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Spectrum analyzer


Receiver alignment calls for a signal generator. The cheapest ones do not have a calibrated output level or output frequency. The ones that do have that used to all be expensive, but I expect the chinese to change that sooner or later. A spectrum analyzer that uses only a USB connection, and has no built-in display or controls tends to be cheaper. You use a laptop or such as the controls and display.

A spectrum analyzer is typically used to observe and measure the output from a transmitter. In particular it will show how the transmitter's output power is spread across a range of radio frequencies. A transmitter is more effective when its power is concentrared mainly on the selected channel, and not spread across the band. The fancier types will let you measure the exact output frequency of a transmitter. The simpler ones won't.

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Rigol is about the cheapest lab-grade brand I've found. I use a DSA815, found on Ebay for about $700. Anything you find for $300 (or even $400), will likely be 40+ years old, or not of the grade you need. That said, you can get some good deals on older HP mainframe analyzers if you look and be patient.
 
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Well, I don't know where the $700 DSA815'S Rigols are Hidding but I'm sure you can find one with patience. I purchased one with all the trimmings and it ended up being closer to $3000. I'm not unhappy with the Rigol at all but getting one without a Tracking Gen isn't a waste of money but it does take away from its effectiveness but if you feel no need for that part of the spectrum then a much cheaper version is all you would need. Check out the Avcoms or any that look like them with different names some even have the Tracking gen in them for as little as $300 I have seen them. I sold one here some months back with the TG for 350.
 
I have the basic Rigol with out tracking generator. I do not know what they cost now I paid someplace mid to upper $600.00 range. It does what I need it to do and a lot more..
 

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