Re: HP 478 A? Thermistor mounts
Thanks! The primary method of ruining a thermistor mount is to put too much power into it. Consequently, some users keep a 10dB attenuator permanently attached to it.? N6WFO?
Jeremy,? Maybe Div 4 is Standford Park.? ?I think they were the cal lab the service centers (when there were about 5 or 6 of them) used.? ? ? ?I remember using the 432A/478 to test the 50 MHz references in the power meters plus the 435 (K05 maybe) dual power reference.? The 432A's meter movement itself wasn't used but the DC outputs were measured and the power was calculated from those voltages.? Having checked many of these power references I can't remember any of them being out of spec.? ??
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Re: E5052A Power On Test (3.3V Bus Supply)
Hi Leo.
I dug out my old homebrew 10 MHz xtal oscillator and measured it with the E5052A. One of the design goals for this was to be able to use it as a low noise LO for the E5052A so I could measure phase noise for carrier signals below 10 MHz.. But it was also an exercise to see if it agreed with theory and how low I could get the noise floor.
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The circuit does run the crystal with a very high drive level and I didn't bother trimming it to 10 MHz.?
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I used a basic MMIC gain block as the active device so I think I could improve on the close in noise by several dB if I used a lower noise device. I might revisit this at some point although the performance below is already good enough for my needs with the E5052A.
Regards
Jeremy
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Re: 48-440 Hz AC power compatibility option (HP 8660B OPT 003) - acoustic noise (hum/buzz) from the unit?
David,
I worked on many 8660's and only once did I come across a buzzing power transformer.? The customer complained about it and as it did uncharacteristically buzz.? ?(no recollection if it had opt 003) I replaced it and have it in a home made power supply that I built at least 25 years ago.? ?I use the 5V winding, full wave bridge rectified and filtered it is capable of > 20 A at 13.8 V to run a 100 W HF ham band transceiver.? ? The 8660's power transformer is sealed in a gray case (mu metal?) and I thought it might have been potted.? Maybe there are voids in the potting or it was not potted in a sufficient vacuum.? ? In my homebrew power supply it doesn't seem to buzz loud enough to be a problem but I did place it under a bench so maybe it still buzzes:)
Pete
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Re: HP 478 A? Thermistor mounts
Jeremy,? Maybe Div 4 is Standford Park.? ?I think they were the cal lab the service centers (when there were about 5 or 6 of them) used.? ? ? ?I remember using the 432A/478 to test the 50 MHz references in the power meters plus the 435 (K05 maybe) dual power reference.? The 432A's meter movement itself wasn't used but the DC outputs were measured and the power was calculated from those voltages.? Having checked many of these power references I can't remember any of them being out of spec.? ??
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Package forwarders are tough to beat when it comes to small parcels. MyUS ships 5 pounds to Germany through DHL Express with decent tracking for $25-30. I don't know how high the cutoff value is right now, but the receiver might not be prompted to pay duty and/or VAT if you declare them as a gift (especially if they are :) ).
Gabor
On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 10:52?PM Gary Hitchner via <talgarth= [email protected]> wrote: Thanks for all the ideas on shipping overseas, I will try some of the other definitions recommended on the custom form 1st. ? I did look into a flat rate box, the cost was about $85.00 for a medium size box. Parcel Post or whatever they are calling ?it now, lowest cost way is about $50.00 Of course these boards from a 8660 have no real value, I used a low value of? $25.00.? ? Gary WA2OMY ? ? I’m not sure what German policies are, but in the US, repair/replacement parts are generally exempt. I’d assume for that reason, that some companies have different part numbers for a standalone part ordered as an option and a second part number for the part for repair use. Marking them as replacement parts, or parts being returned for repair or similar might be a solution. It’s ambiguous at best….i mean you are repairing your unit. The main limitation is generally not being able to insure for more than the declared value.
