New to SA

Hi, new user of the SA44B and am a newbie when it comes to RF and spectrum analysis. My main interest is in using the SA for verifying AM and FM signals, noise, harmonics, etc from my RF generators when aligning tuners. I have the recommended DC block for my unit, but was going to add an attenuator to my setup but struggling to determine how much. I’ve read many many things on the web, and am thinking if I were to use a 20bB attenuator, that should cover most of my need (probably overkill, but would rather be safe than sorry). Don’t think I would need to look at more than 2W either. I may eventually get into audio signals, but I know that is another scenario. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

Our accessory kit includes a 20 dB pad, which is enough to make measurements up to 1 watt (+30 dBm). As long as you attenuate enough to keep your signal below +10 dBm, and set your reference level to +10 dBm, and your attenuator is rated for the input power, you should be fine.

I should have no problems. Both my main RF generators start at 100kHz and only go up to a little of 1GHz. Plus, both have the ability to set the output levels to the +10dBm as a maximum and anywhere below that. Like I said, just want to error on the side of caution. I bought my SA used but was still a significant investment for a “hobby”!. I played with it a bit last night just hooking it up to the PC and letting it search out whatever it could pick up (no antenna connected) and was able to find some UHF signals strong enough to register. It is okay to just keep the DC block attached without affecting the incoming signals no matter what I am looking at?

The DC block will only affect signals below 100 kHz. Remember when you connect an antenna to use ESD precautions (i.e. ground yourself to the case before and during any antenna adjustments)

[Author]

Posts