As I am getting closer to retirement I have been thinking about buying a
used spectrum analyzer since I will not have access to one at work.
Unfortunately I am not familiar with all the models from say 5 to 15 years
ago. Is there a good reference describing the different HP/Agilent,
Tektronix, etc. models and which are good and which to avoid. A quick
look on Ebay shows HP 4195A, 8561E, 8562A, 8562B, 8563E,8565A,
8568B,8569B, 8591E, 8593E, and 8594E. Similarly for Tektronix 492P, 494P,
495P, 495A, and 2755P. Is there some kind of a used buyers guide
available. I understand spectrum analyzers at a moderate level and
realize the differences between frequency range, external mixers, dynamic
range, bandwidth etc. but finding the specs in a manner that makes them
comparable is hard. Thanks for any advice.

73, Larry W0QE

Never seen a buyers guide for spectrum analyzers. They all seem to have
about the same dynamic range. The factors that really drive price are upper
frequency range, tracking YIG filters, and selectivity. Do you really need
26.5 GHz, and a 10 Hz IF filter, if not you could probably save a lot with a
2.7 GHz upper limit. Then there is the HP analyzers that use the 141T
storage display, that can be purchased for a very low price. I have seen
many at Dayton. I would never buy a storage display without seeing it in
operation though. Anritsu also has a nice line of analyzers.

I would use www.tucker.com or www.tesequity.com as a guide to the prices you
could expect to pay. There are many other used test equipment dealers.

73,

Frank