Reply by Phil Hobbs July 5, 20192019-07-05
On 7/4/19 2:29 PM, Winfield Hill wrote:
> pcdhobbs@gmail.com wrote... >> >> The HP 89410A suits me very well apart from the 1/f noise. > > It's big and bulky, and awkward.
Well, so am I, except for awkward. I have this nice 7-foot HP rack to put boat anchors in. I pay about three cents on the dollar for top-of-the-line instruments, which suits me very well. Of course in my line of work, I get to keep the money I don't spend. ;) Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by Winfield Hill July 4, 20192019-07-04
pcdhobbs@gmail.com wrote...
> > The HP 89410A suits me very well apart from the 1/f noise.
It's big and bulky, and awkward. HP made elegant portable FFT-based audio analyzers, to 50 or 100kHz, in the old days. Why can't somebody make similar now, but to 5 or 10MHz? -- Thanks, - Win
Reply by July 4, 20192019-07-04
>I have this scope on my bench and I like the FFT function.  Off the >top of my head, I think it meets your specs..
Scopes are almost always 8 bits, which limits their FFTs to about 50 dB dynamic range. (I have four scopes that do FFTs.) The HP 89410A suits me very well apart from the 1/f noise. Cheers Phil Hobbs
Reply by July 2, 20192019-07-02
On Friday, February 16, 2018 at 9:59:38 AM UTC-5, Phil Hobbs wrote:
> Hi, all, > > I need another FFT analyzer. I really like my HP 35660A, but it only > goes up to 100 kHz (50 kHz for two-channel measurements). I'd really > like one that goes up to at least 10 MHz, and can do the same sorts of > stuff, especially display noise spectral density in different units on > different scales and perform frequency response testing easily. > > There are a bunch of USB-style things, which might be okay as long as > they have Linux software available. > > What I really want is a smallish boat anchor with two channels, 14-16 > bit resolution, > 50 MS/s sampling, FFT analysis, a nice display, and > that can talk to USB sticks. > > Any faves? > > Thanks > > Phil Hobbs > > -- > Dr Philip C D Hobbs > Principal Consultant > ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics > Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics > Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 > > http://electrooptical.net > http://hobbs-eo.com
I have this scope on my bench and I like the FFT function. Off the top of my head, I think it meets your specs...( my scope is fully loaded with all the math packs) https://www.keysight.com/en/pdx-x201899-pn-MSOX3104A/mixed-signal-oscilloscope-1-ghz-4-analog-plus-16-digital-channels?nid=-32540.1150227&cc=US&lc=eng They have been in the market for 4-5 years now so you might be able to pick up a used one at 1/2 price...
Reply by JM June 30, 20192019-06-30
On 26/06/2019 22:59, pcdhobbs@gmail.com wrote:
> >> Just make sure you buy one with the 14 bit IF card... > > Care to elaborate? > > Cheers > > Phil Hobbs >
Well, I don't suppose it'll affect working at baseband since these cards have their own ADC's, but for working at higher frequencies the 14 bit IF card is worth having. Last time I was looking for an E4406 on ebay none of the dozen or so units had the 14 bit IF card. FYI these are the serial numbers to look out for:- Serial number beginning MY (made in Malaysia), or US41513009 or greater. Alternatively, a serial number on this list: US4136 prefix, with suffix 2964, 2977, 2982, 2986, 2987, 2988, 2989, 2990, 2991, 2992, 2993, 2998, 3000, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, or 3007.
