开云体育

Dave et all

These manuals are all for the "mixed technology" ( Tubes + Transistors)
version of the 410C

The all solid state version started at serial number 0982A22339. The
Manual Lee needs is 00410-90009

Dave
ArtekManuals.com

On 12/28/2012 12:10 PM, Dave Daniel wrote:

These look better:

(Military version)

from the same web site.

Dave

On 12/28/2012 10:26 AM, Steve Vineyard wrote:

Try here:

www.hparchive.com/*Manuals*/*HP*-*410C*-*Manual*.pdf

Steve

vk5abc wrote:

Hello All
Does anyone have a manual for the last version of the 410c meter solid
state version.

Lee.

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

--
Dave Henderson
Manuals@... <mailto:Manuals%40ArtekManuals.com>
www.Artekmanuals.com
PO Box 175
Welch,MN 55089
651-269-4265

Wow, lots of replies all of a sudden. I'm already prepping the wife for
the $200 + price tag of calibration. Funny how when I was single I would
have about $800 in cash in my wallet at all times and now I beg for 20
bucks, Hmm. Sad part is I make about 4 times the money. In any event
I've not received to much feedback on the "Self Test OK" message the
seller had posted. Any comments? I'm too much of a skeptic when it comes
to eBay purchases. It's just a convenient place to purchase such goods.
Any feedback would be appreciated as to possible pitfalls regarding this
device. I like to prep for issues rather then build myself up for
failure. What do they say...it's better to be pleasantly surprised then
let down.

Thanks,

Jeff

On 12/29/2012 5:40 PM, J. L. Trantham wrote:

According to the manual, there are only two 'adjustments' that can be made
on a 3457A, Input Offset Amplifier adjustment and AC Converter Frequency
Response, both needed only if there is a 'HARDWARE ERR' failure message
after 'TEST' is selected and then only if it is a specific 'AUXERR' or
16 or
256 is seen. Otherwise, all the calibrations are done from the front panel
with specific inputs from the front panel.

The CALNUM? is incremented by 'several digits' with a 'complete
calibration', one for each calibration point entered, per the manual.
Interestingly, when I sent my two 3458A's to Agilent for calibration, the
CALNUM incremented by only 1. However, when I calibrated one of them
before
sending it to Agilent, (since I lost the data in the DALLAS CALRAM
chip that
I was removing) the CALNUM went from 1 to something like 34 or
something. I
don't recall. It seems that if you have the appropriate software to
run the
complete calibration protocol, it only increments by '1' instead of by all
the data points entered. Such software exists for the 3457A but I have
never seen it available 'on theBay'. I suspect Agilent would have that
software and equipment to do that calibration and, thus, an Agilent
calibration may only increment the CALNUM? by 1.

When getting an Agilent calibration of the 3458A, you get 'As
Received' and
'As Completed' data. Very helpful to me in that the only two points my
'House CAL' of the one 3458A failed were the two 'midrange' AC Voltage
values. All else 'PASSED'.

I agree with Dave. If it's HP/Agilent, I prefer Agilent to do the CAL. If
it's Solartron, I prefer AMETEK (Solartron), etc.

I believe that having some 'basic' professionally calibrated instruments
(DMM's, Noise Sources, Power Sensors, Frequency Standards (unless you
have a
GPSDO, CS Standard, etc.) etc.), that you can then use as 'transfer
standards' to do your own 'in house' calibration of other instruments, is
very important if you want to set up a reliable workshop.

Of course, you will also need a 'stable' source of the various signals
that
you will use to be 'measured' by the various 'DUT's', such as resistance,
voltage, current, frequency, etc. The 3458A is relatively easy to
calibrate, requiring only 10.000000 VDC, 10000.000 ohms, and some AC
voltage
at various frequencies, IIRC. I have never CAL'd a 3457A but the 3478A
is a
multi-step process.

This whole thing can become very 'addictive'. Be careful.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of David Kirkby
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:53 PM
To: hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] 3457a on the way

On 29 December 2012 20:01, Jeff Machesky <jeff@...
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com> > wrote:

Thanks Dave, I actually have watched those videos. Bit drawn out like
most of his videos..but still good. Too much detail is not always a bad
thing.

I thought the bit showing the noise on the DVM was a bit silly when it
was connected to a DC power supply.

