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  1. HP-Agilent-Keysight-Equipment
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Re: Decline, was Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] new File called App notes

 

This topic has sure mutated. Can't let it die now, I'll jump in with a bunch of random babbling, some I've done before, but hey, can't remember which topics. Senility, I suppose.

I posted a few days ago how horrible Win-based equipment was. Just what was anyone thinking? Maybe HP did get paid off my MS. XP was pretty atrocious, massively buggy, security issues all over the place. Both HP and Tek did good embedded sw, then went lame. OTOH, could be part of that move to outsource development, driven by clueless bean-counters. I transitioned from all HW to mostly all SW over my career, always fighting the 'we can hire 5 3rd-world devs for what we pay you'. Ok, do that, hmm, nothing works. So, still pay a real dev plus those 5 useless hacks. Bean-counters apparently can't figure out that they're paying 2x one good dev for 0.9 total output, since all the code has to be dealt with (rewritten) by the good dev.

Next rant, sw bloat. I ended up doing a lot of sw for telecom, massive servers, all in Java. Talk about bloated code, gigs of open-source libs, some dragged in just to get one trivial method. And, modern pseudo-devs have no understanding of hardware at all, and just as little understanding of basic sw algorithms, Just blindly use whatever they stumble across, then wonder why we needed a server farm to run what should have been possible on one machine.

Moving on, those DS 'top-hat' pseudo-nvrams. Who ever thought those were a good idea? 10 yrs, dead. I'm suspecting bean-counters again, make sure to obsolete the equipment. There's a guy selling ferromagnetic rams to replace said DS horrors for Tek scopes. Time to start doing the same for our HP stuff. And yes, my latest acquisition, 53310A, appears to have one of those damn things in it.

Have I run out? Of course not.

On to C vs C++. I really never liked C++, and don't get me started on C#. My definition of C++, a pseudo-OO variant done by someone that really didn't understand C. Stroustrup is on my hate-list. I've written hundreds of thousands of lines of C, and still my favorite lang for embedded tiny stuff. I started with IBM 360 assembler (BALR sound familiar, waiting for responses to that), then Fortran, then PDP-8, PDP-11, Multics, Unix, Linux. Used Unix at Bell Labs early on. It is truly amazing how it has evolved.

Hmm, any more? Oh, wait, of course.....

Cheap instruments from China. All based on various US highly-integrated chips. Some of the stuff is useful. most is just junk. Amazing 'specs' in the ads. Any real test data? Of course not. Get some of them, Ok, yes, they do the basic operations, but, example, cheap signal generators, horrible purity and stability. About as much out-of-peak energy as is in the fundamental.

Finally, modern instruments of any kind.

What happened to the great engineering we used to have? Now it's all about design-to-cost. Selling points seem to be 'internet connected'. I'll stack my $300 5370 time-interval analyzer up against anything you can get today. GUI? Nope. Internet? Nope. Amazing? Yes. Same for my 54542, and still amazing even today, given what one costs vs new junk. BTW, friend of mine from college worked at HP instrument division, he's told me many a sad tale about the decline of HP. Blames one person, Carly.

In closing, maybe I can start another flame war. My 54542 is the first HP scope I'd ever considered.Everything else I now have in my home lab is HP, but Tek? scopes really dominated. I love my Tek 2465A, one of the last great analog scopes. My HP friend said they got tired of everyone complaining about the lame triggering performance of HP scopes, decided to do a 'Tek killer', and succeeded. True? Don't know. I do know that one of the early Tek digital scopes that I had used this what seems to me to be a total hack, linear CCD to capture the analog, then read it out slowly enough for the lame A/D to handle. And, I do know I just love my 54542. Well, until the already-fading CRT dies. At least it doesn't run Win. :)

Hope I've amused you,
Bill

Oh, and I want to put a plug in for some of the classic Brit engineering. My 2 Datron 4910 voltage refs used to be national-standard level. My Solartron 7081 8.5 digit meters rock (although it is sloooow at 8.5, and really isn't quite as good as a 3458A, but at a fraction of the price if you can find one. BTW, it didn't use the LTZ ref both the 3458 and my Datron 4910's used. It had a 'zero-temp-factor' Zener, selected, and then compensated more by a temp measurement, trimmed per-Zener to get the best zero TC. Love it.
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Wow, did this turn into a contest? I was doing that in the early 60¡¯s. That¡¯s enough from my book. All yours -

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 4:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Hi

?