Reply by Castorp June 28, 20192019-06-28
On Friday, 28 June 2019 08:40:41 UTC+2, ar...@personalrecharge.com  wrote:
> On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 15:10:02 UTC+7, Jan Panteltje wrote: > > On a sunny day (Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:48 -0700 (PDT)) it happened Castorp > > <nikolaibeev@gmail.com> wrote in > > <d44bba7e-bf77-4edc-bacd-fb3c58f47dc2@googlegroups.com>: > > > > >On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 07:13:43 UTC+2, Jan Panteltje wrote: > > >> On a sunny day (Tue, 25 Jun 2019 18:45:09 -0700 (PDT)) it happened > > >> arjen@personalrecharge.com wrote in > > >> <c9b0fc07-7bc5-448f-8a88-9f8a8ec4770b@googlegroups.com>: > > >> > > >> >On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 03:44:34 UTC+7, Gerhard Hoffmann wrote: > > >> >> Am 25.06.19 um 11:41 schrieb Castorp: > > >> >> > On Tuesday, 25 June 2019 09:46:03 UTC+2, ar...@personalrecharge.com wrote: > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >>> the sub-d connectors are quite poor in quality, it may play a role, but > > >> >im supprised as to why it doesnt work. just to be sure, can you see if > > >> >its pin 1 on 1, etc? as i cannot see the whole cable on your image. > > >> >> > > > >> >> > I just checked it with a multimeter. It's 1 to 1, 2 to 2... 9 to 9. > > >> >> > > > >> >> > I guess you're using the correct port (Serial 2). So I don't know what could > > >> >be wrong. > > >> >> > > >> >> maybe one of the plugs is in the inverted direction? > > >> >> It would look 1:1 but it isn't. check the pin NUMBERS. > > >> >> Gerhard > > >> > > > >> >I'Ve tried it both ways, straight and reversed, both with similar results, > > >> > odd thing beeing if i connect the cable straight, pin number to pin number > > >> >and omit pin 1-6-9, i dont get the fault at start up, but i get the fault > > >> >as soon as the controller unit attempts to communicate with the RF unit. > > >> > ive seen a serial test protocol in the service manual, i guess that's the > > >> >next stop, and some nice AMP sub-D connectors would be good also. > > >> > > > >> >Gotta say, you guys have a nice online community here, everyone's very helpful, > > >> > Thank you all! i really appreciate that! > > >> > > > >> > > >> To see what the situation is, use a voltmeter on pin 2 and 3 of the things, > > >> the Tx pin should be negative several volts, > > >> and the Rx pin should be around zero volts. > > >> Meaure it on both sides, then you know what Rx and Tx is, > > >> and cross connect those: > > >> Rx to TX on the other sde, and Tx or Rx on the other side. > > >> All other ways are guesswork. > > >> > > >> Check baudrate and parity settings. > > > > > >I don't think you have any control over the settings and baud rate. > > > > > >About the pin numbering - I checked that too. They match. > > > > The same goes for the hardware handshake lines, > > it is not often used these days I think, but it is posssible older equipment uses DTR (data terminal ready, output) on pin 4 > > and DSR (data set ready, input) on pin 6, > > same for > > RTS (request to send, output) on pin 7, > > and CTS (clear to send, input) on pin 8. > > > > And there is also > > DCD (data carrier detect, input) on pin 1. > > > > So you cannot connect the cable 1 to 1. > > > > RTS (out) should go to CTS (in), > > and CTS (in) to RTS (out). > > > > And DTR (out) shoudl go to DSR (in), > > and DSR (in) to DTR(out) > > > > Or this (with 2 and 3 swapped): > > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem#/media/File:D9_Null_Modem_Wiring.png > > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem > > > > So you can loop back too, ig no handshake is needed by connecting CTS to RTS on the same connector, and DTR to DSR, etc. > > > > Hopefully this does not create more confusion ;-) > > > > It is simple actually. > > Allright then, did some trouble shooting and found that the power supply of the RF unit had a shorted tantalum capacitor, and no negative voltages present, so i replaced the capacitors, and now it communicates, and the voltages on the power supply seem to be within range. However, now i get a calibration error on the device, so that's the next puzzle to solve.
Good job! Do you have Source connected to IN on the RF unit with a short BNC-BNC cable?
