On Sat, Sep 21, 2019 at 01:20 AM, <qrp.ddc@...> wrote:
Yes, limiter diode will ruin measurement. There are two issues with diode:
- it add parasitic reactance
- it add non-linear distortions of the signal
100% agree.
There is no simple way to protect RF device with no deterioration of it's
dynamic range.
Seems to be that way.
I had a brief research period last yesterday just to look up how others deal with this issue.
It seems they don't, and simply practice safe procedure.
Spectrum Analysers on the other hand have much higher input levels, and do have some
solutions, but are cannot be used in the case of a network analyser.
I remember my favourite instrument, a Hewlett Packard HP8594 SA having a blown front end and getting a quote for repair.
You could build a aircraft carrier at those prices, whence why the company was always known as High Price ;-)
In the end, I just used a buffer amplifier for general sniffing around as a precaution when it was suitable.
73 de Andy
