Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? in Wireless Service Providers http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20732551 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:02:42 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:02:42 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20749341 BurstNET : I have an Avcom PSA-1727B Portable Spectrum Analyzer (2.4GHZ) With the 900MHZ and 5GHZ frequency extenders, that we would be willing to sell, if you are interested. We are slowly exiting the Wireless market, to focus on our core services, so better it gets some use from someone in the biz that needs one affordably...

Email me at ceo @ burst . net if interested....

SMA
PRES/CEO
BURSTNET
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BurstNET - 1-877-BURSTNET - sales@burst.net

»www.burst.net - »www.nocster.net]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20749341 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:27:25 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20737775 anon : Sorry, the end of the second-to-last paragraph cut deleted some how, should have been: It looks like we could get a used R&S FSH6 for about 9-10K. That's not the .26 model, just the normal one. We really don't need the tracking features, especially for the extra cost, and I can't imagine us ever needing them. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20737775 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:52:52 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20737755 anon : Criminis,

Thanks for taking the time to post that and help point me in the right direction. I didn't realize how inaccurate the wifi analyzers were at detecting interference, and that is really a crucial part of the tool for us. We will just have to continue to use a laptop for the demodulation.

Yeah, it's definitely a significant investment. Really *anything* we buy right now would be an upgrade, as right now we have nothing and the troubleshooting process is terrible. However, my chief concern is that I don't want to get a unit so cheap that it is misleading in its analysis.

The HP 8565A looks great, especially at that price. This would help tremendously in the office. However, we'd still need a truly portable unit.

The R&S would work perfectly for both purposes. I guess really it comes down to whether or not we can find a portable unit that will work well enough for the field that, when added to the cost of the HP 8565A or similar, costs less than the cost of the R&S. It looks like we could get a used

At +/- 3db I'm a bit skeptical of the Spectran, but the option to easily upgrade to newer models (without finding a different buyer etc) does make it a little bit better of a deal. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20737755 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:48:47 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20734690 criminis : The R&S units are going to be the best you've listed so far, really nice analyzers, sure they cost a lot but they sure are pretty and do a nice job.

Also, if you haven't looked into them, Spectran makes 3 models that will cover the range you desire, $1100-1700 depending on the model. They are 'real' SA's (debatable), however they are more of a semi-coarse field instrument than anything else. -90dbm sensitivity, works great for most stuff, accuracy claimed at +/- 3db, so they are not for the lab, but they will get you close. They will let you upgrade to a higher end model or newer revision unit at a later time for the difference in cost, which is nice. Revision 3's were the first I'd truly consider at all, and a Rev. 4 is rumored to be out soon.

There is also a fully cal'd HP 8565A on eBay now that is 10Mhz - 22GHz, very nice analyzers going for $2750, from a reputable seller. You won't be carrying this up the tower, but it would make a great bench unit or something to use from the ground.

Most of your true SA's will not have 802.11 functions, because they are SA's, not WiFi specific tools. Buy a SA because you want to test power output/sidelobes/haystacks and to locate interference and document noise floor. Use a 802.11 radio to "identify" AP's, demod, etc. There is a lot of possible narrowband stuff that won't show up real well on a Wifi analyzer, and some of it can be real high power and desense your radios considerably. This is why you want a spectrum analyzer, to analyze the spectrum!

My .02 anyways! Any tool is an investment, so if you spend the money and treat it as such, you might just end up happier in the end. Don't discount used gear, especially if you want something good for a good price, but you've got to be picky and careful. I mean, for some of these things, you could be putting up another POP and make INCOME off that expenditure, think about it. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20734690 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:47:55 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20733810 anon : Hal,

There are some things about the FSH6 that I don't completely understand. Does it have a module to decode specific APs, their MAC addresses, and power levels? If not, do you just use a laptop running kismet or similar for this and utilize the FSH6 only for raw RF analysis?

Also, what are the other features of the FSH6 that you use for 802.11b/g? The R&S brochure on it is rather difficult for me to follow.

Thanks]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20733810 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:50:01 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20733400 dongato17 : We have a FSH6 and have used it in the field quite successfully. Personally I prefer it over the others listed. It is nice and portable with decent battery life and a number of options that you can add. I would recommend it for field work.

-Hal]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20733400 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:28:25 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20732551 anon : Thanks, that clears up a lot of questions that I had.

Has anyone tried the Yellowjacket Tablet? I can't find any real reviews on it. It looks like a better alternative for me than the Bumblebee, as it does what the Bumblebee does plus also demodulates.

Now I'm trying to decide between the Yellowjacket Tablet and Cisco's Cognio (Cisco Spectrum Expert). I decided I'll just get a separate input power level reader instead of worrying about an all-in-one device. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20732551 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:48:30 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20732471 public :
said by dr mongolia :

Also, does this mean that the Bumblebee/Cognio can only detect 802.11a/b/g protocol specific traffic and not cordless phones, etc? I also see that there's no way to hook the Bumblebee or Cognio directly into a radio to test true output power.
No, but the level and frequency resolution are much worse than a lab grade spectrum analyzer.
Traditionally benchtop SA have been priced at 30k, determined by what the market will bear.
To interpret the spectral data some SAs offer add on software, at additional cost.
»www2.rohde-schwarz.com/en/produc···LAN.html

The Bumblebee is much simpler for wisp use, and mostly adequate.
To connect directly to a radio usually requires an attenuator.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20732471 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:34:04 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20732029 anon : So with the R&S I would not be able to detect the different levels of output of multiple radios? It would just give me the total usage of the spectrum? No "tracing'?

Also, does this mean that the Bumblebee/Cognio can only detect 802.11a/b/g protocol specific traffic and not cordless phones, etc? I also see that there's no way to hook the Bumblebee or Cognio directly into a radio to test true output power.

It sounds like I'm not going to be able to get everything I want on one device. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20732029 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:21:51 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20731942 lutful : Both BVS Bumblebee and Cognio use internal Atheros 802.11a/b/g transciever to estimate the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz spectrum usage.

The Rhode and Schwartz is a true spectrum analyzer which does not try to interpret any packets. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20731942 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:07:08 EDT Re: [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20731596 anon : I forgot to ask if the R&S can isolate individual transmitters? The screen shots that I've seen of the bumblebee and cognio multiple, separated radios. However, I couldn't find anything like this on the R&S. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20731596 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:06:41 EDT [Equipment] Spectrum Analyzer Advice/Clarification? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20731578 anon : Guys,

I've limped along without a spectrum analyzer for too long and I really need a device that will:

1) Cover 900, 2.4, and 5 (900mhz gear plus 802.11a/b/g)

2) Allow me to test/verify the output power of APs in the lab/office and in the field

3) Allow me to detect and track down the location of interference signals in the field

4) Detect/document noise floors, etc

I'm looking at three devices currently: The R&S FSH6, the V1 BumbleBee Tablet, and the Cognio setup. The difference in price between the FSH6 and the BumbleBee/Cognio is tremendous so I feel like there's a lot that I'm missing here.

I understand that the R&S FSH6 has the advantage as far as detection of power levels and noise floors as its accuracy rating is notably better. However, are there key features that either the Cognio or Bumblebee are lacking?

I noticed that the FSH626 can be used to track cable faults which would be nice, but not really a key feature for me at this time.

Thanks]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20731578 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:01:58 EDT