¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

Re: 8566 5.2V supply

 

A bit of a late reply, but I hope it is still of value.

The 1854-0441 was used as Q4 on the A17 boards for instruments with serial number prefixes in the range 2410A to 2532A. It is a general purpose power NPN transistor in a TO-3 package. In later instruments it was replaced --- without changing, to the best of my knowledge, any of the surrounding components --- with a TIP41A transistor which comes in a modern TO-220 package.

Thus, if you need to replace the 1854-0441 either go for a TIP41A (in which case you will need to accommodate the different footprint and replace/modify the small heat-sink), or look at the TIP41A specs and locate a reasonable replacement in a TO-3 package, which should not be hard.? Note that even though these are power transistors they are dissipating well below their rated maximum power in this circuit as they are mounted on tiny heat-sinks.


Re: HP-8753E Option Key Installation Failure

 

I believe there's a jumper or a dip switch that has to be set correctly to allow the eeprom to be written. The instructions are in the service manual.?


On Fri, Feb 11, 2022 at 12:06 PM Rich Miller via <av8torrich=[email protected]> wrote:
All:

I posted about this over at the EEVBLOG, but I figured I should post it here too. I am having a problem loading the Harmonic and Time Domain Options (OPT2 & OPT10) for my HP-8753E. I have a License Key for my VNA¡¯s serial number, and the instrument posts the matching serial number as to what is printed on the instrument¡¯s physical label on the back.

When I follow the installation process I keep getting the ¡°OPT COR FAIL¡±. Some of the helpful folks on the EEVBLOG suggest that I may have to remove the EEPROM and force those bits in order to activate. While I am willing to do this, it does pose a degree of risk of corrupting my only EEPROM, not to mention I would have to invest in a Reader/Writer with that would accept this EEPROM package.

Before I take on this risk, I want to make sure there is nothing further I should try.

Rich






HP-8753E Option Key Installation Failure

 

All:

I posted about this over at the EEVBLOG, but I figured I should post it here too. I am having a problem loading the Harmonic and Time Domain Options (OPT2 & OPT10) for my HP-8753E. I have a License Key for my VNA¡¯s serial number, and the instrument posts the matching serial number as to what is printed on the instrument¡¯s physical label on the back.

When I follow the installation process I keep getting the ¡°OPT COR FAIL¡±. Some of the helpful folks on the EEVBLOG suggest that I may have to remove the EEPROM and force those bits in order to activate. While I am willing to do this, it does pose a degree of risk of corrupting my only EEPROM, not to mention I would have to invest in a Reader/Writer with that would accept this EEPROM package.

Before I take on this risk, I want to make sure there is nothing further I should try.

Rich


Re: [HP-Agilent-KI eysight-equipment] FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The 8640 can deviate 10.7 if you mix it down with e.g. the 11710 Down Converter. ?Or even any generator and a mixer; there¡¯s an app note for that, AN171-2.

?

Dave Wise

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Tom Lee via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2022 8:49 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] [HP-Agilent-KI eysight-equipment] FM Tuner alignment generator?..

?

Hi Bruce,

Although I've used the 8640 for FM alignment on occasion -- with great results -- I wouldn't want to have to use it on a regular basis. The FM modulator doesn't support a large enough deviation to use the instrument as a sweeper for tuning up a 10.7MHz IF chain, so you have to do it manually. As much as I love that sig gen, it really wasn't born for this particular purpose. The 8601A, on the other hand, was. The Sencore is definitely a step down, but it still gets the job done. In pre-Covid times, I regularly saw these at e-Fleas for a song. Or maybe it was the same unit, sitting unsold...

I never laid hands on an ST-1000. It sounds like a good bit of kit. Thanks for mentioning it.

--Cheers,
Tom



-- 
Prof. Thomas H. Lee
Allen Ctr., Rm. 205
350 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-4070

On 2/10/2022 18:07, greenboxmaven via groups.io wrote:

I worked at a boutique hifi shop for a few years around 2015. I had an 8640 and it was fime for aligning FM tuners, as well as AM/SW and the occasional communications receiver. The shop had a Sound Technologies ST-1000, but the other technician laid total claim to it. I got a Heathkit generator for working on? stereo FM decoders. Considering the technical standards and audio processing of stations in this area, a tip top quality alignment with a sweep generator would? be a waste of time.? I did borrow and use a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator to repair a really beaten up Marantz 10 tuner. Trying to align an IF with Butterworth filters can drive you crazy, especially if you don't have the secret factory repair manual. I never had an unhappy customer.

?? Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

On 2/10/22 15:47, Dave Brown wrote:

Probably hard to find these days, but an 8690 sweeper mainframe with the
solid state 8698 100 KHz to 110 MHz plugin should do the job.
 The 8698/8690 combo? has a full range calibrated attenuator on the
output(+10 to -110 dBm) and both internal and external modulation
capabilities are available. But- it IS big and heavy!
DaveB, NZ
?
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of tony sayer
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2022 08:06
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] FM Tuner alignment generator?..
?
?
Does anyone know of a HP signal generator thats got a sweep section for FM
(87.5 - 108 MHz) tuner alignment?
?
The old Sound technology ST1000 was ideal for that but now long out of
production but seeing that in the UK at least the FM Broadcast band is to be
retrained till at least 2030 and we do have some FM Rebroadcast receivers to
look after, that would be a useful unit to have!
?
Thanks if anyone can recommend an HP one...
 
--
Tony Sayer
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?

?


Re: 54717A Calibrator

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I am interested in this calibrator plug in as well. I have three of these wonderful scopes, and one needs to be recal.?

Best, Francesco K5URG


On Feb 11, 2022, at 08:21, boddax@... wrote:

?Here the best i can do , i dont have pro tools




front and rear


Re: FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

To do a comprehensive job of aligning FM tuners you really want a generator designed for that job - especially if you want to verify or align FM stereo multiplex decoders.

One example of a relatively modern unit is the Sencore SG80.? Unfortunately, because it is so good for the task, the asking and selling prices for them are rather high.

There are other generators specifically made for the task as well.? There is a class of generators - sometimes called "standard" signal generators - specifically intended for servicing radios. They are modern, solid state, accurate, and reliable. There are many models from companies like Leader, Panasonic, Kenwood, Kikusui, Meguro and others.

Alternatively, if you like lab grade equipment and envision general use of the generator as well - particularly if you want frequency coverage to 1 GHz or more,, there is one good choice - the Rohde & Schwarz SML/SMV series with option B5.


Re: FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

Hi,

Recently I was using my 8645A for tuner alignment (a Mcintsh MR71 tube tune). I tried all sorts of methods - the 8645 can sweep the FM range with an FM modulated signal on top of it. Finally, for IF alignment, I used fixed RF frequency with FM modulation of 100Hz and 500kHz deviation.

Really versatile piece of equipment... its repair gave me a lot of headaches but it was worth it. I got plenty of? valuable support from this group...

cheers
Martin


Re: 54717A Calibrator

 

Here the best i can do , i dont have pro tools




front and rear


Re: 8560E Second Converter

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi Dave limits needs to be accurate as the level is used in doublers too low does not work.
best regards Peter

Fra: [email protected] <[email protected]> p? vegne af Dave Ireland <mirrors@...>
Sendt: 11. februar 2022 09:19
Til: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Emne: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter
?
Peter

The first fault was U700 and the series pass transistor on U700 supply that was gone. Replaced that and all the alarms cleared. The 600MHz is still a bit low but comparing the device 600MHz and a signal generator injected in at the right level, the second converter output is still about 25dB low.

I will try and sort that out and then go back to U501 to see if I can raise the 600MHz.

Thanks for tip.

Dave


On 11/02/2022 2:17 pm, Peter Hansen wrote:

Hello in 90% cases of that failure your U501 in A15 is dead. It is a 18-19dBm MMIC . Not critical use ERA5 or MSA0586 etc.
also if your 300Mhz Cal output is bad it that failure. They look ok still if measuring current arount it but it looses amplification. It will not tripple the 100Mhz to 300 and then not double to the 600Mhz.
best regards Peter OZ1LPR

Fra: [email protected] <[email protected]> p? vegne af Dave Ireland <mirrors@...>
Sendt: 10. februar 2022 08:00
Til: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Emne: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter
?
Askild

I have a sig gen and a specan that both go to 3GHz.

The test point on the converter is labelled LO test and I assume that this is the 600MHZ but I see nothing on this even though the 600MHz input is correct. If however it is the 3.9Ghz, then I have no way of seeing this without mixing it to another frequency.

I can't see the output of the A8 Low Band mixer as it is again too high for my specan but the RF input is correct according to the manual at -21dBm and the drive voltages are -4.96V for the -5V rail and -4.14V for the -4V rail.

The 310.75MHz output of the converter when measured as per the manual is -59dBm where it should be -38dBm.? When I measure the voltage between the test connector J19 pins 15 and 6, the drive to the converter pin switch, I get +14.48V which is in the range of the manual.

The next item in the manual is measuring the mixer bias on the test connector J19 pin 1 where I get -39mV which is outside the required range of -150mV and -800mV. After that it just says if outside the range, probably the second converter is faulty.

The voltages to the second converter are:-

J12-1 Mixer Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -39mV
J12-2 +5VF:?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? 4.87V
J12-3 Analogue Gnd: ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Yes
J12-4 +10VR:?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? 9.9V
J12-5 Pin Switch:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-7 Drain Current Sense: ??? ??? 4.86V
J12-8 Drain Voltage:??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? 4.85V
J12-9 Doubler Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J1210 Driver Bias:??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? 0.465V

Without the circuit of the converter I don't know the relevance of these but the only one that looks a bit strange is the doubler bias.

Do you have any thoughts after your experience?

I will pull it apart again and check out some of yours and Gerald's suggestions on the DC feeds, the feed throughs and where this LO test point comes from.

