Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer

abmoggy · 27th June 2005, 10:48 PM

Hello,

Since money doesn't grow on tree

(well except for certain variety

)and since a spectrum analyzer cost more than my car

, what I would like to know is there a way to conver an oscilloscope into a spectrum analyzer? Is there a gadget/equipment I can use to conver an o-scope into a spectrum analyzer?

Thanks!

ABMOGGY

SY · 27th June 2005, 11:02 PM

What sort of bandwidth are you looking for? Two cheap solutions include PC soundcard plus software or something like an HP3581A wave analyzer hooked to a chart recorder or PC chart recorder analog.

BTW, I see from your avatar that you've met my ex-wife.

Jorge · 27th June 2005, 11:08 PM

A good sound card (such as the Audigy 2, the value one is OK) plus Audiotester

www.audiotester.de

will set you back by about $100, and do a lot up to some 45KHz.

kilowattski · 27th June 2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by abmoggy
Hello,

Since money doesn't grow on tree (well except for certain variety )and since a spectrum analyzer cost more than my car , what I would like to know is there a way to conver an oscilloscope into a spectrum analyzer? Is there a gadget/equipment I can use to conver an o-scope into a spectrum analyzer?

Thanks!

ABMOGGY

No, not very easily but you can get one of the Tektronix 1000 series scopes with FFT for less than $1500. It does not have the greatest dynamic range but it may be sufficient.

jackinnj · 28th June 2005, 01:09 AM

i have one of those TEK scopes with FFT -- they are great for looking for power supply problems -- but a dedicated spectrum analyzer or sound card is probably a better solution for the questioner --

SY points out the HP3581 -- I think that this is one of the best values for any DIY'r -- note that you can get a serial or USB port data-loggers from Jameco and elsewher which will dump your results right into Excel -- the HP3581 has really excellent dynamic range -- and you aren't going to see digital artifacts in the output. The HP3581 is like buying a Mercedes S600 Pullman for the price of a Ford Taurus.

http://www.tech-diy.com/HP3581/Hewle...ckard%20HP.htm

SY · 28th June 2005, 01:12 AM

As inexpensive as 3581s are, I'd recommend having that in addition to any digital stuff- it provides a reality check and is a darn nice AC voltmeter for level-setting.

abmoggy · 28th June 2005, 04:12 AM

Thank you all for the info!!!!

Mike Gergen · 28th June 2005, 04:32 AM

I use an EMU1212 sound card with Rightmark Audio and SmartLive software. I also have a tek TDS220 and a TEK2235. I use the soundcard set up more than the scopes.

Hisatugo · 4th July 2005, 08:08 PM

Do you know TrueAudio???
www.trueaudio.com

the RTA solution is upgradeable and at USD100,00 you will get 1/48 oct that none of comercial units I know can offer.

and the entry level is FREE!

take a look there.
I have the full version and ECM8000, a perfect match for my needs.

Euclides.

27th June 2005, 10:48 PM	#1
abmoggy diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA.	Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer Hello, Since money doesn't grow on tree (well except for certain variety )and since a spectrum analyzer cost more than my car , what I would like to know is there a way to conver an oscilloscope into a spectrum analyzer? Is there a gadget/equipment I can use to conver an o-scope into a spectrum analyzer? Thanks! ABMOGGY

27th June 2005, 11:02 PM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	What sort of bandwidth are you looking for? Two cheap solutions include PC soundcard plus software or something like an HP3581A wave analyzer hooked to a chart recorder or PC chart recorder analog. BTW, I see from your avatar that you've met my ex-wife. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

28th June 2005, 01:12 AM	#6
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	As inexpensive as 3581s are, I'd recommend having that in addition to any digital stuff- it provides a reality check and is a darn nice AC voltmeter for level-setting. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

4th July 2005, 08:08 PM	#9
Hisatugo diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sao Paulo-Brazil	Do you know TrueAudio??? www.trueaudio.com the RTA solution is upgradeable and at USD100,00 you will get 1/48 oct that none of comercial units I know can offer. and the entry level is FREE! take a look there. I have the full version and ECM8000, a perfect match for my needs. Euclides. __________________ I love DIY. And love electronics also. But I refresh me everyday that my real passion is MUSIC.

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27th June 2005, 11:08 PM	#3
Jorge diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Brazil	A good sound card (such as the Audigy 2, the value one is OK) plus Audiotester www.audiotester.de will set you back by about $100, and do a lot up to some 45KHz.

28th June 2005, 01:09 AM	#5
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	i have one of those TEK scopes with FFT -- they are great for looking for power supply problems -- but a dedicated spectrum analyzer or sound card is probably a better solution for the questioner -- SY points out the HP3581 -- I think that this is one of the best values for any DIY'r -- note that you can get a serial or USB port data-loggers from Jameco and elsewher which will dump your results right into Excel -- the HP3581 has really excellent dynamic range -- and you aren't going to see digital artifacts in the output. The HP3581 is like buying a Mercedes S600 Pullman for the price of a Ford Taurus. http://www.tech-diy.com/HP3581/Hewle...ckard%20HP.htm

28th June 2005, 04:12 AM	#7
abmoggy diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA.	Thank you all for the info!!!!

28th June 2005, 04:32 AM	#8
Mike Gergen diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elk River MN	I use an EMU1212 sound card with Rightmark Audio and SmartLive software. I also have a tek TDS220 and a TEK2235. I use the soundcard set up more than the scopes.

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