I have just purchased an E6380A and am interested in hearing from others who use this unit for RF measurement related to 2-way radios, particularly in commercial VHF/UHF and Amateur bands VHF/UHF.
I've recent experience with the 8935, although I'm not that much of a radio expert (and not a ham - but I do the Dayton Hamvention every year). The 8935 I "acquired" in May - sort of on permanent loan - has been used for minor testing of VHF and UHF communications radios here at work. I also know it can receive the local AM & FM radio stations on its tiny speaker. Hey, you need to learn it somehow!
Presently we are working on new systems for the CHP, so it's their new LBVHF - HBVHF - UHF - 700/800MHz radio stack I have used it on. I've also used the 8935 to check out the scanner we are designing in for CHP, in order to get the proper audio gains in our system.
I'm still waiting for a chance to use it to work on some ham gear - maybe even a repeater or duplexer - should be quite useful there.
Hi, I also have a Agilent 8935/E6380A . It seems to work great. i AM still in the learning mode. I understand you can setup and run test using a PC with software. Any and All info needed. 73 Dave WB8MWG
I'll assume you already have all the 8935 doco from Agilent. My collection from them is about 50MB, and includes GPIB syntax and programming guides. I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if PC control of the 8935 requires using the GPIB port. USB to GPIB adapters typically run $300-$500, but there is a DIY USB to GPIB adapter (kit, too) at http://lsd.fe.uni-lj.si/gpib/lsd_osnovna.html
At the moment the best I can offer for PC interfacing is http://www.amtronix.com/8920btsinfo.htm which details how to do screen captures on the PC. It is for the 8920, which is similar to the 8935, see http://www.amtronix.com/e6380a.htm for how they compare. Apparently the 8920 uses a funky RJ-11 connector for the serial ports, the 8935 having individual DE-9Ms. So using the BTS software with the 8935 would need just a female-to-female 9-pin cable - but I don't know if its straight through or crossed. (A simple voltmeter test should answer that.)
FWIW I get to Lansing periodically, if it makes sense perhaps we could meet after work some day.
I've recent experience with the 8935, although I'm not that much of a radio expert (and not a ham - but I do the Dayton Hamvention every year). The 8935 I "acquired" in May - sort of on permanent loan - has been used for minor testing of VHF and UHF communications radios here at work. I also know it can receive the local AM & FM radio stations on its tiny speaker. Hey, you need to learn it somehow!
Presently we are working on new systems for the CHP, so it's their new LBVHF - HBVHF - UHF - 700/800MHz radio stack I have used it on. I've also used the 8935 to check out the scanner we are designing in for CHP, in order to get the proper audio gains in our system.
I'm still waiting for a chance to use it to work on some ham gear - maybe even a repeater or duplexer - should be quite useful there.
Bob LaJeunesse