8487A are still quite expensive on ebay, usually the go for $1200-1700
money i didnt wanted to spend so i was looking for a alternative.
Taking some sensors apart while working in the lab of a T+M Repair
facility i noticed a striking similarity of the cartridges used in
the R8486A/Q8486A and 8487A ! after running into a blown 8487A i used
a cartridge out of a R8486A to fix it, i send the sensor off for
calibration and it passed ! later conversation with a coleague at
agilent revealed that the cartridge used in the 8486 and 8487 are in
fact idendical !
So the idea was conceived to study what it would take to build up a
8487A !
First of we need a HP8486A R or Q will do just fine, the cartridge,
bellow case, nut and PCB can be reused, be carefull not to lose the
bellow when removing the cartridge !
Next obtain the Service manual of the 8487A (Download from agilent)
page 76 gives you a nice exploded view of the sensor bulkhead, order
MP1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/10/11/12 total parts cost about $400
Assemble all parts, be carefull not to squish the bellow its very
small (MP9) put your sensor back together, remove the old label and
affix a new one and there you have a 8487A , same goes for the
D !
If you get a waveguide sensor for $300 and add $400 for the parts,
add another $100 for calibration (cypris) can do those, agilent wont
because the sensor wont have a S/N !
you got a 8487A for well below the average ebay cost !
Just remember, this is for your own use only, if you sell the sensor
you will have to let the new owner known that it is a clone,
otherwise it would be considered piracy !
