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Date
Re: HP 130A

 

Trace fade after it gets really warm? sounds like the HV transformer problem which plagues many of the same vintage Tektronix scopes..FWIW... I would at least start looking in HV circuits anyway
Dave
manuals@...

On 12/3/2018 8:58 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
No edge connectors in it, too old. I do have a problem, after its been running for a while, say fifteen minutes, the trace fades out. Turn it off and let it cool and the trace comes back. Time to measure voltages. I just really started on it. Cleaned all the switches and pots and will do the tube pins and sockets.
??? Its a curious scope; made in the transition between when scopes were really just indicators and the time when everything was calibrated. This one is calibrated. I am not sure who began that but suspect Tek. My understanding is that -hp- was reluctant to make scopes because they did not want to make just me-too items. However, they would up making some very good instruments. My biggest puzzle about this one is that I have no memory of how I came by it. I think someone must have given it to me long ago.

On 12/3/2018 5:42 PM, Jeremy Nichols wrote:
I have a 132A, which is a dual-beam scope, the only one HP ever made, basically two 130s in one box. Mine required only a few new tubes and it was good. Clean it up and make sure all the edge connectors and wire leads are bright and shiny.

Jeremy
--
Dave
Manuals@...
www.ArtekManuals.com
Re: HP 130A

 

No edge connectors in it, too old. I do have a problem, after its been running for a while, say fifteen minutes, the trace fades out. Turn it off and let it cool and the trace comes back. Time to measure voltages. I just really started on it. Cleaned all the switches and pots and will do the tube pins and sockets.
Its a curious scope; made in the transition between when scopes were really just indicators and the time when everything was calibrated. This one is calibrated. I am not sure who began that but suspect Tek. My understanding is that -hp- was reluctant to make scopes because they did not want to make just me-too items. However, they would up making some very good instruments. My biggest puzzle about this one is that I have no memory of how I came by it. I think someone must have given it to me long ago.

On 12/3/2018 5:42 PM, Jeremy Nichols wrote:
I have a 132A, which is a dual-beam scope, the only one HP ever made, basically two 130s in one box. Mine required only a few new tubes and it was good. Clean it up and make sure all the edge connectors and wire leads are bright and shiny.
Jeremy
--
Richard Knoppow
dickburk@...
WB6KBL
Re: HP 130A

 

I have a 132A, which is a dual-beam scope, the only one HP ever made, basically two 130s in one box. Mine required only a few new tubes and it was good. Clean it up and make sure all the edge connectors and wire leads are bright and shiny.

Jeremy


On Mon, Dec 3, 2018 at 1:43 PM Richard Knoppow <dickburk@...> wrote:
? ? I recently cleared out a couple of storage garages and much
to my surprise found an -hp- 130A scope. I don't remember buying
it or ever using it. Perhaps given to me by someone. I cleaned it
up and it works!? Probably needs more cleaning and of course an
alignment. Full of bumble bee caps. I am heat running it on a
Variac both to let the electrolytic caps reform (if they are
going to) and to see if it blows up:-)? I can use the thing. It
has direct connections to the deflection plates so can be used
for monitoring a transmitter output. I found an instruction book
at the -hp- archive site. From what I can see in old catalogs
-hp- didn't make these for long. I used to use a 130C for doing
audio work, it was a good scope once it settled down (a few hours
and it was stable). While it has a model number in the same
series there is a world of difference between the A and the C. I
wonder if anyone has any memories of this thing or advice in
getting it to work at a practical level.
--
Richard Knoppow
dickburk@...
WB6KBL



--
4.
Re: 8566B - notches in response

 

Congrats on the fix. I'd suspect it was a gold problem as Chuck suggested, or silver plating on variable capacitor leads. Ag plating causes quite a mess like on old TI-brand TTL ICs, which is another thing to watch out for.

