Re: VNA calibration kit to 50 GHz
Hi all,
I've have no idea of their quality but these are one of the cheapest I've found that still seems trustworthy.
However I've been looking at 40GHz, 2.92mm connectors and then you can get away even cheaper
Best regards
Marcus
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- The probe power sockets on the Tek 454 were Sealectro brand.?
- The HP 1740A is from a later era than the Tek 453/454. The contemporary Tek generation was the much lighter 465 family.
- The HP 174X family had discrete (FET) inputs, followed by an HP-specific hybrid.
- The HP 1743A is a very nice family member: The lovely red LED display does not just show *the* delay time ("time base B")
but differential delay (dual delayed sweep!) *and* does not do it the conventional analog way (voltage difference,
like 7B85/7B80 in the Tek 7000 family) but contains a digital counter circuit, resulting in much higher resolution and accuracy,
see HP Journal 1977-12.
All 174x-series 'scopes share many components and subsystems, so are quite repairable.
Raymond
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The first scope I used at work was a 1740A - similar but with a vernier dial rather than the LED display for the timebase delay.?
My boss was a big HP fan and probably inspired my own enthusiasm for their kit.
Some years later I got a secondhand 1725A (replacing a previous 180A) and it served me for many years. Solid equipment (in more ways than one .. fortunately I didn't have to move it much).
I think it will have some exotic HP hybrids for input stages. If those are broken it will be a problem. But worth repairing if you still enjoy using an analog scope.
I agree with Nigel that the Tek connectors look like Lemo. That half-round polarisation is characteristic. However all the ones I've encountered have smaller pins. You might also check Fischer.
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On Fri, Jul 12, 2024 at 10:44 AM, nigel adams wrote:
I think the power plugs on the Tek scope may be a Lemo type¡
Thanks Nigel, yes I suppose so too. I had a look at the Lemo site. There's a tool to find your particular kind of plug. You select the number of pins and plenty of parameters which I did and the thing told me I now only had too look at 68000 models... That's only for fun because the only active probe I have is a Tek P6202A and I built a little psu for it to avoid using each time? the 7704A as psu. I only wonder which probes were supposed to be used with the 454. Then I'm pretty sure some kind fellow here will tell me that! Renaud
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VNA calibration kit to 50 GHz
Making good quantitative measurement using a vna requires a decent calibration kit. So i'm just wondering the most cost effective way of getting hold of one which works up to 50 GHz. Sure, you can buy from Keysight a beautiful wooden box containing something which looks like a few coaxial connectors for $12,000. Or, you can hack and solder up some coaxial connectors yourself. Between these extremes you might buy something from ebay or another websites which may offer good second hand kits, or possible fake ones. I'd be interested to learn from others the recommended ways for getting a decent calibration kit.
?
many thanks, Neil? ?
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I think the power plugs on the Tek scope may be a Lemo type¡ Hope it helps Regards Nigel ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Renaud F5ZR via groups.io
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 9:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] HP1743A scope? Hi,
I was just given this (rather dirty, but what does one say about the given horse?) cutie:
Considered "portable" (if you don't mind 15 kG)
Any comments welcome as usual.
By the way I also have that similar Tek which is I believe from the same era:
Which is indeed portable. But what are those probe power plugs? Different of course from those of my 7704!
I will probably post that too on the g.ioTek parallel universe.
Renaud
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Hi, I was just given this (rather dirty, but what does one say about the given horse?) cutie:  Considered "portable" (if you don't mind 15 kG) Any comments welcome as usual. By the way I also have that similar Tek which is I believe from the same era:  Which is indeed portable. But what are those probe power plugs? Different of course from those of my 7704! I will probably post that too on the g.ioTek parallel universe. Renaud
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Re: HP 8566B - Can my high voltage transformer be faulty?
I'll check. Is it mounted to the chassis, or is it on a board? Which board?
Dave Casey
Hi Dave Casey,
The part that seems to be broken is: 0960-0383 VARO MH920E03 Do you have one of those in a good shape?