In 75 I was playing with gun diodes and Klystrons? at the age of 17 only test equipment where diode detectors on the end of a meter and an oscilloscope I had rebuilt after someone had used it for spare parts ??

?

Paul

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Feher
Sent: 25 April 2020 20:29
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Well, in the early 70¡¯s, to be able to do this at home, was fun and rewarding. From some heavy math to a final product. ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 3:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Hi

?

yes a lot of filter work can be verified using peak hold can be time consuming on a adjusting complicated filter

?

Regards Paul

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Feher
Sent: 25 April 2020 19:33
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

In my early days of designing filters, I used to use a broadband noise generator with a 141T spectrum analyzer. Worked great in max hold after a few sweeps. Just had to make sure the total in-band energy did not overload the front end. Was even able to adjust the zeroes pretty accurately. Since I only built Elliptics, I knew were the poles and zeroes were. 73 ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG -
Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18
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Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

All sounds good to me
Regards Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bruce
Sent: 25 April 2020 21:06
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

Paul - Yes - I am the author of th statement
Quoting Paul Bicknell <paul@...>:

Hi Bruce I assume you are quoting the following



I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network

analyzer. SA +FG = S12 measurement





Because I did not as most amateurs would not understand network analysers
having never used one



In England as part of a two week satellite work experience program for
school children and a summer school for collage students

the practical demonstrations start of with the understanding of Dbs
followed by network analyser measuring throw loss and return loss

and also TDR measurements on fibber optic cables



These courses have even been rolled out to girls schools to educate them
that engineering is a profession they can do

and engineers no longer work with a greasy rag and go home stinking of oil



Personally I am sylph taught as never worked with RF test equipment as
part
of my R & D work in the aerospace and automotive industry



Regards Paul



-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bruce
Sent: 25 April 2020 18:51
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale



I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network

analyzer. SA +FG = S12 measurement (sorta)

Quoting Paul Bicknell <paul@...>:



Hi Dave
I think you have it ! it is the tracking generator obsession
As we have only had one person com back saying he requires it but shame
it

only goes to 1000 mhz I would think the minimum now days would be 2000
Mhz

for sat comes IF work
Regards Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave
McGuire

Sent: 25 April 2020 15:48
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale
On 4/25/20 5:59 AM, Paul Bicknell wrote:
During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests
for people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about
wanting a tracking generator
I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few
times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum
analyser for setting up IF filters
In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power
meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers
Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment
and think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware
of sweepers and Scalier analysers
I've wondered about this myself. I've always just assumed that the
tracking generator obsession was from people who don't know about (or
are intimidated by) network analyzers.
-Dave
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA


















-----

No virus found in this message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18

Internal Virus Database is out of date.










-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18
Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi

?

In 75 I was playing with gun diodes and Klystrons? at the age of 17 only test equipment where diode detectors on the end of a meter and an oscilloscope I had rebuilt after someone had used it for spare parts ??

?

Paul

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Feher
Sent: 25 April 2020 20:29
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Well, in the early 70¡¯s, to be able to do this at home, was fun and rewarding. From some heavy math to a final product. ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 3:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Hi

?

yes a lot of filter work can be verified using peak hold can be time consuming on a adjusting complicated filter

?

