Anritsu ML2438A Power meter - comments and cable headache - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: neopticus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2015, 02:01:13 pm
content: Hi all!I scored this unit from an auction a while back (along with bunch of other electronics, such as pile of CMU200's) and it has been sitting in my closet since then due to the Perpetual Lack of Free Time.. But this weekend is the time to take a look at this thing!It's a dual input channel power meter with quite nice specs (http://www.anritsu.com/en-GB/Products-Solutions/Products/ML2438A.aspx) and it seems they are still selling them new for around 2000-2500 euros. This one is in quite nice condition (calibrated 3/2013) and powers up nicely, but the problem is that in auction lotno sensor cable was included..I also bought two compatible sensors on the same auction: Anritsu MA2442D High Accuracy sensor: (- 10 Mhz to 18 Ghz, 50 ohm, -67 to +20 dBm )They are calibrated 09/2007 and 06/2006.Compatible sensor cables are for example 2400A-20, 2400A-21 and 2400A-22. However they are EXPENSIVE (ranging from 200 to 400 euros)!Now, I'm having a dilemma: Either I shell out 200-400 euros for a new sensor cable or I try to figure out how to make the cable myself. If it's only digital signals and highly amplified analog signals that traverse in the cable, it might be possible but otherwise it doesn't make really sense due to the possible signal loss by self-made cables.Here closer look at the connectors:There's a service manual here, but no mention of sensor connector pinout:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/98480466/10585-00003%20-%20Anritsu%20ML2430A%20series%20maintenance%20manual.pdfAlso browsing the power sensor operation manual was fruitless:http://downloadfiles.anritsu.com/Files/en-US/Manuals/Operation-Manual/10585-00004T.pdfOnly thing that service manual states that it's a Hirose 12-pin connector. The diameter of metal part is 14.0 mm, the diameter of ring is around 12.0 mm and diameter of inner plastic part is around 8.0 mm (my measurements).According to Hirose datasheet (http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/185/ed_HR10_20140305-369381.pdf) the closest thing for receptacle was series HR10, size 10, 12-pin HR10-10R-12S and compatible plug is HR10A-10P-12P(73).With a price of 16,19 euros a pop, it's tolerable, but before I go out and order them, I would need some advice if constructing the cable can indeed be done. Normally I would crack open the power meter and sensor and would try to decipher the pinout, but since the calibration is not too old, I'm bit hesitant to tear the cal sticker as I might sell this unit later.What do you guys/gals think?

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2015, 04:21:21 pm
content: A guy on ebay is selling those cables for $125. He's in California, though.

author: neopticus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2015, 05:23:23 pm
content: Radhaz, thanks for the input. I think I found the same seller before. 125 bucks + postage + customs fee + 24% VAT comes quite close to 200 euros. But let's see how this works out.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2015, 05:33:50 pm
content: If you were in the US(or have a friend there to reship to you) -http://www.ebay.com/itm/391230576893

author: neopticus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2015, 06:13:09 pm
content: TheSteve, thanks for the advice.Now I feel dumb: I searched only with manufacturer model number (2400A-20 etc) but not with manufacturer S/N (D41346-2).. So I found few sellers on eBay and scored one in UK quite cheaply!So, unfortunately no Anritsu tear-down burlesque show for you guys this timeI might figure out and post the cable wiring though when I get it.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2015, 07:10:56 pm
content: That is a shame; some of us live for TE-P0rn.

author: BFX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2015, 07:18:05 pm
content: neopticus nice unithow much?

author: neopticus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2015, 07:30:34 pm
content: Quote from: BFX on September 06, 2015, 07:18:05 pmThanks! It looks quite nice (almost new at least superficially). But you never know before you get to really test this thing.. It could have any number of problems! So I will test the unit little bit more, and especially I want to measure the RF output of these CMU200 units.Anyway, I'm not really RF guy, so I might sell this thing later. But I'll let you know if I do