¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

Re: HP 8640B - internal counter suddenly got crazy

 

I don't think it's the EECL prescaler or any other EECL in the counter
assembly, it usually makes the high frequency input dead.
However I've succesfully replaced the EECL prescaler with a modern ECL
IC, that was more than 5 years ago, but it should be found in the
groups archives.
In these cases, the first thing to do is get the correct schematic and
manual for your 8640B serial prefix. This instrument went through a
lot of different revisions and
schematics can have large differences between the revisions.
Once you get the correct schematic, the usual method is following the
troubleshooting procedures. You need some good test equipment though.
Frank IZ8DWF

On Wed, Nov 24, 2021 at 9:11 AM george edmonds via groups.io
<G6HIG@...> wrote:

You are by far more likley to have a failed counter IC, these are a unobtainable HP version of ECL logic.

George G6HIG


Re: BASIC on the HP 3396B Integrator II ?

 

BTW, there was a discussion going on on the ChromForum that points out that Peak96 obviously needs a special cable to run properly:


pinout Peak 96 Data Transfer Cable Configuration:

.....DB 15 Connector..........DB 9 Connector
............1................................... 1
............2....................................3
NC........3....................................
SH........4....................................4.....SH
SH........5....................................7.....SH
NC........6....................................8.....SH
NC........7....................................
NC........8....................................
............9...................................5
NC........10..................................
NC........11..................................6.....NC
NC........12 ................................9.....NC
NC........13..................................
............14.................................2
NC........15.................................

NC = No Connection
SH = Pins shorted together


Chris


Re: BASIC on the HP 3396B Integrator II ?

 

...another approach would be to look at the description of the instruments and SW that are supposed to run with the 3396B, for example the 5890 GC documentation. I added a description that details out the RS232 configuration required for the 5890 GC to connect to UniChrom.
Chris


Re: HP 8640B - internal counter suddenly got crazy

 

You are by far more likley to have a failed counter IC, these are a unobtainable HP version of ECL logic.

George G6HIG


Re: HP 8640B - internal counter suddenly got crazy

 

Jon,
it worked fine until a couple of days ago.

No doubler installed.


Re: BASIC on the HP 3396B Integrator II ?

 

Hello Martin,
maybe the Agilent 3396 Series Integrator BASIC Reference Guide might help here? Please see attached. The Agilent website mentions the 3396-90335 manual as obsolete (which initially was a manual for the 3396A, as far as I know), but it might be worth a request:
Chris


Re: HP 8640B - internal counter suddenly got crazy

 

Bonjour I dont comprendre if it was OK and now changes or it was always that way.

Please clarify, counter indication was first OK and something changes or failed or it was always bad?

The behavior of the counters depends on the option for doubler extending the highest band to 1024 MHZ.
I am sure this is a moved or oxidized contact on the band switch.

8640B options and serial number manuals are available as free PDF perhaps from BAMA archive or on an HP legacy site.

Bon Chance

Jon


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

On 11/23/21 11:31 PM, Gene Silvernail wrote:
All, Disregard previous 70900A power supply capacitor statements I made. A case of head? improperly arrange on my anatomy. My apologies.
What¡¯s is now realized¡­duh
The blue caps on the PS are NOT duals but standard low ESR caps. The third lone lead on the one end is for mechanical purposes only no electrical. This would help in shake table testing for vibe specs, an assumption.
Yes, it's mechanical; I did mention this a day or two ago, I guess it just went by.

My mistake was starting without a schematic. The caps are packed side by side tight preventing a clean view of the big arrow. Markings, which on most electrolytics points to the neg terminal on axial packages. In these the marling points to the Positive terminal, not THE END, arranged radially¡­ oh hell¡­ you live and learn even over 70.
Fortunately they're not difficult to remove on those boards.

-Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Not? a problem.

How technology has changed, though.? I remember single hole electrolytics that mounted with a single nut.? Inside, I think, may have been a boric acid solution.? Of course, the tubes in that one had two digit numbers, IIRC.

