Ham Radio Lab Equipment - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: Nuno_pt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2016, 09:57:08 pm
content: Anyone want to contribute to an list of what equipment should be on an working bench?This should help ham radio operators that are looking to buy some equipment to make some projects.Frequency Counter - 225MHz or higherSignal Generator - 520MHz or higherSpectrum Analyzer with TG - 1GHz or higherDummy LoadAttenuatorsPower meter with PEPPower supply 13.8V 30A - for radiosLab power supplyDMMAudio two tone generatorRF two tone generatorLarge mirrorOscilloscopeNoise figure meterN2PK VNA or DG8SAQ VNWAAntenna Analyzer

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2016, 10:44:24 pm
content: Good start. I'd add a 13.8V power supply capable of supporting the current draw of radios up to 100W output, plus adapters to connect the power supply to common radio connectors of the major manufacturers. This so you can work on them on the bench.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2016, 04:13:38 am
content: Per the other thread - maybe a telegraph key (or paddle)

author: XFDDesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 09:14:10 pm
content: The specs on the list are a bit aggressive for the casual novice I would think.Frequency Counter - yesSignal Generator - yesSpectrum Analyzer - yesDummy Load - yes/can be madeAttenuators - yes/can be madePower meter - of some kind, something with half decent accuracyPower supply 13.8V 30ALab power supply - possibly just make a source rack that is powered from the above supply?Adding:Decent DMM.Coax crimpers.Appropriate connector adapters

author: Nuno_pt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 09:38:14 pm
content: I know that they are an little bit aggressive for the novice, but if one want's to build some projects like, LNA, Filters, etc. It could be usefull to have this on the bench, small steps it's the way to build a lab.I've left projects aside because I don't have the right tool to make the mesurements.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 09:39:09 pm
content: Add:Audio two-tone generator for transmit linearity testsRF two-tone generator for transmit linearity testsS9 (-73 dBm) signal source for receiver testsLots of adaptors to connect between SMA/SMB/BNC/SO239/PL519/F Connector and phonoA large mirror, this will enable you to see front panels and displays easily when working elsewhere on equipment. It sounds like a crazy addition but the first time you use one to help fix something like a monitor you'll know what I mean.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 09:59:54 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on January 26, 2016, 09:39:09 pmDamn good thinking!

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 05:11:35 pm
content: An oscilloscope is essential, I think.

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 01:36:04 am
content: Quote from: w2aew on January 27, 2016, 05:11:35 pmI agree.Something else I would add:Vacuum tube volt meter (VTVM)RF ProbeOne of the most important piece of test gear on my bench is a standard HF rig with general coverage receive.

author: ChristofferB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 02:04:56 am
content: It might be a bit old school, but a simple wavemeter is still a great tool to have handy, in my opinion. Easy to make, too.

author: Syntax_Error
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 03:53:42 am
content: Why a VTVM? I've used one at work before, but I never understood why you would ever need one in lieu of a standard voltmeter.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 07:06:02 am
content: Theres no point in a VTVM any more. It was invented to stop burden/loading the circuit. Any decent meter with known high input impedance is superior. The only problem I have occasionally is that the probe leads are both capacitive and inductive and pick up noise at high frequencies so I keep leads very short using pomona 300mm clip leads instead of long probes.Analogue meters (FET / VTVMs) have some mileage as you can rationalise changes in values but the new DMMS with a bargraph are just as good if you ask me.Cheaper options an more fun ones if you ask me:Frequency Counter - 225MHz or higher - depends what you want. 40/80m will do fine with a multimeter frequency counter. My UT61E goes up to 220MHz and I've tested it up to 90MHz. If you're using a DDS signal source you probably don't even need this now.Signal Generator - 520MHz or higher - build your own VFO or xtal osc. A decent Racal/Marconi signal generator will cost you a lot.Spectrum Analyzer with TG - 1GHz or higher - don't really need one of these. The main problem is getting rid of harmonic content and you can build bandpass fiters to do this that are effective. Also you can get a rough idea of how clean your signal is with a scope by looking at the sine shape.Dummy Load - non inductive carbon resistors, BNC connectors. Depends how many watts but you can sink lots into these in various parallel arrangements.Attenuators - resistors, BNC connectors.Power meter with PEP - dummy load, RF voltage probe (DIY)Power supply 13.8V 30A - for radios - this is the killer. I'd buy one for certain. I've got a 2A voltcraft unit and will grab a 10A one soon which is enough for my needs.Lab power supply - use above. If you need lower voltages use a linear regulator chained off the end.DMM - definitely. I'd say at least two.Audio two tone generator - two twin T oscillators and an emitter follower and attenuator. Or similar with a couple of op amps.RF two tone generator - LO, mixer, filter for above.Large mirror - if you're an ugly one like me, skip this.Oscilloscope - definitely.Noise figure meter - probably rarely need this.If you can afford all the above then I'd probably go for a decent scope with high bandwidth and an FFT function instead of most of that. It can be coerced into a lot of tasks with some understanding of the mechanics of it all.

author: babysitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 08:29:18 am
content: Dont forget wide-band all-mode receiver, which can even replace a S/A under some circumstances (simpify deviation adjustment of FM transmitters by listening to the carrier in SSB) Might be useful to listen to ZF stages, too!Field strength meter, made for a few €$Big bad-ass bleeding resistor on a stick to discharge fat anode voltage capacitors before shorting them out.All Ferrite parts you can get, consider dumpster diving (sort them by EMC filters and smps inductors.Thermometer, be it IR or Thermocouple or whatever.Non-metallic adjustment "screwdrivers"

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 10:21:48 am
content: Why a VTVM?Well, the title does say ham radio lab equipment. And with ham radio that does not always meant every piece of equipment you work on is solid state. Some are tube and I am not going to probe RF circuits with a high dollar Fluke although it will work if like MrSlack says, a bar graph on it. Some circuits you need that bar graph or a needle to see.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 10:37:55 am
content: The one bit of equipment that gets used the most on my bench is a light/magnifyer. Thanks Presbyopia and SMT.For the Noise Figure Meter you 'need' a couple of different level calibrated noise sources, which can cost more than the meter!

author: Nuno_pt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 11:15:05 am
content: I know about the price of the noise sources, it's like the price of the power heads for the HP, Anritsu etc power meters, cheap meters but expensive power heads.There is one German project with a dongle (R820T/T2 & E4000) and noise source for ~100€, to replace the Noise figure meter, I'll see if I can find it and post the link.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 07:58:02 pm
content: Two observations on the VTVM argument:1) They are more difficult to kill, and I'm speaking as someone who killed a Fluke stone dead after it met 22Kv from a damaged EHT lead.2) Sometimes you need an analog meter rather than a digital one.

author: Syntax_Error
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 09:37:06 pm
content: For the record, nobody was arguing regarding the VTVM. I asked why one would be used instead of a regular voltmeter.

author: Theboel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 02:47:59 am
content: if You working with Filter VNA is a good choice if You like you can build N2PK VNA or buy VNWA

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 07:05:13 am
content: (joke)Antenna Test Range (actually, any nearby park or field will do)Faraday Cage / Anechoic Chamber--------Also, a DDS chip and some means of controlling it can serve as a cheap and versatile signal source, for much less than a "signal generator" with similar tuning range.It seems to me that if you can only afford one of the two, the DDS is the more essential one.-------Also misc. useful things to have:Directional couplerBias-teeBroadband (MMIC) Low noise amplifier(s)DC block? (the commercial ones are expensive for what they are, tho')Filters (I make them myself)Attenuators (same as above)Prototyping supplies: (note I am a beginner, so please offer suggestions)This is what I have found useful up until now.Pieces of PCB with SMAs or BNC females soldered to them for whatnot.Wire.. teflon "bodge wire". (I can never have too much of that, ideally in different colors. I need better ways to store things, especially wire that gets used frequently.)Solid copper wire, insulated wire in various forms, Coax, for building things micro RG174 and or RG316 coax cable for internal wiring in projects. Solid dielectric type and not foam type.Headers. PCB scraps. Trimmers. Variable capacitors. Trimmer style and volume control style potentiometers. Multi turn pots are handy. I have one vernier style knob ten turn pot, that I use for things, I need to get more. Super useful for working with varactors.Varactor diodes.Collection of toroids of different sizes - for HF and VHF 2, 6, 31, 43 and 61 mixtures are popular.HF binocular balun cores (#43) VHF/UHF balun cores (smaller, #61 mix)Magnet wireA nibbling tool or "Harbor freight 25000 lb hole puncher" or other means of making small pieces of PCB to act as support for parts in old school prototype projects. You can also chop up the ('vero board') that has one side covered with copper, or stripboard is good for busses, one sheet of such board can make hundreds of little supports.An old school high wattage soldering GUN.super glueFlashing copper in sheet form. (extremely useful)Double sided tape. Conductive copper tape in various widths. Styrofoam posterboard (good for temporary experimental antennas)Laser printer (for toner transfer PCB making)Etchant. (can use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide + salt- and then a tiny bit of nail polish remover to get the black stuff off at the end)Feed through capacitors. Junk box with previous projects to scavenge for parts.Good collection of passives in some kind of organizer. (Loose leaf binders are useful for storing flat/small/tiny passives in.) Although I shouldn't I just store a lot of (non ESD sensitive parts) in ziplock bags.Conformal coating? I have never used it although I should, as I can see how old homemade PCBs oxidize. What should I use?Solder resist.-----------Question on transistors for RF folks. What are your nominations for non-BJT transistors most useful for the modern radio project builder. (cheap and low noise!) Modern ones with better specs that can substitute for a lot of older ones. Particularly useful cheap, non-BJT RF transistors. (I dont have any FETs in my parts box at all for example.)I have a very few in mind but I don't know if they necessarily are good choices or just ones I have seen a lot.Also, PIN diodes.Arduino(s) (several)Cheap Computer with monitor to have at your bench that that runs the programs you use.Raspberry Pi (can also use it to generate arbitrary frequency square waves, with high accuracy, although I have not done this yet, it looks extremely useful. Has anybody made a bench-useful siggen program yet, around this capability?)RTLSDRs. Both unmodified and direct sampling are useful. Direct sampling can sample down to VLF. Good for finding HF noise.Can get a higher level of accuracy on frequency using Linrad (http://sm5bsz.com) with its parts per billion adjustment.Big piece of steel (you can use magnets to hold things) or copper and big piece of static foam you can rest collections of devices connected with multi adaptors on so they wont be mechanically stressed and will have a good ground plane. Collection of small antennas for testing. Clamps/helping hands. Lots and lots of patch cables.Coaxial switches and splitter/combiner.Coax crimper. Dont do what I did and buy crap. Anybody know of a good second hex crimper, which will basically be my first working one, one that works well for all sizes of coax? I basically need to redo half of my patch cables because the cheap crimper I have been using is just very bad.Cost is why I bought the first one and I was forewarned and so I regret the purchase but at the same time although in both the abstract and practical sense, of course, I can clearly see its dumb to buy a cheap one but- money is an issue now and the ones that are clearly good seem SO overly expensive 'for what they are' physically. I just cant bring myself to spend >$100 on what is basically a glorified pair of pliers.That kind of thing, especially, is where mentoring is invaluable and irreplaceable.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 04:15:29 pm
content: Quote from: Syntax_Error on January 28, 2016, 09:37:06 pmA NASA group has developed (years ago so I am sure its even further along now) tiny basically nearly indestructible modular "tubes" (in a solid state like form factor) that beat semiconductors on many measurements and are also impervious to a great many kinds of damage, (Radiation, EMP, ESD, etc.) they also perform really well up into the multi GHz range. I don't know if or how they have been commercialized yet but it seems that there are a great many potential commercial applications the issue you mentioned being a perfect example. (Bringing back the "VTVM")They are small enough to be both power efficient and to build sophisticated modern devices out of, too.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2016, 12:54:00 pm
content: SWR meter, signal generator, soldering iron, impedance meter, all sorts of adapters, morse key.

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2016, 12:19:42 pm
content: Inductance/capacitance meter.Function generatorDirectional coupler for two-tone, blocking, dynamic range tests etc (using two sig gens).A couple of 10dB pads for SA.Miniature vise (like Panavise).Helping hands.Magnifier (Especially if a little long in the tooth!).A decent pair of tweezers for SMD work.Two RG316 teflon coax leads with connectors on one end to connect to SA (If you have one)

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2016, 12:26:35 pm
content: Grid Dip Oscillator

author: tipofthesowrd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2016, 02:11:30 pm
content: Depending on your type of work (repair/solid status, vacuum tubes) a isolation transformer (safety first!) and variac.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2016, 06:55:43 pm
content: I'm missing the 5TVO generator/receiver in the list!

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2016, 08:54:55 pm
content: Network analyzer...

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 05:50:27 am
content: I held back on the VNA! For a ham radio enthusiast?Maybe a mini-VNA.

author: dkozel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 06:11:16 am
content: A VNA is very useful for doing filter, amplifier, and other component characterization. Try tuning a duplexer or cavity filter without one. It's possible, but painful. They are expensive though, no way around that. But good deals can be found on units up to 3 or 6 GHz for $2000 if you're fortunate, $3-4000 otherwise. For that much you can get one of thehttp://www.megiq.com/ones new of course.

author: TSL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 06:40:29 am
content: For the most bang-for-buck its hard to go past a Radio Test Set.I have an HP 8935 aka E6380 on my bench and it does all this for 400kHz to 1Ghz and an upper band of 1.7Ghz to 2GHz..."RF analyzer, AF Analyzer, RF Generator, Tone Encoder, Tone Decoder, Spectrum Analyzer / Tracking Generator. Also included is Power Meter, Sinad and Distortion meters, Full Duplex operation, AC/ DC Voltmeter, Self Diagnostic Tests, and Configure Screens. It has 2 AF generators useful for generating 1000Hz tone and CTCSS tones at the same time, 2 uV "off the air" sensitive receiver, AM, FM and SSB modes, 75 Watt continuous or 125 Watt intermittent power input, antenna, duplex and RF I/O ports. "The included RF Tools program has the following...Swept Gain, Discrete Freq Insertion Loss, Swept Insertion Loss, Swept Return Loss, Cable Fault and Power Meter.More info here...http://www.amtronix.com/e6380a.htmNo relation to Amtronix other than a happy customerYou can find these from about $800US and up depending on condition or calibration. I bough mine from Amtronix calibrated for about $1500 a few years agoSaves a lot of bench space from not having too many discrete test instruments.