Thanks

Dave



On 8/02/2022 5:38 pm, Askild wrote:
Hi Dave,

I once fixed a 5086-7812? second converter with a 5021-8661 board.
The only problem on this, was cracked solder joints on the feed through capacitors on the board. So I did not have to open the cavity part of the converter.
HP had cut the legs after soldering, all the way down in the solder joint. This is a bad thing as it adds stress to the solder. I was sure HP would have known better.
I have pictures of it, but not at hand right now.

Do you have a second spectrum analyzer? You should check the output of the test port on the converter.
And also the input level of the LO and IF.

Maybe you can tell us a bit more about the fault. What is the loss through the converter?
Guess this SA only go to 2.9GHz? so there is no high band?
What test equipment do you have to test and fault find with.

Regards,
Askild



On Tue, Feb 8, 2022 at 6:20 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Sorry I rushed that last email.

For more relevance the second converter I am talking about is a 5086-7957 and it is low on gain.

Dave

On 8/02/2022 1:10 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:
Has anyone had any joy repairing on of these.

Dave





Re: 8640B - No Count

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Brian

Hope yours is as easy to fix as my loaner unit.

Traced the internal and external count through the counter chain (was worried the ECL chips had failed but they are all good) up to the counters that drive the display and it was all good.

The time base that triggers the store of the count was not present and traced this back to the other board and though the 5MHz reference was working the time base was deadly quiet. Then I noticed an input into the gate around the reference oscillator that was labelled Int/Ext. There is a input on the back for ext time base option and the toggle switch next to the input was set to external.

Switched to internal, exercised the Int/Ext counter push button and all came good.

I was able to replicate the problem easily. If you power off the machine set the time base input switch on the back panel to external and then turn it on you get the following display every time.

?

Turning it back to internal reactivates the count.

If yours is not the switch in the wrong place but you get the display with the decimal points have a look at the time base reference and check U6B output is 5Mhz out.

Dave



On 10/02/2022 8:12 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:

I will pull the covers off tomorrow and have a look. I downloaded a rough copy of the service manual.

Is there a way to workout which of the versions the counter is.

The device is not mine but I would love to get it working as I have soft spot for them having used it to tune diplexers in the early 70s and liked them then.

Dave
VK6ZIP



-------- Original message --------
From: Brian <brianclarke01@...>
Date: 10/2/22 19:18 (GMT+08:00)
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8640B - No Count

Hello Dave,

?

I have the same problem. I found a self-proclaimed expert, but in the end he stopped communicating; his advice got me nowhere. The main thing I learned was that there have been many iterations of the counter, and a counter from one 8640B may not work at all in another, showing just the zeroes and decimal points you and I both get.

?

Please keep me in the loop if you find someone who can fix the counter module.

?

73 de Brian, VK2GCE

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave Ireland
Sent: Thursday, 10 February 2022 9:20 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8640B - No Count

?

I've borrowed a 8640B which as far as high level output works well.

The problem is that the counter on both internal and external selection shows all zeros with three decimal points thrown in.

There seems to be a lot of knowledge out there and heaps of discussion but I did not see one on just "0"s without flashing. Has anyone experienced this before?

Dave



Re: 8560E Second Converter

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Peter

The first fault was U700 and the series pass transistor on U700 supply that was gone. Replaced that and all the alarms cleared. The 600MHz is still a bit low but comparing the device 600MHz and a signal generator injected in at the right level, the second converter output is still about 25dB low.

I will try and sort that out and then go back to U501 to see if I can raise the 600MHz.

Thanks for tip.

Dave


On 11/02/2022 2:17 pm, Peter Hansen wrote:

Hello in 90% cases of that failure your U501 in A15 is dead. It is a 18-19dBm MMIC . Not critical use ERA5 or MSA0586 etc.
also if your 300Mhz Cal output is bad it that failure. They look ok still if measuring current arount it but it looses amplification. It will not tripple the 100Mhz to 300 and then not double to the 600Mhz.
best regards Peter OZ1LPR

Fra: [email protected] <[email protected]> p? vegne af Dave Ireland <mirrors@...>
Sendt: 10. februar 2022 08:00
Til: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Emne: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter
?
Askild

I have a sig gen and a specan that both go to 3GHz.

The test point on the converter is labelled LO test and I assume that this is the 600MHZ but I see nothing on this even though the 600MHz input is correct. If however it is the 3.9Ghz, then I have no way of seeing this without mixing it to another frequency.

I can't see the output of the A8 Low Band mixer as it is again too high for my specan but the RF input is correct according to the manual at -21dBm and the drive voltages are -4.96V for the -5V rail and -4.14V for the -4V rail.

The 310.75MHz output of the converter when measured as per the manual is -59dBm where it should be -38dBm.? When I measure the voltage between the test connector J19 pins 15 and 6, the drive to the converter pin switch, I get +14.48V which is in the range of the manual.