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Re: How to remove the output cable of the isolator in the 8672A
On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 06:22 PM, WB2UAQ wrote:
If I remember correctly you need to remove the top, bottom and side covers.? ?Then remove the screws that hold the from panel to the side castings (go in at 45 degrees).? ?I think you can move the entire front panel forward to gain access after removing the knurled nut from the N connector.? We had a 5/16" box wrench for the SMA's that was cut open to slide over the semi-rigid coax.?
Many thanks. This is exactly the information I was (unfortunately) looking for.
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On thinking some more on this, I'd guess that the necessary info in the battery-backed memory would be the "bad bit" map of the particular bubble unit in the machine, so you can tell which ones to use or not. This could be figured out during the "re-formatting" whatever function, then stored for reference. Anyway, whatever it all does, that should get things working again.
Ed
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I have a 3561A, and have never encountered need for any kind of special module, but I did have to do something in the menu/setup/diagnostic controls. There is a re-something function built into the machine, to basically restart/re-format the bubble memory from scratch. As I recall, it was because the backup battery (for the processor - not for the bubble memory function per se) was dead, so you had to totally reboot everything. I think the battery-backed data has info on running the bubble memory, so if it's lost, you have to start over. The manual definitely has the answer, but not necessarily in an obvious way. If I think of anything else on this, I'll report on it. Good luck.
Ed
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Re: HP 8563E - CRT turns on only after waiting for a while turned off
Hi
The 3x -2.45kV wires going to the CRT are not part of the PDA high voltage supply they are the CRT heater supply and cathode supply.
Be careful there were more than one design of power supplies fitted to the 8563E.
G Edmonds On Friday 12 July 2024 at 02:23:13 BST, saevar <saevartj@...> wrote:
Hi all Among my recent purchases, I recently got a 8563E which I believed was functioning. It powered on when I first got it and all good except several of the buttons didn't work. I cleaned those and I thought it was a good idea to recap the power supply as you do. Long story short, the +5V and +15V seemed to be severely loaded and didn't come up correctly and I had to place the old electrolytics back on those rails to fix the problem with the rails (new caps with too low ESR?) My new problem that I may have created for myself (maybe it was like this from the beginning, I'm not sure) is that when the 8563E has been turned off for a while (20min+ or so) it turns on correctly, but if I turn it off and on again either after a few seconds or even few minutes, nothing appears on the CRT. The +5, +15, -15V rails measures correctly. The 110V on the CRT supply is only at 34V. I don't have much experience when it comes to CRT power supplies so I would appreciate any advise. My guess at the moment is a faulty high voltage multiplier/transformer or A17 display driver board shown below since when I disconnect the 3x -2.45kV wires going to the CRT driver, the 110V come back up (but CRT still off) but I don't know which.    Regards Saevar
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Re: Checking HP 8672A output level: are these drops normal?
Tactical military radios, eh, Pete?? I did that for Raytheon for a few years 2017 to 2020 when the work dried up.? We were building and repairing 225-450 MHz, 25, 50, and 100 watt radios.? After the work slowed down, I transferred to the airborne radar department.? Been busy as a bee since.? 6-18 GHz for the most part.
Jim Ford Laguna Hills, California, USA
On Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 08:41:09 PM CDT, WB2UAQ <pschuch@...> wrote:
Hi Don
Where did you work at HP?? ?I was there from 77-2001 first in Paramus, NJ then Rockaway, NJ attached to NJD.? ?We were known as ERRC (office 4401).? Your name is familiar to me.
I too worked on all of the microwave generators and network analyzers and noise figure meters and phase noise system, etc..? ? ?I remember the YTF tracking inside the YTM but it has been too long now.? ?25 years.? ?I remember that we came up with an easier and better method than what the manual had but that was the case for other instruments as well.?
When the service center became a cal hub that was it for me.? ?I lasted a few more years in NJD as a product support engineer.? ?Things happen for a reason so I moved north to work on tactical mil radios as a product support eng as well until I retired in '16.
Pete
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Re: HP 8563E - CRT turns on only after waiting for a while turned off
HI Saevar
I have had HP switch mode power supplies that do not work if you replace the old electrolytics with modern 105C high ripple current low ESR ones, fit new 85C standard electrolytic capacitors and they work normally. Yes it's a mad world.
I doubt the if the second problem is the HV multiplier as when they fail they normally fail totally and permanently.
