Looking for an O-scope to cover everything
from CB to 500Mhz, but don't know what to look
for.
Any suggestions?
Used will do just fine for me
from CB to 500Mhz, but don't know what to look
for.
Any suggestions?
Used will do just fine for me
Looking for an O-scope to cover everything
from CB to 500Mhz, but don't know what to look
for.
Any suggestions?
Used will do just fine for me
You need a service analyzer AKA Service Monitor.
I use an HP8920B service analyzer for my radio work. It has a low frequency O'scope for audio, deviation and such, but also a tracking spectrum analyzer (Option 102) that spans up to 1 GHz. These units will do AM/FM and have a BFO for SSB demod (actually simply a BFO).
There is a Yahoo Group called HP8924 which was set up for the HP8924 model which is a larger unit and fitted for various cellular technologies. These became obsolete as Cellular technologies changed, however some models have most of the analog radio capabilities as well as Option 102 tracking/spectrum analyzer. You can pick one of these up rather cheaply, $400 to $800 or so. I would suggest reviewing the posts on the yahoo group to get a feel for the various models of Agilent/HP 8920/8924 and 8935 as well as options and service related discussions. The major issue of these are power supply capacitors that might need changing.
There are other service analyzers available cheaply, IFR Motorola, General Dynamics, Marconi, but the HP was well documented and prolific so chances of getting a good one and keeping it running are most promising.
Thank you Guys. I appreciate the help.
At least now I'm on the right path.
1 more question, will I also need a frequency generator?
Thank you Guys. I appreciate the help.
At least now I'm on the right path.
1 more question, will I also need a frequency generator?
I have an HP 8920A which is what gets lugged along when I visit a repeater site for maintenance. It does everything that I need to do: transmitter frequency error, transmitter power output (up to the input limits), transmitter deviation, receiver sensitivity, duplexer tuning, and system desense.I would suggest reviewing the posts on the yahoo group to get a feel for the various models of Agilent/HP 8920/8924 and 8935 as well as options and service related discussions.
As previously mentioned, the Rigol DSA815-TG is a decent spectrum analyzer with included tracking generator at an affordable price. It's not a $50,000 HP/Agilent/Keysight unit, but, for tuning duplexers, it's very easy to use and does a good job, in my opinion.
https://www.rigolna.com/products/spectrum-analyzers/dsa800/
The new price direct from Rigol is $1300 right now.
Finding a service monitor, like an HP 8920, HP 8924, IFR 1200, IFR COM 120, Motorola R200?, etc., at a reasonable price means that you are going to be looking at the used market because none of those have been made in a while. Amtronix has some HP 8920Bs for $3900-4500. I got a great deal on my 8920A by taking a chance on an online seller who looked a little shady, but I got a working unit with an out of date calibration for $1500 plus shipping.