Tektronix 492 and 496 Portable Spectrum Analyzers

[@radiotests]

Lol, brought back many memories of my Navy Firecontrol electronics work. We used the Tek spectrum analyzer for tuning radar output and tuning the wave guides. The portable in 1986 was a $45k instrument! No joking either. It was versatile and we often used it to test everything! I came over from Mr Carlsons lab channel.

[@crocellian2972]

I was given a year to study at Tek in 1979 in preparation for the Beaverton light rail project. It was an inspiring place with an amazing video production stage. Now I see some of that footage. Thank you. Many memories.

[@ronshaw80]

Its amazing how much cheaper this technology is today. Back then, these instruments were very pricey, and quite complex. Another great video. Thanks for posting it.

[@hyvahyva]

The newer direct sampling architecture analyzers are really boss. Not only are they mechanically and electronically simpler, but they VASTLY outperform any swept type analyzer like those shown in this video at detecting and measuring brief pulses or amplitude shift keyed signals. They can display a 'waterfall' like most software defined radio receivers do. The swept analyzers were definitely king for a long time, though... :)

[@diggleboy]

That was AWESOME! Loved every minute of it. Getting a detailed explanation and demonstration of various measurements using the Tektronix 492 spectrum analyzer made me realize how precise the analog world was back in 1979, especially to broadcast on such a busy spectrum consistently over time that the consumer barely noticed the difficulties and challenges involved in doing so. I look forward to more great video gems like this as I hunt for a good used spectrum analyzer on eBay similar to this one.

[@harbselectronicslab3551]

As always, a great video.......I have watched every one and look forward to new ones as they come........thanks for going to the trouble to put these up !! cheers, Harb

[@AnthonyFrancisJones]

Interesting to see the 492 audio noise testing on the roof of the car (TR7?). I have a 494P and if I put that on the roof of my car I think its weight would severely dent it!!

[@mr.fantomas7726]

I'm still looking for a one part of Tektronix 2711 or 2712 or 2715. I don't need a buy one more Tektronix SpectrumAnalyzer.

[@Tangobaldy]

Tangobaldy was here and enjoyed the video. Nice haircuts

[@robertalm9380]

Nothing about mm-wave applications using the external waveguide mixers that I worked on so hard!

[@geofftaylor8913]

For some reason I am not getting video

[@fredlllll]

they had 12GHz back then and we are happy about having 5Ghz wifi now...

[@Braeden123698745]

The higher the frequency the less the penetration of the signal. So your Wifi will be blocked by walls and so on. At a certain point with high frequencies you might as well use ethernet.

[@hyvahyva]

I have 11 and 13 ghz point to point video links in service today. They usually use large parabolic dish antennas with very high gain to help offset path loss. Anything entering the path usually causes dropouts (trees, usually) I've heard they don't exactly love super heavy rain and snow crossing the path. Fade-o-riffic!!!

[@mark.audacity]

Those have nothing to do with one another.

[@gaelfrenchy]

when digital was good stuff no cheap piece of crap