Harvey


On 11/23/2021 11:33 PM, Gene Silvernail wrote:

Thanks Harvey,

?

My mistakes see my other apologies.

?

Regards

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Harvey White
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 8:20 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Many of the typical capacitors with metal cans have more than one ground lug, arranged in a circle.? The lugs are, IIRC, only for grounding and mounting stability.? On the capacitors I've seen (not the two lead ones), inside the circle formed by the case mounting ears you'll find the hot lead of the capacitor.?

If you remember the dual capacitors in tube equipment, the hot leads should be inside this circle as well.

One thing to note (for instance, in the 468 series scope), the case can be used as a jumper to tie grounds together.? The little adaptor plates often have ties to a common ground ring, even though the replacement capacitor only has two leads.?

You may have to run a wire from ground lug to ground lug if they are not obviously visually connected.

Harvey

?

On 11/23/2021 11:03 PM, Gene Silvernail wrote:

Thanks Kuba,

?

Yeh coming from the era of tubes I had assumed a dual cap¡­so much for assuming.

Now that¡¯s starting to make sense with the single component designator, but leaves the question which 2 out of the 3 leads make up the capacitor and what purpose does the third lead serve. Is it a non-electrical, mechanical only?

I¡¯m working without a schematic even though I bought the CLIP from Artek which is minus the PS board.

?

Pre-Thanks

?

Gene/K7QHO

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kuba Ober
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 7:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

My assumption would be that the number of legs has not much to do with anything: it¡¯s a single capacitor each with 3 or 4 legs. Very common in that era. I¡¯ e got lots of contemporaneous Tektronix equipment that has the same capacitor styles.

?

The double and triple electrolytics were a thing in the vacuum tube era.

?

Cheers, Kuba




23 nov. 2021 kl. 9:54 em skrev Gene Silvernail <genesilvernail@...>:

?

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks Harvey,

?

My mistakes see my other apologies.

?

Regards

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Harvey White
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 8:20 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Many of the typical capacitors with metal cans have more than one ground lug, arranged in a circle.? The lugs are, IIRC, only for grounding and mounting stability.? On the capacitors I've seen (not the two lead ones), inside the circle formed by the case mounting ears you'll find the hot lead of the capacitor.?

If you remember the dual capacitors in tube equipment, the hot leads should be inside this circle as well.

One thing to note (for instance, in the 468 series scope), the case can be used as a jumper to tie grounds together.? The little adaptor plates often have ties to a common ground ring, even though the replacement capacitor only has two leads.?

You may have to run a wire from ground lug to ground lug if they are not obviously visually connected.

Harvey

?

On 11/23/2021 11:03 PM, Gene Silvernail wrote:

Thanks Kuba,

?

Yeh coming from the era of tubes I had assumed a dual cap¡­so much for assuming.

Now that¡¯s starting to make sense with the single component designator, but leaves the question which 2 out of the 3 leads make up the capacitor and what purpose does the third lead serve. Is it a non-electrical, mechanical only?

I¡¯m working without a schematic even though I bought the CLIP from Artek which is minus the PS board.

?

Pre-Thanks

?

Gene/K7QHO

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kuba Ober
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 7:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

My assumption would be that the number of legs has not much to do with anything: it¡¯s a single capacitor each with 3 or 4 legs. Very common in that era. I¡¯ e got lots of contemporaneous Tektronix equipment that has the same capacitor styles.

?

The double and triple electrolytics were a thing in the vacuum tube era.

?

Cheers, Kuba




23 nov. 2021 kl. 9:54 em skrev Gene Silvernail <genesilvernail@...>:

?

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

All, Disregard previous 70900A power supply capacitor statements I made. A case of head? improperly arrange on my anatomy. My apologies.

?

What¡¯s is now realized¡­duh

?

The blue caps on the PS are NOT duals but standard low ESR caps. The third lone lead on the one end is for mechanical purposes only no electrical. This would help in shake table testing for vibe specs, an assumption.

?