The next item in the manual is measuring the mixer bias on the test connector J19 pin 1 where I get -39mV which is outside the required range of -150mV and -800mV. After that it just says if outside the range, probably the second converter is faulty.

The voltages to the second converter are:-

J12-1 Mixer Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -39mV
J12-2 +5VF:?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? 4.87V
J12-3 Analogue Gnd: ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Yes
J12-4 +10VR:?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? 9.9V
J12-5 Pin Switch:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-7 Drain Current Sense: ??? ??? 4.86V
J12-8 Drain Voltage:??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? 4.85V
J12-9 Doubler Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J1210 Driver Bias:??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? 0.465V

Without the circuit of the converter I don't know the relevance of these but the only one that looks a bit strange is the doubler bias.

Do you have any thoughts after your experience?

I will pull it apart again and check out some of yours and Gerald's suggestions on the DC feeds, the feed throughs and where this LO test point comes from.

Thanks

Dave



On 8/02/2022 5:38 pm, Askild wrote:
Hi Dave,

I once fixed a 5086-7812? second converter with a 5021-8661 board.
The only problem on this, was cracked solder joints on the feed through capacitors on the board. So I did not have to open the cavity part of the converter.
HP had cut the legs after soldering, all the way down in the solder joint. This is a bad thing as it adds stress to the solder. I was sure HP would have known better.
I have pictures of it, but not at hand right now.

Do you have a second spectrum analyzer? You should check the output of the test port on the converter.
And also the input level of the LO and IF.

Maybe you can tell us a bit more about the fault. What is the loss through the converter?
Guess this SA only go to 2.9GHz? so there is no high band?
What test equipment do you have to test and fault find with.

Regards,
Askild



On Tue, Feb 8, 2022 at 6:20 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Sorry I rushed that last email.

For more relevance the second converter I am talking about is a 5086-7957 and it is low on gain.

Dave

On 8/02/2022 1:10 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:
Has anyone had any joy repairing on of these.

Dave





Re: 8560E Second Converter

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Wow a bit ordinary for HP.

I am loaning one of those nano spec an that proports to go to 4.4GHz and check the LO and the output of the 1st mixer.

Then I will go back in and have a closer look at all the solder joints.

Dave



On 11/02/2022 3:18 pm, Askild wrote:

Hi,

Just for completeness I will share a couple of pictures of the second converter in a 8563A that I fixed.
In the first picture, it was not easy to see the issue:
20180207_223009_s.jpg

I then grabbed a better camera to get better close in shot:
2K8A9276_s.jpg
2K8A9274_c.jpg

So it is obvious that they cut the legs after soldering, and they cut down into the solder joint.
If you cut like this, you need to re-solder the joint! This is one of the first things I learned at the soldering course at my first job.

Regards,
Askild



On Fri, Feb 11, 2022 at 1:02 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Askild

After my email I pulled it apart again and had a good look. Nothing stood out other than some of the soldering looked a bit cold. The feed thrus where ok, nice and shinny.

It was interesting about the voltages. The descriptions in the manual are all wrong with only 5v, mixer bias and "pin switch" being used and repeated accross several of the pins.?

I will see if I can source a higher spec an to check the LO.

Thanks

Dave













-------- Original message --------
From: Askild <megafluffy@...>
Date: 11/2/22 04:22 (GMT+08:00)
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter

Hi Dave,

The test port on the second converter should be 3.6GHz (6*600MHz).
Normally I think that the first mixer is the part that is most likely to fail, as its exposed to over power or dc voltage from the input connector.
It will be difficult to fault find without test instrument that go above 3GHz.?
You don't need a full lab of equipment that go above 3GHz, but having one that can detect power would help.
So a power meter, or maybe just a diode detector that is usable above 3 GHz. You don't need exact measurement, you could compare a known power level from your signal generator at 3GHz, to what come out of mixer at 3.9GHz. Will not be accurate, but should not be 20dB difference.
Also, an ADF4351 will go to 4.4GHz. You can get complete units with touch screen. Here would be the same, set the frequency at 3GHz, and measure level with your spectrum analyzer, making sure the level is correct for the second converter (use attenuators if necessary), then increase frequency to 1st IF (3.9xxGHz) and measure output of second converter with your SA.
You could possibly also make a down converter with a mixer and a LO source.

So I think you need to invest in something that lets you either measure or source above 3GHz, if you don't know somebody that have equipment you could borrow.
I can't answer on your voltage measurements, hopefully someone else can help.

Regards,
Askild



On Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Askild

I have a sig gen and a specan that both go to 3GHz.

The test point on the converter is labelled LO test and I assume that this is the 600MHZ but I see nothing on this even though the 600MHz input is correct. If however it is the 3.9Ghz, then I have no way of seeing this without mixing it to another frequency.

I can't see the output of the A8 Low Band mixer as it is again too high for my specan but the RF input is correct according to the manual at -21dBm and the drive voltages are -4.96V for the -5V rail and -4.14V for the -4V rail.

