HP 8901B Mod Analyzer and HP1200A OSC - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 02:49:49 am
content: Honestly, I have not powered this stuff in about 10 years. All cosmetic conditions are good.Tek 496 SPA - soldTek 2430A OSC - soldHP 8901B Mod Analyzer had no issues; has int ref osc optionHP 1200A OSC worked when parkedDumont 190 OSC - donatedboth - offer + ship

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 12:14:45 pm
content: interested in 492.Your post is VagueCOUNTRY?COST?please post a photo of each itme.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 08:10:45 pm
content: I don't have a 492, it's a 496, and non-P version. I can try to get a photo with it on but it's going to look like the one below. Remember this was showing an intermittent PLL error - err, I think it just showed PLL something on the screen at certain RBW settings.https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/496West coast USA

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 04:29:39 am
content: You guys making me work

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 08:58:34 pm
content: Hi Everyone.Is the price too high? No interest in this vintage collector's gear?Doesn't anyone have a boat?

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 12:12:52 am
content: No more replies?If no interest I'll take them to the electronics bin at work on Monday and keep the HP8901B

author: EggertEnjoyer123
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 06:23:15 am
content: If you live in the Bay Area I might take them off your hands, but there's no way I'm going to pay 300 bucks.(If you're going to bin it you might as well just put it up for free on craigslist and have someone pick it up from you instead of taking it to the company)

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 03:49:05 pm
content: I thought these were showing up?The 1200A would be good for audio work - I just noticed it's missing the plastic end on the channel A coupling switch

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 04:32:49 pm
content: South bay.I think the Teks could be fixed without too much effort, or to undercut the replacement assemblies on eBay. The HP1200A would have use to the right person - same with the HP8901B as it's still in good working order.Working HP8901B cost quite a bit more (over $1000 typ.).

author: FoxtrotOfIndia
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2025, 05:18:15 am
content: i hate to think how much shipping is to AU but i do like the 8901B and the tek 496

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2025, 03:30:45 pm
content: Somehow I found a way to circumvent craigslist phone verification and posted the Teks and Dumont - they are gone to a mostly toothless gray haired fellow.Somehow, the circumvention is not working anymore, so the HP8901B and HP1200A are still lingering around...

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2025, 07:01:18 pm
content: FYI:https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/d/santa-clara-hp8901b/7821782728.htmlhttps://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/d/santa-clara-hp1200a-oscilloscope-audio/7821226546.html

author: Xtremexp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2025, 07:07:28 pm
content: Sent DM. Please check

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2025, 08:27:51 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on January 25, 2025, 04:32:49 pmWhat makes you say that?https://www.ebay.com/itm/375755563680

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 07:00:57 am
content: Quote from: edavid on January 28, 2025, 08:27:51 pmThat one sold quick when the price dropped 50%. I didn't say that none ever come up for sale under $1k.I'd say the average of every working unit is about a typical price. There are 7 working units on ebay that range from $3k to $1k, and the next two are $500 and $400 (I'm including shipping in those), at this time.At the time I made the comment, I had a lot of 5 instruments asking $300, which would have been worth the price for convenience. I suspect parting out the Teks could probably have doubled the return. But I'm not an instrument or parts dealer, so maybe this stuff sits there for years.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 04:07:04 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on January 29, 2025, 07:00:57 amThis made me curious enough to fire up eBay's price research tool, which goes farther back than the regular search (but I think you have to be logged in to use it):https://www.ebay.com/sh/research?marketplace=EBAY-US&keywords=hp+8901b+-manual+-board+-sensor&dayRange=1095&endDate=1738166308156&startDate=1643558308156&categoryId=0&offset=0&limit=50&sorting=-avgsalesprice&tabName=SOLD&tz=America%2FDenverThe selling prices are actually higher than I expected, but I'm kind of an 8901 haterHave you gotten any nibbles on craigslist?QuoteThat is certainly true of any 8901B priced >= $1K.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 04:53:41 pm
content: LoL, one guy asked how to use it.Yes, those higher priced equipment will sit, and some might sell particularly if there is a valid cal... I was thinking all brands of replacement assemblies folks have parted out. Lots of Tek stuff on there, for example.What's wrong with the 8901 series? We used an 8901A in our phase noise test station for years. Was a solid piece of equipment.Of course, today there is far better equipment with color touch screen, multiple traces like time/frequency domain of both audio and RF spectrum, and complete summary of all measurement parameters such as peak/RMS depth/deviation, THD, SINAD, etc... all available at a glance. Not to mention far greater accuracy, resolution, and measurement speed; battery powered and small enough to fit into your car's glovebox (maybe), with a price to match.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 05:29:56 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on January 30, 2025, 04:53:41 pmSize, weight, and noise?

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 07:53:44 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on January 30, 2025, 05:29:56 pmWell, that would apply to a lot of old gear, and noise is a common complaint with new gear too.I think the Tek 496 was louder and weighed 44 lb., coincidentally the same as the 8901B, but the 8901 does have a larger footprint. Mine sits on a shelf above the bench and I have no desire to move it - especially since the top is big and flat and takes other equipment nicely.