Hi Colin
I have also seen your posting on the HP8924 group which has additional information in it.
First it is very important to say at what frequencies you are experiencing the errors, the main reason for this is that the front panel on a HP8920A gives the operating range as 400KHz to 1GHz. This is ONLY true for the original electromechanical attenuator version, all the ones that I have seen in the UK have had the PIN diode attenuator fitted which in my experience cannot be trusted below 50MHz. HP claimed 10MHz in their dreams.
Most of these test sets were purchased in the UK for analogue cellular use so the use of a PIN diode attenuator was not an issue.
I would first check to see if the input load measures 50 ohms at the N port, if it does then check and re torque the internal hard line SMA's using a torque spanner, this is very important to avoid damage to the SMA's. There were a number of optimal power handling input loads available, it is not unknown for excess RF power to damage them.
I have not had to work on a 8920A for some years, but as I recall the calibration/adjustment was carried out via the GPIB port using dedicated HP software that would not run on anything later than Windows 95 or possibly 98.
Hope that this helps
George G6HIG
On Sunday, 12 April 2020, 22:18:40 BST, Colin Smithers <colin@...> wrote:
Hi all,
I have an 8920A and the spectrum analyser amplitude level is 3dB out. I have read enough to understand that calibrating this is a bit of a secret. Does anyone know it please?
Similarly for calibrating the power meter.
I have asked the same question on the 8924-series group.
Kind regards
Colin Smithers G4CWH