As for the 3457A, if it works I plan on getting it calibrated by Agilent
within the year. From what I understand it's about a $200 US investment.
The meter was last calibrated in '98, so I'll be curious to see how
accurate it is when I get it.

I think the calibration service you chose might dictate whether you
get data about the condition when sent.

When I send mine in for cal, I'd like to know what was out and by how
much. But I'm not going to pay extra for a calibration service that
provides that. As far as I'm concerned, if Agilent calibrate it, then
it is OK. For me personally, it makes no difference whatsoever if it
has ISO, NIST or whatever calibration. But I'd prefer Agilent to
someone else.

I have calibration certificate here for an Agilent VNA calibration
kit. It was done by a calibration house in the USA. But from what I
can gather from reading the documentation, the equipment to calibrate
them is not available commerically. So it makes me wonder how a lab
can calibrate a cal kit, when the equipment to do it can't be bought.

I suspect there is a fairly cosy realationship between some test
equipment dealers and calibration facilities.

I plan on purchasing some
voltage references from the well known site as a basic test of the
3457A. I may even calibrate it based on those references if it's way out
and later getting it NIST traceable calibrated.

I don't know if there are pots in there you can adjust with a trimmer,
or if it is all done electronically. You might find it is impossible
to calibrate yourself.

I never had any reason to look inside mine.

Dave

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello All, my first post :-)

I have been searching the group history for any information about a possible source for the Nylon Clutch mechanism that is part of the input attenuator/reference level switch on the above analysers.
I don't have the part number to hand but I could find it.
No success so far.

It seems a particular weakness of these otherwise excellent analysers.

I have an 8558 with the Atten switch completely useless (has been in pieces for years for want of these parts) and an 8559 that is going the same way.

Is robbing parts from another unit the only option?
I don't suppose a 3D printer (a very good one!) might be any solution?

Regards Jon

If the 'SELF TEST OK' message appears, there is no need to make any
'adjustments'. Just do the 'front panel CAL' if needed.

As I said, I would check it out, assume it is the best instrument in your
collection, send it to Agilent for CAL and see what you get.

I would appreciate knowing what 'REV?' and 'OPT?' says when you get a
chance. 'CALNUM?' would be interesting as well.

In the 3458A, the firmware is in an EPROM (6 EPROM's for the older units)
and can be removed, a socket placed, and easily upgraded by purchasing the
latest pre-programmed EPROM (or EPROM's for the older units) from Agilent.
The only problem is they have a $50 minimum for this $18 part for the later
units.

My wife thinks I am going to appear on an episode of 'Hoarders'.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Jeff Machesky
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 8:01 PM
To: hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] 3457a on the way

Wow, lots of replies all of a sudden. I'm already prepping the wife for
the $200 + price tag of calibration. Funny how when I was single I would
have about $800 in cash in my wallet at all times and now I beg for 20
bucks, Hmm. Sad part is I make about 4 times the money. In any event
I've not received to much feedback on the "Self Test OK" message the
seller had posted. Any comments? I'm too much of a skeptic when it comes
to eBay purchases. It's just a convenient place to purchase such goods.
Any feedback would be appreciated as to possible pitfalls regarding this
device. I like to prep for issues rather then build myself up for
failure. What do they say...it's better to be pleasantly surprised then
let down.

Thanks,

Jeff

On 12/29/2012 5:40 PM, J. L. Trantham wrote:

According to the manual, there are only two 'adjustments' that can

be made

on a 3457A, Input Offset Amplifier adjustment and AC Converter Frequency
Response, both needed only if there is a 'HARDWARE ERR' failure message
after 'TEST' is selected and then only if it is a specific 'AUXERR' or
16 or
256 is seen. Otherwise, all the calibrations are done from the front

panel

with specific inputs from the front panel.

The CALNUM? is incremented by 'several digits' with a 'complete
calibration', one for each calibration point entered, per the manual.
Interestingly, when I sent my two 3458A's to Agilent for

calibration, the

CALNUM incremented by only 1. However, when I calibrated one of them
before
sending it to Agilent, (since I lost the data in the DALLAS CALRAM
chip that
I was removing) the CALNUM went from 1 to something like 34 or
something. I
don't recall. It seems that if you have the appropriate software to
run the
complete calibration protocol, it only increments by '1' instead of

by all

the data points entered. Such software exists for the 3457A but I have
never seen it available 'on theBay'. I suspect Agilent would have that
software and equipment to do that calibration and, thus, an Agilent
calibration may only increment the CALNUM? by 1.