Regards Paul

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Feher
Sent: 25 April 2020 19:33
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

In my early days of designing filters, I used to use a broadband noise generator with a 141T spectrum analyzer. Worked great in max hold after a few sweeps. Just had to make sure the total in-band energy did not overload the front end. Was even able to adjust the zeroes pretty accurately. Since I only built Elliptics, I knew were the poles and zeroes were. 73 ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG -
Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18
Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

Paul - Yes - I am the author of th statement
Quoting Paul Bicknell <paul@...>:

Hi Bruce I assume you are quoting the following



I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network

analyzer. SA +FG = S12 measurement





Because I did not as most amateurs would not understand network analysers
having never used one



In England as part of a two week satellite work experience program for
school children and a summer school for collage students

the practical demonstrations start of with the understanding of Dbs
followed by network analyser measuring throw loss and return loss

and also TDR measurements on fibber optic cables



These courses have even been rolled out to girls schools to educate them
that engineering is a profession they can do

and engineers no longer work with a greasy rag and go home stinking of oil



Personally I am sylph taught as never worked with RF test equipment as part
of my R & D work in the aerospace and automotive industry



Regards Paul



-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bruce
Sent: 25 April 2020 18:51
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale



I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network

analyzer. SA +FG = S12 measurement (sorta)

Quoting Paul Bicknell <paul@...>:



Hi Dave
I think you have it ! it is the tracking generator obsession
As we have only had one person com back saying he requires it but shame it
only goes to 1000 mhz I would think the minimum now days would be 2000
Mhz

for sat comes IF work
Regards Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave McGuire
Sent: 25 April 2020 15:48
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale
On 4/25/20 5:59 AM, Paul Bicknell wrote:
During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests
for people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about
wanting a tracking generator
I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few
times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum
analyser for setting up IF filters
In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power
meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers
Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment
and think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware
of sweepers and Scalier analysers
I've wondered about this myself. I've always just assumed that the
tracking generator obsession was from people who don't know about (or
are intimidated by) network analyzers.
-Dave
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA


















-----

No virus found in this message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18

Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Well, in the early 70¡¯s, to be able to do this at home, was fun and rewarding. From some heavy math to a final product. ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 3:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Hi

?

yes a lot of filter work can be verified using peak hold can be time consuming on a adjusting complicated filter

?

Regards Paul

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Feher
Sent: 25 April 2020 19:33
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

In my early days of designing filters, I used to use a broadband noise generator with a 141T spectrum analyzer. Worked great in max hold after a few sweeps. Just had to make sure the total in-band energy did not overload the front end. Was even able to adjust the zeroes pretty accurately. Since I only built Elliptics, I knew were the poles and zeroes were. 73 ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi

?

yes a lot of filter work can be verified using peak hold can be time consuming on a adjusting complicated filter

?

Regards Paul

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Feher
Sent: 25 April 2020 19:33
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

In my early days of designing filters, I used to use a broadband noise generator with a 141T spectrum analyzer. Worked great in max hold after a few sweeps. Just had to make sure the total in-band energy did not overload the front end. Was even able to adjust the zeroes pretty accurately. Since I only built Elliptics, I knew were the poles and zeroes were. 73 ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

?

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 2:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Hi Jim

?

Yes filters that is exactly the thing I have used a spectrum analyser with a tracking filter for and they where all below 100 Mhz

?

Regards Paul

?

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG -
Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18
Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

?

?

Hi Bruce ??I assume ?you are quoting the following

?

I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network?

analyzer.? SA +FG = S12 measurement

?

?

Because I did not as most amateurs would not understand network analysers having never used one

?

In England as part of a two week satellite work experience program for school children and a summer school for collage students ?

the practical demonstrations start of with the understanding of Dbs ?followed by network analyser measuring throw loss and return loss

and also TDR measurements on fibber optic cables ?

?

These courses have even been rolled out to ?girls schools to educate them that engineering is a profession they can do

and engineers no longer work with a greasy rag and go home stinking of oil

?