author: TSL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 06:42:27 am
content: Almost forgot, I also highly recommend a Sark 110 Antenna Analyzer, it too is a very capable instrument and it fits in your pockethttp://www.sark110.com/

author: wkb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 02:38:45 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 08, 2016, 06:55:43 pmSuddenly smells like TMC-84's around here?

author: mojoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 06:29:08 pm
content: Quote from: TSL on February 09, 2016, 06:40:29 amI can also recommend Amtronix. Several years ago, I bought an HP E8285A from Amtronix. See this page for description:http://www.amtronix.com/e8285a.htmThis page shows the differences between the various models:http://www.amtronix.com/diff.htm.As you can see, the two "E" instruments are very similar in functionality.I would have prefered an 8920 or 8921, but the cost was more than I could afford. If you don't care about HF, those 8924C's can often be had cheaply. There is a Yahoo group (HP 8924C), but all of these models are discussed.The E8285A input is fixed at 2.5W and is not upgradable. I simply added a 50W, 20dB attenuator on the front (good for up to 250W intermittantly) and set the attenuation factor in the settings (saved everything with the name POWERON).A word of warning if you intend to buy an E8285A from ebay or elsewhere. Only certain early models had the input attenuators factory calibrated at the low end. With the older firmware re-flashed, these units work great all the way down to 400KHz. Newer models were only factory calibrated for the higher frequencies (I think it was 10MHz and up, but I'm not sure) and will not work accurately below that, regardless of firmware. Get the SN of any potential purchase and check with Amtronix before buying. The E8285A was sold for CDMA cellular testing, so it is no surprise that they stopped calibrating them for the lower frequencies.Like a lot of the test equipment talked about here, it is 20-30 years old, but it still works well. To my knowledge, there are only two companies still making service monitors (communications analyzers). Aeroflex (now Cobham) makes three models and General Dynamics makes one or two. Motorola and others sell the GD unit with their own name on it.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 06:45:35 pm
content: re: network analyzer.For hams, in the ham bands up to a bit over one GHz, DG8SAQ's design for an inexpensive network analyzer looks hard to beat for simplicity and value.

author: peteb2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2018, 11:21:39 pm
content: I own a Sark-110 purely for checking my SW-DXL aerial setups (and 50ohm RF coax response). I just received a Facebook message of some news about the Sark-110 analyzer... It could be of use to others... not using Facebook... It reads along these lines:Source code is now available. Also available, a Linux implementation of a TCP server for code communication which includes the USB interfacing code to the unit. This can be a starting point for development of a Linus Client.https://github.com/EA4FRB/sark110_dllhttps://github.com/EA4FRB/sark110-srv-linuxIntention:open source code will facilitate the development of third-party clients.

author: Martin.M
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2018, 07:51:02 pm
content: a nice sweeper.and HF mV Meter, cal. in dBµV

author: JTY
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 31, 2018, 07:40:32 pm
content: Not equipment per se, but good low loss patch cables and adapters. As well as a ground bus bar, for grounding equipment, etc.

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 07:28:58 pm
content: A directional coupler and a high quality terminator.

author: TheDane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2018, 07:47:26 am
content: SDR capable of transmitting (wideband) - cheap usb dongles can usually only receive, and typically with a very limited bandwidth.PC capable of interfacing with the SDR, can be running Windows or Linux variants. Can also run loggers, recorders, encoder/decoders + the cheap SDR dongles at the same time, if powerfull enoughThere has been some recent development in the SDR scene, and the HackRF One with the new firmware allows you to make huge wideband scans of the entire 0 – 6 GHz range of the HackRF in under one second (8 GHz/s)https://www.rtl-sdr.com/scanning-spectrum-8ghz-per-second-new-hackrf-update/The HackRF one is readily avaliable, typically at a fair price around £185 - comes with antennas and a metal shield. They are cheaper without, especially from China.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HackRF-1-One-RTL-SDR-Software-Defined-Radio-Board-1MHz-6GHz-w-CNC-Shell-UK-FAST/273179626058Much cheaper than a spectrum analyzer, but it lacks the tracking function

author: Ghislain
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2018, 11:03:11 am
content: A decent LCR meter (provided you are into DIY projects)

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2018, 01:08:32 am
content: Quote from: Syntax_Error on January 28, 2016, 09:37:06 pmTry aligning a radio with a DMM. Then try aligning one with a VTVM.It is so much easier to get good nulls and peaks required for alignment when using an analog meter. You need it to be a VTVM vs. a VOM due to the high input impedance.