Well here some examples (before Trump):
If you buy in US something for 100$ & 25$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver in Germany must pay
import tax 22,50�
total = 22,50�
Sum = 140,90� (Goods and duties)
If you buy in US something for 900$ & 100$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver must pay
import tax = 211�
customs? = 166�
total = 377�
Sum = 1325,00 � (Goods and duties)
Is it a mobile or tablet - then no customs and tax a little bit lower
For a monitor you have 205� tax and 133� customs
So it depends on declaration - normaly the transporter will do all you ;-))
Peter
================
? Am 05.03.2025 um 20:54 schrieb Roy Thistle via : Not sure if the 'receiver' will have to pay duty, when he gets it in Germany; but the HS code might help determine that.
?
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Thanks for all the ideas on shipping overseas, I will try some of the other definitions recommended on the custom form 1st. ? I did look into a flat rate box, the cost was about $85.00 for a medium size box. Parcel Post or whatever they are calling ?it now, lowest cost way is about $50.00 Of course these boards from a 8660 have no real value, I used a low value of? $25.00.? ? Gary WA2OMY ?
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Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Ed Marciniak
Sent: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 4:39 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] Shipping overseas?? I’m not sure what German policies are, but in the US, repair/replacement parts are generally exempt. I’d assume for that reason, that some companies have different part numbers for a standalone part ordered as an option and a second part number for the part for repair use. Marking them as replacement parts, or parts being returned for repair or similar might be a solution. It’s ambiguous at best….i mean you are repairing your unit. The main limitation is generally not being able to insure for more than the declared value.
Well here some examples (before Trump):
If you buy in US something for 100$ & 25$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver in Germany must pay
import tax 22,50�
total = 22,50�
Sum = 140,90� (Goods and duties)
If you buy in US something for 900$ & 100$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver must pay
import tax = 211�
customs? = 166�
total = 377�
Sum = 1325,00 � (Goods and duties)
Is it a mobile or tablet - then no customs and tax a little bit lower
For a monitor you have 205� tax and 133� customs
So it depends on declaration - normaly the transporter will do all you ;-))
Peter
================
? Am 05.03.2025 um 20:54 schrieb Roy Thistle via groups.io: Not sure if the 'receiver' will have to pay duty, when he gets it in Germany; but the HS code might help determine that.
?
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Re: HP8510C TRL Calibration
Hi jjoonthan,
?
In using at the line in first line in the program
?
vna = skrf.vi.vna.hp.HP8510C(address='TCPIP::ad007-right.lan::gpib0,16::INSTR', backend='@py')
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i get the error: ? AttributeError: module 'skrf.vi.vna' has no attribute 'hp'
?
any idea what i'm doing wrong?
?
many thanks, N.
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Re: HP 3403C True RMS Voltmeter display fault
Nah...
3-phase fed 500V raw DC rectifier stage in an 8kW TWTA, PSU let go.
The flames reached the ceiling in the workshop!? While the 32A wall breaker/RCD trip failed to open.
We had a few such events like that.? All were US built high power kit, with VDR's that failed in cascade, running on UK standard 400V 3P&N supplies, that were designed & built for use in the UK.? ("On the edge" rated?)
The high power RCT converter, & the 15kV HV secondary side of the PSU was tame by comparison.
Not fun at the time.
Dave 'KBV.
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I’m not sure what German policies are, but in the US, repair/replacement parts are generally exempt. I’d assume for that reason, that some companies have different part numbers for a standalone part ordered as an option and a second part number
for the part for repair use.
Marking them as replacement parts, or parts being returned for repair or similar might be a solution. It’s ambiguous at best….i mean you are repairing your unit.
The main limitation is generally not being able to insure for more than the declared value.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Well here some examples (before Trump):
If you buy in US something for 100$ & 25$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver in Germany must pay
import tax 22,50�
total = 22,50�
Sum = 140,90� ( Goods and duties)
If you buy in US something for 900$ & 100$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver must pay
import tax = 211�
customs? = 166�
total = 377�
Sum = 1325,00 � ( Goods and duties)
Is it a mobile or tablet - then no customs and tax a little bit lower
For a monitor you have 205� tax and 133� customs
So it depends on declaration - normaly the transporter will do all you ;-))
Peter
================
Am 05.03.2025 um 20:54 schrieb Roy Thistle via groups.io:
Not sure if the 'receiver' will have to pay duty, when he gets it in Germany; but the HS code might help determine that.
|
Well here some examples (before Trump):
If you buy in US something for 100$ & 25$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver in Germany must pay
import tax 22,50�
total = 22,50�
Sum = 140,90� ( Goods and duties)
If you buy in US something for 900$ & 100$ transport
and use flat rate tax rate, then the receiver must pay
import tax = 211�
customs? = 166�
total = 377�
Sum = 1325,00 � ( Goods and duties)
Is it a mobile or tablet - then no customs and tax a little bit
lower
For a monitor you have 205� tax and 133� customs
So it depends on declaration - normaly the transporter will do all
you ;-))
Peter
================
Am 05.03.2025 um 20:54 schrieb Roy
Thistle via groups.io:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Not sure if the 'receiver' will have to pay duty, when he gets it
in Germany; but the HS code might help determine that.
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Use USPS flat rate international box
Fill out content as "sample parts" value $10
Dont mention électronics
J
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No problem. Let us know what was the faulty component just in case
somebody else will have the same issue in future.
Regards,
Razvan
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Show quoted text
On 05/03/2025 21:57, Peter Gottlieb via groups.io wrote: Thanks.? I get 4 errors:
612, 613, 618, 619
Three of these have to do with resistance, maybe I needed to short the
input, but as resistance works (I just tried with a range of high
precision resistors from 1 ohm to 10 meg) and everything looks good so I
will ignore those for now.
The 618 error is DC high voltage attenuator failure so that seems to be
the issue.
Maybe it is a relay failure.
Thanks for this hint to get me in the right direction.
Peter
On 3/5/2025 3:44 PM, Razvan Popescu via groups.io wrote:
Hello Peter,
Try to run a Self Test and see if it passes it.
Could be anything but older 34401A have relay faults. The OMRON relays
can be found but not the COTO relay. Newer 34401A had a newer part
instead of the COTO one but from what I remember that is also
unobtainable.
Regards,
Razvan
On 05/03/2025 21:35, Peter Gottlieb via groups.io wrote:
I have an Agilent 34401A which I've used at my bench for many years.
Today I went to measure a 12 volt battery and it just started clicking.
I tried it on a power supply and auto ranging works fine up to 12 volts
where it starts clicking about twice a second.? Trying manual range,
going over the 10 volt range shows exactly zero volts to any input.
I am guessing it tries autoranging higher, sees the zero, then tries to
go lower, then repeats.
This is only on DC volts.? AC volts and resistance (didn't check
current) are fine, for example I can plug the leads into an outlet and
it shows 120 VAC just fine.
Before I dig in, is anyone familiar with this fault?
Peter
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Thanks.? I get 4 errors:
612, 613, 618, 619
Three of these have to do with resistance, maybe I needed to short the input, but as resistance works (I just tried with a range of high precision resistors from 1 ohm to 10 meg) and everything looks good so I will ignore those for now.
The 618 error is DC high voltage attenuator failure so that seems to be the issue.
Maybe it is a relay failure.
Thanks for this hint to get me in the right direction.
Peter
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 3/5/2025 3:44 PM, Razvan Popescu via groups.io wrote: Hello Peter,
Try to run a Self Test and see if it passes it.
Could be anything but older 34401A have relay faults. The OMRON relays
can be found but not the COTO relay. Newer 34401A had a newer part
instead of the COTO one but from what I remember that is also unobtainable.
Regards,
Razvan
On 05/03/2025 21:35, Peter Gottlieb via groups.io wrote:
I have an Agilent 34401A which I've used at my bench for many years.
Today I went to measure a 12 volt battery and it just started clicking.
I tried it on a power supply and auto ranging works fine up to 12 volts
where it starts clicking about twice a second.? Trying manual range,
going over the 10 volt range shows exactly zero volts to any input.
I am guessing it tries autoranging higher, sees the zero, then tries to
go lower, then repeats.
This is only on DC volts.? AC volts and resistance (didn't check
current) are fine, for example I can plug the leads into an outlet and
it shows 120 VAC just fine.
Before I dig in, is anyone familiar with this fault?
Peter
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Re: HP8510C TRL Calibration
I see the 'switch terms' can be obtain using so it'll be interesting to see how that work and how fast this driver reads the s-parameters, thank, N.
|
Hello Peter,
Try to run a Self Test and see if it passes it.
