I have a CSA8000 I've repaired. Now I am looking for electrical modules. Can they generally be repaired or hacked to work?
I assume there is some amplifier right on the frontend that get's blown. Seeing that they are good to like 50gig, they would be almost impossible to repair, I assume. But if it is an amplifier, what about replacing it with something less expensive? I know you won't get 50gig or anything calibrated out of just any old amp, mmic, etc but if I was interested to up to 4gig or maybe just to screw around, is there something I can do with these blown modules?
I rebuilt this CSA8000 and it is still sitting all over my lab in pieces because I've been waiting to find a module that will at least let me test it. Of the 6 or 8 ports, at least 4 are reporting ok. So I figure if I get a module or two, it will at least get some lines on the screen. These things were meant for high-speed telecom line testing, something that though I worked in telecom for years, I will never plug an OC48 into it. The TDR modules are $3k+. I got the CSA800 for $150, I think I have another $50 in it, and I would love to see it at least put up a trace.
Thanks
Jerry