My mistake was starting without a schematic. The caps are packed side by side tight preventing a clean view of the big arrow. Markings, which on most electrolytics points to the neg terminal on axial packages. In these the marling points to the Positive terminal, not THE END, arranged radially¡­ oh hell¡­ you live and learn even over 70.

?

Where can a schematic for the 70900A PS board be acquired? Its not Artek. Just bought theirs and no PS data.

?

Pre-thanks for all the help and again my apologies.

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Gene Silvernail via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 8:04 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Thanks Kuba,

?

Yeh coming from the era of tubes I had assumed a dual cap¡­so much for assuming.

Now that¡¯s starting to make sense with the single component designator, but leaves the question which 2 out of the 3 leads make up the capacitor and what purpose does the third lead serve. Is it a non-electrical, mechanical only?

I¡¯m working without a schematic even though I bought the CLIP from Artek which is minus the PS board.

?

Pre-Thanks

?

Gene/K7QHO

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kuba Ober
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 7:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

My assumption would be that the number of legs has not much to do with anything: it¡¯s a single capacitor each with 3 or 4 legs. Very common in that era. I¡¯ e got lots of contemporaneous Tektronix equipment that has the same capacitor styles.

?

The double and triple electrolytics were a thing in the vacuum tube era.

?

Cheers, Kuba

?

23 nov. 2021 kl. 9:54 em skrev Gene Silvernail <genesilvernail@...>:

?

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Many of the typical capacitors with metal cans have more than one ground lug, arranged in a circle.? The lugs are, IIRC, only for grounding and mounting stability.? On the capacitors I've seen (not the two lead ones), inside the circle formed by the case mounting ears you'll find the hot lead of the capacitor.?

If you remember the dual capacitors in tube equipment, the hot leads should be inside this circle as well.

One thing to note (for instance, in the 468 series scope), the case can be used as a jumper to tie grounds together.? The little adaptor plates often have ties to a common ground ring, even though the replacement capacitor only has two leads.?

You may have to run a wire from ground lug to ground lug if they are not obviously visually connected.

Harvey


On 11/23/2021 11:03 PM, Gene Silvernail wrote:

Thanks Kuba,

?

Yeh coming from the era of tubes I had assumed a dual cap¡­so much for assuming.

Now that¡¯s starting to make sense with the single component designator, but leaves the question which 2 out of the 3 leads make up the capacitor and what purpose does the third lead serve. Is it a non-electrical, mechanical only?

I¡¯m working without a schematic even though I bought the CLIP from Artek which is minus the PS board.

?

Pre-Thanks

?

Gene/K7QHO

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kuba Ober
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 7:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

My assumption would be that the number of legs has not much to do with anything: it¡¯s a single capacitor each with 3 or 4 legs. Very common in that era. I¡¯ e got lots of contemporaneous Tektronix equipment that has the same capacitor styles.

?

The double and triple electrolytics were a thing in the vacuum tube era.

?

Cheers, Kuba



23 nov. 2021 kl. 9:54 em skrev Gene Silvernail <genesilvernail@...>:

?

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks Kuba,

?

Yeh coming from the era of tubes I had assumed a dual cap¡­so much for assuming.

Now that¡¯s starting to make sense with the single component designator, but leaves the question which 2 out of the 3 leads make up the capacitor and what purpose does the third lead serve. Is it a non-electrical, mechanical only?

I¡¯m working without a schematic even though I bought the CLIP from Artek which is minus the PS board.

?

Pre-Thanks

?

Gene/K7QHO

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kuba Ober
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 7:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

My assumption would be that the number of legs has not much to do with anything: it¡¯s a single capacitor each with 3 or 4 legs. Very common in that era. I¡¯ e got lots of contemporaneous Tektronix equipment that has the same capacitor styles.

?

The double and triple electrolytics were a thing in the vacuum tube era.

?

Cheers, Kuba



23 nov. 2021 kl. 9:54 em skrev Gene Silvernail <genesilvernail@...>:

?

