BB60A identification needed

Can anyone tell me what date a BB60A unit whose serial number is 32390090 was manufactured? Also, I think the version of the software that goes with it is 1.2.3. Is that the latest version of the software for this unit? Are there any particular tests that can be run to determine the health of the unit? What are the manufacture start dates and end dates for the production of the BB60A?

Regards,

John Eccles

[Andrew]

Hi John,

The unit in question was manufactured on Jan 20 2014. We manufactured BB60A’s from Feb 2013 to June 2014, at which time, it was replaced with the BB60C design. All BB60As are compatible with our latest software application, no need to use the legacy BB60A version 1.2.3 application. All of our analyzers use our main application called Spike, seen here, http://www.signalhound.com/Spike. We do offer calibration services, (call in for exact price). We also will repair BB60A devices for a flat fee.

Alternatively, BB60Cs are shipped with a two year warranty.

If you have any further questions, you may contact us by phone at 1-800-260-TEST.

Regards,
A.J.

• This reply was modified 9 years ago by Andrew.

A.J.,

How much was the BB60A selling for when it was in production, specifically, the one I identified above?

Regards,
John Eccles

[Andrew]

Hi John,

BB60As retailed for around 2400 USD.

Regards,
A.J.

• This reply was modified 9 years ago by Andrew.

Thank you for the information you have provided. I was able to win the Ebay auction for a BB60A of the one described above. Based on the BB60A serial number will it work with the TG44A that is currently in my cart? Based on what I read here the BB60A must have version 5 firmware to work with the TG44A via your Spike software. Is this true?

Regards,
John Eccles

Hi John,

The BB60A will work with our tracking generators. The BB60A firmware must be updated as you noted. The firmware update is available on the BB60 download page.

Regards,
A.J.

Okay, so I just got a chance to power up the BB60A I purchased off of eBay. It works very nice. I am using a newly purchased and calibrated signal generator – Rohde&Schwarz SML03 and the levels reported by the BB60A are very accurate. However the frequency is off a little off. I have read the manual and it says that I need to ask Signal Hound for the calibration instructions. I have a full lab here with a lot of new test equipment so I should be able to perform the calibration fairly easily. I am also a ham radio operator and have access to receivers and transmitters and can receive WWV and CHU time and frequency standards. Can someone supply me with the calibration instructions for the BB60A?

Regards,
John Eccles

Hi John,

The only in-field adjustments we have are for the BB60C 10MHz timebase. For the BB60A, the unit must be shipped back to Signal Hound for adjustments. We can re-calibrate the device and ensure it is within operating specs. I believe it is a flat fee. You can email lori at signalhound dot com and ask for that information.

I apologize for the inconvenience. Glad everything else is working out okay.

Regards,
A.J.

A.J.,

With regard to calibration for frequency, I am monitoring WWV at 10.0 MHz. The SA reads 10.000007 or approximately 7 Hz high.

I checked my signal generator against WWV’s 10.0 MHz signal and the signal generator is within 1 Hz.

I then set my signal generator to 50.0 Mhz and the signal generator is within approximately 2 hz or so and the BB60A SA reads 50.000039 or 39 Hz high. (That tells me the error at 10.0 MHz is 39/5 or about 7.8 Hz)

At 500 Mhz the SA reads 500.000389 Mhz or 389 Hz high. (That tells me the error at 10.0 Mhz is 389/50 or about 7.8 Hz)

At 1.0 GHz it reads 776 Hz high.

The readings appear consistent based on the error. If we get rid of the 7 Hz error at 10.0 MHz the other errors at the other frequencies will go to near 0 accordingly.

Does this need calibration or is this acceptable in your opinion?

Regards,
John Eccles

Hello John,

It sounds like a timebase error of ~0.7ppm, which is still within the spec we publish. Most of this is due to drift of the timebase. A new unit will have a much lower error.

It sounds like you have contacted us for a calibration. We can adjust this unit to correct for this error.

Regards,
A.J.

How is the adjustment made to correct this error on a BB60A?

[Andrew]

Hi John,

It was nice talking to you on the phone. Let me know if you need anything else.

Regards,
A.J.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 11 months ago by Andrew.

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