Reply by June 28, 20192019-06-28
On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 15:10:02 UTC+7, Jan Panteltje  wrote:
> On a sunny day (Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:48 -0700 (PDT)) it happened Castorp > <nikolaibeev@gmail.com> wrote in > <d44bba7e-bf77-4edc-bacd-fb3c58f47dc2@googlegroups.com>: > > >On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 07:13:43 UTC+2, Jan Panteltje wrote: > >> On a sunny day (Tue, 25 Jun 2019 18:45:09 -0700 (PDT)) it happened > >> arjen@personalrecharge.com wrote in > >> <c9b0fc07-7bc5-448f-8a88-9f8a8ec4770b@googlegroups.com>: > >> > >> >On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 03:44:34 UTC+7, Gerhard Hoffmann wrote: > >> >> Am 25.06.19 um 11:41 schrieb Castorp: > >> >> > On Tuesday, 25 June 2019 09:46:03 UTC+2, ar...@personalrecharge.com wrote: > >> >> > >> >> > >> >>> the sub-d connectors are quite poor in quality, it may play a role, but > >> >im supprised as to why it doesnt work. just to be sure, can you see if > >> >its pin 1 on 1, etc? as i cannot see the whole cable on your image. > >> >> > > >> >> > I just checked it with a multimeter. It's 1 to 1, 2 to 2... 9 to 9. > >> >> > > >> >> > I guess you're using the correct port (Serial 2). So I don't know what could > >> >be wrong. > >> >> > >> >> maybe one of the plugs is in the inverted direction? > >> >> It would look 1:1 but it isn't. check the pin NUMBERS. > >> >> Gerhard > >> > > >> >I'Ve tried it both ways, straight and reversed, both with similar results, > >> > odd thing beeing if i connect the cable straight, pin number to pin number > >> >and omit pin 1-6-9, i dont get the fault at start up, but i get the fault > >> >as soon as the controller unit attempts to communicate with the RF unit. > >> > ive seen a serial test protocol in the service manual, i guess that's the > >> >next stop, and some nice AMP sub-D connectors would be good also. > >> > > >> >Gotta say, you guys have a nice online community here, everyone's very helpful, > >> > Thank you all! i really appreciate that! > >> > > >> > >> To see what the situation is, use a voltmeter on pin 2 and 3 of the things, > >> the Tx pin should be negative several volts, > >> and the Rx pin should be around zero volts. > >> Meaure it on both sides, then you know what Rx and Tx is, > >> and cross connect those: > >> Rx to TX on the other sde, and Tx or Rx on the other side. > >> All other ways are guesswork. > >> > >> Check baudrate and parity settings. > > > >I don't think you have any control over the settings and baud rate. > > > >About the pin numbering - I checked that too. They match. > > The same goes for the hardware handshake lines, > it is not often used these days I think, but it is posssible older equipment uses DTR (data terminal ready, output) on pin 4 > and DSR (data set ready, input) on pin 6, > same for > RTS (request to send, output) on pin 7, > and CTS (clear to send, input) on pin 8. > > And there is also > DCD (data carrier detect, input) on pin 1. > > So you cannot connect the cable 1 to 1. > > RTS (out) should go to CTS (in), > and CTS (in) to RTS (out). > > And DTR (out) shoudl go to DSR (in), > and DSR (in) to DTR(out) > > Or this (with 2 and 3 swapped): > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem#/media/File:D9_Null_Modem_Wiring.png > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem > > So you can loop back too, ig no handshake is needed by connecting CTS to RTS on the same connector, and DTR to DSR, etc. > > Hopefully this does not create more confusion ;-) > > It is simple actually.
Allright then, did some trouble shooting and found that the power supply of the RF unit had a shorted tantalum capacitor, and no negative voltages present, so i replaced the capacitors, and now it communicates, and the voltages on the power supply seem to be within range. However, now i get a calibration error on the device, so that's the next puzzle to solve.
