HP spectrum analyzer is on the blink

[joeqsmith]

My old HP 3589A.   This relic was built in 1992.  I've owned it for about 12 years now.  It was one of the few used bits of test equipment I bought used that actually worked.   The only problem it had was one of the connectors was loose.    I use it a fair amount still but it's in need of a new battery.  It's getting some cleaning and a few other checks while it's apart.  The original battery.

[SaabFAN]

Are you making a video of the restoration / repair?

Btw. I find this particular type of SpecAn quite interesting. They have not nearly enough Bandwidth for RF-Stuff (except if you stay below 50 MHz with your model - far less if one has the predecessor), while at the same time their Frequency-Range goes so far beyond Audio that it's more than overkill. Add to that the fact FFT-Analyzers are much better suited for Audio-Stuff because of their "real time"-capability.
What's the real purpose of these instruments between "true" RF-SpecAns and FFT-Analyzers?

[AF6LJ]

That battery looks tired for sure.

[joeqsmith]

Are you making a video of the restoration / repair?

Btw. I find this particular type of SpecAn quite interesting. They have not nearly enough Bandwidth for RF-Stuff (except if you stay below 50 MHz with your model - far less if one has the predecessor), while at the same time their Frequency-Range goes so far beyond Audio that it's more than overkill. Add to that the fact FFT-Analyzers are much better suited for Audio-Stuff because of their "real time"-capability.
What's the real purpose of these instruments between "true" RF-SpecAns and FFT-Analyzers?

Not sure what RF-stuff would mean.  Place a 1 in front of the 50. 

I am not sure how to answer the real purpose.  It's like any other test equipment.   The last video I made, I show it in use.  I doubt I will make a video while it's in parts but I do plan to use it for an upcoming video.   

[precaud]

This relic was built in 1992.

Jeez - nearly everything on my bench was made before '92 ...

[chris_leyson]

Built in '92, that's quite new compared to a 3585A. Nice analyzer and half the size of a 3585A. Not sure how the phase noise compares but it's good for audio and HF and low VHF. Good luck with the repairs 

[joeqsmith]

That battery looks tired for sure.

It belongs in a museum in France.   

I've used a lot of Tadiran batteries over the years.   

[joeqsmith]

This relic was built in 1992.

Jeez - nearly everything on my bench was made before '92 ...

  I have a fair amount of vintage equipment myself.  A couple are pre 70's. 

Built in '92, that's quite new compared to a 3585A. Nice analyzer and half the size of a 3585A. Not sure how the phase noise compares but it's good for audio and HF and low VHF. Good luck with the repairs 

I've never used it for audio but it does get used a fair amount for sub 100MHz work.  I was going to build a test set for it at one time but never found anyone that owned one that would provide me with the codes.  I tried to sniff them and had a little program to attempt to simulate a test set but never broke the protocol.    I was also going to write some code for it similar to what I did for my old HP8754A VNA but never got around to it.  I did write some code to handle the receiver but the system for the most part does what I need it to do stand alone. 

I looked on eBay about 6 months ago and people wanted a fair amount for these now.  I figured these may sell for $500 USD by now but I was seeing $2500 and up.  Crazy. 

[SaabFAN]

What I meant was: What's the advantage over a HP 8561 or 8568? Apart from the fact they start at 50 Hz instead of 10 Hz.

Is there a specific field of applications for 10 Hz to 150 MHz? Or does the 3589 have some features necessary for a particular application that a 8561 doesn't?
Or were these devices just cheaper enough to get their own little niche in the market?


Btw. about the age of T&M-Equipment: Everything up to 1989 is cool, then the SMD Cap-Plague hits and doesn't leave until the early 2000s.
Plus the ASICs typically run quite hot.
So I try to avoid anything from the 90s

[joeqsmith]

What I meant was: What's the advantage over a HP 8561 or 8568? Apart from the fact they start at 50 Hz instead of 10 Hz.

Is there a specific field of applications for 10 Hz to 150 MHz? Or does the 3589 have some features necessary for a particular application that a 8561 doesn't?
Or were these devices just cheaper enough to get their own little niche in the market?


Btw. about the age of T&M-Equipment: Everything up to 1989 is cool, then the SMD Cap-Plague hits and doesn't leave until the early 2000s.
Plus the ASICs typically run quite hot.
So I try to avoid anything from the 90s

I don't know the details for the two SAs you mention.   Are you asking why you would use a NA over an SA or an NA over an SA w/ tracking generator?    Maybe you missed that the 3589A is a sort of hybrid SA and NA.  I think the manuals for the 3589A are available on-line if you wanted to have a look. 

The basic software for the 3589A is a bit lacking IMO but all the data is there if you use Labview or something to do your own post processing.

Cost wise, the 1992 catalog list the 3589A for about $25K for the one I have.  Test S-parameter test set would add another $4K. 

[bob91343]

Where does one find the battery in this unit?