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


70900A Artek CLIP Manual

 

Working on the PS board of the 70900A and bought the CLIP from Artek. Beautifully clear images, excellent for what's there. Unfortunately, the one thing I really needed it for isn't, that being the PS board. Anyone have any idea where that would that be found? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Pre-Thanks

Gene/K7QHO


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

My assumption would be that the number of legs has not much to do with anything: it¡¯s a single capacitor each with 3 or 4 legs. Very common in that era. I¡¯ e got lots of contemporaneous Tektronix equipment that has the same capacitor styles.

The double and triple electrolytics were a thing in the vacuum tube era.

Cheers, Kuba

23 nov. 2021 kl. 9:54 em skrev Gene Silvernail <genesilvernail@...>:

?

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks Paul,

?

Just got the component location PDF on the site which provides me the PS cap numbers; also ordered the 70900A CLIP. However, looking at them I¡¯m confused further with the 3 leads. Only 1 component number associated with a dual capacitor¡­huh? Hopefully the schematic will clarify this.

?

Regards

?

Gene

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Bicknell
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 12:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

?

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


hp 33311-60039 absorbing SPDT specs?

 



I am trying to locate the datasheet for for standard part without a suffix.?? The above datasheet depicts the A,B&C.? Any help is appreciated.

HP / Agilent 33311-60039 DC -18 GHz, 24 VDC, SMA, SPDT Coaxial Switch. Tested!

Specifications:? DC to 4 GHz, 24V DC.


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

Hi Gene

sorry made a mistake the 3 legged caps are on the Vishay N -cap ?and can be found on the hp 70000 groups
site. Regards Paul?


Re: I'm old 70+, the 70K system is old; good or bad omen?

 

Hi Gene?
re your comment about 3 lead not available I assume you have not looked at the file with the capacitor dater sheets for the 70900 that are in the files on this site?
regards Paul?


HP 8640B - internal counter suddenly got crazy

 

HP 8640B S/N 2350A23618.
Modulation OFF (both AM and FM);
Output set to -30dBm.
INT/EXT (rear panel) set to INT;
connecting REF OUT (rear panel) to COUNTER INPUT (and setting INT/EXT to EXT) the counter reads:
0005.00 in the 0-10 range; 05.0000 in the 10-550 range
005.000 (x10) in the 0-10 range; 5.00000 in the 10-550 range;
05.0000 - overflow (X100) in the 0-10 range; .000000+overflow in the 10-550 range;.

The RF output frequency is correct and has the correct RF output level.
Level indicator works normally.
External counter input works OK in the 0-10Mhz range, but doubles
the reading in the 10-512Mhz range (BUT not if signal is coming from output REF (rear panel) !! as seen before..).

The "wiper" contacts on the round clear plastic rotary switches seem to be all in place: 4 on the back and
3 on the front on the band switch and 2 on the peak&deviation switch.
Connecting an external counter to the sig-gen output and comparing its readings against
the 8640B internal counter leads to the following table:
Range????? generated signal??? INT Freq counter Reads:
256-512??? 512??? ??? ??? ? ????????? 1024
?? ????????????? 256?? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ??? ??? 512
128-256??? 256??? ??? ? ? ?? ? ? ?? ? 1024
?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 128??? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ??? 512
64-128? ? ? 128??? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ??? 128
?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 64??? ??? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ?? 64
32-64????????? 64??? ?? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ??? 128
?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 32?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ??? ??? 64
16-32?? ? ? ?? 32??? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ?? ??? 128
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? 16??? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??? 64
8-16? ? ? ? ? ? 16??? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ??? 8
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? 8?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ??? ??? 4
4-8? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ?? ? ??? 8
?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 4??? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ??? 4
2-4?? ? ? ? ? ? ?? 4?? ? ? ? ?? ? ?? ? ? ??? ??? 8
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? 2??? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ??? 4
1-2? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 2?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ??? ??? 8
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? 1??? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ??? 4
.5-1?? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1??? ??? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ?? ?? 8
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? 0,5??? ?? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ??? 4

Can some 8640 guru address me to find the fault?
I have service manuals but none for my S/N. Ordered the right one at Aterk Manuals: still waiting for it.

Thanks in advance.
Emanuele.