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Tektronix Y400 vs Anritsu Cell Master
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Does anyone have experience with both the Tektronix Y400 with YBA250 and YBT250 modules and the Anritsu Cell Master? I’m trying to decide on one for an entry level SA and VNA to use for radios, antenna systems and tuning duplexers. It’s not clear whether the Tektronix has a TG like the Anritsu and whether it would be suitable for tuning duplexers. I’m trying to determine whether I should lean towards one over the other. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! |
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Make sure the site test box has carrier wave TX down to the lowest frequency you plan or will ever think you will use. Later module boxes go father down. Not all site master type boxes measure carrier frequency error or FM deviation.. and some require external modules to measure RF power. A VNA like some have will show frequency response and return loss at the same time, those are most ideal for tuning filters. The Chinese $100 VNA is decent for very rough guessing, but most step at 300KHz so not good for VHF. Expect $1k to $10k for a reasonable age unit that will do what you want. I like to look for the sellers whom taken care of their stuff, but are downsizing or don't care what the unit sells for as long as they know it will be used. Benjamin, KB9LFZ? On Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 11:58 Pro4XComm via <ke4osl=[email protected]> wrote:
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They both cover the frequency range I would be interested in. I guess the part I'm unsure of is that the Anritsu specifically says in the functions that it has a signal generator whereas the Tektronix says it can be used as a "sine wave or continuous wave source" under "CW mode". I'm unsure whether this mode on the Tektronix would be suitable for tuning duplexers or whether the Anritsu would be the one I need. The Tektronix advertises it can test insertion loss/gain and return loss so would this be a good option for using it as an SA and also a VNA for tuning duplexers? |
开云体育We had Y400s at work.?? They were in for repair a lot.?? I could have had one.?? I didn't want one.??? The Y400 reminded me of a Marconi 2955. ? It had a lot of clicking relays.?? I cannot speak on the Cell Master.? I don't consider my equipment entry level, although some might.?? On a budget, if I had to choose, a COM-120B or a 1600, since I am familiar with them, and a return loss bridge,?? A HP 8920, or 8921 would also be a good choice.? Not that you asked, I use a S113B for antennas, a IFR COM-120B, 1200s, and 1600s for real radio work.?? When you get old like me, a 1200 is a lot easier to take to sites, but it certainly has its limitations.?? A HP 8753ES for combiners and duplexers, and a ARRA 3428 line stretcher for determining cable lengths for the above.?? For portable use, a HP FieldFox would be nice, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. In my opinion, you are always better off with test equipment designed for what you are doing, if you really care about the end result, instead using a Jack of All Trades.? There is an old saying, Tektronix makes good scopes, and HP makes good RF equipment.? Don't cross that line. I'm sure someone will disagree with me.? Oh well... John? On 2025-03-12 23:33, Pro4XComm via groups.io wrote:
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Does anyone have experience with both the Tektronix Y400 with YBA250 and YBT250 modules and the Anritsu Cell Master?I have a Cell Master. I guess as an "all in one" kind of box that will do sweeps, and for occasional use as a spectrum analyzer it's OK at best. Other than a Field Fox, I don't know of any all-in-one portable that comes close to doing what benchtop equipment is capable of doing, or does as accurately. If you're interested in a Cell Master I was going to sell mine, I rarely use it. I’m trying to decide on one for an entry level SA and VNA to use for radios, antenna systems and tuning duplexers.Anything "entry level" isn't going to be viable for tuning duplexers. For sweeping lines and antennas, a portable like a Sitemaster/Cell Master is the way to go - obviously you want something portable, the tower ain't gonna come to you. For tuning duplexers or any other serious filter work, a real VNA with enough dynamic range and good accuracy is essential. Since tuning duplexers isn't something you do in the field, there's no need for a portable unit here. An older HP from the 8750 series is the best bang for the buck. But beware - a VNA is only as good as the calibration components, test cables, etc. that go with it, and those often cost more than an older VNA itself. --- Jeff WN3A |
There is an old saying, Tektronix makes good scopes, and HP makes good RF equipment. Don't cross that line.That has been proven time and time again, although I have to admit I do have a combination scope/logic analyzer from HP that I find mostly-tolerable. We have a client that purchased two Tek RSA5000B's spectrum analyzers optioned out for digital TV measurements a few years ago. I absolutely hate them. --- Jeff WN3A |
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I've been curious about the Tektronix Nettek Y400 Portable Communications Test set showing up on eBay. The prices are attractive, but it looks like you have to be careful about what plug-in modules you get with it. I don't know if they would be suitable for typical ham repeater use.