The 310.75MHz output of the converter when measured as per the manual is -59dBm where it should be -38dBm.? When I measure the voltage between the test connector J19 pins 15 and 6, the drive to the converter pin switch, I get +14.48V which is in the range of the manual.

The next item in the manual is measuring the mixer bias on the test connector J19 pin 1 where I get -39mV which is outside the required range of -150mV and -800mV. After that it just says if outside the range, probably the second converter is faulty.

The voltages to the second converter are:-

J12-1 Mixer Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -39mV
J12-2 +5VF:?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? 4.87V
J12-3 Analogue Gnd: ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Yes
J12-4 +10VR:?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? 9.9V
J12-5 Pin Switch:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-7 Drain Current Sense: ??? ??? 4.86V
J12-8 Drain Voltage:??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? 4.85V
J12-9 Doubler Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-10 Driver Bias:??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? 0.465V

Without the circuit of the converter I don't know the relevance of these but the only one that looks a bit strange is the doubler bias.

Do you have any thoughts after your experience?

I will pull it apart again and check out some of yours and Gerald's suggestions on the DC feeds, the feed throughs and where this LO test point comes from.

Thanks

Dave



On 8/02/2022 5:38 pm, Askild wrote:
Hi Dave,

I once fixed a 5086-7812? second converter with a 5021-8661 board.
The only problem on this, was cracked solder joints on the feed through capacitors on the board. So I did not have to open the cavity part of the converter.
HP had cut the legs after soldering, all the way down in the solder joint. This is a bad thing as it adds stress to the solder. I was sure HP would have known better.
I have pictures of it, but not at hand right now.

Do you have a second spectrum analyzer? You should check the output of the test port on the converter.
And also the input level of the LO and IF.

Maybe you can tell us a bit more about the fault. What is the loss through the converter?
Guess this SA only go to 2.9GHz? so there is no high band?
What test equipment do you have to test and fault find with.

Regards,
Askild



On Tue, Feb 8, 2022 at 6:20 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Sorry I rushed that last email.

For more relevance the second converter I am talking about is a 5086-7957 and it is low on gain.

Dave

On 8/02/2022 1:10 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:
Has anyone had any joy repairing on of these.

Dave





Re: 8560E Second Converter

 

Hi,

Just for completeness I will share a couple of pictures of the second converter in a 8563A that I fixed.
In the first picture, it was not easy to see the issue:
20180207_223009_s.jpg

I then grabbed a better camera to get better close in shot:
2K8A9276_s.jpg
2K8A9274_c.jpg

So it is obvious that they cut the legs after soldering, and they cut down into the solder joint.
If you cut like this, you need to re-solder the joint! This is one of the first things I learned at the soldering course at my first job.

Regards,
Askild



On Fri, Feb 11, 2022 at 1:02 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Askild

After my email I pulled it apart again and had a good look. Nothing stood out other than some of the soldering looked a bit cold. The feed thrus where ok, nice and shinny.

It was interesting about the voltages. The descriptions in the manual are all wrong with only 5v, mixer bias and "pin switch" being used and repeated accross several of the pins.?

I will see if I can source a higher spec an to check the LO.

Thanks

Dave













-------- Original message --------
From: Askild <megafluffy@...>
Date: 11/2/22 04:22 (GMT+08:00)
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter

Hi Dave,

The test port on the second converter should be 3.6GHz (6*600MHz).
Normally I think that the first mixer is the part that is most likely to fail, as its exposed to over power or dc voltage from the input connector.
It will be difficult to fault find without test instrument that go above 3GHz.?
You don't need a full lab of equipment that go above 3GHz, but having one that can detect power would help.
So a power meter, or maybe just a diode detector that is usable above 3 GHz. You don't need exact measurement, you could compare a known power level from your signal generator at 3GHz, to what come out of mixer at 3.9GHz. Will not be accurate, but should not be 20dB difference.
Also, an ADF4351 will go to 4.4GHz. You can get complete units with touch screen. Here would be the same, set the frequency at 3GHz, and measure level with your spectrum analyzer, making sure the level is correct for the second converter (use attenuators if necessary), then increase frequency to 1st IF (3.9xxGHz) and measure output of second converter with your SA.
You could possibly also make a down converter with a mixer and a LO source.

So I think you need to invest in something that lets you either measure or source above 3GHz, if you don't know somebody that have equipment you could borrow.
I can't answer on your voltage measurements, hopefully someone else can help.

Regards,
Askild



On Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Askild

I have a sig gen and a specan that both go to 3GHz.

The test point on the converter is labelled LO test and I assume that this is the 600MHZ but I see nothing on this even though the 600MHz input is correct. If however it is the 3.9Ghz, then I have no way of seeing this without mixing it to another frequency.

I can't see the output of the A8 Low Band mixer as it is again too high for my specan but the RF input is correct according to the manual at -21dBm and the drive voltages are -4.96V for the -5V rail and -4.14V for the -4V rail.

