HP 8593A 22 GHz Spectrum Analyzer - Accidentally "purged" frequency counter FW! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: John_ITIC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2021, 04:03:01 am
content: Hello, I just picked up a 8593A 22 Ghz spectrum analyzer on Ebay. It came with a frequency counter board that worked just fine until I accidentally "purged data" in one of the menus! That removed the frequency counter feature from the spectrum analyzer and i can't find a way to bring it back. Does anyone have an idea how to put this firmware back into the SA? My 8593A has the reader for the 85700A memory card built-in, if that helps.Thanks,/John.

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2021, 04:01:31 pm
content: When you say frequency counter board, are you referring to the counter lock board (A25)?From my reading of the available 8593A manuals, the counter lock board should work with the base firmware and not need any additional DLPs or other routines to be loaded.How were you accessing the counter function? Was it via MKR then "MKR CNT ON OFF"? Just wondering in case the previous owner defined a new key somewhere else that you were using. Any user defined keys would be purged with "DISPOSE USER MEM", if that's what you entered by mistake.

author: John_ITIC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2021, 04:29:33 am
content: Okay, I have today had a little more time to investigate what actually happened:1) My 8593A has option E02, "Digital Radio Test System" in ROM.2) Per attached image, there is a "HP 08593-10001 ROM CARD", which contains various sub-programs that can be assigned to the right-hand soft menus. This screen is reached by clicking  button + "Mode Loader" soft button.3) These sub-programs can be deleted from memory by "purging" them. I accidentally did so for program '7' "Frequency Counter".4) I was mistaken, there is no frequency counter board in the slots.So, the question now is: Where can I get my hands on the "HP 08593-10001 ROM CARD"? These options seem quite cool.The E02 option and this menu is described here (8593E so may have different options. The 8593A PDF is scanned images so not searchable - i'm still looking through those.http://www.av.it.pt/medidas/Data/Manuais%20&%20Tutoriais/15%20-%20HP%20Spectrum%20Analyser%208593E/HP8593E%20Manual%20Supplement.pdfThanks,

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2021, 08:39:34 pm
content: Quote from: John_ITIC on July 08, 2021, 04:29:33 amActually, you probably do have a "frequency counter" board. After reading about it in the E02 option guide you reference, the frequency counter function is implemented using the A25 counter lock board. It's a large, flat, heavily RF shielded module on the bottom of the unit.Interesting set of features; hope you find a ROM card.

author: John_ITIC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2021, 04:42:48 am
content: Yes, you are correct. I do have the "Counter Lock" board on the bottom of my 8593A.Today I tried to find more information on the "Digital Radio Test System Personality" ROM card but I can not find any reference to it, except in that HP manual I linked to before. Looks extremely hard to get./John.

author: Mkpirulo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2024, 11:18:50 pm
content: Hi,I realize this is an old post but I’m curious if this was figured out. I to have the exact same 8593A with tracking generator and the same mode screen as yours. I found a digital radio card that I will be trying out on my system. The card would be an HP 85713A not sure what the 08593-10001 is. The SA is asking for this card. Hoping that the 85713A is the same thing. Would appreciate any feedback on this.Thanks,Michael