Reply by legg June 27, 20192019-06-27
On Wed, 26 Jun 2019 08:09:53 GMT, Jan Panteltje
<pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On a sunny day (Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:48 -0700 (PDT)) it happened Castorp ><nikolaibeev@gmail.com> wrote in ><d44bba7e-bf77-4edc-bacd-fb3c58f47dc2@googlegroups.com>: > >>On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 07:13:43 UTC+2, Jan Panteltje wrote: >>> On a sunny day (Tue, 25 Jun 2019 18:45:09 -0700 (PDT)) it happened >>> arjen@personalrecharge.com wrote in >>> <c9b0fc07-7bc5-448f-8a88-9f8a8ec4770b@googlegroups.com>: >>> >>> >On Wednesday, 26 June 2019 03:44:34 UTC+7, Gerhard Hoffmann wrote: >>> >> Am 25.06.19 um 11:41 schrieb Castorp: >>> >> > On Tuesday, 25 June 2019 09:46:03 UTC+2, ar...@personalrecharge.com wrote: >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>> the sub-d connectors are quite poor in quality, it may play a role, but >>> >im supprised as to why it doesnt work. just to be sure, can you see if >>> >its pin 1 on 1, etc? as i cannot see the whole cable on your image. >>> >> > >>> >> > I just checked it with a multimeter. It's 1 to 1, 2 to 2... 9 to 9. >>> >> > >>> >> > I guess you're using the correct port (Serial 2). So I don't know what could >>> >be wrong. >>> >> >>> >> maybe one of the plugs is in the inverted direction? >>> >> It would look 1:1 but it isn't. check the pin NUMBERS. >>> >> Gerhard >>> > >>> >I'Ve tried it both ways, straight and reversed, both with similar results, >>> > odd thing beeing if i connect the cable straight, pin number to pin number >>> >and omit pin 1-6-9, i dont get the fault at start up, but i get the fault >>> >as soon as the controller unit attempts to communicate with the RF unit. >>> > ive seen a serial test protocol in the service manual, i guess that's the >>> >next stop, and some nice AMP sub-D connectors would be good also. >>> > >>> >Gotta say, you guys have a nice online community here, everyone's very helpful, >>> > Thank you all! i really appreciate that! >>> > >>> >>> To see what the situation is, use a voltmeter on pin 2 and 3 of the things, >>> the Tx pin should be negative several volts, >>> and the Rx pin should be around zero volts. >>> Meaure it on both sides, then you know what Rx and Tx is, >>> and cross connect those: >>> Rx to TX on the other sde, and Tx or Rx on the other side. >>> All other ways are guesswork. >>> >>> Check baudrate and parity settings. >> >>I don't think you have any control over the settings and baud rate. >> >>About the pin numbering - I checked that too. They match. > >The same goes for the hardware handshake lines, >it is not often used these days I think, but it is posssible older equipment uses DTR (data terminal ready, output) on pin 4 >and DSR (data set ready, input) on pin 6, >same for >RTS (request to send, output) on pin 7, >and CTS (clear to send, input) on pin 8. > >And there is also >DCD (data carrier detect, input) on pin 1. > >So you cannot connect the cable 1 to 1. > >RTS (out) should go to CTS (in), >and CTS (in) to RTS (out). > >And DTR (out) shoudl go to DSR (in), >and DSR (in) to DTR(out) > >Or this (with 2 and 3 swapped): > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem#/media/File:D9_Null_Modem_Wiring.png > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem > >So you can loop back too, ig no handshake is needed by connecting CTS to RTS on the same connector, and DTR to DSR, etc. > >Hopefully this does not create more confusion ;-) > >It is simple actually. > > > >
If HP could complicate things, it did. Possibly company policy to ensure customers captivity. RL
Reply by June 26, 20192019-06-26
>Just make sure you buy one with the 14 bit IF card...
Care to elaborate? Cheers Phil Hobbs
Reply by JM June 26, 20192019-06-26
On 25/06/2019 12:02, Phil Hobbs wrote:
> On 6/23/19 9:14 AM, Phil Hobbs wrote: >> On 6/23/19 7:14 AM, Winfield Hill wrote: >>> arjen@personalrecharge.com wrote... >>>> >>>> On 24 February 2018 03:21:07 UTC+7, Gerhard Hoffmann wrote: >>>>> Am 23.02.2018 um 20:15 schrieb Phil Hobbs: >>>>> >>>>>> So my new-to-me HP 89441A analyzer is due to be here Tuesday. >>>>>> I noticed that it doesn't have the serial cable--is it a >>>>>> regular straight-through 9-pin cable, or something weird? >>>>> >>>>> I also had to make the cable myself. >>>>> It wasn't much work, and it is known how to do it. >>>> >>>> Hi Gerhard, i have also bought one of these units, 89441A, >>>> no serial cable and for the love of peet, i cannot find the >>>> cable connection diagram, and standard RS232 didn't work >>>> either, could you help out and show me how to do it please? >>> >>> Another question of interest, what's the next, more modern >>> version of this instrument, one could look for on eBay? >>> >>> >> >> I think the 89441A was the last one with a baseband input. > > > The E4406 option B7C gives you a baseband input. They're pretty > affordable too. > > Cheers > > Phil Hobbs >
Just make sure you buy one with the 14 bit IF card...