The 310.75MHz output of the converter when measured as per the manual is -59dBm where it should be -38dBm.? When I measure the voltage between the test connector J19 pins 15 and 6, the drive to the converter pin switch, I get +14.48V which is in the range of the manual.

The next item in the manual is measuring the mixer bias on the test connector J19 pin 1 where I get -39mV which is outside the required range of -150mV and -800mV. After that it just says if outside the range, probably the second converter is faulty.

The voltages to the second converter are:-

J12-1 Mixer Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -39mV
J12-2 +5VF:?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? 4.87V
J12-3 Analogue Gnd: ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Yes
J12-4 +10VR:?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? 9.9V
J12-5 Pin Switch:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-7 Drain Current Sense: ??? ??? 4.86V
J12-8 Drain Voltage:??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? 4.85V
J12-9 Doubler Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-10 Driver Bias:??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? 0.465V

Without the circuit of the converter I don't know the relevance of these but the only one that looks a bit strange is the doubler bias.

Do you have any thoughts after your experience?

I will pull it apart again and check out some of yours and Gerald's suggestions on the DC feeds, the feed throughs and where this LO test point comes from.

Thanks

Dave



On 8/02/2022 5:38 pm, Askild wrote:
Hi Dave,

I once fixed a 5086-7812? second converter with a 5021-8661 board.
The only problem on this, was cracked solder joints on the feed through capacitors on the board. So I did not have to open the cavity part of the converter.
HP had cut the legs after soldering, all the way down in the solder joint. This is a bad thing as it adds stress to the solder. I was sure HP would have known better.
I have pictures of it, but not at hand right now.

Do you have a second spectrum analyzer? You should check the output of the test port on the converter.
And also the input level of the LO and IF.

Maybe you can tell us a bit more about the fault. What is the loss through the converter?
Guess this SA only go to 2.9GHz? so there is no high band?
What test equipment do you have to test and fault find with.

Regards,
Askild



On Tue, Feb 8, 2022 at 6:20 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Sorry I rushed that last email.

For more relevance the second converter I am talking about is a 5086-7957 and it is low on gain.

Dave

On 8/02/2022 1:10 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:
Has anyone had any joy repairing on of these.

Dave




Re: 8560E Second Converter

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hello in 90% cases of that failure your U501 in A15 is dead. It is a 18-19dBm MMIC . Not critical use ERA5 or MSA0586 etc.
also if your 300Mhz Cal output is bad it that failure. They look ok still if measuring current arount it but it looses amplification. It will not tripple the 100Mhz to 300 and then not double to the 600Mhz.
best regards Peter OZ1LPR

Fra: [email protected] <[email protected]> p? vegne af Dave Ireland <mirrors@...>
Sendt: 10. februar 2022 08:00
Til: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Emne: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter
?
Askild

I have a sig gen and a specan that both go to 3GHz.

The test point on the converter is labelled LO test and I assume that this is the 600MHZ but I see nothing on this even though the 600MHz input is correct. If however it is the 3.9Ghz, then I have no way of seeing this without mixing it to another frequency.

I can't see the output of the A8 Low Band mixer as it is again too high for my specan but the RF input is correct according to the manual at -21dBm and the drive voltages are -4.96V for the -5V rail and -4.14V for the -4V rail.

The 310.75MHz output of the converter when measured as per the manual is -59dBm where it should be -38dBm.? When I measure the voltage between the test connector J19 pins 15 and 6, the drive to the converter pin switch, I get +14.48V which is in the range of the manual.

The next item in the manual is measuring the mixer bias on the test connector J19 pin 1 where I get -39mV which is outside the required range of -150mV and -800mV. After that it just says if outside the range, probably the second converter is faulty.

The voltages to the second converter are:-

J12-1 Mixer Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -39mV
J12-2 +5VF:?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? 4.87V
J12-3 Analogue Gnd: ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Yes
J12-4 +10VR:?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? 9.9V
J12-5 Pin Switch:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-7 Drain Current Sense: ??? ??? 4.86V
J12-8 Drain Voltage:??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? 4.85V
J12-9 Doubler Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-10 Driver Bias:??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? 0.465V

Without the circuit of the converter I don't know the relevance of these but the only one that looks a bit strange is the doubler bias.

Do you have any thoughts after your experience?

I will pull it apart again and check out some of yours and Gerald's suggestions on the DC feeds, the feed throughs and where this LO test point comes from.

Thanks

Dave



On 8/02/2022 5:38 pm, Askild wrote:

Hi Dave,

I once fixed a 5086-7812? second converter with a 5021-8661 board.
The only problem on this, was cracked solder joints on the feed through capacitors on the board. So I did not have to open the cavity part of the converter.
HP had cut the legs after soldering, all the way down in the solder joint. This is a bad thing as it adds stress to the solder. I was sure HP would have known better.
I have pictures of it, but not at hand right now.

Do you have a second spectrum analyzer? You should check the output of the test port on the converter.
And also the input level of the LO and IF.

