WTB [Germany]: SA (pre compliance & hobby filter design) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2020, 06:48:40 am
content: Good morning from germany.Currently graduated and now working for a company, i am earning enough money to getting started with EMC pre compliance and RF.- Because of this i am looking for a 4 ch scope with around 500MHz bandwidth and 4 probes to look at my "hobby-designed-pcb-radiations".- Because i also want to teach myself "distributed-element filter layout" i am looking for a spectrum analyzer to do so.My budget is around 4000€/ 4320$.2000USDThank you and all of u a nice day

author: hli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2020, 07:56:15 pm
content: Batronixseems to have a good reputation in Germany. I did not order from them (yet), but from what I read they are reputable.

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 06:16:15 pm
content: thanks hli, i already ordered 3 years back from them. I just thought maybe some one here has a used device for sell

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 08:37:12 pm
content: If you're looking specifically for EMI stuff, I wouldn't bother with using a scope for it. A SA and a set of probes will be all you need, a scope will just have less dynamic range and need an external preamp. If you leave the higher frequency work to the SA (not always possible, but may be in this case), then you can have a more modest bandwidth scope (much cheaper) and use a more sensitive tool (the SA) for the RF work. If you're designing filters, looking for some limited VNA capability at least could be a big benefit - something like reflection and transmission measurement even in a single direction could be a big benefit, but at the very least a tracking generator would be nice (unless you've already got an RF generator that can be swept).

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2020, 01:15:11 pm
content: Thanks for replying DaJMasta.Do you have any suggestion which way to go. Should i buy a used SA or a new one like Siglent SVA/ Rigol and then "hack" it?waming regards

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2020, 02:13:15 pm
content: I have not heard of any hack for the Siglent SVA. The Siglent spectrum analyzer, on the other hand, is hackable and includes a tracking generator (included standard) and pre-EMI compliance tools (once hacked). There is a new plus model, but I am not sure if it is hackable.

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2020, 05:40:41 pm
content: There are a bunch of threads on the SVA and other people looking for SAs in the main Test Equipment forum and there's a lot more traffic around too - maybe taking a look at recommendations there or asking would be more helpful. For my two cents:The SVA and Siglent and Rigol's SAs are pretty good and are about as good value for money you can get new. R&S has one too now in a more reasonable price point, but I believe it's a bit more. I've gone the used route for all of mine, and if you're looking for single port measurements, for example, I think Anritsu's handheld units are probably the top choice. They have a bunch of units that would fit the bill, but something like a Cellmaster can be had with single port VNA measurements (SWR and impedance matching), but then have an option for transmission measurements which would let you characterize a filter pretty easily. Not as snappy overall when compared to a benchtop unit, and without IF out or IQ out options, but easy to use, compact, and fully featured.

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 04:51:55 am
content: @TK how about this post:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-hack/msg2398776/#msg2398776Look at reply #2.Maybe i also completly missunderstood it

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 04:54:04 am
content: @ DaJMasta I now bought myself a used mso7054b, so whats left is a spectrum analyzer.I will have a look at the other threads. Thank you

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 01:25:04 pm
content: Quote from: Nassim on April 29, 2020, 04:51:55 amIt does not activate the VNA. Why pay more to use only the SA portion?

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 05:39:08 pm
content: Quote from: TK on April 29, 2020, 01:25:04 pmgood pointI should just go with the SSA and hack it.Thank you)

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 08:55:40 pm
content: Hey if you still need a SA I have a Rohde & Schwarz FS300, 9KHz to 3GHz, no tracking gen (it can be easily added, but the module is bloody expensive), if you want it I'll use the money to buy a CRT replacement kit for the HP8560E that DOES have a tracking oscillator and soldering microscope.Cheers,DC1MC

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 09:06:38 pm
content: Quote from: Nassim on April 29, 2020, 05:39:08 pmSaelig indicates that the SVA1015X now includes the VNA option for free (a $609 value)... but still only goes to 1.5GHz and you need to consider if full VNA is needed or a SA with TG is enough. The Siglent SA is cheaper and can be hacked to 3.2GHzNow Includes SVA1000X Vector Network Analysis [SVA1000X-VNA] $609 Value

author: Nassim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2020, 07:42:20 am
content: Quote from: DC1MC on April 29, 2020, 08:55:40 pmThank you but i think i will go with the Siglent SSA3021X Plus.At Welectron we can get it for 1626€ (with eevblog coupon).