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Anyone have experience with these units? Joe, K1ike On 3/13/2025 9:05 AM, Jeff DePolo WN3A via groups.io wrote:
There is an old saying, Tektronix makes good scopes, and HP makes good RF equipment. Don't cross that line.That has been proven time and time again, although I have to admit I do have a combination scope/logic analyzer from HP that I find mostly-tolerable. |
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I have an Anritsu Cell Master, model 8212B I think. It’s sweep rate it way too slow in transmission measurement mode to be useful for tuning duplexers or filters, you have to tweak, wait for the trace, overcompensate, wait, undo what you did, wait, tweak again, wait…. Its fine and accurate for verifying something but that’s it.
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I got mine off eBay for $350 and it’s been good for the spectrum analyzer to 4GHz, although its sweep is slow and for testing antennas and measuring low power levels. Mine has a bunch of defunct cell phone testing modes and a guy on another four un who worked at a cell phone company turned me on the the eBay ads from his company that was disposing of the units cheap. Knowing what I know now about these I would not pay any more for one.?
I have no experience with the Y400.? |
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I have had a Y400 with both modules for a few years now, and also have a Cellmaster MT8212B.
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For starters, the Y400 has Windows CE as its operating system. It is a touchscreen.
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I compared the Y400 to a Sitemaster S331L that was a few months old and still in calibration. We swept several antennas from low band to 470 MHz. The Y400 and the 331L were within 1-2 db of each other on all the measurements we made. In my opinion other than the portability, the Y400 will produce very accurate results for return loss measurements for antenna testing. ?
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As far as the Spectrum Analyzer goes, I actually think the Y400 might be just a touch nicer to use. The Cellmaster S/A goes down to 9 KHz so it looks pretty low in frequency. You can adjust the span from zero to several MHz depending on the frequency you are looking at. The Cellmaster also has built-in attenuation and preamp to choose from.
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For tuning duplexers, isolators, filters...etc...the edge goes to the Cellmaster but it has to have the Transmission option.? With either one you have to change modes when going from looking at gain to return loss. Both will do the job quite well but you can not display both screens at once like you can with a real VNA. Both have a range of 20-25 MHz to 1000 MHz. There is an option for the Cellmaster that allows it o go lower in frequency in the transmission mode.
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They both need to have good quality test cables and calibration loads. For the Anritsu the Instacal module is OK, but individual loads or an OSL device will give you a bit more precise calibration.
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I recently had the need to add a new window to a master receive antenna system and 2 new channels to a transmit combiner. I used the Cellmaster to do pretty much everything involved in that onsite, including tuning the EMR dual port isolators, the transmit combiner cavities, and the receive window filter.? Since I have the CW generator option, I was able to use that option to speed up the scan refresh rate so there was less delay in the screen updates when tuning everything.
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The CW generator option is not something that I see as real useful as there are no audio generators and it requires the use of a external variable attenuation kit to vary the output level.
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I think the Y400 and the Cellmaster are about the same for battery run time.? The Y400 may actually last a bit longer but mine has 2 batteries in it also making it a bit heavier.
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Whichever route you go try and find something that has as many cables, loads and other accessories with it as possible as those can sometimes cost as much or more than what you pay for the unit.
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Joe - WA7JAW
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KB9LFZ
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