Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer

[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

 

[SY]

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]

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]

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]

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/Hewlett Packard HP.htm

 

[SY]

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]

Thank you all for the info!!!!

 

[Mike Gergen]

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]

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.