When getting an Agilent calibration of the 3458A, you get 'As
Received' and
'As Completed' data. Very helpful to me in that the only two points my
'House CAL' of the one 3458A failed were the two 'midrange' AC Voltage
values. All else 'PASSED'.

I agree with Dave. If it's HP/Agilent, I prefer Agilent to do the

CAL. If

it's Solartron, I prefer AMETEK (Solartron), etc.

I believe that having some 'basic' professionally calibrated instruments
(DMM's, Noise Sources, Power Sensors, Frequency Standards (unless you
have a
GPSDO, CS Standard, etc.) etc.), that you can then use as 'transfer
standards' to do your own 'in house' calibration of other

instruments, is

very important if you want to set up a reliable workshop.

Of course, you will also need a 'stable' source of the various signals
that
you will use to be 'measured' by the various 'DUT's', such as

resistance,

voltage, current, frequency, etc. The 3458A is relatively easy to
calibrate, requiring only 10.000000 VDC, 10000.000 ohms, and some AC
voltage
at various frequencies, IIRC. I have never CAL'd a 3457A but the 3478A
is a
multi-step process.

This whole thing can become very 'addictive'. Be careful.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: hp_agilent_equipment@...

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:hp_agilent_equipment@...

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of David

Kirkby

Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:53 PM
To: hp_agilent_equipment@...

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] 3457a on the way

On 29 December 2012 20:01, Jeff Machesky <jeff@...

<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>

<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com> > wrote:

Thanks Dave, I actually have watched those videos. Bit drawn out like
most of his videos..but still good. Too much detail is not always

a bad

thing.

I thought the bit showing the noise on the DVM was a bit silly when it
was connected to a DC power supply.

As for the 3457A, if it works I plan on getting it calibrated by

Agilent

within the year. From what I understand it's about a $200 US

investment.

The meter was last calibrated in '98, so I'll be curious to see how
accurate it is when I get it.

I think the calibration service you chose might dictate whether you
get data about the condition when sent.

When I send mine in for cal, I'd like to know what was out and by how
much. But I'm not going to pay extra for a calibration service that
provides that. As far as I'm concerned, if Agilent calibrate it, then
it is OK. For me personally, it makes no difference whatsoever if it
has ISO, NIST or whatever calibration. But I'd prefer Agilent to
someone else.

I have calibration certificate here for an Agilent VNA calibration
kit. It was done by a calibration house in the USA. But from what I
can gather from reading the documentation, the equipment to calibrate
them is not available commerically. So it makes me wonder how a lab
can calibrate a cal kit, when the equipment to do it can't be bought.

I suspect there is a fairly cosy realationship between some test
equipment dealers and calibration facilities.

I plan on purchasing some
voltage references from the well known site as a basic test of the
3457A. I may even calibrate it based on those references if it's

way out

and later getting it NIST traceable calibrated.

I don't know if there are pots in there you can adjust with a trimmer,
or if it is all done electronically. You might find it is impossible
to calibrate yourself.

I never had any reason to look inside mine.

Dave

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

According to the manual, there are only two 'adjustments' that can be made
on a 3457A, Input Offset Amplifier adjustment and AC Converter Frequency
Response, both needed only if there is a 'HARDWARE ERR' failure message
after 'TEST' is selected and then only if it is a specific 'AUXERR' or
16 or
256 is seen. Otherwise, all the calibrations are done from the front panel
with specific inputs from the front panel.

The CALNUM? is incremented by 'several digits' with a 'complete
calibration', one for each calibration point entered, per the manual.
Interestingly, when I sent my two 3458A's to Agilent for calibration, the
CALNUM incremented by only 1. However, when I calibrated one of them
before
sending it to Agilent, (since I lost the data in the DALLAS CALRAM
chip that
I was removing) the CALNUM went from 1 to something like 34 or
something. I
don't recall. It seems that if you have the appropriate software to
run the
complete calibration protocol, it only increments by '1' instead of by all
the data points entered. Such software exists for the 3457A but I have
never seen it available 'on theBay'. I suspect Agilent would have that
software and equipment to do that calibration and, thus, an Agilent
calibration may only increment the CALNUM? by 1.

