[geeks] Low cost spectrum analyzers?

[Thomas Gallaway]

wa2egp at att.net wrote:

>>Hi
>>
>>Anybody know for a low cost but still effective spectrum analyzers for 
>>RF stuff.
>>Is there any software/hardware sollutions cause all the stuff I found so 
>>far are just hardware stuff.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>              Thomas
>>    
>>
>
>One path would be to get an old Tektronics scope (like the 454) and get 
>the spectrum analyzer plug-in.  I've seen the scope go for under $200
>(sometimes well under) and the plug-in for for under $100 depending on 
>the particular plug in.  The scope is an old tube beast but they still
>work (I have two) and you can get other plug-in for other purposes.
>
>Another possibility is to get a software spectrum analyzer in the audio
>range and build an external device to heterodyne the RF down to the
>audio range but that doesn't give you much of a frequency spread.
>What are you attempting to do (measure)?
>
>Bob 
>  
>
It's for a project between some friends and we are trying to get into 
the range of 500Mhz up to
3-4 Ghz. It has to do with microwave transmission so. I guess the 
tektronics sollution would do
for now I will research into that. I saw quite a few plugins for 
spectrum analysis on ebay just
dont have much experience with them.

-- Thomas