On the other end of the price spectrum, depending on budget I think a great value is an Agilent L1500A . There is currently one on eBay with a tracking generator for $2000 make offer so perhaps $1200-1500 . It is portable, accurate , relieable, and super user friendly instrument. If you can afford it you will never regret it. Best Wishes; Thomas Knox
> From: [email protected] > Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 08:50:18 -0700 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions > > If you are after the cheapest and smallest spectrum analyzer possible look > for a TV tuning USB dongle. Some of these tune over the range of 64-1700 > MHz There is software to do FFT and plot spectrums You can set started > plotting in the UHF range for $20. > > It is a bit do it yourself in that you likely need a selection of > attenuators and and so on because the dongle expects the signal level of a > cable TV or TV antenna and the bandwidth is not DC to GHz. But the cost is > right. > > Here are some screen shots > http://blog.opensecurityresearch.com/2012/06/getting-started-with-gnu-radio-and-rtl.html > > > > > On Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 7:56 AM, K3wry <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Take a look at the RIGOL analyzer. You can get this new one for about > > the same money > > > > Dr Joe PALSA > > 804-350-2665 > > Sent from my iPhone. > > > > > > On Jul 14, 2013, at 1:18 AM, "Mark C. Stephens" <[email protected]> > > wrote: > > > > Perry I have a 3585A too, The weight isn't so bad once you get used to it. > > :) > > Mines on a rack shelf that I can slide it out onto the workbench for > > maintenance. > > > > Performance wise, they are fantastic for phase noise measurement using > > John Miles's Phase noise software. > > Although a little slow, It is pretty nice to see what's going on down at > > 10 Hz. > > > > I really can't find a replacement for my 3585A, other than the "B" model. > > > > Also the boards come up cheap on eBay if you need parts. > > I have almost a complete set of spare boards I bought for 10 bucks each. > > > > So all in all, you got yourself a good Analyser, cheap to maintain and > > good specs. > > > > Run it through the performance tests as per the manual, this SA will be a > > pleasant surprise for you :) > > > > > > -marki > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On > > Behalf Of Perry Sandeen > > Sent: Sunday, 14 July 2013 1:10 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [time-nuts] Spectrum Analyzer Suggestions > > > > > > > > List, > > > > I just purchased a HP 3585 spec analyzer on E bay for a reasonable price. > > I wanted this instead of the 181 series as the range was more to what I’d > > be using and it was of a newer vintage. The 3585a goes from > > 10 Hz to 40 MHz which is a most useful range for my purposes. so far, so > > good. > > > > The problem is I didn’t know the beast weighed a svelte > > 88 pounds! Double Hernia time! > > > > What I’d appreciate advice for a used spec analyzer in the $1,000 range > > that is at least much lighter. A smaller size would also be a benefit. I > > probably would never use it above 100 MHz. A slightly smaller screen would > > be OK. > > > > Suggestions appreciated. > > > > Regards, > > > > Perrier > > _______________________________________________ > > 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. > > > > > -- > > Chris Albertson > Redondo Beach, California > _______________________________________________ > 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.