When getting an Agilent calibration of the 3458A, you get 'As
Received' and
'As Completed' data. Very helpful to me in that the only two points my
'House CAL' of the one 3458A failed were the two 'midrange' AC Voltage
values. All else 'PASSED'.

I agree with Dave. If it's HP/Agilent, I prefer Agilent to do the CAL. If
it's Solartron, I prefer AMETEK (Solartron), etc.

I believe that having some 'basic' professionally calibrated instruments
(DMM's, Noise Sources, Power Sensors, Frequency Standards (unless you
have a
GPSDO, CS Standard, etc.) etc.), that you can then use as 'transfer
standards' to do your own 'in house' calibration of other instruments, is
very important if you want to set up a reliable workshop.

Of course, you will also need a 'stable' source of the various signals
that
you will use to be 'measured' by the various 'DUT's', such as resistance,
voltage, current, frequency, etc. The 3458A is relatively easy to
calibrate, requiring only 10.000000 VDC, 10000.000 ohms, and some AC
voltage
at various frequencies, IIRC. I have never CAL'd a 3457A but the 3478A
is a
multi-step process.

This whole thing can become very 'addictive'. Be careful.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of David Kirkby
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:53 PM
To: hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] 3457a on the way

On 29 December 2012 20:01, Jeff Machesky <jeff@...
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com> > wrote:

Thanks Dave, I actually have watched those videos. Bit drawn out like
most of his videos..but still good. Too much detail is not always a bad
thing.

I thought the bit showing the noise on the DVM was a bit silly when it
was connected to a DC power supply.

As for the 3457A, if it works I plan on getting it calibrated by Agilent
within the year. From what I understand it's about a $200 US investment.
The meter was last calibrated in '98, so I'll be curious to see how
accurate it is when I get it.

I think the calibration service you chose might dictate whether you
get data about the condition when sent.

When I send mine in for cal, I'd like to know what was out and by how
much. But I'm not going to pay extra for a calibration service that
provides that. As far as I'm concerned, if Agilent calibrate it, then
it is OK. For me personally, it makes no difference whatsoever if it
has ISO, NIST or whatever calibration. But I'd prefer Agilent to
someone else.

I have calibration certificate here for an Agilent VNA calibration
kit. It was done by a calibration house in the USA. But from what I
can gather from reading the documentation, the equipment to calibrate
them is not available commerically. So it makes me wonder how a lab
can calibrate a cal kit, when the equipment to do it can't be bought.

I suspect there is a fairly cosy realationship between some test
equipment dealers and calibration facilities.

I plan on purchasing some
voltage references from the well known site as a basic test of the
3457A. I may even calibrate it based on those references if it's way out
and later getting it NIST traceable calibrated.

I don't know if there are pots in there you can adjust with a trimmer,
or if it is all done electronically. You might find it is impossible
to calibrate yourself.

I never had any reason to look inside mine.

Dave

According to the manual, there are only two 'adjustments' that can be made
on a 3457A, Input Offset Amplifier adjustment and AC Converter Frequency
Response, both needed only if there is a 'HARDWARE ERR' failure message
after 'TEST' is selected and then only if it is a specific 'AUXERR' or 16 or
256 is seen. Otherwise, all the calibrations are done from the front panel
with specific inputs from the front panel.

The CALNUM? is incremented by 'several digits' with a 'complete
calibration', one for each calibration point entered, per the manual.
Interestingly, when I sent my two 3458A's to Agilent for calibration, the
CALNUM incremented by only 1. However, when I calibrated one of them before
sending it to Agilent, (since I lost the data in the DALLAS CALRAM chip that
I was removing) the CALNUM went from 1 to something like 34 or something. I
don't recall. It seems that if you have the appropriate software to run the
complete calibration protocol, it only increments by '1' instead of by all
the data points entered. Such software exists for the 3457A but I have
never seen it available 'on theBay'. I suspect Agilent would have that
software and equipment to do that calibration and, thus, an Agilent
calibration may only increment the CALNUM? by 1.

When getting an Agilent calibration of the 3458A, you get 'As Received' and
'As Completed' data. Very helpful to me in that the only two points my
'House CAL' of the one 3458A failed were the two 'midrange' AC Voltage
values. All else 'PASSED'.

I agree with Dave. If it's HP/Agilent, I prefer Agilent to do the CAL. If
it's Solartron, I prefer AMETEK (Solartron), etc.

