Anyone interested in a Rigol DSA-815-TG? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2012, 05:36:33 pm
content: I just got done talking to a Rigol rep here in the USA, and he told me that theDSA-815-TGwill be rolling out around mid April for somewhere the neighborhood of $1600 USD. He also said that he may be able to do some volume discounts for 5+ units. Anyone interested in a group-buy?p.s. One interesting note about the TG is that Rigol is looking into using the TG as a signal generator (when the SA is configured accordingly). So you get an SA and a 1.5 GHz SG together in one unit. Seems good to me!

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2012, 03:08:47 am
content: I would be interested except for the geographical distance.Do you know what the cost is to have the TG option?And I also note there's an "advanced measurement kit" option which I'd be interested in how much they plan sell it for?Sounds like the "AMK" may just be a software configuration, however the TG sounds like a piece of hardware is left out if you don't order it (which I don't really see the point in buying a spectrum analyzer without a tracking generator, takes away a lot of uses.)

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2012, 03:13:11 am
content: A quick search:http://www.batronix.com/shop/spectrum-analyzer/Rigol-DSA815-TG.htmlDSA815 (no TG) - USD 1419DSA815-TG USD 1636AMK - USD 549EMI - USD 655

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2012, 04:12:16 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on March 10, 2012, 03:08:47 amYeah, that's a problem, I know. I asked about AU, and the Rigol guy told me that they don't have an official distributor in AU, but there is at least one company they do work with. (He called them a 3rd party affiliate...whatever.) They would be cool with me purchasing a bulk order and then re-shipping to friends in AU, but naturally the receiver would have to pay duties/import fees. Bit of a bummer.Quote from: Harvs on March 10, 2012, 03:08:47 amI see you caught the Batronix site like I did. (Apparently Rigol's EU rollout happened this week, or is about to, didn't fully catch that part). So you can see what it is.The TG is a piece of hardware that is installed by Rigol themselves, before shipping the unit out to the customer. It's not an after-sales option: You must order the scope with or without it. So if you get one without the TG and then change your mind, you've got to buy a new one I guess. And I agree with you. A SA without a TG feels like half the car is missing.Personally, if my tax return for last year is big enough, I'm seriously considering springing for one of these beauties. Although I would be curious to have Dave do a teardown/review first!

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 09:56:00 pm
content: Sorry, I was too late checking this site; I already ordered mine from tequipment. I'll let you guys know what I think of it once I receive it

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 02:36:57 am
content: That's cool. Looking forward to your review when you get it!

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 06:49:53 pm
content: Actually, perhaps someone on this thread can help me out in deciphering the datasheet for this thing: Unfortunately I can't access it right now, but it says something along the lines of, that to precent damage to the front end, the input signal should be kept below 20dbm (100mW) but if it goes above 25dbm (or something like that) the protection switch will be on. Does that mean it is protected against overvoltage on the input? 20dbm on a 50 ohm input is only a little over 2 volts rms... that doesn't give me a whole lot of room to play with

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 07:11:31 pm
content: This is all I could find in the datasheet:QuoteSo I'd say that it can take up to 50V DC, 1W max. As Dave would say, you could fly to the moon on that!Out of curiosity, what exactly do you want to hook up to this thing that would blow past those specs?

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 08:20:03 pm
content: QuoteI don't think we're talking about the same thing: this device is obviosly AC coupled, which is good for my purposes, but for AC waves, which is the only thing a spectrum analyzer is good for in the first place, this thing can only take 0.1 watts (20dbm) which corresponds to a Vrms of a little over 2 volts. I am going to purchase a 20db attenuator, but I'm sure that will have a very negative effect on the performance of the device. I want this thing for measuring my hobby projects and not just attaching an antenna. I don't want it to break if I pug a 7 volt peak to peak sine wave into it.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 10:15:03 pm
content: The spectrum analyzers I used in the past are all internally terminated to 50 ohms. They're not designed to be power sinks, and therefore the max power levels you're talking about are quite normal from the ones I've used.So, here's the thing. To use it how I think you're going to want to use it, you need something like an active probe that provides a high impedance to the circuit under test (like a CRO would), and typically has selectable gain/attenuation options.Now the downside, they're not cheap!I'd be interested if anyone has other options? (obviously you could make something yourself over a small frequency range, but that kind of defeats the purpose.)

