Hi Bob. Display shows use, definitely, but I can see info over the whole tube. I have a couple of things to do before I can start the learning curve, but am looking forward to using it. I'll have a bunch of test stuff for sale if this thing works out ;-) Don
Bob Camp > 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. > -- 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.
