[time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions

[paul swed]

Perry
Thats a tough one. Many have made suggestions but those are all pretty much
RF spectrum analyzers and the fact that you want low frequency suggests a
signal analyzer class machine. That very low end will not exist on most RF
analyzers. I have 4 HP 8568s and they go from 100 Hz to 1.5 GHz and are
simply amazing. Its funny a fellow told me if I ever obtained one I would
be very happy and I am.
But light weight man I can only put 1 on the bench at a time for fear the
bench may collapse.
I would have to look but I bet each sections 50 Lbs. Hey its HP you pay for
metal or at least you used to.
Not sure I have an answer for you.
But to give a reasonable answer you need to share more detail.
Already light weight and small are important and we know 10Hz to 40 Mhz.
To really cover those ranges its 2 devices. A signal analyzer and a
spectrum analyzer.
Regards
Paul
WB8TSL


On Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 1:18 AM, Mark C. Stephens <marks at non-stop.com.au>wrote:

> Perry I have a 3585A too, The weight isn't so bad once you get used to it.
> :)
> Mines on a rack shelf that I can slide it out onto the workbench for
> maintenance.
>
> Performance wise, they are fantastic for phase noise measurement using
> John Miles's Phase noise software.
> Although a little slow, It is pretty nice to see what's going on down at
> 10 Hz.
>
> I really can't find a replacement for my 3585A, other than the "B" model.
>
> Also the boards come up cheap on eBay if you need parts.
> I have almost a complete set of spare boards I bought for 10 bucks each.
>
> So all in all, you got yourself a good Analyser, cheap to maintain and
> good specs.
>
> Run it through the performance tests as per the manual, this SA will be a
> pleasant surprise for you :)
>
>
> -marki
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> Behalf Of Perry Sandeen
> Sent: Sunday, 14 July 2013 1:10 PM
> To: time-nuts at febo.com
> Subject: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions
>
>
>
> List,
>
> I just purchased a HP 3585 spec analyzer on E bay for a reasonable price.
> I wanted this instead of the 181 series as the range was more to what I’d
> be using and it was of a newer vintage.  The 3585a goes from
> 10 Hz to 40 MHz which is a most useful range for my purposes. so far, so
> good.
>
> The problem is I didn’t know the beast weighed a svelte
> 88 pounds! Double Hernia time!
>
> What I’d appreciate advice for a used spec analyzer in the $1,000 range
> that is at least much lighter.  A smaller size would also be a benefit.  I
> probably would never use it above 100 MHz. A slightly smaller screen would
> be OK.
>
> Suggestions appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Perrier
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