I need an inexpensive spec a for a project. Not much budget to buy a new Spec A. and probably won't need it afterwards. Markers would be nice but not required. Under $500 would be perfect. I have an opportunity to get a HP141T with no plugins. I need only 100 or preferably 200 mhz bandwidth. Perhaps one of you experienced users/techs could point me in the right direction. I see lots of RF and IF modules on Craigs list and ebay. I could likely repair it if needed. I would like to hear some do's and don'ts before deciding. Thanks for any help.
If you only need 100 MHz then an 8553B RF plugin is perfect. It covers 1 kHz to 110 MHz in two ranges; 0 to 11 MHz and 0 to 110 MHz. Used with an 8552B IF plugin the combination has 18 calibrated scan width from 20 Hz/division to 10 MHz/division in 1,2 5 sequence.
Resolution bandwidths of 10 Hz to 300 kHz are provided by the IF plugin in a 1,3,10 sequence.
With the 141T/8553B/8552B make a very good 110 MHz spectrum analyzer. They are still discrete components so are repairable. You can make calibrated frequency and amplitude measurements over entire frequency range. Has both log and linear scales, with a warning light to indicate an out of cal set up; i.e. sweeping too fast for the bandwidth. Be careful of blooming if the 141T has a persistence tube.
It’s a good SA; you’ll like it.
Regards -