Ed
HP 130A

 

I recently cleared out a couple of storage garages and much to my surprise found an -hp- 130A scope. I don't remember buying it or ever using it. Perhaps given to me by someone. I cleaned it up and it works! Probably needs more cleaning and of course an alignment. Full of bumble bee caps. I am heat running it on a Variac both to let the electrolytic caps reform (if they are going to) and to see if it blows up:-) I can use the thing. It has direct connections to the deflection plates so can be used for monitoring a transmitter output. I found an instruction book at the -hp- archive site. From what I can see in old catalogs -hp- didn't make these for long. I used to use a 130C for doing audio work, it was a good scope once it settled down (a few hours and it was stable). While it has a model number in the same series there is a world of difference between the A and the C. I wonder if anyone has any memories of this thing or advice in getting it to work at a practical level.
--
Richard Knoppow
dickburk@...
WB6KBL
Re: 8566B - notches in response

 

Cracked solder joints are pretty popular in equipment
of this vintage, made by HP. Particularly boards that used
gold plating as the etchant resist. Gold is pretty, shiny,
and makes everyone smile, but it also makes a nasty little
barrier alloy with tin/lead solder that is very brittle.

Also, be aware that all the SMA/3.5mm connectors that are
soldered to a piece of 141 or smaller semi-rigid coax are
prone to breaking. The solder joint is too small and relies
too heavily on a solder fillet for its strength. If you put
much force on the cable it will crack this solder fillet,
opening the shield at the connector... this can make for a
wonderfully frequency dependent intermittent open circuit.

-Chuck Harris

Dave McGuire wrote:

On 12/3/18 6:21 AM, donald collie wrote:
As a precaution, I resoldered all the joints in the 1st stage - no more
notch and symmetrical responses attainable. I`ll align the thing
tomorrow Cheers!
Wow...cracked solder joint somewhere? Maybe around one of those
trimmers? Nice recovery.

-Dave
Re: 8566B - notches in response

 

On 12/3/18 6:21 AM, donald collie wrote:
As a precaution, I resoldered all the joints in the 1st stage - no more
notch and symmetrical responses attainable. I`ll align the thing
tomorrow Cheers!
Wow...cracked solder joint somewhere? Maybe around one of those
trimmers? Nice recovery.

-Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA
Re: 8566B - notches in response

 

As a precaution, I resoldered all the joints in the 1st stage - no more notch and symmetrical responses attainable. I`ll align the thing tomorrow Cheers!.............................Don C.

Virus-free.

Re: General Microwave N4240A , 4200 series TFT power heads

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The Marconi Power meters and heads became IFR, then Aeroflex and finally Cobham

before they ceased entirely. The current owners of the residual business are no longer in that field of

business.

?

But note, these later meters (6950/6960/6970 series )used the ¡®similar¡¯ style heads to the HP/Agilent units.

Please be aware I said similar ¨C not the same¡­

?

The earlier multipin larger heads were off the TFT style power meters and were marketed under the Sanders or

Marconi Sanders naming, once Marconi acquired the Sanders business.

?

You can pick them up at hamfests and rallies ¨C dealers too, but pricey¡­

?

Still quite good units.

Regards

?

Nigel

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of RFI-EMI-GUY
Sent: 02 December 2018 07:58
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] General Microwave N4240A , 4200 series TFT power heads

?

Well I did some shopping at my local surplus house today and found a NOS 1980's vintage N4240A TFT power head along with a nice N420C to use with my model 460B so now I have a 10 mw head to go along with the 100 mw head I had. They appear to agree with each other at 999.99 MHz so all is good.

That said, the 460B is an antique, so the prospect of finding a newer model meter to match my new N4240A head came to mind.

From what I can tell, it works with a model 475B or 476. Neither of these are showing up on e-bay at the moment. The cable has an AMP 206485-1 9 pin concentric female connector. It is a more modern connector incompatble with the jack on the 460B.

Can anyone advise what newer meters this power head will work with?

What is the lineage of the GM brand? Are there compatible Marconi or other name power meters that superseded the Marconi?