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 11:02:31 pm
content: Resistive divider probes are an easy solution and cheap if you can tolerate the DC loading. The wire antenna is another option, although I wouldn't rely on it for amplitude accuracy or flatness. They make it much harder to blow up the specan front-end than direct connections, however.If your source is 50 ohm, which is likely as you go up in frequency (how many 1 GHz sources are high impedance?), an attenuator with suitable power rating should work fine.

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2012, 01:56:34 pm
content: If your DUT is emitting that much power, perhaps just an air probe will pick it up?(Beehive Electronicsmakes some good, inexpensive ones.)Speaking of high impedance probes:eBayis your friend!

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2012, 11:40:27 pm
content: I just received my DSA815-TG today, and so far I am pleased with it. It it not very large (about twice the size of my DS1052E) but it is heavy. I can tell it is going to take me a while to figure out how to properly use the darned thing, as there is a whole bunch of questions I wish I could ask Rigol about this machine.One of the first thinsg I've noticed about this spectrum analyzer once I took a good look at it was that what I had assumed was a power outlet for an active probe is actually a headphone jack! Even though I don't (currently) own an active probe, I'm kind of dissapointed that it doesn't have a power outlet built into it. Furthermore, what the hell am I supposed to do with a headphone jack on a spectrum analyzer???The maximum sweep rate is 10ms, which I think is quite good; certainly adequate for what I'll be doing. The amplitude values I'm getting are incorrect, but this is most likely due to the 50 ohm input impedance, or possibly I'm just not using it correctly. Software controlled attenuation is present, but i don't think this will protect the IF filter from being damaged by inputting more than 0.1 watts through the 50 ohm input.I will play with it soem more and do a full review once I have all the details figured out

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2012, 08:03:52 am
content: Quote from: olsenn on April 02, 2012, 11:40:27 pmTo listen to demodulated signals, if the analyzer provides demodulation.

author: RRobot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 04:07:53 am
content: Like BoredAtWork said, the head phone is for demodulation.Here's a demo posted by RigolTech

author: Stevve
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2013, 08:54:36 pm
content: Yes, I am interested. Let's do it!

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2013, 09:06:55 pm
content: Quote from: Stevve on September 16, 2013, 08:54:36 pmWell I floated this idea around back in March. It didn't get enough interest, so nothing happened.I suppose I could contact Rigol USA again and see of they're still interested in a group-buy with a discount. (I have my doubts, but no harm in asking.) The real question is: How many of us here would be interested in getting one?

author: Stevve
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2013, 08:55:13 pm
content: Well, please let me know what you find out. Certainly would be nice to have something portable.

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 06:48:40 pm
content: Just spoke with Rigol USA. The price of these units is $1495/ea. They can do a 5% discount for orders of 10 or more. (So ~$1420/ea.)If there's enough interest, I can collect the money, place the order, and then ship them out when they get to me. One thing to note: I'm in Virginia, USA. So remember shipping and customs costs/fees if you're outside the USA.

author: Stevve
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 07:15:04 pm
content: $1495 on the TG model??Looks like the price has dropped quite rapidly!What happens with sales tax for those of us out of your state? (I don't know for which states Rigol will collect sales tax.)

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 07:56:10 pm
content: http://www.tequipment.nethave a $1495 free shipping offer plus they have a 5% off for 5 Rigol products mix and match - Rigol5For5I'm not buying nor endorsing tequipment just saying it seems a better deal. Amazon from the same place is $1,489.95.I bet if you found a good rep somewhere and 5 people you could get this deal done without having to start up a bank account.

author: Stevve
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 09:40:04 pm
content: No shipping costs through Amazon and no sales tax. My total cost would be $1489.95.SoftwareSamurai, thanks for your efforts!At this point I think the best thing would be for me to order directly from Amazon and save you the hassle of ordering, boxing and reshipping, etc.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Delivered On:Wednesday, 10/02/2013 at 1:42 P.M.Left At:Office- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -