Help needed: Calibration sheet for Boonton 51033 sensor. Was: 4220 RF Powermeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jgalak
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2018, 02:25:07 pm
content: Does anyone have experience with this unit and able to offer a sanity check?I purchased one on eBay, without a sensor. I also purchased a 51033 sensor from eBay. Now I need to program the unit for the sensor. The only procedure I found in the manual (http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/boonton/4220/) is under "manual calibration" in 6-34. So, question 1: Is there a simpler procedure somewhere else that I'm missing?The first step in the procedure in 6-34 is to do a chopper adjustment, which requires using a "DC range calibrator, Boonton Model 2510". I do not have such a device (and don't really know how to rig up an equivalent). Can I safely skip this step? I don't need super precise, calibrated, measurements, just a rough idea of power output (and only in the 100-500 MHz range, not the 18GHz thus unit is capable of). The unit has a calibration sticker, dated 2014, expiring 2017, so I'm hoping it's not _too_ out of tune. Though obviously it could have been mishandled since then.The next few steps require entering data, which I have from the manual and from the sticker on the side of the sensor (which was last calibrated in the early 2000s, but oh well).But then for A/D Zero correction, Automatic DC Constants, and some of the latter tests, the DC calibrator is again required, as well as an RF calibrator, which I don't have either.So, can I skip all that, just enter the data values, and hope the results are reasonably close to the truth? Or should I find a shop that can do the full blown calibration and spend the money to do it right (quite possibly more costly than what I paid for the unit...)?Thanks!

author: jgalak
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 05:06:45 pm
content: Help request: I am trying to figure out if this thing will work. In order to set it up, I need the calibration values (upscale and downscale data points) for the sensor - which didn't come with it.I can send the sensor out to be calibrated, but that'll cost as much as I spent on the unit. I just want to see if I can get it in the ballpark. Does anyone have a calibration sheet for a 51033 sensor they can share? I know it won't be my values, but I want something to put in there to make it work, close is good enough!Thanks!

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 07:23:59 pm
content: Look at ebay. There are two 51033 sensors that show the correction factors.

author: jgalak
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 08:59:49 pm
content: Do you mean the frequency based cal factors on the side of the sensors? That's not what I need - I have those. I need the upscale and downscale data points, which are on the calibration sheet but not on sticker. As far as I can tell, those factors are readings taken at various power levels. They get entered into the firmware. The cal values are on the sticker because you correct for those yourself.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 10:21:26 pm
content: Sorry, my bad. I have a Boonton 4200. I thought its calibration procedure was convoluted. Seems like the 4220 is even worse! My 4200 doesn't have anything like upscale or downscale.Does your 4220 have any sensor data programmed in already? Maybe you can read out the data.Ed

author: jgalak
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 11:46:50 pm
content: It does, it even has the calibrations sheets (in a vinyl pouch _inside_ the instrument case!). But for a totally different pair of sensors. And yes, I tried using them anyway, no joy.I just need an image of the calibration sheet that came with someone's 51033.