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Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: unicornio on September 09, 2014, 05:35:11 pm

Title: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: unicornio on September 09, 2014, 05:35:11 pm
hi, there,

i wondered if any one know this kit from Ascel Eletronic from Germany:
http://www.ascel-electronic.de/kits/14/ae20401-5.8-ghz-frequency-counter-/-rf-power-meter (http://www.ascel-electronic.de/kits/14/ae20401-5.8-ghz-frequency-counter-/-rf-power-meter)

i am thinking to buy a fully equipped unit (TCXO 1ppm, power meter and USB...etc) and it cost near 150€.

I know that an instrument of this type has to have a much higher cost to be accurate and reliable, but relying on the new systems and manufacturing based in chips that can be produced with high precision and repeatability, I think I can serve for the few checks that need in the field of RF, (principally walkies), like measures of frequency, power and SWR (using a very good directional coupler that i have)

(http://www.ascel.de/images/ae20401/ae20401-bl-klein.jpg)
(http://www.ascel.de/images/ae20401/platine-bs-klein.jpg)
(http://www.ascel.de/images/ae20401/ae204017-klein.jpg)
(http://www.ascel.de/images/ae20401/ae204015-klein.jpg)
(http://www.ascel.de/images/ae20401/ae204011-klein.jpg)
(http://www.ascel.de/images/ae20401/pc-software.png)

and i wondered if any one know about Ascel Eletronic kits quality reputation...

many thanks in advance!
best regards and electronics greetings from spain
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: Mark on April 14, 2016, 05:27:38 pm
I googled and found this thread, does anyone have one of these AE20401 units?? 
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: hendorog on April 14, 2016, 07:20:50 pm
Fraser does:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/ascel-ae20401-2hz-to-5-8ghz-frequency-counter-rf-power-meter-kit/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/ascel-ae20401-2hz-to-5-8ghz-frequency-counter-rf-power-meter-kit/)
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: rounin on April 15, 2016, 03:45:44 am
I have one too. Actually will be able to test the channel B soon, my 3.3 GHz VCO should here tomorrow or so.
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: bullonwheels on August 19, 2018, 03:47:24 am
I recently purchased this but getting an ~200khz on channel B if checked for frequency 2.4Ghz. Any recommendations ?
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: Mr. Scram on August 19, 2018, 03:50:03 am
That's a surprising amount of through hole components.
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: hendorog on August 19, 2018, 10:35:05 pm
That's a surprising amount of through hole components.

Could be wrong but I thought you could get these in kit form - which may be the reason for the thru hole.
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: David Hess on August 20, 2018, 07:07:45 pm
It looks like a pretty neat instrument.  I would have implemented better overload protection and combined the frequency and power measurement functions but it is difficult to complain about their design choices given the price and excellent support.
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: David Hess on August 20, 2018, 09:16:52 pm
I recently purchased this but getting an ~200khz on channel B if checked for frequency 2.4Ghz. Any recommendations ?

I am not sure what you mean but the signal conditioning and data slicer in this frequency counter are primitive so it will be finicky about the quality of the input signal.

Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: bullonwheels on August 21, 2018, 05:20:17 am
No I mean on one channel I read 2.420Ghz correct up to 20ppm but on a different channel I read same 2.420Ghz wrong up to 240ppm. Does it need re calibration ?
Title: Re: AE20401 5.8 GHz Frequency Counter / RF Power Meter
Post by: David Hess on August 21, 2018, 08:04:43 am
No I mean on one channel I read 2.420Ghz correct up to 20ppm but on a different channel I read same 2.420Ghz wrong up to 240ppm. Does it need re calibration ?

Which two channels exactly?  Do you mean two channels on the same instrument?