Low cost spectrum analyzer <100MHz?

Thanks, Doug. It's good to know that we can also use the 8554B even if we never exceed 100MHz. I remember that storage was already an issue when the units were fairly knew. But I never relied on it anyway and we don't have to here. All we need is noise floor measurements and even there the NF of the analyzer input doesn't matter because I've put preamps in the client's system.

Haven't seen any 8569 analyzers for sale lately. But 20GHz would be total overkill here anyway. Those should get into the hands of people who really need that.

The amazing thing is that when I used that 141T about 25 years ago the reason many others didn't want it and didn't pester me to "get done with my stuff" was that it doesn't offer push button control. Everyone wanted to be able to punch in start, stop, RBW, VBW and so on. Not use dials and rotary switches. Like when they see my car. "Oh, a stick shift? Yech, I wouldn't want to drive that."

Yep, and they sure did work well. I was very happy with that 141T back then. Especially because it wasn't gone when I came in the next morning like most other gear.

Sigh. I should have known...

Tell my wife. She is also in charge of things when my lab becomes "too full" :-)

Today there was a 141/8553/8552 that went for $400 despite the fact that the seller stated that he couldn't get a trace onto the screen. Blew me away. That can mean anything. Either a loose switch which is fixed in a few minutes or a linear regulator could have gone lala and fried anything downstream of it.

I have a great love of setting my own parameters and have hated the auto setup things. When people use autosettings, they tend to stop thinking.

The dynamic range on the 8553/8554 is as good as any you are going to find especially when you have a 8552B if unit and the narrow resolution bandwidth. Because they did not have a lot of computer correction, they had to make the basics work well.

The 8569 goes to 20GHz on harmonic mixing. The basic unit is 1.7GHz so it is much like a 8554 with a digital display. They show up on ebay for $1000 or so on occasion. If you do not need a narrow resolution bandwidth, the 8559 in an 853 digital mainframe is nice and they go for less than $1000. For my home lab I have a 8562 with a couple of 8569s and a 8559 for backup. After I got the 8562, I got rid of about a dozen sets of 140/141/8553/8664/8555/8556 sets. A few months ago I could have sent you several sets. Time never works the way you want. It is the same when you throw out old parts you have not seen in years and then find a need for them the next day.

On ebay 141/8553/8552 systems are selling for $200 to $400. You can afford to get a couple to use for spares at that price.

I have asked the givee of the analyzers how attached he is to one of them. I will let you know what he says. The 8553 were in good shape and the 8554 was in a cal lab where no one knew how to use it so it is in almost new shape. There also was a lovely 432/478 power meter that probably has an hour on it but it has no resale value these days.

Yes, please let me know.

Analog power meters can be great. I have one from Rhode&Schwarz and it's the only thing that really works when noise is totally random. That can freak out analyzers. This meter has that traditional old mirror display. When I bought it the thing looked like it was never used. Not a scratch yet they almost gave it away. It was a company closure, one of the best opportunities to buy equipment. AFAIR it was a silent auction. Good bargains but it can be boring, I really like it Texas style ;-)

Good God, man, the next time you throw a generous fit, would you keep those of us scraping by with old systron-donners in mind?

Jim

After I got the 8562, I got rid of about a dozen

Check

Oliver

An ordinary UHF tv tuner can be converted into a low cost spectrum analyzer.

Construction projects appeared a decade ago, possibly in RE.

We've bought and used it in another company. But it's really more like an EMC pre-compliance machine. Nice quality. Well, after all, it's Hameg. My very first scope from them is around 30 years old and works like new.

VBW can't really make up for missing RBW if there are carriers present in the band. My client's site has some big transmitters next door :-(

Problem is, the dynamic range of the average TV tuner ain't nothing to write home about.

I think Hamegs are great. I've recently bought some Teks from the "cheap" end of their lightweight, 4-channel LCD ones, but I prefer the old Hamegs analog/digital combo scopes.

robert

Same here. Somehow those classy green/blue CRTs let you see more nuances in a signal. Try to detect a wee modulation on an LCD.