Re: Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) : Discussion and Group Therapy Thread
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 6:23 pm
Robert wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2026 6:54 am Quiet on here.
Some months ago I bought a somewhat tatty HP 8591E 1.8 GHz spectrum analyser. Looked like a bad display but it was just dirty. So easy fix. No options. Last month I put out a request to buy a HPIB interface for it. I had an offer of one from a 8594E free of charge. BIt far away but near a rally the following weekend. So I made a detour and picked it up. Turned out it wasn't a HPIB interface, it was a complete 8954E (2.9GHz) with tracking generator and manuals. One owner/driver from new.
(SNIP)
The 859xE use a common analogue PCB across much of the range. As the 8594 doesn't cover the microwave bands it doesn't have a YIG Tuned Filter and the YTF driver components are not populated on the PCB. I was bale to utilise the provision for the YTF connector and driver transistor for the extra YTO connections and -5V regulator. So it all fitted with out any hole drilling, track cutting etc so totally reversible.
So I switched it on, connected a N to BNC lead and pressed "CAL".....
And it works
So I'm a jammy git with a immaculate, one previous owner, with manuals, RAM card and tracking generator 9kHz to 2.9 GHz spectrum analyser for under £100 and a bit of work.
Robert.
mnem
congratulations on the score there, Robert!!!
