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Recommendations on Radio Test Set

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Howardlong:
The 8935 is a big and heavy unit compared to the 8920, and the connectors are on the side. Because mine is used in a static environment for a single job, it's not a big deal, but if you intend to use it for lots of different things. consider how you might want to use it.

I have used it old school for a couple of weeks while I was moving, with it sat on its butt on the floor, screen facing up. This is how I often used to work with CRT scopes, with the instrument just to one's side under the bench, it works well if you lack bench space. This mode will afford you easier access to the various ports.

Keep in mind that these units were built like tanks because they were used extensively on cellular base station sites, so are unlikely to be pristine. On the plus side, apart from the regulator problem I mentioned, it's been very reliable (touch wood).

The screen is electroluminescent. It's very readable. I don't know if these have a reputation for being troublesome or not, but mine's been fine.

TheDefpom:
Having service info and circuit diagrams are an important consideration.

The HP8920 has service info and circuit diagrams available, I found that out when I was repairing a HP8648B RF signal generator, they have either the same or similar boards in some places, and as the 8648B didn't have diagrams the 8920 ones were used, which allowed me to repair the 8648B unit.

The similarity was pointed out to me by one of the regulars on the live stream I was doing at the time.

Other units likely have repair info too, I know the 2955 does, I have one of those too.

The Rohde & Schwarz CMU200 is another unit I have, it has some nice features, but also some limitations, and there are no circuit diagrams for it.

W3AXL:
The 8920 or 8921 would be the Cadillac units I'd love to get my hands on, but the cheapest one I've seen is still $1500 which is a lot to swallow, especially when I'm still building the other parts of my bench as well. But yeah, they're definitely great units in a great form factor.

Howardlong:
I agree, had 8920s with the right options been more affordable, I’d have probably gone for one.

In the meantime here is the thread on my initial experiences with the 8935: it’s been working faultlessly ever since (touching wood, crossing fingers etc).

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/agilent-8935-e6380a-test-set-repair-solved/

W3AXL:
Thinking the 8935 is probably the way to go, between the internal tracking gen, the 75W input power limit, and the nice screen. It's definitely not "compact" or even "relatively small" but I think the features make up for it. I gotta do some dimensioning on my workbench to see if it'll fit. I've got basically 60"x30" to work with (sorry for the freedom units) and the 8935 will take a huge chunk outta that.

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