Your schematic posting are of poor quality and I cannot read them, will have to dig out my copies later.
G Edmonds On Friday 12 July 2024 at 02:23:13 BST, saevar <saevartj@...> wrote:
Hi all Among my recent purchases, I recently got a 8563E which I believed was functioning. It powered on when I first got it and all good except several of the buttons didn't work. I cleaned those and I thought it was a good idea to recap the power supply as you do. Long story short, the +5V and +15V seemed to be severely loaded and didn't come up correctly and I had to place the old electrolytics back on those rails to fix the problem with the rails (new caps with too low ESR?) My new problem that I may have created for myself (maybe it was like this from the beginning, I'm not sure) is that when the 8563E has been turned off for a while (20min+ or so) it turns on correctly, but if I turn it off and on again either after a few seconds or even few minutes, nothing appears on the CRT. The +5, +15, -15V rails measures correctly. The 110V on the CRT supply is only at 34V. I don't have much experience when it comes to CRT power supplies so I would appreciate any advise. My guess at the moment is a faulty high voltage multiplier/transformer or A17 display driver board shown below since when I disconnect the 3x -2.45kV wires going to the CRT driver, the 110V come back up (but CRT still off) but I don't know which.    Regards Saevar
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Detailed history:
http://www.wylie.org.uk/technology/bubblmem/bubblmem.htm
Regards,? WT
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John, If you havent already then check this out.
https://hackaday.io/project/172227-bubble-memory-reseed-and-dummy-boards
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Re: Checking HP 8672A output level: are these drops normal?
Hi Don
Where did you work at HP?? ?I was there from 77-2001 first in Paramus, NJ then Rockaway, NJ attached to NJD.? ?We were known as ERRC (office 4401).? Your name is familiar to me.
I too worked on all of the microwave generators and network analyzers and noise figure meters and phase noise system, etc..? ? ?I remember the YTF tracking inside the YTM but it has been too long now.? ?25 years.? ?I remember that we came up with an easier and better method than what the manual had but that was the case for other instruments as well.?
When the service center became a cal hub that was it for me.? ?I lasted a few more years in NJD as a product support engineer.? ?Things happen for a reason so I moved north to work on tactical mil radios as a product support eng as well until I retired in '16.
Pete
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HP 8563E - CRT turns on only after waiting for a while turned off
Hi all Among my recent purchases, I recently got a 8563E which I believed was functioning. It powered on when I first got it and all good except several of the buttons didn't work. I cleaned those and I thought it was a good idea to recap the power supply as you do. Long story short, the +5V and +15V seemed to be severely loaded and didn't come up correctly and I had to place the old electrolytics back on those rails to fix the problem with the rails (new caps with too low ESR?) My new problem that I may have created for myself (maybe it was like this from the beginning, I'm not sure) is that when the 8563E has been turned off for a while (20min+ or so) it turns on correctly, but if I turn it off and on again either after a few seconds or even few minutes, nothing appears on the CRT. The +5, +15, -15V rails measures correctly. The 110V on the CRT supply is only at 34V. I don't have much experience when it comes to CRT power supplies so I would appreciate any advise. My guess at the moment is a faulty high voltage multiplier/transformer or A17 display driver board shown below since when I disconnect the 3x -2.45kV wires going to the CRT driver, the 110V come back up (but CRT still off) but I don't know which.    Regards Saevar
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Re: How to remove the output cable of the isolator in the 8672A
Hi Erik
It has been over 25 years since on worked on the 8671, 2, and 3 and other microwave synthesizers of that era (HP service center 1977-2001).? I worked on many of them.??
If I remember correctly you need to remove the top, bottom and side covers.? ?Then remove the screws that hold the from panel to the side castings (go in at 45 degrees).? ?I think you can move the entire front panel forward to gain access after removing the knurled nut from the N connector.? We had a 5/16" box wrench for the SMA's that was cut open to slide over the semi-rigid coax.? ?
Wow this brings back memories!? ?I remember the YIGs and YTMs and all of that stuff.??
Pete
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Re: HP 8566B - Can my high voltage transformer be faulty?
Hi Dave Casey,
The part that seems to be broken is: 0960-0383 VARO MH920E03 Do you have one of those in a good shape?
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