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  1. HP-Agilent-Keysight-Equipment
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Expanded Topics Messages
Date
Re: HP - a summary of what went wrong.

 

Hello Alwyn,
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You make some very good points. Decades ago a good friend of mine went to the Gathersburg Maryland USA HP office off of Shady Grove Road to review and look at the then new HP1740A 100MHz scope that my friend wanted to buy for his TV service shop.
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Kenny was tired of the normal TV shop grade of test and measurement gear so I suggested that he look into HP, as I was acquainted with them from my college and first years work out of school as an EE. This was probably around 1978. That is when we met with HP sales engineer, Jack Molcan. Jack really impressed us as he knew the instrument well.
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Jack told my friend Kenny to take his demonstrator scope home and he would drop by and pick it up in a week or so as that would give him time to make sure that the scope met his needs.
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Now that is what I call great sales service! True to his word Jack dropped by (it was a 2 hour drive for him to my friends house) and picked up the scope. On that day Kenny give him an order for a 1740A and Jack delivered it about a month or so later.
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I will always remember the way Jack handled the sale and his professionalism.
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I had a few occasions to contact him later in my career and he was always helpful. I still wonder what happened to him.
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My friend passed on in the late 1980's and his wife told me that Kenny wanted me to have the scope. I still have it and the original box. The scope is still in mint
condition ,works like new and is still in calibration. I still use it from time to time.
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I could never bring myself to sell or trade it but I have had many offers as it is museum quality. It will probably still be working 47 years from now!
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Best regards from across the big pond!
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Sam
W3OHM
Re: Tool to remove "fancy" BNC nut (0590-1251)

 

On Sun, Apr 13, 2025 at 08:08 AM, Steve Hendrix wrote:
None of the sockets I have seen to fit. I thought a 9/16" would work but it doesn't.
Agilent mentions? part? 0590-1251? as ... 15/32-32 hex nut, in several manuals.
The tool they say to use is a "socket wrench and 9/16-inch deep socket"
Re: HP 70004A with Video DRAM error

 

I had exactly the same problem on my 70004A, using the same procedure to fix the issue i had to replace one defective D41464C (in my case U103).
Don't loose time to look the VRAM section because their failure will generate different error (VRAM error), the infamous A5 graphics DRAM error will come only from issues in the DRAM section (U101-U104).
Just few days ago i was really surprised because after about one year i got the same error again, then i decided to replace the other three chips and now the unit work fine.
Looking at the numbers of failure from different users and my experience with two failures in a relatively short time seems that this series of memory (made by NEC in my unit) it is very prone to fail due to their age.
HPIB cables

 

Hi all,
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Sphere Electronics has yet more HPIB cables going cheap.
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Regards,
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Waz
Re: 8566B Performance Verification with 8620C

 

Sounds good. Thanks for the 83752A tip and additional information!
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I have some 3047A information, 8642 On-Site Service Manual, 3561A Service Manual two volumes, that I will see about uploading.
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-Michael
Re: Power Sensor Calibration Labels

 

Hi,

I measured my 8481A and also the 8484A. See the photos attached.
There seems to be two versions of the 8481A power sensors.

The 80's style that I have and the newer 90's style. The older one has a
smaller place for the label and the newer one has a longer place for the
label.

8481A has 28 x 55 mm (1987)
8484A has 23 x 95 mm (1986)

Thanks for the measurements. I will try to make match all of these in a
spreadsheet ready for printing with the correct size.

Regards,
Razvan

On 13/04/2025 23:50, F1EKU via groups.io wrote:
As explained already, the dimensions of the labels are specially made
for HPAK with a reference that I cannot indicate here. They are used for
the following sensors :

N848X : 28 x 88 mm

848X : 28 x 69,5 mm except 8484A (not measured)

346X : 18 x 95 mm

Of course it's a graphic thermal printer that is used (Brady) and I
indicated already the material of the labels.

BTW the result of Lou's job seems to be like an original one! Congrats.

8481A_length_55_mm.jpeg
8481A_width_28_mm.jpeg
8484A_length_95_mm.jpeg
8484A_width_23_mm.jpeg
8481A_1997.jpg

Re: Power Sensor Calibration Labels

 

Hi Lou,

That is a very nice software, I will try it for sure.

Thanks,
Razvan

On 13/04/2025 23:15, Lou Blasco via groups.io wrote:
I have been using GALVA for many years to make custom labels. The
results are limited by your imagination and the print stock that you can
buy. An example of a replacement of a damaged label for a friend's
8484A. The rendering of the attached screenshot may not look so great
but the printed version is very sharp and looks just like the label on
the sensor.

<>

image.png

Regards

Lou
VK3ALB
Re: Tool to remove "fancy" BNC nut (0590-1251)

 

There is another way. Get a socket or an appropriate size wrench and have a machinist grind it flat on a surface grinder then deburr the ground wrench.

Sam Reaves
ARS W3OHM
Re: Power Sensor Calibration Labels

 

Hello Harold,

Yes, I was planning to do this because I also want other stickers that
are more complicated to print so I will see what options they have.

Thanks,
Razvan

On 14/04/2025 11:09, Harold Foster via groups.io wrote:
A possibility would be sign shops that print on vinyl - there are a ton
of options for the material to be used and it is very inexpensive to
have done.? Or maybe call a local copy shop since they might have an
option to print on special materials as well.
Hal
Re: Power Sensor Calibration Labels

 

Hello Don,

I was reading something similar that these were metal foil labels and on
top the clear laminate was attached.

I found old reports that these labels were available for sale to other
people or cal labs from HP and also later Agilent but at some point they
were not sold anymore.

Thanks for the insight about the process done at that time.

Best regards,
Razvan

On 14/04/2025 02:20, Don Bitters via groups.io wrote:
Back in the 1990’s we calibrated power sensors, all of them but the 50GHz ones,
we used metal foil HP labels (2 types - long and short) using an other brand printer (about 4”w x 6”h x 8”d) the serial no., and the values would be printed on the label and the charted points. Then we put a clear laminate on top of the label, then installed the new label on the power sensor. I haven’t checked but suspect the blank labels may still be available from Keysight, since they are still calibrating the older sensors.

Don Bitters
Re: HP853A+8559A spectrum analyzer.

 

These modules (8557-8559) tend to have issues related the mechanical switches.? The finger contacts like to fall off.? They can be replaced with fingerstock.? Specifically, fingerstock from Tech-Etch part # 75RE or from Laird Tech part # 97-134.? The problem is the manufacturers of these fingerstocks only sell in large quantities.? But perhaps you can reach out to them for sample.? Or get lucky like I did and find some used on eBay.? These part #s are almost a perfect match to the original HP contacts.? But you can also make your own some other way.??
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Unless I'm misunderstanding your post, and you're saying the horizontal line appears without plug-in installed.? Then of course the mainframe is where to start.? Troubleshoot the issue without the plug-in installed.? The HP 853A service manual is very thorough and can be found online for free. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/9018-03045/user-manuals/9018-03045.pdf?success=true
Re: 2955 alarm?

 

OMg how did i do that? My bad. Thanks for the reply.
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Andrew
Re: HP - a summary of what went wrong.

 

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Dear Sam,

You make a very good marketing point, which sometimes gets lost in the corporate stratosphere. Given how difficult it is for salesmen to get access to purchasing decision makers in companies, having awkward company policies is bad business.?

To give examples of behaviour that gets the sales at places I’ve worked at;

i) We had an Agilent sales rep. who spotted some HP microwave synthesisers looking unloved in the corner of one of our labs. He asked me about them. I said; “oh they just don’t power up and they’re pretty vintage”. “No problem", he said- "we get lots of trade-ins and we can probably find some power supplies for them” We sent them over to Agilent and back they came working and recalibrated at very reasonable cost.

ii) I was meeting with a Tek sales rep. who asked me about a Tek. multi-meter on my desk. “Came as a free gift with a recent Tek order", I said, "but failed after a few months".”That won’t do”, he said- "I’ll fix it”. He did, and posted it back to me about a week later.

iii) We had an old R&S microwave synthesizer that was dropping lock. We rang the sales office to arrange shipping and a repair. The same afternoon, I had a call from their sales rep. “I heard you needed a repair and I was in London, so I dropped by and collected the synthesizer.” And he brought it back, repaired, a few weeks later.

What each of these sales reps. was doing was building the relationship with their customers- all of them got 7 to 8 figure amounts of business from us.

With Keysight these days there is a good relationship with the technical divisions and a business-like relationship with the sales reps., but less close than before. I think Keysight's selling of many cheaper items through re-sellers is losing them valuable customer intelligence. The good news is that Keysight have a number of products which are simply the highest performance obtainable, I just wish they looked as stylish as their price tag.

Regards,

Alwyn

_____________________________________________________

Alwyn Seeds, Director
SynOptika Ltd.,
114 Beaufort Street,
London,
SW3 6BU,
England.


SynOptika Ltd., Registered in England and Wales: No. 04606737
Registered Office: 114 Beaufort Street, London, SW3 6BU, United Kingdom.
_____________________________________________________
HP853A+8559A spectrum analyzer.

 

Hey everyone,
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I recently picked up an 853A analyzer mainframe and two 8559A 10M-21Ghz modules. Of course, it's broken.
They all power up just fine but all I can get on the screen is an horizontal line in the upper section of the screen. It's as straight as it can get. It does seem to respond to the settings as the beam varies.
It's a complex instrument and I'm not familiar with it. Does anyone have an idea what's going on with it? I suppose it may be in the mainframe as two modules, although unknown, give the exact same results.
Re: Power Sensor Calibration Labels

 

A possibility would be sign shops that print on vinyl - there are a ton of options for the material to be used and it is very inexpensive to have done.? Or maybe call a local copy shop since they might have an option to print on special materials as well.
?
Hal
Re: Tool to remove "fancy" BNC nut (0590-1251)

 

+1 for a good old fashoned tubular "box" spanner as suggested by Carsten.
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Robert.
Re: 2955 alarm?

 

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You may find it would be better to try the Marconi group for this instrument where there is a lot of knowledge and help available.

Nigel

by banging a nail into a piece of wood...

On 14 Apr 2025, at 02:01, KB2LMN via <kb2lmn@...> wrote:

So I turned on my 2955 today and this is what I’m seeing/ hearing.
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Andrew
Re: HP 8591A newest firmware?

 

Thank you!
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Andrew
Re: HP 8591A newest firmware?

 

开云体育

This is the list of firmware for 8591A

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Yves

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De?: [email protected] <[email protected]> De la part de KB2LMN via groups.io
贰苍惫辞测é?: 13 avril 2025 21:24
??: [email protected]
Objet?: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] HP 8591A newest firmware?

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Anyone have a Hex. Or Bin. Files of the newest firmware for the 8591A??

Andrew
Re: HP 8591A newest firmware?

 

开云体育

I think this is the last version for an 8591A

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Yves

De?: [email protected] <[email protected]> De la part de KB2LMN via groups.io
贰苍惫辞测é?: 13 avril 2025 21:24
??: [email protected]
Objet?: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] HP 8591A newest firmware?

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Anyone have a Hex. Or Bin. Files of the newest firmware for the 8591A??

Andrew

HP8591A_U6_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U6_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U7_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U7_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U23_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U23_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U24_REVF_17.7.91.BIN
HP8591A_U24_REVF_17.7.91.BIN

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