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Ham Radio

Another auction goody

[Today’s run: 8 miles]

Ok, so yesterday I bid on something online.  Today I’ve been lining up a means of getting it shipped to my house.

It’s not just scrap metal this time but an HP spectrum analyzer.  And it’s in New York.

So I have contacted a “UPS Store” type of place and they say they can go and get it, box it up, and ship it to me.  I’m going to wait until tomorrow to see if my email to the seller comes back with any twists and turns.  Then away we go.

A spectrum analyzer is kind of like an oscilloscope but much more expensive.  Where an oscilloscope shows on a display a time vs. amplitude line, a spectrum analyzer shows frequency vs. amplitude.  You can use one of these to show the various frequencies coming out of an oscillator or transmitter.  Or you can “sweep” a range of frequencies to show the effects of a tuned circuit, filter, or  similar device.

I’ve wanted a spectrum analyzer for a long time.  If this one works I will finally get to play with one.

I have every confidence that it is worth the very small price I am paying.  But I still get nervous that I might not be able to get the pickup/package/delivery part all lined up.

It’s amazing what you can do over the phone or via email these days.