Re: 8566B - notches in response

 

OK. Thanks Vladan, and Don. Meriam and I have been sitting Zac [1 Y.O.], and Isla [almost 2 Y.O.], our grandchildren - all full on [hence the delay in getting back to you both] , but back to the 8566B : Vladan: I went through and bypassed all stages but stage 1 [on the right hand side], then all but stage 2, then 3,4,5 with the result that looking at stage 1 on its own - the notch can be moved from the top of the response [a spike going down from the top] to some distance down the high side skirt. Stages 2,3,4,and 5 can all be adjusted for good symmetry - in each case the notch is gone. It seems to be a symptom of stage 1 only. Don : The notch position, and depth is largely independent of sweep speed - sweep it too fast and it merges with the bell shaped curve of course. I hope it`s not one of the crystals - I can repair everything else. Gentlemen, do you think I should take a closer look at stage 1? I`d be interested to hear your comments. I`m about to check all the components in stage 1 - will let you know the results. Cheers!...........................................................Don C.

Virus-free.


On Sun, Dec 2, 2018 at 3:09 PM donald collie via Groups.Io <donaldbcollie=[email protected]> wrote:
Standby Vladan...

Virus-free.

Re: Intermittent noise on HP 8568B

 

Try setting the SA sweep to trigger from line frequency. If the noise pattern becomes stationary, then you've got line ripple problems, either on a supply, or via ground loops. Did you check the supplies for ripple too, or just the DC? If not, I'd recommend scoping them out - this includes the supplies in both the RF and IF/display unit. Likewise, set the scope for line trigger, so you'll be able to easily spot anything bad.

Ed
Re: Waaaay OT - General Microwave Corp.

 

Greg; I just acquired a N4240A power head and am looking for a 475B or 476 model meter to work with it. I have a 460B and although it works it is antiquated. Have you found any more material on these series? Specifically later model meters that will accept the 4200 series power heads?
Re: Is this 26.5GHz

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

If I recall, based on something I read in an Agilent app note etc given a known good calibrated OSL and e-cal unit the e-cal will not be as accurate as the OSL. The e-cal will be a ton more convenient and way faster but not quite as accurate.

Gedas, W8BYA

Gallery at 
Light travels faster than sound....
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
On 12/1/2018 7:24 PM, Steve Draper wrote:

If I perform a cal with an 85052B kit and then connect the load from my 85033D it looks close (but not as as good as) the load from the 85052B to 26.5 GHz. I suspect how they perform above 6 GHz may be a little hit/miss. I don't think I'd want to count on it for a 26.5 GHz cal unless it was verified against a known good kit. I did test my 85033D(rated to 6 GHz) and it looks as good as my 85052B to 9 GHz when they are compared after performing a calibration using a 9 GHz e-cal unit. I'd love to do a full test to a higher frequency but cheap e-cal units don't come along very often.

Steve VE7FM
Re: 8642B recalibration?

 

Thanks, if I come upon something I will note it here
Re: 1740A Scope

kevin kearns
 

?
Looks good, I am in for a set if anyone?is willing to produce,
?
Kevin
?
?

----- Original Message -----
From: Jos Raven
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2018 10:00 AM
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 1740A Scope

I designed this one.

It is an STL file ready for printing.

Jos.
PA0AMX

Re: 1740A Scope

 

I designed this one.

It is an STL file ready for printing.

Jos.
PA0AMX

HP Scopevoet_square.STL
HP Scopevoet_square.STL
HP Scopevoet_square.JPG

Re: Intermittent noise on HP 8568B

 

Hello Tobias,

Monday, November 19, 2018

I had something remarkably similar (I can link to a video if you
wish) and after i gave up home diagnosis a professional UK firm found
the YIG faulty. They replaced it at some cost and it's been perfect
since then.


Best regards,
Chris mailto:chris@...