I believe that having some 'basic' professionally calibrated instruments
(DMM's, Noise Sources, Power Sensors, Frequency Standards (unless you have a
GPSDO, CS Standard, etc.) etc.), that you can then use as 'transfer
standards' to do your own 'in house' calibration of other instruments, is
very important if you want to set up a reliable workshop.

Of course, you will also need a 'stable' source of the various signals that
you will use to be 'measured' by the various 'DUT's', such as resistance,
voltage, current, frequency, etc. The 3458A is relatively easy to
calibrate, requiring only 10.000000 VDC, 10000.000 ohms, and some AC voltage
at various frequencies, IIRC. I have never CAL'd a 3457A but the 3478A is a
multi-step process.

This whole thing can become very 'addictive'. Be careful.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of David Kirkby
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:53 PM
To: hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] 3457a on the way

On 29 December 2012 20:01, Jeff Machesky <jeff@... <mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com> > wrote:

Thanks Dave, I actually have watched those videos. Bit drawn out like
most of his videos..but still good. Too much detail is not always a bad
thing.

I thought the bit showing the noise on the DVM was a bit silly when it
was connected to a DC power supply.

As for the 3457A, if it works I plan on getting it calibrated by Agilent
within the year. From what I understand it's about a $200 US investment.
The meter was last calibrated in '98, so I'll be curious to see how
accurate it is when I get it.

I think the calibration service you chose might dictate whether you
get data about the condition when sent.

When I send mine in for cal, I'd like to know what was out and by how
much. But I'm not going to pay extra for a calibration service that
provides that. As far as I'm concerned, if Agilent calibrate it, then
it is OK. For me personally, it makes no difference whatsoever if it
has ISO, NIST or whatever calibration. But I'd prefer Agilent to
someone else.

I have calibration certificate here for an Agilent VNA calibration
kit. It was done by a calibration house in the USA. But from what I
can gather from reading the documentation, the equipment to calibrate
them is not available commerically. So it makes me wonder how a lab
can calibrate a cal kit, when the equipment to do it can't be bought.

I suspect there is a fairly cosy realationship between some test
equipment dealers and calibration facilities.

I plan on purchasing some
voltage references from the well known site as a basic test of the
3457A. I may even calibrate it based on those references if it's way out
and later getting it NIST traceable calibrated.

I don't know if there are pots in there you can adjust with a trimmer,
or if it is all done electronically. You might find it is impossible
to calibrate yourself.

I never had any reason to look inside mine.

Dave

When getting an Agilent calibration of the 3458A, you get 'As Received'

'As Completed' data. Very helpful to me in that the only two points my
'House CAL' of the one 3458A failed were the two 'midrange' AC Voltage
values. All else 'PASSED'.

Bryce, I actually use a Softrock Ensemble II SDR for shortwave. It has
the added advantage of being able to precisely lock on to the WWV
stations and check the accuracy of my frequency counter. It also is just
truly amazing to use the SDR software such as SDR-Radio or HD-SDR. You
can calibrate it down to the sub Hz level and the sensitivity is really
good. It can be build for LF or HF ranges. I could go on and on about
the coolness of the device.



Just food for thought,

Jeff

On 12/29/2012 9:24 AM, disklog wrote:

I used an Sa612 mixer chip feeding a LM3089 into a 386 audio amp chip.
That setup is cheap and can be configured to give am and fm but no ssb.
The best solution is to find a used AOR 8000 wide range handheld
receiver. That demods everything from 100khz to 1950mhz. They were
500bucks new but I just saw a working one sell on ebay for 50 bucks or

so.

Another solution is to pick up a Kaito1103 SW radio. Very cheap radio
that works well. Degen makes its twin. They handle Am/Fm/Ssb using the
BFO on the radio.
I have to confess after adding the demodulator to my HP8558B, I never
use it. By the time you zero the span, center the signal, and fool
with the demodulator, it becomes work.
I find the easiest solution is to buy a wide range receiver (Icom
r8500 or AOR 8000 etc.) and connect a display unit to it. Then as you
tune the radio, you see the signals at the same time.
Have fun, Ken

--- In hp_agilent_equipment@...
<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>, ken fest
<disklog@...> wrote:

--- On Fri, 12/28/12, Bryce Schroeder <bryce.schroeder@...> wrote:

From: Bryce Schroeder <bryce.schroeder@...>
Subject: [hp_agilent_equipment] What is a good shortwave radio to

use with HP 8568B SA?

