My gosh! I wouldn't want one of those nowadays!
But I suppose that was what I used before the two rack 8620/9845
based versions. I do recall an automated spectrum analysis system
based on 141T's that took up a couple of racks, darned if I can
remember the controller though. Of course this was in the days when
we still had 524 series counters in racks because the powers that be
thought they were more reliable than 5245's. All the gear tended to
be in racks lined up along the wall and we worked on castored
trolley's that rolled between our individual benches and the test
gear.
The system is NOTHING like a 524 which is all tube. You could not give
me one of those.
The system is mostly solid state (it has some BWOs (in the higher
frequency band PIs) and a couple of tubes in the power supply for them
and a CRT) and is largely ICs. In fact, it's a LOT more maintainable
since it has no unobtainable or $$$$$$$$$$ microwave hybrids or ASICs.
Have you tried to fix newer HP stuff? Basically, you have to cannibalize
another unit. I have a 3.7 to 4.2 and 5.9 to 6.5 GHz Communication
Sweep Generator that died. It turns out that HP left a loose screw in
the RF output amp during assembly. The screw was provably NEVER
tightened.... that was clear from a microphotograph I took I complained
bitterly, but they essentially said 'too bad'... it's out of warranty.
They also said I should 'hurry up' and order the replacement module for
ONLY $1400 because the price was about to go up to $2000++. Since then,
I've tried to avoid their newer stuff.
OTOH, I had a Tek RTD-710A fail. The replacement part was about $2500
(an amplifier hybrid), but they said there had been a manufacturing
problem. I took it to the local Tek office and they repaired and
calibrated the unit and returned it to me shipping prepaid... at no
charge... ZERO.
I've thought about changing from the 2100 to a 98xx or PC but rewriting
the SW is just not on my agenda. I mostly use a 8505A these days.
-John