TP> While I was working on my power sensor thing, I wanted to check
TP> the spectrum of some signal generator by using my 8568B spectrum analyzer.
TP> About one year ago, I had the problem that the analyzer had some
TP> intermittent noise, i.e. it was mostly working fine, but for short
TP> periods, its noise rose quite a bit. I was not able to determine
TP> the source of the problem, but after a while, it somehow fixed
TP> itself and didn't appear anymore.
TP> UNTIL NOW! ARGH! I need to fix this.

TP> I made a video (it is quite loud, so lower the volume a bit! :-)):
TP>
TP> The signal shown on that screen is an ultra low phase noise OCXO
TP> which is powered up since a week or so, so it has definitely
TP> settled in frequency. One can clearly see that most of the time,
TP> the signal is displayed nicely, but for a short time, the noise
TP> rises quite a bit and there are some artifacts visible.
TP> I have already checked the power supplies, and they seem to be
TP> fine and within spec. The spectrum analyzer is also powered since
TP> about two weeks or so, so its internal OCXO is definitely also settled.
TP> What else could cause this type of problem? has anyone ever seen
TP> something like that? I was also thinking whether it is some sort
TP> of ground loop or so, so I removed my OCXO signal and connected
TP> the calibrator signal. Same behaviour, so I assume it's something generated within the analyzer.

TP> Any ideas?

TP> Best
TP> Tobias HB9FSX
General Microwave N4240A , 4200 series TFT power heads

 

Well I did some shopping at my local surplus house today and found a NOS 1980's vintage N4240A TFT power head along with a nice N420C to use with my model 460B so now I have a 10 mw head to go along with the 100 mw head I had. They appear to agree with each other at 999.99 MHz so all is good.

That said, the 460B is an antique, so the prospect of finding a newer model meter to match my new N4240A head came to mind.

From what I can tell, it works with a model 475B or 476. Neither of these are showing up on e-bay at the moment. The cable has an AMP 206485-1 9 pin concentric female connector. It is a more modern connector incompatble with the jack on the 460B.

Can anyone advise what newer meters this power head will work with?

What is the lineage of the GM brand? Are there compatible Marconi or other name power meters that superseded the Marconi?
Re: Is this 26.5GHz

 

If I perform a cal with an 85052B kit and then connect the load from my 85033D it looks close (but not as as good as) the load from the 85052B to 26.5 GHz. I suspect how they perform above 6 GHz may be a little hit/miss. I don't think I'd want to count on it for a 26.5 GHz cal unless it was verified against a known good kit. I did test my 85033D(rated to 6 GHz) and it looks as good as my 85052B to 9 GHz when they are compared after performing a calibration using a 9 GHz e-cal unit. I'd love to do a full test to a higher frequency but cheap e-cal units don't come along very often.

Steve VE7FM
Re: 8642B recalibration?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

This is an interesting test failure (1B A19 D75). ?I have 5 or 6 modules that all present this problem. I think I have proved, at least in mine, that the problem exists in the A19. ?I successfully installed, without cal data, an A19 from a third unit and it passed all diagnostics in my test unit. ?I have swapped all of the A1 modules through one A19 with the same failure. ?I also have several modules that were used for spare parts that at one time worked. I¡¯ll be rebuilding one of those if it works then start trying to locate the failing module from the first 6. My theory is either the diagnostic mix or the serial I/F chip.?

I¡¯ll keep the list apprised of my progress as this seems to be the most common reason for failure of the A19 other than attenuators and the RPP unit

Regards,

?

Stephen Hanselman

Datagate Systems, LLC

3107 North Deer Run Road #24

Carson City, Nevada, 89701

(775) 882-5117?office

(775) 720-6020?mobile

s.hanselman@...

a Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Small Business

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On Dec 1, 2018, at 08:49, wilson2115@... wrote:

Update

The amplitude response is good on A19 with the replacement board, the result before was a cable connection issue, on startup I get Test 1B of A19 failed d75 however it works fine with operation

Firmware version 890809 on A3 replacement board
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