If RF measurement is your bag, and you're able to spend a couple of $K
(actually, <$2K if what I've seen recently holds), consider a
communications service monitor like the HP
8920A/8920B/8921/8924/8935/E8285 (all pretty much the same thing).
You get an RF generator, RF power meter, RX frequency meter and
modulation analyzer, audio generator, audio analyzer, digital o'scope,
and in most units a spectrum analyzer (many have a tracking generator,
too) in one box. And I've probably forgotten a few things. If you get
one with spec analyzer and tracking generator, there's software that
lets you do swept insertion/return loss and cable fault finding.
None of its capabilities are as good as those of a dedicated box
performing a single function, but they're good enough for the vast
majority of uses. An 8920 was the first significant piece of test gear
I bought, and if I ever have to sell out, it'll be the last one to go.
The prices came down a lot when Lucent surplused hundreds (thousands?)
of them from their portable and cell phone production lines. I saw an
8935 with spec an, fully functional (as far as I could tell) for about
$1500 this summer.
A guy who sells and services a lot of these boxes is Rick at
http://www.amtronix.com -- that web site will give you lots of info
about the various versions and options. (I just noticed he has some
Agilent 8285As as a "hobbyist special" with spec an and tracking
generator for $650. That looks like a deal.)
John
----
john.fo...@gmail.com said the following on 01/21/2010 03:43 PM:
Just that John, I'm looking to setup a general purpose lab. I'd lean towards RF type stuff since I'm a HAM.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
-----Original Message-----
From: "J. Forster" <j...@quik.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:22:11
To: <did...@cox.net>; Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement<time-nuts@febo.com>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
I made the mistake of setting up a purpose-built lab once, and soon
discovered to do most things, you really need at least a basic general
purpose lab.
The only exception is, I suppose, if you are going to repair a specific
instrument and do nothing else.
Also, as others have pointed out, you really need to define what are your
area(s) of interest. Specialized gear gets $$$ pretty quickly.
-John
====================
John,
That sounds like asking what is the best vehicle for you to buy. If you do
not know what you want to do with it, I am not sure we can help you all
that much. However, if you have a specific objective, I am sure you will
get a lot of valuable information here.
You have a (good) analog scope, you may want a power supply or two, a
soldering iron and maybe a desoldering station if you do surface mount.
You also want a good hand-held multimeter. Some sort of signal or function
generator may be useful too. These vary widely depending on frequency
range and features. There is no good single answer to any of these
questions without knowing more about what you do with it.
Many of us on this list have more than one of pretty much everything (I am
guilty of that too) to reflect the fact that no single instrument is
universal, with possibly one exception: my favorite hand held DMM is a
Fluke 8060A, but I am sure some people will have another favorite :)
Don't start spending what little money you have until you know what you
need. If you just need to spend money, may I interest you in a wonderful
business opportunity in Nigeria?
Didier KO4BB
------------------------ Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless thingy while I
do other things...
-----Original Message-----
From: John Foege <john.fo...@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:35:22
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency
measurement<time-nuts@febo.com>
Subject: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
I realize that this e-mail is somewhat off topic, however, I also
believe that I will get some of the best answers from the members of
this list:
I have recently started to build an electronics lab, and am currently
trying to acquire test and general equipment for my little basement
workshop of horrors. So far, being on a limited budget, I have
acquired a Tek 2465A in good working order, a Fluke 1953A counter, and
my little gem (ok not quite so little) HP5345A with the 4-ghz freq
converter plugin w/ opt 11 & 12.
I'd just like to ask everyone what they would be, if they were in my
shoes, attempting to acquire. Unforunately, however, I am just out of
engineering school and not working with much of a budget here. I'd
kill to have all the fancy gear some of you nuts have.
I'd really love a DSO instead of the Tek 2465A I have. I'd kill for a
good spectrum analyzer or VNA etc.
Any suggestions on what I should acquire and/or suggestions for
economical equipment that I should make that is a must have? I am a
good DIYer when it comes to building equipment, so often I attempt to
build that which I cannot afford.
I appreciate everyone's' opinions in advance. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Foege
KB1FSX
starving-engineer!
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