Hi The big question in my mind about these is how well they do below 30 MHz. Until I know I can trust them it down there, I'm not selling very much stuff.
I have yet to find a data sheet from before 2000 when they shipped with the sub-800 MHz stuff enabled. I get the impression that the E8285's never quite did as well below 30 MHz as the 8920's do. Bob On Feb 1, 2010, at 7:29 PM, Don Latham wrote: > 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. > _______________________________________________ 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.
