"Chuck Harris" wrote in message
...
A tracking generator is a sweep generator calibrated to track
to the center frequency of a spectrum analyzer as it sweeps.

Got it?

It is used to display the bandpass characteristics of a network
using a spectrum analyzer.

-Chuck

Exactly. I found the 8556 plug-in, with a range of 20 Hz to 300 kHz, to be
very handy when I was designing lowpass EMI filters (which usually have a
cut-off frequency below 10 kHz or so, and increase in loss to maybe 60 dB by
100 kHz. The tracking generator could give me a quick look at the cutoff and
slope, so I could tweak the circuit in real-time. It's also handy for
acoustics, ultrasonic and vibration testing.

And the 141 has a plotter X & Y output, so you can drive an analog plotter
to trace the curve using a very slow sweep speed.

Ed

"Chuck Harris" wrote in message
...
A tracking generator is a sweep generator calibrated to track
to the center frequency of a spectrum analyzer as it sweeps.

Got it?

It is used to display the bandpass characteristics of a network
using a spectrum analyzer.

-Chuck

Exactly. I found the 8556 plug-in, with a range of 20 Hz to 300 kHz, to be
very handy when I was designing lowpass EMI filters (which usually have a
cut-off frequency below 10 kHz or so, and increase in loss to maybe 60 dB by
100 kHz. The tracking generator could give me a quick look at the cutoff and
slope, so I could tweak the circuit in real-time. It's also handy for
acoustics, ultrasonic and vibration testing.

And the 141 has a plotter X & Y output, so you can drive an analog plotter
to trace the curve using a very slow sweep speed.

Ed

"Ed Price" wrote in message news:9I%vb.10793$m24.4481@fed1read02...
"Chuck Harris" wrote in message
...
A tracking generator is a sweep generator calibrated to track
to the center frequency of a spectrum analyzer as it sweeps.

Got it?

It is used to display the bandpass characteristics of a network
using a spectrum analyzer.

-Chuck

Exactly. I found the 8556 plug-in, with a range of 20 Hz to 300 kHz, to be
very handy when I was designing lowpass EMI filters (which usually have a
cut-off frequency below 10 kHz or so, and increase in loss to maybe 60 dB by
100 kHz. The tracking generator could give me a quick look at the cutoff and
slope, so I could tweak the circuit in real-time. It's also handy for
acoustics, ultrasonic and vibration testing.

And the 141 has a plotter X & Y output, so you can drive an analog plotter
to trace the curve using a very slow sweep speed.

Ed


hmmm....i think i want one.....

"Ed Price" wrote in message news:9I%vb.10793$m24.4481@fed1read02...
"Chuck Harris" wrote in message
...
A tracking generator is a sweep generator calibrated to track
to the center frequency of a spectrum analyzer as it sweeps.

Got it?

It is used to display the bandpass characteristics of a network
using a spectrum analyzer.

-Chuck

Exactly. I found the 8556 plug-in, with a range of 20 Hz to 300 kHz, to be
very handy when I was designing lowpass EMI filters (which usually have a
cut-off frequency below 10 kHz or so, and increase in loss to maybe 60 dB by
100 kHz. The tracking generator could give me a quick look at the cutoff and
slope, so I could tweak the circuit in real-time. It's also handy for
acoustics, ultrasonic and vibration testing.

And the 141 has a plotter X & Y output, so you can drive an analog plotter
to trace the curve using a very slow sweep speed.

Ed


hmmm....i think i want one.....

I was very interested in all that talk about how much Tektronics sucks
although after reading most of it I don't think it reflects my concerns.

I just recently bought an old 465 and am learning to use it and I was
wondering if with so many knowledgable folks somebody could recommend a good
book which would teach the intricacies of using this level of equipment.
Hopefully with good hands on examples and not on a trivial level which tells
me to wear eye protection when using any Tektronics product.

Regards from snowy Maine

Uwe

I was very interested in all that talk about how much Tektronics sucks
although after reading most of it I don't think it reflects my concerns.

I just recently bought an old 465 and am learning to use it and I was
wondering if with so many knowledgable folks somebody could recommend a good
book which would teach the intricacies of using this level of equipment.
Hopefully with good hands on examples and not on a trivial level which tells
me to wear eye protection when using any Tektronics product.

Regards from snowy Maine

Uwe

Here are three books that are pretty good:

Hands-On guide to Oscilloscopes by Barry Ross
McGraw-Hill
ISBN 0-07-707818-7

The Complete Book of Oscilloscopes 2nd Edition by Stan Prentiss
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3908-X

and

Troubleshooting with your Triggered-Sweep Oscilloscope by Robert Goodman
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3891-1

I like Ross' the most for basic explanations.

GL!

Dino KLØS/4

Here are three books that are pretty good:

Hands-On guide to Oscilloscopes by Barry Ross
McGraw-Hill
ISBN 0-07-707818-7

The Complete Book of Oscilloscopes 2nd Edition by Stan Prentiss
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3908-X

and

Troubleshooting with your Triggered-Sweep Oscilloscope by Robert Goodman
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3891-1

I like Ross' the most for basic explanations.

GL!

Dino KLØS/4

"KLØS" wrote in message ...
Here are three books that are pretty good:

Hands-On guide to Oscilloscopes by Barry Ross
McGraw-Hill
ISBN 0-07-707818-7

The Complete Book of Oscilloscopes 2nd Edition by Stan Prentiss
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3908-X

and

Troubleshooting with your Triggered-Sweep Oscilloscope by Robert Goodman
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3891-1

I like Ross' the most for basic explanations.

GL!

Dino KLØS/4


Rad Shack sold one a few years ago or better also. Maybe not the best, but
not bad. I've seen Oscope how to's at many flea and ham swaps. 25 cents and
up for a readable copy. Sams PhotoFact company still sells some sort of
manual too - I THINK!
G.W.

"KLØS" wrote in message ...
Here are three books that are pretty good:

Hands-On guide to Oscilloscopes by Barry Ross
McGraw-Hill
ISBN 0-07-707818-7

The Complete Book of Oscilloscopes 2nd Edition by Stan Prentiss
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3908-X

and

Troubleshooting with your Triggered-Sweep Oscilloscope by Robert Goodman
Tab Books
ISBN 0-8306-3891-1

I like Ross' the most for basic explanations.

GL!

Dino KLØS/4


Rad Shack sold one a few years ago or better also. Maybe not the best, but
not bad. I've seen Oscope how to's at many flea and ham swaps. 25 cents and
up for a readable copy. Sams PhotoFact company still sells some sort of
manual too - I THINK!
G.W.