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  1. HP-Agilent-Keysight-Equipment
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8753C VNA option upgrade

 

Good day all,
?
I hope this message finds you well. Apologies if this is not the correct method of sharing. This topic must have been discussed multiple times as well. If possible, I would like to ask if anyone might be able to assist with codes for the 8753C VNA.
?
Firmware version 04.02 1988
Analyzer has no options installed but, I do have an 85047A test set that can be used for 006. If anyone is willing to assist, I would be extremely grateful.
 

Is this what you need?
?
Model Number: HP 8753C
Serial Number: 3317UO1709
To add :
002, Harmonic Analysis
010, Time Domain Analysis (Std on 8702D),
?enter the keyword: 3 H T 6 U K Z Z Y 2 M M
Note: Spaces are for reading clarity only.
?
?
Do NOT install option 006 if you do not have the proper test set (85047A), as the doubler is in the test set.
?
Model Number: HP 8753C
Serial Number: 3317UO1709
To add :
006, 6 GHz Performance,
?enter the keyword: 3 0 X S J Q Y U F V P
Note: Zeros appear as "0" with this font, the letter O appears as "O."
?
Enjoy,
Jinxie
 

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Jinxie, do you happen have keyword for unlocking HP 8753E?

Bill? W7AAZ


On 2/23/2025 4:39 PM, Jinxie via groups.io wrote:

Is this what you need?
?
Model Number: HP 8753C
Serial Number: 3317UO1709
To add :
002, Harmonic Analysis
010, Time Domain Analysis (Std on 8702D),
?enter the keyword: 3 H T 6 U K Z Z Y 2 M M
Note: Spaces are for reading clarity only.
?
?
Do NOT install option 006 if you do not have the proper test set (85047A), as the doubler is in the test set.
?
Model Number: HP 8753C
Serial Number: 3317UO1709
To add :
006, 6 GHz Performance,
?enter the keyword: 3 0 X S J Q Y U F V P
Note: Zeros appear as "0" with this font, the letter O appears as "O."
?
Enjoy,
Jinxie
 

?
Here’s the deal: HP (and later Agilent) locked these options behind firmware codes tied to the instrument’s serial number. Back in the day, you’d buy the upgrade, call up HP with your serial, and they’d send you a unique key to punch in via the front panel or HP-IB interface. The process involves accessing the service menu, tweaking some settings, and entering a code that rewrites the EEPROM to flip the option on. Without that official code, it’s a bit of a gray area—legally and technically.
Now, I can’t hand you specific codes myself—those are proprietary and unique to each unit’s serial number. What I can tell you is how it’s supposed to work based on what’s out there. On the 8753E, you’d typically:
  1. Power it on, hit Preset, then dive into the Service Menu (usually something like System > Service Menu, though exact key combos depend on firmware—check the manual for your revision).
  2. Find the option enable function—might be labeled “Enter Option Key” or similar.
  3. Input a code, which is often a string of numbers or letters HP would generate.
The catch? Getting those codes today. HP/Agilent/Keysight don’t exactly advertise them anymore, and support for the 8753E has long tapered off. Some folks in the test equipment community—like on forums such as EEVblog or the old HP/Agilent groups—claim you can email a guy named “Caesar” (caesarv@...) with your serial number and desired options. He’s rumored to reply with codes that work, no hardware mods needed for software options like 002 or 010. For 006, though, you’re likely stuck unless your unit already has the 6 GHz source hardware—unlocking it without the right guts won’t magically extend the range.
Problem is, that email’s been floating around since at least the early 2000s, and there’s no guarantee it’s still active in 2025—or that it’s legit. Plus, messing with the EEPROM carries a tiny risk of bricking the thing if you fat-finger it. You’d need to move a jumper on the CPU board to enable writes (documented in the service manual), enter the code, and pray.
?
That's about as much as I know on the subject but I'm sure there are others on this group who will further assist.
Good luck!
 

Hello Group,
I un-soldered the EEPROM from my HP8753C and went in and modified the necessary bits and I was able to enable options, 002, 006, and 010. I soldered in a IC socket and copied the original EEPROM contents to a new IC, (obtained off of Ebay), and used my programmer to copy its contents and it works fine.
I also have a HP85047A and it works well with the VNA, now with options enabled.
There are articles on the Internet describing what bits to modify to enable these options.



On Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 06:14:12 PM MST, Jinxie via groups.io <paul666@...> wrote:


?
Here’s the deal: HP (and later Agilent) locked these options behind firmware codes tied to the instrument’s serial number. Back in the day, you’d buy the upgrade, call up HP with your serial, and they’d send you a unique key to punch in via the front panel or HP-IB interface. The process involves accessing the service menu, tweaking some settings, and entering a code that rewrites the EEPROM to flip the option on. Without that official code, it’s a bit of a gray area—legally and technically.
Now, I can’t hand you specific codes myself—those are proprietary and unique to each unit’s serial number. What I can tell you is how it’s supposed to work based on what’s out there. On the 8753E, you’d typically:
  1. Power it on, hit Preset, then dive into the Service Menu (usually something like System > Service Menu, though exact key combos depend on firmware—check the manual for your revision).
  2. Find the option enable function—might be labeled “Enter Option Key” or similar.
  3. Input a code, which is often a string of numbers or letters HP would generate.
The catch? Getting those codes today. HP/Agilent/Keysight don’t exactly advertise them anymore, and support for the 8753E has long tapered off. Some folks in the test equipment community—like on forums such as EEVblog or the old HP/Agilent groups—claim you can email a guy named “Caesar” (caesarv@...) with your serial number and desired options. He’s rumored to reply with codes that work, no hardware mods needed for software options like 002 or 010. For 006, though, you’re likely stuck unless your unit already has the 6 GHz source hardware—unlocking it without the right guts won’t magically extend the range.
Problem is, that email’s been floating around since at least the early 2000s, and there’s no guarantee it’s still active in 2025—or that it’s legit. Plus, messing with the EEPROM carries a tiny risk of bricking the thing if you fat-finger it. You’d need to move a jumper on the CPU board to enable writes (documented in the service manual), enter the code, and pray.
?
That's about as much as I know on the subject but I'm sure there are others on this group who will further assist.
Good luck!
 

Hi Jinxie,
?
Thank you very much for replying. I am currently in the process of attempting the upgrades: I did receive some feedback on the subject - I just need to ensure that I take the time to properly understand the procedure first.
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Thanks again for considering the request
?
Kind regards
 

Jinxie,
?
That keyword text is obviously what I wrote to you at some point.? Anyone with an 8753/8752/871x/8720/8719/8722/8702 can write to me (with the s/n) and get the keywords they need to enable any option.? This is a service I provide for free so that no one has to run the risk of unsoldering and programming EEPROMs.
I have been doing this for almost 10 years now and get a request about once or twice per week.
CV
 

Hi Caesar,
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I hope you're well. Yes, now I remember that did come from you. Thank you so much for the service you provide, you're a credit to the community!
?
J.
 

Here is the actual keygen application that is stored in the 'Files' section of the this group.??
Jim

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