2:00 PM
> To: garyschafer at comcast.net; Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment
> Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis
> 
> Is there any older xcvr, especially KW that will TX below 500 KHz at the
> pre
> driver stage? Even 1 mw is fine.
> Ive been unable to find the unlock secret for my TS-940 and TS-950SD.
> 
> Carl
> KM1H
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gary Schafer" <garyschafer at comcast.net>
> To: "'Discussion of Electronic Test Equipment'"
> <test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 12:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] RF spectrum analysis
> 
> 
> > 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:
> >>
> >> >&gt; What I'm mostly interested in is ham receiver design, building,
> >> and
> >> >&gt; alignment. So, that would involve looking at the passbands of
> the
> >> tuned
> >> >&gt; circuits associated with RF amplifiers, mixers, and IF stages,
> >> including
> >> >&gt; crystal or other types of filters. Perhaps 1 kHz to 100 kHz
> wide
> >> at a center
> >> >&gt; frequency of  around 2 mhz. Of course it would be nice to be
> able
> >> to look at
> >> >&gt; RF amplifier circuits at up to 30 mHz, as it's the good old HF
> >> region that
> >> >&gt; 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.
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Test-Equipment mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/test-equipment
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:Test-Equipment at mailman.qth.net
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Test-Equipment mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/test-equipment
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:Test-Equipment at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> >
> > -----
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3681/7017 - Release Date:
> 01/20/14
> >