Agilent E4406A - Input location

[Armadillo]

It's had been cumbersome to reach to the back of the unit to connect up, and so I thought to relocate the input connector to the front.

This instrument is hardly mentioned here, but I will try.

How do you relocate the rear input connector [option HB4] to the front.? Will you need any special bracket or hard cable to buy?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[PA0PBZ]

All I have for you is this procedure from the service guide, there is a special bracket but it is likely that you need another semi-rigid also.

RF Input Connector

Removal

1. Remove the instrument outer case. Refer to the “Instrument Outer Case” removal procedure.
2. Remove the front frame. Refer to the “Front Frame” removal procedure.
3. Refer to Figure 4-29. Using a 5/16 inch wrench, disconnect the semi-rigid cable (1) from the attenuator/connector.
4. Using the T-10 driver, remove the 2 screws (2) that secure the input connector bracket to the deck.
5. Remove the attenuator/connector from the instrument.
6. Separate the attenuator (3) from the input connector (5) using a 5/16 inch wrench.
7. Remove the connector from the bracket (4) using a 9/16 inch wrench.

Figure 4-29 RF Input Connector



Replacement

1. Attach the new connector to the bracket. Torque to 120 inch pounds.
2. Attach the attenuator to the input connector. Torque to 10 inch pounds.
3. Replace the attenuator/connector into the instrument.
4. Using the T-10 driver, replace the 2 screws that secure the input connector bracket to the deck. Torque to 9 inch pounds.
5. Using a 5/16 inch wrench, reconnect the semi-rigid cable to the attenuator/connector. To avoid twisting the cable, hold onto it during tightening. Torque to 10 inch pounds.
6. Replace the front frame. Refer to the “Front Frame” replacement procedure.
7. Replace the instrument outer case. Refer to the “Instrument Outer Case” removal procedure.

[Samogon]

You will have to get rigid coax cable or high quality low loss microwave cable which could be hunders of dollars itself

[chrisl]

I did try to do this once on my E4406A. 
It requires a special bracket for the N connector and I ended up just closing the unit back up.
Yes, I love to move the connector to the front but I am too lazy to fabricate the bracket.

[Armadillo]

I did try to do this once on my E4406A. 
It requires a special bracket for the N connector and I ended up just closing the unit back up.
Yes, I love to move the connector to the front but I am too lazy to fabricate the bracket.

Precisely, my concern is also on the bracket. It is no where to be available or now is charged as a museum heirloom. The semi-rigid cable can be solved but not the bracket. We loved it to be precise exacting piece.
However, If anyone have the dimension, maybe I can get it fabricated. For now, I will just reach to the back to hook up.

[harha]

Hello
I have made my own bracket,as my E4406A came with a broken bracket.
Will take some pics with dimensions.
Regards
Hardy

[Armadillo]

Hello
I have made my own bracket,as my E4406A came with a broken bracket.
Will take some pics with dimensions.
Regards
Hardy

That would be a great help to us, thanks and with appreciation. Please also take pictures of where the rigid cable original routing, how it connects, lengths and turns so that I can custom order it.