Products > Test Equipment
Amazon attenuators, any good?
W4PJB:
Has anyone tested any of the inexpensive attenuators from Amazon, or have experience how they would compare to a much more expensive units from companies like Pasternack or MiniCircuits?
Here is an example:
https://www.amazon.com/BECEN-Male-Female-Connector-Attenuator/dp/B07DXPT3FT/ref=sr_1_8?crid=SM5W8UHDV7B3&keywords=30%2Bdb%2Battenuator%2Bn%2Bconnector&qid=1705076905&sprefix=30%2Bdb%2Battenuator%2Bn%2Bconnector%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-8&th=1
Thanks!
fourfathom:
I've purchased a few attenuators from Amazon / BECEN. They are usually OK, with decent performance up to 1GHz (at least the smaller-attenuation 10W SMA connector ones I've got) Sorry, I don't have any test data handy. But one 100W "50dB" N-connector one I got from BCEN actually just has about 40dB attenuation. It was reasonably flat over my frequency range of interest, and it managed to handle the 50W or so I ran through it. I put a "40dB" label on it and still use it.
These attenuators are commonly available from aliexpress.com, and they all look the same -- I don't know who actually makes them, or where "BECEN" gets theirs. QA rejects, perhaps?
So if you are able to test the attenuator before using it, it's probably worth a shot. If you want something with better-guaranteed precision Amazon/BECEN is probably not your best source.
And watch out for power ratings on Chinese attenuators and dummy loads. I can buy the exact SMA dummy load, sold as "1W" and "2W" devices. They get pretty hot at 1W.
Bud:
For casual use or for Ham radio you can use those, they likely have a vanila axial resistor inside. For use with expensive test and measurement equipment and for measurements i would get one from Minicircuits. The Chinese ones may ruin your equipment connectors because of poor mechanical tolerances. That is beside poor attenuation accuracy, frequency range and return loss.
DaJMasta:
For not so much more, you can get used or NOS name brand attenuators on ebay or similar - while they will probably work at least to some degree and that may be enough, as others have said, the real deal as a surplus part will likely be a lot more reliable and better manufactured provided the connectors are in good shape.
David Hess:
--- Quote from: fourfathom on January 12, 2024, 05:12:30 pm ---But one 100W "50dB" N-connector one I got from BCEN actually just has about 40dB attenuation. It was reasonably flat over my frequency range of interest, and it managed to handle the 50W or so I ran through it. I put a "40dB" label on it and still use it.
--- End quote ---
I usually consider single stages of attenuation above 20dB to be questionable anyway.
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