To: hp_agilent_equipment@...

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>

Date: Friday, December 28, 2012, 4:10 PM

I am looking for a shortwave radio to use as a demodulator for my

spectrum

analyzer, so I can listen to the signals I see. I don't have a

shortwave

receiver right now. Can someone make a recommendation, preferably for
something relatively inexpensive?

Thank you!






------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

Thanks Dave, I actually have watched those videos. Bit drawn out like
most of his videos..but still good. Too much detail is not always a bad
thing.

As for the 3457A, if it works I plan on getting it calibrated by Agilent
within the year. From what I understand it's about a $200 US investment.
The meter was last calibrated in '98, so I'll be curious to see how
accurate it is when I get it.

I plan on purchasing some
voltage references from the well known site as a basic test of the
3457A. I may even calibrate it based on those references if it's way out
and later getting it NIST traceable calibrated.

On 29 December 2012 03:39, Jeff Machesky <jeff@...
<mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>> wrote:

So I have a 3457a on the way that passes the self tests. What are the
odds of it actually working when I get it?

I'd think pretty good. Anyway, this might interest you - a review of
the 3457A. Part 1 seems pretty good - I've not seen part 2, but I'm
going to take a look.




Dave

I used an Sa612 mixer chip feeding a LM3089 into a 386 audio amp chip. That setup is cheap and can be configured to give am and fm but no ssb.
The best solution is to find a used AOR 8000 wide range handheld receiver. That demods everything from 100khz to 1950mhz. They were 500bucks new but I just saw a working one sell on ebay for 50 bucks or so.
Another solution is to pick up a Kaito1103 SW radio. Very cheap radio that works well. Degen makes its twin. They handle Am/Fm/Ssb using the BFO on the radio.
I have to confess after adding the demodulator to my HP8558B, I never use it. By the time you zero the span, center the signal, and fool with the demodulator, it becomes work.
I find the easiest solution is to buy a wide range receiver (Icom r8500 or AOR 8000 etc.) and connect a display unit to it. Then as you tune the radio, you see the signals at the same time.
Have fun, Ken

--- In hp_agilent_equipment@... <mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>, ken fest <disklog@...> wrote:

--- On Fri, 12/28/12, Bryce Schroeder <bryce.schroeder@...> wrote:

From: Bryce Schroeder <bryce.schroeder@...>
Subject: [hp_agilent_equipment] What is a good shortwave radio to

use with HP 8568B SA?

To: hp_agilent_equipment@...

<mailto:hp_agilent_equipment%40yahoogroups.com>

Date: Friday, December 28, 2012, 4:10 PM

I am looking for a shortwave radio to use as a demodulator for my

spectrum

analyzer, so I can listen to the signals I see. I don't have a shortwave
receiver right now. Can someone make a recommendation, preferably for
something relatively inexpensive?

Thank you!





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On 29 December 2012 03:39, Jeff Machesky <jeff@... <mailto:jeff%40codebest.com>> wrote:

So I have a 3457a on the way that passes the self tests. What are the
odds of it actually working when I get it?

I'd think pretty good. Anyway, this might interest you - a review of
the 3457A. Part 1 seems pretty good - I've not seen part 2, but I'm
going to take a look.




Dave

Another problem with the 8551 (besides its' weight and therefore very high
shipping cost) it it's use of a BWO. They have a limited lifespan, and new
old stock are like hen's teeth. I got a nice one from the local estate
sale of a ham about three years ago, and it had multiple reminders on it
about not leaving it fully powered up for long periods of time. It also
can with three random BWOs and two HP sweepers that also use BWOs.


In talking with a few old timers I know from HP since then, the general
consensus was similar. They didn't worry about it at the time because they
could get new ones from Varian just down the road.


-Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Koller" < kaboomdk@... >
To: "hp agilent equipment" < hp_agilent_equipment@... >
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 6:44:17 AM
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] HP 8551 Spectrum Analyzer FS or trade?






Hi folks,

Is there really ZERO interest in an HP 8551 spectrum analyzer? Given that
I didn't even get any comments from this usually vocal group, and having
found some replies to older posts that went into my spam folder, I figured
I'd just ask again (copied below). Perhaps a few more people are back from
the holidays as well.

Please do let me know if the group consensus is that this thing is really
just a useless boat anchor even by vintage instrument standards.

