RCA 9TC240 Alignment...The start of my education (I hope!)

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by bandersen

The TinySA will be useful to check if the HP gear is working properly.

That 741 looks amazing. You have been one busy man the past few months!

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Penthode

I understood. A Network Analyser has a calibrated scale display incorporated so that you do not need markers. The precision of the scale is the limiting factor here and I do not think a separate marker source is the answer. More expensive Network analysers have the precision. The cheaper device I suggested the software client may provide sufficient precision to negate the need for a separate marker.

The HP8600a/HP8601a combo sits in between a more modern and expensive Network Analyser and the older sweep gen/ marker solution but is much more efficient. It's versatility is you can use it as an accurate signal source which can be AM and FM modulated. And than be quickly switched to sweep mode with up to five markers with the flip of a few switches.

I shall purchase a Tiny SA as I would like to explore it.

You can do the same with the TinySA. The sweep is very linear. If you set the start/stop freq say for 10-20MHz and you scope has 10 divisions, it will be 1MHz per division.

Personally, I use the newer HP 8662A which does everything you describe in one device.

[Penthode]

Originally Posted by bandersen

You can do the same with the TinySA. The sweep is very linear. If you set the start/stop freq say for 10-20MHz and you scope has 10 divisions, it will be 1MHz per division.

Personally, I use the newer HP 8662A which does everything you describe in one device.

I examined the HP8662A Agilent data sheet. I see that it is a wide range signal generator but I could not see it used as a sweeper and marker function combined as in the HP8600a/HP8601a or more expensive network analyser. Can you show me how the HP8662a may perform as I described with the HP8600a/HP8601a combo?

I personally would prefer a newer network analyser with tracking generator, but the cost would overwhelm me on my limited budget.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Penthode

I examined the HP8662A Agilent data sheet. I see that it is a wide range signal generator but I could not see it used as a sweeper and marker function combined as in the HP8600a/HP8601a or more expensive network analyser. Can you show me how the HP8662a may perform as I described with the HP8600a/HP8601a combo?

I personally would prefer a newer network analyser with tracking generator, but the cost would overwhelm me on my limited budget.

Some of the budget, Chinese analyzers with generator were over $1000! Even with my tendency to throw good cash after bad that’s way outside my hobby piggy bank! The HP combo I ordered should both arrive by next Monday and maybe by the weekend if all goes smoothly.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Penthode

I examined the HP8662A Agilent data sheet. I see that it is a wide range signal generator but I could not see it used as a sweeper and marker function combined as in the HP8600a/HP8601a or more expensive network analyser. Can you show me how the HP8662a may perform as I described with the HP8600a/HP8601a combo?

I personally would prefer a newer network analyser with tracking generator, but the cost would overwhelm me on my limited budget.

Strange that they don't detail it's sweep capabilities in the spec sheet.

The left side of the control panel is for sweep setting.



I also have a newer 8664A which has similar sweep capabilities but even more features.

Both are briliant pieces of engineering and outstanding performance.

Here are the sweep specs from the manual

[N2IXK]

Another devotee of the 8662A here. If you can get your hands on one at a reasonable price, you likely will never need another general purpose signal generator. When I got mine, I was able to sell off 4-5 other RF and sweep/marker generators I had accumulated over the years to pay for the purchase!

The only feature that I wish it had was wider bandwidth on the external AM modulation input, so I could feed video into it for signal injection troubleshooting, but the TV service market was DEFINITELY not what these units were designed and priced for originally...

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by N2IXK

Another devotee of the 8662A here. If you can get your hands on one at a reasonable price, you likely will never need another general purpose signal generator. When I got mine, I was able to sell off 4-5 other RF and sweep/marker generators I had accumulated over the years to pay for the purchase!

The only feature that I wish it had was wider bandwidth on the external AM modulation input, so I could feed video into it for signal injection troubleshooting, but the TV service market was DEFINITELY not what these units were designed and priced for originally...

No...seems like they were designed for space travel and satellite communications!

[bandersen]

Also insanely complicated and challenging to keep in spec. I think you'll be fine with the 8600/8601 combo.

[Chris K]

Everything will be here by Monday. Very exciting.

[Yamamaya42]

So, then you can put everything you have together on 2 or 3 shelves, and with all the displays and screens, switches, lights,and knobs blinking and flashing and showing stuff, put a fancy joystick in the center, add a large LCD screen, and it will look like a cockpit!

[Chris K]

Wharp factor one. Arm photon torpedoes. Fire!!!

[Chris K]

Hey friends, the digital marker came today. Not much I can do to test its full capabilities except to use it as a frequency counter which it's rated to do up to 15MHz. It can actually go a bit further than that and it's bang on accurate.

[bandersen]

That's impressive! Love the nixies

[Chris K]

They are cute and much brighter than in the photo. I opened it up and it looks mostly original. There’s a board mounted can capacitor and a couple of Sprague electrolytics. Not dusty inside at all. I pulled a couple of the boards just to lightly clean the contacts and buttoned it back up. It works great so I’ll leave well enough alone.

[Penthode]

Excellent. When is the generator due to arrive?

And the markers are highlighted for identification by pressing the center buttons on the marker adjustment controls. Are they intact and latch? The only issue I had with mine was one of the buttons was broken and missing.