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Older, second hand spectrum analyzers, HP-8562A and Tektronix 2712
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Lawsen:
Is this a good, second hand spectrum analyzer, heavy tube display and noisy cooling fan?

View the video of the HP-8562A spectrum analyzer:



I do not work in RF, but I find the video educational.  I repair giant HP plotters for a friend in a far away city.  What do you think about the HP spectrum analyzer and older Tektronix 2712 spectrum analyzer?
joelby:
As long as they're in working order, these are still great tools. The 8562A's 9 KHz - 22 GHz range is impressive even by today's standards. It might be worth having them calibrated, but at the very least make sure you can get a copy of the user and service manuals (but you may find it difficult to calibrate them yourself without access to calibrated test equipment). If you're planning to do RF filter design, get one with a tracking generator option.
vk6zgo:
That's not an older Spectrum Analyser!! ;D

Old Spectrum Analysers don't have a "boot cycle".
You turn 'em on,& as soon as the CRT heater warms up--- a few seconds,you can use them!

Seriously though,it looks like a nice unit,but it's a bit worrying that the guy in the video didn't seem to know much about it at all!
He said something about "the right probes",etc--All you need is a BNC or N cable,or in a pinch,stick a length of wire in the RF input & go searching for Radio & TV stations!
Many SAs have a switch position which directly connects the -30dB test carrier,so you can check that you get a usable display just by switching to that.

I haven't had much to do with that generation of instrument.
I went straight from the 140T mainframe plugins,& the SA plugins for HP180 & Tek 7000 series Oscilloscopes to a quite recent IFR analyser.

IFR ,aaarrrrggghhh!--No USB connection!.

It had RS232 remote control input only!!

The only way to save displays to a PC was by using a floppy disc!

And the stupid thing was new in 2006!

On the plus side,it had a tracking generator & was quite a capable unit once you got used to the shortcomings!

VK6ZGO
Fraser:
Tektronix 27XX series are fine if they are working but be aware that the SMPSU can be a challenge to repair if it dies and the digital display generator on my 2710 is known for failing due to age. Custom chips on the board fail, so without a source of spares it's a bit of a time bomb !  I now own several Advantest R4131D spectrum analysers that are good to 3.5GHz and find then far superior to the 2710 that I still own.
joelby:

--- Quote from: Aurora on September 03, 2011, 08:37:14 am ---I now own several Advantest R4131D spectrum analysers that are good to 3.5GHz and find then far superior to the 2710 that I still own.

--- End quote ---

I've got a TR4131 and have noticed that it seems to have a lot of frequency drift. When looking at the calibration output, even after a lengthy warm-up time, the peaks wander around as you watch. Have you had any similar trouble with yours? I haven't had a chance to look at the service manual yet.
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