Personally I am sylph taught as never worked with RF test equipment as part of my R & D work in the aerospace and automotive industry

?

Regards Paul

?

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bruce
Sent: 25 April 2020 18:51
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network?

analyzer.? SA +FG = S12 measurement (sorta)

Quoting Paul Bicknell <paul@...>:

?

> Hi Dave

>?

> I think you have it !??? it is the tracking generator obsession

>?

> As we have only had one person com back saying he requires it but shame it

> only goes to 1000 mhz? I would think the minimum now days would be 2000 Mhz

> for sat comes IF work

>?

> Regards Paul

>?

>?

>?

> -----Original Message-----

> From: [email protected]

> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave McGuire

> Sent: 25 April 2020 15:48

> To: [email protected]

> Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

>?

> On 4/25/20 5:59 AM, Paul Bicknell wrote:

>> During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests

>> for people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about

>> wanting a tracking generator

>>?

>> I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few

>> times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum

>> analyser for setting up IF? filters

>>?

>> In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power

>> meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers

>>?

>> Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment

>> and think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware

>> of sweepers and Scalier analysers

>?

>?? I've wondered about this myself.? I've always just assumed that the

> tracking generator obsession was from people who don't know about (or

> are intimidated by) network analyzers.

>?

>?????????????? -Dave

>?

> Dave McGuire, AK4HZ

> New Kensington, PA

>?

>?

>?

>

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

-----

No virus found in this message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18

Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

In my early days of designing filters, I used to use a broadband noise generator with a 141T spectrum analyzer. Worked great in max hold after a few sweeps. Just had to make sure the total in-band energy did not overload the front end. Was even able to adjust the zeroes pretty accurately. Since I only built Elliptics, I knew were the poles and zeroes were. 73 ¨C Mike

?

Mike B. Feher, N4FS

89 Arnold Blvd.

Howell NJ 07731

848-245-9115

?

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 2:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

?

Hi Jim

?

Yes filters that is exactly the thing I have used a spectrum analyser with a tracking filter for and they where all below 100 Mhz

?

Regards Paul

?
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

Hi Jim

Yes filters that is exactly the thing I have used a spectrum analyser with a
tracking filter for and they where all below 100 Mhz

Regards Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Shorney
Sent: 25 April 2020 18:48
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale


Paul,

The Midnight SNA was a neat little kit I built a couple of years ago mainly
because I needed something to test vintage IF crystal filters with. As such
its top end of 60 MHz was more than adequate. It is an outgrowth of the
PHSNA project. NanoVNA is all the rage these days, a fun little toy. I'm
still figuring it out.

My company manufactures low power VHF/UHF professional wireless intercom
radios which have some pretty tight bandpass filters on the receivers and
sometimes the transmitters. The SA + TG is how we align them both on the
production line and in the service center. I also use if for checking the
bandpass response of wideband powered antenna splitter/combiner boxen. Stuff
that most hams/hobbyists don't usually see.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 17:33:28 +0100
"Paul Bicknell" <paul@...> wrote:

Hi Jim
interesting about you using the tracking generator daily

Love to know how you use it in your daily job

Regarding Street credibility I think we all have it if we have HP test
equipment and I must admit I do have 6 HP spectrum analysers

But Midnight SNA and Nano VNA are both new to me

Regards Paul


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Shorney
Sent: 25 April 2020 17:03
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale


I have used HP tracking analyzers at work almost daily for many years.
Last
year I acquired one surplus that needed minor repair for a stupid low
price.
I also own a Midnight SNA and NanoVNA. And a vintage Eico sweep generator.
:)

Each tool has its own niche. Each is plenty good enough for most hobbyist
needs within those niches. The HP continues to be my favorite instrument
and
my go-to for sanity checks on the others. And yes, I do use the tracking
generator in radio service work. I likely would not have purchased this HP
if it did not have the TG.