Thanks and have a happy new year!

Dan

________________________________
From: kaboomdk < kaboomdk@... >
To: hp_agilent_equipment@...
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2012 12:48 PM
Subject: [hp_agilent_equipment] HP 8551 Spectrum Analyzer FS or trade?



Hello all,

I have an HP 8551 spectrum analyzer I would like to offer for sale or
trade. It works reasonably well, as I describe in more detail below, but I
am starting to upgrade my home shop with more "modern" equipment.

Cosmetically, the unit is clean, with some sticker residue on the display
units. It comes complete with all the necessary interconnecting cables and
the oval power cords. It weighs a TON. The RF unit alone is 90 lbs, so I
can't really ship it, even in parts. However, I live in Charlottesville,
VA, and I frequently travel up the north-east corridor, so if you live
anywhere between here and Burlington, VT, I am willing to deliver if you
can wait until March or so. Otherwise, perhaps we can make arrangements.

Some photos are posted here:


851_1.jpg A screen shot of the analyzer showing the FM band with a
dangling wire antenna and the input attenuator at 0 dB. Harmonic n=1. LO
signal on left.
851_2.jpg A 1 dBm, 2.4 GHz signal at the input with RF attenuation set to
30 dB. n=2.
851_3.jpg Same signal displayed on band 4, which uses the 200 MHz IF, n=1.
851_4.jpg The FM band again, displayed on the orange-screened 851B.

I would prefer not to part this instrument out, and to send all of it to a
good, loving home. Please make me an offer. I don't have a good feel for
price of this instrument particularly since shipping would normally be a
dominant part of the cost. Alternatively I am willing to trade for any of
the instruments below, in working or *repairable* condition. Of the
highest interest are any of the 141T SA plug-ins listed.

Any 8554/8555/8556 SA plug-ins for a 141T based spectrum analyzer,
preferably in grey paint.
182T mainframe
any 11664 A or B detectors
a 8755C swept amplitude analyzer
a sweeper covering ~MHz to ~2.5 GHz.

So, if interested, please contact me off-list and let's discuss. Thanks
and Happy Holidays!

Dan

851B/8551B Spectrum analyzer.
----------------------------
8551B: SN 625-00695 (RF unit)
851B: SN 526-00805 (Orange screen)
851B: SN 526-00339 (spare unit)

What works:
Mixer, at least at n=1, n=2 and n=3. I don't have sources to test higher
harmonics.
RF input attenuator
Stabilized fine tune - with some care
Trace centering is fine at or below 1 mc/cm, alowing one to quickly zoom
in on a signal.
Both 851B display units, with sharp and bright traces.
Fine and course tuning
Frequency vernier

What doesn't work:
Trace centering on the 3-300 MC/cm scales.
The signal jumps around when switching scales, though it can still be
tuned.
I can't follow the manual procedure in section 3-34 to set the spectrum
centering
adjustment on the front panel. The tracking meter does not respond as it
should.
As a result, LO scale pointer is ~100 MC off on scales at or below the 1
mc/cm sweep and
varies on the 3-300 mc/cm scales.
May need to reglue the scale drum at some point, but it's ok for now
The orange plastic filter in one of the 851s has cracks in it in the lower
left corner just off scale.
The tune knob had it's handle broken off, but I kept the original parts
and was able to
epoxy together a decent looking reconstruction, so it works now and looks
ok.
I can't figure out if the signal identifier works. It's supposed to shift
the signal by n cm at 100 KC/cm,
which it does, but when you press the "reference" knob, it should revert
to the n=1 state.
But instead the trace keeps moving off screen. I suspect this is related
to the issues at large spans.

What you get:
A functional piece of history - the first calibrated spectrum analyzer
from HP.
A basic, working spectrum analyzer
All interconnecting cables and oval power cords
One ORIGINAL PAPER MANUAL for the 851B display section
A spare 851B display unit (the orange one was originally paired with the
8551, judging from the stickers)
Satisfaction of working with a wonderful instrument
Herniated disks

What you don't get:
Any of the sources shown in the pictures
The instrument rack, though that can be negotiated separately
The 50 Ohm terminator on the back at the LO output. I only have a few of
these and I need them,
however it seems to work ok without it at the few frequencies I looked at.
Paper manuals for the 8551B section - but these are available on-line.
The right to return the instrument
Medical insurance










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