Ralph Mowery wrote:

If you have to ask then you don't need either one.

It depends on what you want to do. I have several scops around the house
and don't use either of them very much. I have had access to a SA and have
used it very little.

Scopes are most useful at audio frequencies and the SA is good for RF
applications.


A 350 MHz four channel scope is made for RF work and is a valuable
piece of equipment if you fully understand how to use it. Some spectrum
analyzers are made for audio frequencies. You need to understand the
capabilities of the equipment you are considering, and what your
application is. I used a Tek 2465 scope to test and align video boards
for telemetry equipment with bandwidths up to 40 Mhz. Another useful
instrument is a good quality true RMS voltmeter that reads to .01 dB to
calibrate and balance detector/demodulators. I was offered a network
analyzer for my bench but passed it to another tech. I preferred the
harder jobs that didn't need it, and really didn't have room on either
bench, or the three equipment carts for another large piece of
equipment.

Your choice of test equipment depends on your skills and the design
level of what passes your bench. I worked on telemetry used for
tracking satellites, and the shuttle program. It was cutting edge and
all built to order. If you are building a one of a kind wideband Ku
band receiver for the space station you need the best equipment you can
find. On the other hand if you just breadboard simple circuits you need
less sophisticated equipment.
--
Cyber stalking is a crime!

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida