Hanheld Spectral Analyzer - limit 12 000$ - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jenduss
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 01:55:33 pm
content: Hello,I am looking for a new spectral analyzer which should be able to operate till at least 16 GHz and must be handheld. Limit for the cost is set at 12 000$.I´ve done my research with big brands (Agilent, Keysight, ...) but the price is always at least 20k$ .So I would like to ask you for an advice - do you have any tip for a brand or model that would go with requirements written above?Thank you very much for any kind of response.

author: DG5SAY
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 02:47:06 pm
content: I don´t know how much is the Rohde&Schwarz FSH 18 ?

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 02:55:15 pm
content: $12k for a 16Ghz handheld SA is asking a lot, and I guess the RF performance shouldn't suck, too. I can't see how you can get there with your budget for a new brand name device.2nd hand might be a chance but handheld SAs with that bandwidth haven't been available for that long, and most of the 2nd hand stock is made of the lower bandwidth models (<8Ghz). Finding a 2nd hand unit will be difficult, and even if you find one it will very likely still exceed your budget.With that small budget ou will have to make some compromise, i.e. do you really need that bandwidth, or does it really have to be a handheld device or would a portable unit suffice? If a portable unit would work then have a look at the Rohde & Schwarz FSL18 which is a compact portable SA with NiMh battery option which often can be found 2nd hand within your budget. It also would give you a better RF performance than what you get from a handheld device.There may well be other alternatives, if we knew what you intend to use the SA for.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 02:56:23 pm
content: Quote from: DG5SAY on February 24, 2016, 02:47:06 pmThe FSH 18 is >$20k.

author: DG5SAY
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 03:13:58 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 24, 2016, 02:56:23 pmOh!

author: hayatepilot
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 03:36:58 pm
content: Hello jendussYou could buy a used/ refurbished one:eBay auction: #191670562645This is from the official Keysight ebay shop, so its pretty save to buy there.Greetings

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 05:07:47 pm
content: Quote from: hayatepilot on February 24, 2016, 03:36:58 pmDon't forget they negotiate too. You can use that to get a cheaper price or extended warranty, more options, etc.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 05:30:54 pm
content: Quote from: hayatepilot on February 24, 2016, 03:36:58 pmThat's a very good offer. As someone else said the price is also negotiable, you could also ask them to throw a 3yr repair agreement (essentially a warranty) on top of it.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 09:05:34 pm
content: And you can always pay for the license in the future to upgrade it to a network analyzer.

author: jenduss
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 10:43:03 am
content: Thank you for all your replies and suggestions!Buying a used one (or refurbished) is unfortunately not an option. It has to be brand new from official dealer (company policy).I am kind of a microwave field engineer so the purpose of use will be following: interference and multipath detection, power in band measurements, link troubleshooting etc.It will be used for a wide range of bands but mainly for 5 GHz a 15 GHz.As I was searching I´ve came across this -https://www.saftehnika.com/en/spectrumanalyzer. So for my purpouses I would buy two of them and it could work.What do you think about this one? Anyone already have it?Thanks...

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 11:37:26 am
content: Quote from: jenduss on February 25, 2016, 10:43:03 amDon't know anything about this device. But can say a bit about manufacturer. They make high quality equipment. Manufacturing happens here in Latvia, no outsourcing to China. Have been at their factory about 10 years ago.BTW, ther is simulator app which you can install on the smartphone to get a feel of using ithttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saftehnika.scemulator.androidhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spectrum-compact-simulator/id910904261?mt=8

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 11:40:26 am
content: Quote from: jenduss on February 25, 2016, 10:43:03 amThey are official dealer, actually manufacturer itself. If you buy Keysight premium used, it is in like new condition, recalibrated and comes with full warranty.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 12:44:33 pm
content: Quote from: jenduss on February 25, 2016, 10:43:03 amThe Keysight ebay shop*IS*the outlet of the manufacturer Keysight. It can't get any more official than that.QuoteI don't know this brand but a look at the specs shows it's pretty much a toy compared with the Keysight and R&S options discussed above. The spec sheet is pretty sparse but what is listed there is pretty unimpressive:https://www.saftehnika.com/files/downloads/5d83b8ca-30a8-e311-b599-0050569aa6cf/21.08.2014_SpectrumCompact_leaflet.pdfI hope the link works, downloading requires providing name, company and email () so it might not work for others.The frequency coverage is good but that's pretty much about it. It's clearly designed as a simple spectrum monitor for installers of the manufacturer's RF links and it will very likely perform poorly when used in more demanding applications.The other thing that would turn me off is the pretty much unknown brand name. If you do a large investment into test gear you usually want a reputable company to stand behind for support and service.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 12:47:11 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 25, 2016, 11:40:26 amNo, it doesn't. Only CertiPrime kit (which usually is ex-demo gear so not really used in a typical sense) carries the full warranty. Everything else comes with 60 days warranty only.However, you can buy repair agreements which essentially are warranty agreements to extend this to one, two or three years (sometimes even more).

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 12:53:46 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 25, 2016, 12:44:33 pmThey are manufacturer of microwave data transmission equipment, this is the first piece of test equipment made by them which I heard about. Their equipment is mostly installed on the cellphone towers.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 01:00:46 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 25, 2016, 12:53:46 pmYes, I saw that. It's still not a name I recognize, and I wonder about their presence outside their home turf (Latvia?), which isn't a great sign in terms of support. This aside, what would immediately put me off is that they ask for contact details just to download a simple spec sheet, which lacks pretty much most of the relevant specifications for such pieces of kit anyways. If that's how they do pre-sales than I don't want to know how they do after-sales (i.e. support).I think I'll stick with the established names.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 01:06:50 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 25, 2016, 01:00:46 pmThey presence is mostly outside of Latvia for the sole reason that Latvia by itself is very small. They state they equipment is distributed in 100+ countries.For example:http://www.safaustralia.com.au/Contact-Us.html

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 01:11:23 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 25, 2016, 01:06:50 pmMaybe some of their kit is resold under different label, who knows. I guess Australia is a receptive market for kit like that.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2016, 01:21:21 pm
content: As I remember from that factory tour 10 years ago, every piece of outdoor equipment was tested in thermal chambers at the full operating temperature range for several days. Do not remember about indoor equipment but likely too.

author: John.Paul
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 28, 2016, 02:16:37 pm
content: Hi Jenduss,Have you tried looking up rental platforms that offer handheld spectrum analyzers? You can get good quality pieces on rent, lease or even buy second-hand Anritsu and Keysight handheld RF spectrum analyzers. You can find rental platforms that are trustworthy and which are a relief especially when there are cost constraints. Why not give it a shot?