Hi I *suspect* that any size that was common in 2003 will be ok. I have no basis for that claim. That likely will limit you to 2 gig and down.
Each time I called Amtronix, Rick answered on the first ring. It's definitely someplace I would recommend dealing with. How's the display on your unit? That sees to be the weakness of a lot of test gear these days. Can't wait to measure -100 dbc/Hz phase noise with mine :) .... Bob On Feb 1, 2010, at 5:34 PM, Don Latham wrote: > Just bought one last week. As advertised, came with a cal and checkout > sheet. BTW, cost another $150 to have manuals printed out. But, I'm old > fashioned and have a hard time using manuals onscreen... > I also got the feeling (phone order) that I can call Amtronix and at least > reach a Real Person who will talk to me. > I think the E8285A will replace at least three present instruments with > better, once I master Instrument Basic :-). > Does anyone know which low-cost PCMCIA memory card will work? They're on > Epay for as little as $10 > Don > > Bob Camp >> Hi >> >> I do believe the last (or maybe next to last) of the Amtronix E8285A's is >> now on it's way to a basement in Pennsylvania. If anybody else here is >> looking for one, I'd sure call Rick pretty quick. >> >> Bob >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On >> Behalf Of John Ackermann N8UR >> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:14 PM >> To: [email protected]; Discussion of precise time and frequency >> measurement >> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment >> >> If RF measurement is your bag, and you're able to spend a couple of $K >> (actually, <$2K if what I've seen recently holds), consider a >> communications service monitor like the HP >> 8920A/8920B/8921/8924/8935/E8285 (all pretty much the same thing). >> >> You get an RF generator, RF power meter, RX frequency meter and >> modulation analyzer, audio generator, audio analyzer, digital o'scope, >> and in most units a spectrum analyzer (many have a tracking generator, >> too) in one box. And I've probably forgotten a few things. If you get >> one with spec analyzer and tracking generator, there's software that >> lets you do swept insertion/return loss and cable fault finding. >> >> None of its capabilities are as good as those of a dedicated box >> performing a single function, but they're good enough for the vast >> majority of uses. An 8920 was the first significant piece of test gear >> I bought, and if I ever have to sell out, it'll be the last one to go. >> >> The prices came down a lot when Lucent surplused hundreds (thousands?) >> of them from their portable and cell phone production lines. I saw an >> 8935 with spec an, fully functional (as far as I could tell) for about >> $1500 this summer. >> >> A guy who sells and services a lot of these boxes is Rick at >> http://www.amtronix.com -- that web site will give you lots of info >> about the various versions and options. (I just noticed he has some >> Agilent 8285As as a "hobbyist special" with spec an and tracking >> generator for $650. That looks like a deal.) >> >> John >> ---- >> [email protected] said the following on 01/21/2010 03:43 PM: >>> Just that John, I'm looking to setup a general purpose lab. I'd lean >> towards RF type stuff since I'm a HAM. >>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: "J. Forster" <[email protected]> >>> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:22:11 >>> To: <[email protected]>; Discussion of precise time and frequency >> measurement<[email protected]> >>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment >>> >>> I made the mistake of setting up a purpose-built lab once, and soon >>> discovered to do most things, you really need at least a basic general >>> purpose lab. >>> >>> The only exception is, I suppose, if you are going to repair a specific >>> instrument and do nothing else. >>> >>> Also, as others have pointed out, you really need to define what are >>> your >>> area(s) of interest. Specialized gear gets $$$ pretty quickly. >>> >>> -John >>> >>> ==================== >>> >>>> John, >>>> >>>> That sounds like asking what is the best vehicle for you to buy. If you >> do >>>> not know what you want to do with it, I am not sure we can help you all >>>> that much. However, if you have a specific objective, I am sure you >>>> will >>>> get a lot of valuable information here. >>>> >>>> You have a (good) analog scope, you may want a power supply or two, a >>>> soldering iron and maybe a desoldering station if you do surface mount. >>>> You also want a good hand-held multimeter. Some sort of signal or >> function >>>> generator may be useful too. These vary widely depending on frequency >>>> range and features. There is no good single answer to any of these >>>> questions without knowing more about what you do with it. >>>> >>>> Many of us on this list have more than one of pretty much everything (I >> am >>>> guilty of that too) to reflect the fact that no single instrument is >>>> universal, with possibly one exception: my favorite hand held DMM is a >>>> Fluke 8060A, but I am sure some people will have another favorite :) >>>> >>>> Don't start spending what little money you have until you know what you >>>> need. If you just need to spend money, may I interest you in a >>>> wonderful >>>> business opportunity in Nigeria? >>>> >>>> Didier KO4BB >>>> >>>> >>>> ------------------------ Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless thingy while >>>> I >>>> do other things... >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: John Foege <[email protected]> >>>> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:35:22 >>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency >>>> measurement<[email protected]> >>>> Subject: [time-nuts] Test Equipment >>>> >>>> I realize that this e-mail is somewhat off topic, however, I also >>>> believe that I will get some of the best answers from the members of >>>> this list: >>>> >>>> I have recently started to build an electronics lab, and am currently >>>> trying to acquire test and general equipment for my little basement >>>> workshop of horrors. So far, being on a limited budget, I have >>>> acquired a Tek 2465A in good working order, a Fluke 1953A counter, and >>>> my little gem (ok not quite so little) HP5345A with the 4-ghz freq >>>> converter plugin w/ opt 11 & 12. >>>> >>>> I'd just like to ask everyone what they would be, if they were in my >>>> shoes, attempting to acquire. Unforunately, however, I am just out of >>>> engineering school and not working with much of a budget here. I'd >>>> kill to have all the fancy gear some of you nuts have. >>>> >>>> I'd really love a DSO instead of the Tek 2465A I have. I'd kill for a >>>> good spectrum analyzer or VNA etc. >>>> >>>> Any suggestions on what I should acquire and/or suggestions for >>>> economical equipment that I should make that is a must have? I am a >>>> good DIYer when it comes to building equipment, so often I attempt to >>>> build that which I cannot afford. >>>> >>>> I appreciate everyone's' opinions in advance. Thank you. >>>> >>>> Sincerely, >>>> >>>> John Foege >>>> KB1FSX >>>> starving-engineer! >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe, go to >>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe, go to >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>> and follow the instructions there. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe, go to >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>> and follow the instructions there. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe, go to >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe, go to >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. >> > > > -- > Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL > Six Mile Systems LLP > 17850 Six Mile Road > POB 134 > Huson, MT, 59846 > VOX 406-626-4304 > www.lightningforensics.com > www.sixmilesystems.com > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
