The function(s) listed below. Some instruments have multiple functions - for example, the 4195A is a VNA, spectrum analyzer and an impedance analyzer. Therefore the 4195A is listed in multiple categories
If you want flat labels on a flat box, there's a way to do them that isn't too bad.
two ways:
1) print a color inkjet (or laser) on a transparency reversed. Mount the transparency ink down so it reads properly.? Be careful that whatever you use to fasten the transparency to the box doesn't dissolve the ink.? Laser may be better in this case. Since the ink is on the reverse of the transparency, it is well shielded.
2) do the same, or don't bother to reverse the transparency. Overlay this with a thin (say 0.050) plastic sheet as a front cover.? This will be milled or machined to go around switches, over (non touch) displays, or around touch displays.? The graphics in either case are limited by your design software.
Depends on how elaborate you wish to be.? It won't quite look like conventional silk screen, but can be far more elaborate. Just fastening the plastic down with screws allows changing your mind.
Otherwise, I've used Ptouch labels, but they're crude if you don't use the transparent ones.
On 5/4/2025 8:02 PM, Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
Hi all, I've had limited success (hand) writing, and sometimes printing, labels to stick on DIY project boxes for miscellaneous labeling needs. There was some chatter here on materials and printing means and solutions, but I'm really only looking for some recommendations for DIY projects. What types of sticky labels are better for these specific applications? What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes. I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of. Apologies if this is far off topic - hopefully others will find it useful for their own needs. Thank you, Radu.
Andrew, while I cannot answer the question directly, HP would often describe the options by combining options together into one option no., ie, 003 and 050 = 053, however in this case I think it maybe a personality. ?There is somewhere in the menu structure a listing of the options installed in the unit. ?A single purchaser may have requested an option package designated as R53 (ie. radio testing personality). Are there any tags identifying the previous owner? The 8590 series was the first series of HP SA’s that were easily customized by software/hardware options to get the best possible fit for your testing needs.
On page 394-6, table 10-1 lists quite of few of the options. This is also the 8590 series Service Manual, schematics included.
Don Bitters
Re: (OT?...) Sticky labels for aluminum and other typical materials panels
On 5/4/25 18:02, Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.
I get good use out of a P-Touch Label Tape machine with tape from China. It can make different sizes and thick and thin Helvetica-like fonts. Will do a few other fonts, but if I wanted anything fancier I'd go to laser printer and transfer paper.
Transfer paper will create water-slide decals. I've not done much of that, but those would need protection -- what's a good tape to put over that?
The label machine tape is great durability and comes in white clear, various background colors. Clear would be good to cover laser transfers... I answered my own question!
examples from my photo catalog of my stuff:
Re: (OT?...) Sticky labels for aluminum and other typical materials panels
I have used Scotchmark (both silver and white) for laser-printed panel faces/labels.? Adhesive quality is great.? Abrasion resistance is really good, but if you want permanence at the expense of finish then there are some acrylic sprays available - although they do present a risk of some discolouring with age/UV.
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Peter
Re: (OT?...) Sticky labels for aluminum and other typical materials panels
On 2025-05-04 8:02 PM, Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.
Look for "permanent marking" type labels at your local office supply store - indeed the staff may be able to help pick something. I've had good success on my KISS-488 GPIB adapter using Staples' ST18053, which claims Laserjet / Inkjet Compatible and Permanent Adhesive. The surface I stick them to isn't easy to stick to, but those seem to hang on well, with a serial number, MAC address, and a QR code that goes to my website (for any firmware updates). I haven't heard any complaints about those falling off. YMMV, and I'm sure other office supply stores have something similar - I just happened to be near a Staples the day I needed those.
I've had limited success (hand) writing, and sometimes printing, labels to stick on DIY project boxes for miscellaneous labeling needs. There was some chatter here on materials and printing means and solutions, but I'm really only looking for some recommendations for DIY projects.
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What types of sticky labels are better for these specific applications? What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.?
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I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.?
?
Apologies if this is far off topic - hopefully others will find it useful for their own needs.
Thanks :)? I can't emphasise enough how elegant the HPAK system is (in my opinion). Realistically, the HP 432A is the one to have for home use because it is the easiest of the three to maintain and it is so easy to understand when doing the DC substitution as all the relevant voltages are accessible. Any difference in performance compared to the other two meters is going to be largely irrelevant as long as you don't mind doing DC substitution with an external bench DVM.
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However, if anyone does want to try/buy the Tegam unit, there is a used one for sale for about ?3000 if you google for:
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Tegam 1830A used
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There's also a used N432A available from Electrorent for about double this price.?
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By contrast, my factory stored and unused 432A with new (still sealed) 478A sensor and unused/sealed sensor cable c/w the sale paperwork from HP and (still sealed) manual from HP cost me a total of about ?160 a few years ago. I think my other 432A cost about ?55 imported from the USA and it is in excellent unmarked condition.?
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Re: Converting VNA HP8510C to 8530A for Antenna Measurements
Thank you very much for the picture. You probably solved the mystery. It must be the 8510c firmware working with the 8511a. I will wait for the seller's response to finally clarify this. In that case, to assemble whole 8530a system I will need the crt version with opt 011 so that I can run A.01.66.
The R8486A I had seems to be surprisingly flat from 50M to over 10GHz on the N-male connector. I have no idea what the reflection coefficient might be (I didn’t measure). By surprisingly flat, I mean not 10+ db down but I make no claim that it’s
within a db or even a couple.
With a 50 ohm waveguide port going into the sensor itself, if the N-male input, ideally the coaxial port would behave as a short as it would in an R218 transition. If it behaved as an open, the result would be a 180 degree phase shift. At some
transition frequency, the coaxial port would pass a signal equivalent to series inductance (the waveguide wall is wider than 50 ohm coax).
I bring this up, because if the coaxial characteristics were known and a coaxial sensor were available for which efficiency factors were known, ang with an available power divider it could enable a sanity check to make sure a sensor hasn’t gone
bad or shifted.
Re: Converting VNA HP8510C to 8530A for Antenna Measurements
HP 8510C has a different firmware version for LCD and CRT.
Wojciech asked if the 8530A version A.01.66 could be run on an LCD or if it needed another version and is a relevant question.
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I don't have an answer to that but I don't think we can conclude from the listing photos that the 85101 with LCD is running 8530A firmware. I replicated the menu with the 8510C firmware in the photo below and not with an 8511A/B. Hopefully you will get your answer.
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Re: Converting VNA HP8510C to 8530A for Antenna Measurements
The listing linked in the previous message said it was for the 8511A test set only in the description. Isn’t it moot to talk about the firmware running or fact that it is an LCD display?
My question was exactly how do know that the 8530A in the ebay listing is not running 8510C firmware? To me it looks like 8510C firmware just as much as 8530A firmware. I agree that it is an LCD in the ebay listing.
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Regards
Saevar
Re: Converting VNA HP8510C to 8530A for Antenna Measurements
Thanks for the information. Indeed, OS seems to be the same. I have also found that information in the document 9018-40568 (https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/9018-40568/installation-guides/9018-40568.pdf)
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Regarding 8530A and LCD version: here 8530A is clearly running on LCD version of 85101C:
Therefore what I'm wondering is if A.01.66 can be run on LCD. I have ask seller to check what firmware version is he running and I'm waiting for that information.
KB2LMN