I need a 1 GHz scope! But which one??? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Dragony
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 10:14:10 am
content: Hi,For RF experiments I want to purchase a new scope with 1 GHz BW.Whats the most recent one, which doesnt cost like $20000?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 10:27:24 am
content: Quote from: Dragony on March 20, 2017, 10:14:10 amWhat do you want tomeasurewith the scope? For RF work, a scope is usually the wrong tool.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 11:02:06 am
content: I have an MSO-X3104A, which wasn't $20,000, but nor is it as capable in some ways as other 1GHz+ scopes I've used. I like it a lot, and it suits my needs well, but since you're after a relatively specialist instrument, it's definitely worth exploring how you plan to use it first.

author: Dragony
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 11:03:36 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 20, 2017, 10:27:24 amWhy?What is the right tool for RF analysis like field strength, FFT, etc?

author: Ammar
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 11:04:20 am
content: Just ordered a Lecroy 1GHz 6100A second hand. Make sure you can try it first, see if it actually meets your needs.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 11:07:59 am
content: Quote from: Dragony on March 20, 2017, 11:03:36 amIf you need to ask that question you probably need to do more work before buying instruments. For almost all RF work the first priority is a good spectrum analyser. The second is tools which can help with modulation analysis. Somewhere down the list comes a good scope. A cheap scope is fine for most RF people.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 11:08:12 am
content: Quote from: Dragony on March 20, 2017, 11:03:36 amIf you have to ask that, you are probably not ready to make a 4+figure purchase

author: nfmax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 11:16:49 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on March 20, 2017, 11:08:12 am...except possibly from me

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 03:13:01 pm
content: Quote from: Dragony on March 20, 2017, 11:03:36 amYou will benefit from:reading T&M catalogues to see what is available, understandingwhythere are different instrumentsreading T&M manufacturer's application notes, e.g. HP/Agilent/Keysightjoining a local radio amateur societyreading the ARRL handbook; they are produced annually, but any within the past couple of decades will be useful to youputting numbers to your thoughts, and making sure the numbers are within the test instrument's capabilities

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 03:23:41 pm
content: Quote from: Dragony on March 20, 2017, 11:03:36 amUp to 1GHz, a decent comms test set which includes RF signal generator, power meter, SNR measurements and spectrum analyser in one box is a very useful bit of kit for RF. Some will also allow swept measurements for filter alignment.For RF, time spent with the scope is surprisingly low.