And then there's always the street cred that comes with using a name brand
instrument.... :D

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 10:59:31 +0100
"Paul Bicknell" <paul@...> wrote:

Hi all

During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests
for
people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about
wanting a tracking generator

I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few
times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum
analyser for setting up IF filters

In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power
meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers

Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment
and
think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware of
sweepers and Scalier analysers

Your comments please Regards Paul










-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2016.0.8048 / Virus Database: 4793/15886 - Release Date: 08/14/18
Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Re: WTB HP 11852A or B 50/75 Ohm minimum loss pad

 

How good do they have to be?

How about?the Mini-Circuits UNMP-5075?? They have a ship from UK option.



On Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 8:37 AM Sotiris via <pdmtr=[email protected]> wrote:
Hi
I'm looking for a pair of the HP 11852A or B 50/75 Ohm minimum loss?pad adapters or their
equivalents. If there is someone that doesn't need them I'm willing to buy them. I'm located at Athens GREECE so will have to ship them with post if possible for economy... reasons :)
Thank you in advance
Sotiris Pdmt

Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

I think what they are trying to sayis they REALLY want a network analyzer. SA +FG = S12 measurement (sorta)
Quoting Paul Bicknell <paul@...>:

Hi Dave

I think you have it ! it is the tracking generator obsession

As we have only had one person com back saying he requires it but shame it
only goes to 1000 mhz I would think the minimum now days would be 2000 Mhz
for sat comes IF work

Regards Paul



-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave McGuire
Sent: 25 April 2020 15:48
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale

On 4/25/20 5:59 AM, Paul Bicknell wrote:
During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests
for people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about
wanting a tracking generator

I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few
times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum
analyser for setting up IF filters

In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power
meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers

Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment
and think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware
of sweepers and Scalier analysers
I've wondered about this myself. I've always just assumed that the
tracking generator obsession was from people who don't know about (or
are intimidated by) network analyzers.

-Dave

Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA
Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

Paul,

The Midnight SNA was a neat little kit I built a couple of years ago mainly because I needed something to test vintage IF crystal filters with. As such its top end of 60 MHz was more than adequate. It is an outgrowth of the PHSNA project. NanoVNA is all the rage these days, a fun little toy. I'm still figuring it out.

My company manufactures low power VHF/UHF professional wireless intercom radios which have some pretty tight bandpass filters on the receivers and sometimes the transmitters. The SA + TG is how we align them both on the production line and in the service center. I also use if for checking the bandpass response of wideband powered antenna splitter/combiner boxen. Stuff that most hams/hobbyists don't usually see.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 17:33:28 +0100
"Paul Bicknell" <paul@...> wrote:

Hi Jim
interesting about you using the tracking generator daily

Love to know how you use it in your daily job

Regarding Street credibility I think we all have it if we have HP test
equipment and I must admit I do have 6 HP spectrum analysers

But Midnight SNA and Nano VNA are both new to me

Regards Paul


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Shorney
Sent: 25 April 2020 17:03
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale


I have used HP tracking analyzers at work almost daily for many years. Last
year I acquired one surplus that needed minor repair for a stupid low price.
I also own a Midnight SNA and NanoVNA. And a vintage Eico sweep generator.
:)

Each tool has its own niche. Each is plenty good enough for most hobbyist
needs within those niches. The HP continues to be my favorite instrument and
my go-to for sanity checks on the others. And yes, I do use the tracking
generator in radio service work. I likely would not have purchased this HP
if it did not have the TG.

And then there's always the street cred that comes with using a name brand
instrument.... :D

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 10:59:31 +0100
"Paul Bicknell" <paul@...> wrote:

Hi all

During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests for
people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about
wanting a tracking generator

I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few
times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum
analyser for setting up IF filters

In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power
meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers

Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment and
think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware of
sweepers and Scalier analysers

Your comments please Regards Paul




Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

Paul,

Built-in tracking generators are rather nice.? When you are at a remote site in the winter in a blinding snow storm or somewhere else there really isn't time to be fudging around with multiple pieces of equipment to tune a frequency sensitive device or check its response.