Maybe you can tell us a bit more about the fault. What is the loss through the converter?
Guess this SA only go to 2.9GHz? so there is no high band?
What test equipment do you have to test and fault find with.

Regards,
Askild



On Tue, Feb 8, 2022 at 6:20 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Sorry I rushed that last email.

For more relevance the second converter I am talking about is a 5086-7957 and it is low on gain.

Dave

On 8/02/2022 1:10 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:
Has anyone had any joy repairing on of these.

Dave




Re: [HP-Agilent-KI eysight-equipment] FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi Bruce,

Although I've used the 8640 for FM alignment on occasion -- with great results -- I wouldn't want to have to use it on a regular basis. The FM modulator doesn't support a large enough deviation to use the instrument as a sweeper for tuning up a 10.7MHz IF chain, so you have to do it manually. As much as I love that sig gen, it really wasn't born for this particular purpose. The 8601A, on the other hand, was. The Sencore is definitely a step down, but it still gets the job done. In pre-Covid times, I regularly saw these at e-Fleas for a song. Or maybe it was the same unit, sitting unsold...

I never laid hands on an ST-1000. It sounds like a good bit of kit. Thanks for mentioning it.

--Cheers,
Tom


-- 
Prof. Thomas H. Lee
Allen Ctr., Rm. 205
350 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-4070
On 2/10/2022 18:07, greenboxmaven via groups.io wrote:

I worked at a boutique hifi shop for a few years around 2015. I had an 8640 and it was fime for aligning FM tuners, as well as AM/SW and the occasional communications receiver. The shop had a Sound Technologies ST-1000, but the other technician laid total claim to it. I got a Heathkit generator for working on? stereo FM decoders. Considering the technical standards and audio processing of stations in this area, a tip top quality alignment with a sweep generator would? be a waste of time.? I did borrow and use a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator to repair a really beaten up Marantz 10 tuner. Trying to align an IF with Butterworth filters can drive you crazy, especially if you don't have the secret factory repair manual. I never had an unhappy customer.

?? Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

On 2/10/22 15:47, Dave Brown wrote:
Probably hard to find these days, but an 8690 sweeper mainframe with the
solid state 8698 100 KHz to 110 MHz plugin should do the job.
 The 8698/8690 combo  has a full range calibrated attenuator on the
output(+10 to -110 dBm) and both internal and external modulation
capabilities are available. But- it IS big and heavy!
DaveB, NZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of tony sayer
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2022 08:06
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] FM Tuner alignment generator?..


Does anyone know of a HP signal generator thats got a sweep section for FM
(87.5 - 108 MHz) tuner alignment?

The old Sound technology ST1000 was ideal for that but now long out of
production but seeing that in the UK at least the FM Broadcast band is to be
retrained till at least 2030 and we do have some FM Rebroadcast receivers to
look after, that would be a useful unit to have!

Thanks if anyone can recommend an HP one...
 
--
Tony Sayer













Re: FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

On Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 11:06 AM, tony sayer wrote:
Does anyone know of a HP signal generator thats got a sweep section for
FM (87.5 - 108 MHz) tuner alignment?
Unless you've got your heart set on spending a lot of money, there are several pieces of non-HP equipment that should do the task just fine: the NanoVNA and the tinySA.? Both about the size of a deck of cards,? price runs fifty bucks and up.? There are some bad tinySA clones out there, so if you buy one, buy it from one of the recommended vendors.? Recommended vendors here: https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying


Looking for an extra Button Cap for HP3312A Restoration

 

Hi -
I am hoping someone may have an extra push button cap to replace a missing one on my HP3312A.? These button caps were used in many of the 1970's vintage instruments.
If anyone would be willing to help out please contact me at jrf100@....
Thanks for any help you may offer.
Jim


Re: FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I worked at a boutique hifi shop for a few years around 2015. I had an 8640 and it was fime for aligning FM tuners, as well as AM/SW and the occasional communications receiver. The shop had a Sound Technologies ST-1000, but the other technician laid total claim to it. I got a Heathkit generator for working on? stereo FM decoders. Considering the technical standards and audio processing of stations in this area, a tip top quality alignment with a sweep generator would? be a waste of time.? I did borrow and use a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator to repair a really beaten up Marantz 10 tuner. Trying to align an IF with Butterworth filters can drive you crazy, especially if you don't have the secret factory repair manual. I never had an unhappy customer.

?? Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

On 2/10/22 15:47, Dave Brown wrote:

Probably hard to find these days, but an 8690 sweeper mainframe with the
solid state 8698 100 KHz to 110 MHz plugin should do the job.
 The 8698/8690 combo  has a full range calibrated attenuator on the
output(+10 to -110 dBm) and both internal and external modulation
capabilities are available. But- it IS big and heavy!
DaveB, NZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of tony sayer
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2022 08:06
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] FM Tuner alignment generator?..


Does anyone know of a HP signal generator thats got a sweep section for FM
(87.5 - 108 MHz) tuner alignment?

