Wanted: Repair of Agilent ESG E4433B UNLEVEL error - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 05:05:03 pm
content: I got an Agilent ESG-D E4433B RF generator that suffers from the common UNLEVEL error as seen on Shariar's repair video a while ago. The problem seems easy to fix, however my home lab is pretty small (mostly RF gear), with pretty crude tools and soldering equipment. At work I do have access to a sophisticated lab but unfortunately bringing private equipment is prohibited, so I can't fix it there. At some point I plan to get proper hand tools of course but I'm in the process of finding a new (bigger) place and don't want to buy these things before I can move to the new place.Long story short, for that reason I'm looking for someone with an HP/Agilent ESG who has done a similar repair before and who can do a similar repair for me (for a reasonable fee of course). I would only send the Output Module, plus a few brand new Mini-Circuits GALI-84+ MMICs which I got with the unit and which should be a suitable replacement for the original MMIC.I'm located in the UK but I don't mind sending the module abroad (i.e. to Europe or even the US if necessary).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 05:25:27 pm
content: Getting an Atten 858d+ hot air station may be cheaper than postage costs. Besides that I'm not convinced Mini-Circuits is the best choice for a replacement. I had a similar problem in my HP E4421B and opted to use MMICs from Triquint (ordered from Mouser) because they have a much flatter frequency response in general than the Mini-circuits parts.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 05:55:53 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 14, 2015, 05:25:27 pmThat's true but I also don't have an ESD mat, a decent illuminated magnifying glass or even enough space to work comfortably on such a board. It's really more like young Harry Potter's closet under the staircaseQuoteI got the Mini-Circuit parts with the generator, the previous owner bought them as replacement but said he didn't get around to look into it. I only had a short look at the specs of the GALI-84+ but they look similar or even slightly better than the one of the original SHF0189, plus in the original E4433B repair thread following Shariar's video someone mentioned that he used a GALI-84+ to repair his E4432. There are certainly better MMICs but as long as they're not worse than the originals then they should be good enough.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 06:07:29 pm
content: If you're anywhere near Leicester you're more than welcome to bring it round, or post it to me if that's easier.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 10:56:57 pm
content: Now I am not casting aspersions but in my experience when I have been tasked with repairing something, but informed by the customer that he just wants something replaced, and then it turns out their diagnosis is wrong - prepare for all hell to break loose.Looking at Shariars vid I could do this even with a crappy soldering iron and some flux and soldamop wick.Mind you, the people I am talking about where actual (yes, really) guests on Jeremy Kyle... Hopefully Wuerstchenhund is not that way inclined!

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2015, 11:53:34 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on September 14, 2015, 06:07:29 pmThanks for the offer, I might come back to you (there might be a chance I could use another lab in the area, but that's a 'maybe' at the moment).Quote from: Macbeth on September 14, 2015, 10:56:57 pmWhich is why I said that I'm looking for someone who has done such repairs on an ESG before. The UNLEVEL problem is pretty common in these generators, and mostly it's the same part that gives up. The ALC circuitry also isn't *that* complicated, probably the biggest issue is finding the right parts.QuoteYes, but then the result would look like it has been done with a crappy soldering iron. Maybe I'm weird but I'm more of a do-it-right-or-don't-do-it-at-all person