Greg
Re: HP 4195A NiCad Battery replacement

 

It¡¯s fairly simple.? If they are truly 2/3AA cells pick up a couple from the millions of distributors on the web, specify ones with tabs, solder the two interconnecting tabs together and? you have a battery.? If you want perfection take the cells over to your local Batteries & Bulbs store and have them assemble the pack and apply the customary shrink tube.? They might even have the 2/3AA NiCads in stock.? And there are other companies on the web who will build packs for you.

?

I nearly always build my own packs in-house for cheap and they look just like the OEMs.

?

Greg
Re: Hp 8660A extender cards

 

Hi John,
if still available, I would show interest in this nice extender package. Would be glad to hear back from you.
Thanks!
Chris
Re: HP 53310A debugging

 

Tam, no problem, thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Looks like I'm going to have to wait for the CLIP docs. PS is dead-on, voltage is clean. Connectors reseatedseated. Unit is very clean. Amusingly, whoever owned it apparently sent to to Keysight for recal fairly regularly, stickers are on the box. Last recal 2017. Umm, so, just what were they paying for? A 5v source and about 20 seconds of button-pushing? This has got to be the easiest instrument to calibrate that I've ever seen.

Bill
Re: HP 53310A debugging

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Sorry Mate, I meant well. Wanted to make sure it does not get forgotten.


Not my day today. Badly managed to hurt myself while shopping...


Tam

With best regards
Tam HANNA 

Enjoy electronics? Join 15k7 other followers by visiting the Crazy Electronics Lab at
On 2020. 04. 25. 18:12, Bill E wrote:

Yes, the front-end gain calibration requires 5.000V. My fancy (and calibrated) voltage standard is good to 50 times better than that. :)
The interpolator calibration does NOT require an input, in fact, you are explicitly told to be sure nothing is connected.

Re: Test Equipment For Sale

 

Hi Jim
interesting about you using the tracking generator daily

Love to know how you use it in your daily job

Regarding Street credibility I think we all have it if we have HP test
equipment and I must admit I do have 6 HP spectrum analysers

But Midnight SNA and Nano VNA are both new to me

Regards Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Shorney
Sent: 25 April 2020 17:03
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Test Equipment For Sale


I have used HP tracking analyzers at work almost daily for many years. Last
year I acquired one surplus that needed minor repair for a stupid low price.
I also own a Midnight SNA and NanoVNA. And a vintage Eico sweep generator.
:)

Each tool has its own niche. Each is plenty good enough for most hobbyist
needs within those niches. The HP continues to be my favorite instrument and
my go-to for sanity checks on the others. And yes, I do use the tracking
generator in radio service work. I likely would not have purchased this HP
if it did not have the TG.

And then there's always the street cred that comes with using a name brand
instrument.... :D

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Sat, 25 Apr 2020 10:59:31 +0100
"Paul Bicknell" <paul@...> wrote:

Hi all

During the last year on a number of sites I have seen several requests for
people buying their fist spectrum analyser and all have spoken about
wanting a tracking generator

I personally have only used an analyser with a tracking generator a few
times in my life and that was 35 years ago a Marconi 110 Mhz spectrum
analyser for setting up IF filters

In my early days I started using swappers and diode detectors or power
meters with an oscilloscope then moved onto Scaler analysers

Could it be the new people are not familiar with other test equipment and
think a spectrum analyser is the only tool they require and unaware of
sweepers and Scalier analysers

Your comments please Regards Paul
Re: HP 53310A debugging

 

Yes, the front-end gain calibration requires 5.000V. My fancy (and calibrated) voltage standard is good to 50 times better than that. :)
The interpolator calibration does NOT require an input, in fact, you are explicitly told to be sure nothing is connected.
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