(resolved) WTB: (UK) 18GHz+ spectrum analyser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jmh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2022, 08:13:43 am
content: I am looking for a spectrum analyser to cover from LF up to 18GHz+. UK only please, I doubt these things travel well.I am in Leeds.(note 18GHz is rather arbitrary and only chosen because I saw some for sale and missed them - my main focus currently is the 10Ghz amateur band and then all bands below)

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2022, 09:49:59 am
content: Quote from: jmh on October 12, 2022, 08:13:43 amI patiently waited, then pounced. I now have two 21GHz scopes (Tek492AP, HP8562B) both for <£500. I'm not looking for any more due to my concerns about the strength of my floors and my backI ought to sell one, but I'm like a donkey transfixed between two equidistant hay balesMore practically, it might jog someone's wallet if you mentioned where you are in the UK (for travel purposes) and what you would be prepared to pay. From keeping an eye on fleabay, a typical price is around £1k

author: jmh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2022, 02:09:25 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 12, 2022, 09:49:59 amI'm in Leeds. As to price, I would rather not go to £1k but would easily cover £600 say. I missed one on fleabay that went north of £700... and I am watching another. Of course, for my purposes it may be just as well for me to settle one around 1.5GHz or so and use mixers.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2022, 03:45:12 pm
content: ADVANTEST R3477 (works to little over 15GHz) could be an option. I got mine from Korea from an equipment dealer for a reasonable price. They know how to pack stuff so it survives the trip. Also reasonably modern spectrum analysers aren't very fragile.I'd stay clear from anything that doesn't have a TFT screen; CRT based equipment is really old and likely to develop a problem at some point. IIRC some Tektronix spectrum analysers can have a problem in a PLD that is hard to replace (using a circuit to mimics the logic inside the PLD).

author: jmh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 01:09:58 pm
content: I now have a Tektronix 492BP - once I manage to clear 4 square feet of desk I'll plug the thing in.I hear you on the issue of old(er) CRT stuff but I couldn't refuse this as it will top 26GHz, has a mixer and diplexer etc. For now, it's all I need (other than the desk space)(there doesn't seem to be a rule for editing titles other than 'sold' etc. so I just put 'resolved' because someone else did on theirs!)

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 02:13:38 pm
content: Quote from: jmh on October 17, 2022, 01:09:58 pmCan I suggest a DC block might be a useful safety precaution. I use a 10MHz-18GHz SMA block from Minicircuits.It won't protect against transients from large DC offsets, but it will probably help with "normal" DC offsets in "typical" circuits.Have fun!

author: jmh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 02:23:56 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 17, 2022, 02:13:38 pmYes indeed, on my list of things to get, together with being extremely careful and learning before I dive in! I already have a decent set of attenuators but only good to 3GHz.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2022, 07:48:12 pm
content: Unfortunately RF cables / components go up in price exponentially versus working frequency.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2022, 07:54:03 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 18, 2022, 07:48:12 pmPatience can be rewarded. Especially at good hamfests