8568B Spectrum Analyzer Opt E17
Here is a super nice HP 8568B Spectrum Analyzer. It has been cleaned, serviced and thoroughly checked out.... it is in excellent working condition. Both units are very clean - insides look like new with no signs of corrosion or tampering. The display is very nice... sharp and bright.
I have many years experience working with the 8566/8568 series spectrum analyzers and invest a significant amount of time overhauling these units; you can rest assured that this unit has been very carefully checked out. If you buy from me you will have the peace of mind knowing that if you run into a problem down the road, I will be here to help - I always maintain a large inventory of spare parts for these units. You are welcome to come see the unit and check it out in person; I will gladly demonstrate any of the performance metrics presented here or any other measurements you would like to see before purchasing the unit.
This Spectrum Analyzer covers 100Hz to 1.7GHz (Opt E17 extends frequency coverage to 1700MHz). It has resolution bandwidths down to 10Hz and 100dB of on screen dynamic range!
This Spectrum Analyzer is fully synthesized... it has features and performance that equal or exceed many new units! On screen markers, built in frequency counter (with programmable resolution), 3 separate trace displays just to name a few. This is one of the best Spectrum Analyzers that HP made - just ask around!
This analyzer includes interconnect cables, power cables and interlocking hardware. All the switches and controls feel and work perfectly - none are sticky or loose. The display is super nice - very bright and sharply focused. Both fans run smoothly with no signs of bearing wear. Calibration is spot on since this unit was completely re-aligned. I am quite certain that you will be very pleased with this one.
The high stability ovenized reference oscillator has been calibrated against a GPS locked Rhubidium standard. I have provided many pictures below demonstrating the condition and performance of this particular unit. All pictures below are of the actual unit being offered.
I have also replaced the internal memory retention battery with a new part.
This will be professionally packed (multiple layers of heavy duty bubble wrap) and shipped in 2 new double wall shipping containers. I do not use peanuts or other substandard packaging. You can be assured that it will arrive in the condition shown.
Price is $1400 + shipping (Fedex Ground) from 92014.
All pictures (below) are of the unit being offered.
Here is a test of the log detector (10dB steps using a precision external step attenuator on an external signal source, 0 to -90dB. Note excellent accuracy!
This spectrum analyzer has 100dB on screen dynamic range - most spectrum analyzers have only 80dB!
Below is a Flatness sweep (1dB/div, max hold) 10 - 1500MHz.
HP Spec is +/-1.0dB to 500MHz and +/-1.5dB to 1.5GHz. This unit easily exceeds this.
Being a later production unit, this analyzer provides extended coverage to 1730MHz (-3.0dB), dropping off to about -10dB at 1800MHz.
Phase noise performance of this analyzer is outstanding and rivals many modern HP units! This particular unit performs better than most 8568B's I've worked on.
-119.1dBc/Hz @ 100KHz (note that i'm using marker with normalized to 1Hz BW function). Input is 100MHz crystal reference @ 0dBm
-113.1dBc/Hz @ 10KHz
-108.8dBc/Hz @ 1KHz (it is actually better than this as this is the spectrum analyzer noise floor)
The picture below shows the internal calibration data that is generated by the internal self calibration routine. If you know these analyzers you will appreciate that this one looks extremely good - all corrections are well within specification (most have limits of +/-.5dB).
This page in the service manual shows the specification and meaning of each of these calibration values. As I said, I doubt you will see another that is as closely calibrated as this one!
Close in power line noise is also well within specification (this is 100Hz/div!). Spec is less than -85dBc, this one is about -92dBc !
The built in frequency counter has programmable resolution (shown below at 1Hz resolution measuring a 1GHz source).
To use you simply place the marker on the signal (or press 'peak search') and press 'Freq count'. Accuracy is outstanding due to the high stability ovenized reference oscillator.