Could be anything but older 34401A have relay faults. The OMRON relays
can be found but not the COTO relay. Newer 34401A had a newer part
instead of the COTO one but from what I remember that is also unobtainable.
Regards,
Razvan
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 05/03/2025 21:35, Peter Gottlieb via groups.io wrote: I have an Agilent 34401A which I've used at my bench for many years.
Today I went to measure a 12 volt battery and it just started clicking.
I tried it on a power supply and auto ranging works fine up to 12 volts
where it starts clicking about twice a second.? Trying manual range,
going over the 10 volt range shows exactly zero volts to any input.
I am guessing it tries autoranging higher, sees the zero, then tries to
go lower, then repeats.
This is only on DC volts.? AC volts and resistance (didn't check
current) are fine, for example I can plug the leads into an outlet and
it shows 120 VAC just fine.
Before I dig in, is anyone familiar with this fault?
Peter
|
I have an Agilent 34401A which I've used at my bench for many years.
Today I went to measure a 12 volt battery and it just started clicking.
I tried it on a power supply and auto ranging works fine up to 12 volts where it starts clicking about twice a second.? Trying manual range, going over the 10 volt range shows exactly zero volts to any input.
I am guessing it tries autoranging higher, sees the zero, then tries to go lower, then repeats.
This is only on DC volts.? AC volts and resistance (didn't check current) are fine, for example I can plug the leads into an outlet and it shows 120 VAC just fine.
Before I dig in, is anyone familiar with this fault?
Peter
|
On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 07:36 AM, Gary Hitchner wrote:
Anybody have a explanation or know how to get this done?
Maybe.
Ship printed circuit boards to Germany, from the U.S., using a 'Priority Mail International Flat Rate' medium box. (or small, or large too)
AFIK, you gotta use customs form 'PS Form 2976-A'?
On the form, if you describe the 'goods' as 'printed circuit boards'...
You can use Harmonized System (HS) Code 8534.00.00
I think you keep one carbon copy, the post office keeps one too... but copy(s) go in a little pouch, affixed to the box.
AFAIK, if you don't fill out the form... one or all of the following will happen.
USPS won't take it, it won't get accepted into Germany, and it might get returned.
Not sure if the 'receiver' will have to pay duty, when he gets it in Germany; but the HS code might help determine that.
Not sure why USPS, or a USPS agent says you can't do it... when people do it all the time.
?
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Hi Gary,
I had similar problems from Canary Islands to Canada. They told me
Canada would not
allow electronics so I send the stuff to Germany with a friend and
he could send it to
Canada with DHL without any problem. Don't use "electronics" just
say "surplus PCBs".
73, Rainer
Am 05.03.2025 um 15:35 schrieb Gary Hitchner via groups.io:
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Show quoted text
HP list,
I have attempted to
assist a current HP list member in Germany with boards from a
8660C.
The Post Office is
telling me they cannot ship electronics to Germany.? (From the
US). ??Parts, vintage, boards, doesn’t matter.
Do I have the
customs form filled out wrong?? Anybody have a explanation or
know how to get this done?
I did try UPS, they
quoted a price which is a significant percentage of my monthly
income.
Thanks for any
ideas, explanation,
Gary
WA2OMY
?
?
?
?
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Hi all,
?
If anyone is interested, Sphere Electronics has some gpib cables going cheap.
?
?
Regards,
?
Warren
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Re: HP 3403C True RMS Voltmeter display fault
Polymer capacitors are readily available for voltages of 100 and under although modern low ESR electrolytics make perfectly fine replacements for tantalums and are, of course, available in a wider range of voltages..? As for the radial leaded packages very small diameter PTFE tubing is readily available for only a few dollars - dress the leads with it or just put down the appropriate sized pieces of Kapton tape over any traces that may be a shorting hazard.? It will not as rigid of a attachment as a axial package but unless the item will be in a fairly high vibration environment that doesn't matter - and if so, use a dab of the appropriate adhesive.
?
Hal
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Jeremy Nichols
Froggie the Gremlin
Harold Foster