>-----Original Message-----
>From: lisa_cef...@mksinst.com [mailto:lisa_cef...@mksinst.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 1:35 PM
>To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
>Subject: Emissions "quick test"
>
>
>
>Hi all,
>
>Does anyone know of a " down- and- dirty" , inexpensive method
>or equipment
>for sniffing out emissions issues? I've used a Spectrum
>Analyzer in the
>past with a series of different probes, but that tends to be
>costly. Also,
>Is there a "universal" probe kit out there?
>
>Thank you in advance.
>
>Lisa
>
>Lisa A. Cefalo, CRE
>Manager, Reliability and Design Services
>MKS Instruments
>6 Shattuck Road
>Andover, MA 01810
>(978)-975-2350 X 5669
>lisa_cef...@mksinst.com
>
>
Lisa:
You can make a fairly universal probe by winding three turns of stiff wire
around your little finger. Remove finger and solder the coil to the end of
female/female BNC connector. Connect probe to a spectrum analyzer and start
probing.
You can make another cheap probe by stripping about an inch of the outer
conductor off the end of a piece of RG-223 coax. The dielectric will support
the small stub of center conductor, and you get a nice, low sensitivity
probe that you can drag over ribbon cable wires or board traces.
A spectrum analyzer is about the minimum ticket needed for this ride. You
could use a cheap AM radio, or a scanner, or a communications receiver, but
interpreting the results is time consuming. You could use an analog
oscilloscope for some probing, but you could get a low-end spectrum analyzer
for the cost of a decent oscilloscope. You can buy an old spectrum analyzer,
typically something like an HP-141/8552/8553 for well under $1000; just
watch eBay for a couple of weeks.
If you are extremely determined to avoid buying a spectrum analyzer, you
might be interested in a classic Ham Radio project, called the Poor Man's
Spectrum Analyzer. This project allowed you to build a spectrum analyzer
using old television tuners, and is a testament to what can be accomplished
with unlimited labor applied to analog junk.
Regards,
Ed
Ed Price
ed.pr...@cubic.com
Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab
Cubic Defense Systems
San Diego, CA USA
858-505-2780 (Voice)
858-505-1583 (Fax)
Military & Avionics EMC Is Our Specialty
Shake-Bake-Shock - Metrology - Reliability Analysis
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