AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: unicornio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2014, 05:35:11 pm
content: hi, there,i wondered if any one know this kit from Ascel Eletronic from Germany:http://www.ascel-electronic.de/kits/14/ae20401-5.8-ghz-frequency-counter-/-rf-power-meteri am thinking to buy a fully equipped unit (TCXO 1ppm, power meter and USB...etc) and it cost near 150€.I know that an instrument of this type has to have a much higher cost to be accurate and reliable, but relying on the new systems and manufacturing based in chips that can be produced with high precision and repeatability, I think I can serve for the few checks that need in the field of RF, (principally walkies), like measures of frequency, power and SWR (using a very good directional coupler that i have)and i wondered if any one know about Ascel Eletronic kits quality reputation...many thanks in advance!best regards and electronics greetings from spain

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2016, 05:27:38 pm
content: I googled and found this thread, does anyone have one of these AE20401 units??

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2016, 07:20:50 pm
content: Fraser does:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/ascel-ae20401-2hz-to-5-8ghz-frequency-counter-rf-power-meter-kit/

author: rounin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2016, 03:45:44 am
content: I have one too. Actually will be able to test the channel B soon, my 3.3 GHz VCO should here tomorrow or so.

author: bullonwheels
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 03:47:24 am
content: I recently purchased this but getting an ~200khz on channel B if checked for frequency 2.4Ghz. Any recommendations ?

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 03:50:03 am
content: That's a surprising amount of through hole components.

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 10:35:05 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 19, 2018, 03:50:03 amCould be wrong but I thought you could get these in kit form - which may be the reason for the thru hole.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2018, 07:07:45 pm
content: It looks like a pretty neat instrument. I would have implemented better overload protection and combined the frequency and power measurement functions but it is difficult to complain about their design choices given the price and excellent support.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2018, 09:16:52 pm
content: Quote from: bullonwheels on August 19, 2018, 03:47:24 amI am not sure what you mean but the signal conditioning and data slicer in this frequency counter are primitive so it will be finicky about the quality of the input signal.

author: bullonwheels
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2018, 05:20:17 am
content: No I mean on one channel I read 2.420Ghz correct up to 20ppm but on a different channel I read same 2.420Ghz wrong up to 240ppm. Does it need re calibration ?

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2018, 08:04:43 am
content: Quote from: bullonwheels on August 21, 2018, 05:20:17 amWhich two channels exactly? Do you mean two channels on the same instrument?