The old Sound technology ST1000 was ideal for that but now long out of
production but seeing that in the UK at least the FM Broadcast band is to be
retrained till at least 2030 and we do have some FM Rebroadcast receivers to
look after, that would be a useful unit to have!

Thanks if anyone can recommend an HP one...
 
--
Tony Sayer












Re: 8560E Second Converter

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Askild

After my email I pulled it apart again and had a good look. Nothing stood out other than some of the soldering looked a bit cold. The feed thrus where ok, nice and shinny.

It was interesting about the voltages. The descriptions in the manual are all wrong with only 5v, mixer bias and "pin switch" being used and repeated accross several of the pins.?

I will see if I can source a higher spec an to check the LO.

Thanks

Dave













-------- Original message --------
From: Askild <megafluffy@...>
Date: 11/2/22 04:22 (GMT+08:00)
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 8560E Second Converter

Hi Dave,

The test port on the second converter should be 3.6GHz (6*600MHz).
Normally I think that the first mixer is the part that is most likely to fail, as its exposed to over power or dc voltage from the input connector.
It will be difficult to fault find without test instrument that go above 3GHz.?
You don't need a full lab of equipment that go above 3GHz, but having one that can detect power would help.
So a power meter, or maybe just a diode detector that is usable above 3 GHz. You don't need exact measurement, you could compare a known power level from your signal generator at 3GHz, to what come out of mixer at 3.9GHz. Will not be accurate, but should not be 20dB difference.
Also, an ADF4351 will go to 4.4GHz. You can get complete units with touch screen. Here would be the same, set the frequency at 3GHz, and measure level with your spectrum analyzer, making sure the level is correct for the second converter (use attenuators if necessary), then increase frequency to 1st IF (3.9xxGHz) and measure output of second converter with your SA.
You could possibly also make a down converter with a mixer and a LO source.

So I think you need to invest in something that lets you either measure or source above 3GHz, if you don't know somebody that have equipment you could borrow.
I can't answer on your voltage measurements, hopefully someone else can help.

Regards,
Askild



On Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Askild

I have a sig gen and a specan that both go to 3GHz.

The test point on the converter is labelled LO test and I assume that this is the 600MHZ but I see nothing on this even though the 600MHz input is correct. If however it is the 3.9Ghz, then I have no way of seeing this without mixing it to another frequency.

I can't see the output of the A8 Low Band mixer as it is again too high for my specan but the RF input is correct according to the manual at -21dBm and the drive voltages are -4.96V for the -5V rail and -4.14V for the -4V rail.

The 310.75MHz output of the converter when measured as per the manual is -59dBm where it should be -38dBm.? When I measure the voltage between the test connector J19 pins 15 and 6, the drive to the converter pin switch, I get +14.48V which is in the range of the manual.

The next item in the manual is measuring the mixer bias on the test connector J19 pin 1 where I get -39mV which is outside the required range of -150mV and -800mV. After that it just says if outside the range, probably the second converter is faulty.

The voltages to the second converter are:-

J12-1 Mixer Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -39mV
J12-2 +5VF:?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? 4.87V
J12-3 Analogue Gnd: ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Yes
J12-4 +10VR:?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? 9.9V
J12-5 Pin Switch:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-7 Drain Current Sense: ??? ??? 4.86V
J12-8 Drain Voltage:??? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? 4.85V
J12-9 Doubler Bias:??? ??? ??? ??? ??? 14.48V
J12-10 Driver Bias:??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? 0.465V

Without the circuit of the converter I don't know the relevance of these but the only one that looks a bit strange is the doubler bias.

Do you have any thoughts after your experience?

I will pull it apart again and check out some of yours and Gerald's suggestions on the DC feeds, the feed throughs and where this LO test point comes from.

Thanks

Dave



On 8/02/2022 5:38 pm, Askild wrote:
Hi Dave,

I once fixed a 5086-7812? second converter with a 5021-8661 board.
The only problem on this, was cracked solder joints on the feed through capacitors on the board. So I did not have to open the cavity part of the converter.
HP had cut the legs after soldering, all the way down in the solder joint. This is a bad thing as it adds stress to the solder. I was sure HP would have known better.
I have pictures of it, but not at hand right now.

Do you have a second spectrum analyzer? You should check the output of the test port on the converter.
And also the input level of the LO and IF.

Maybe you can tell us a bit more about the fault. What is the loss through the converter?
Guess this SA only go to 2.9GHz? so there is no high band?
What test equipment do you have to test and fault find with.

Regards,
Askild



On Tue, Feb 8, 2022 at 6:20 AM Dave Ireland <mirrors@...> wrote:
Sorry I rushed that last email.

For more relevance the second converter I am talking about is a 5086-7957 and it is low on gain.

Dave

On 8/02/2022 1:10 pm, Dave Ireland wrote:
Has anyone had any joy repairing on of these.

Dave




Re: FM Tuner alignment generator?..

 

Are you wanting to align IFs or frontends?