Some people I work with recall that you could listen to the radio on a 8563E but we can't figure out how to do it. Anyone know how to do this?
It can be done on a number of HP spectrum analyzers. Use the AUX CTRL button, then select AM/FM DEMOD. Hang an appropriate antenna off the input (adapt to double banana works, then hang a banana cable). Typically tune in the 88-108 MHz freq range, zoom in on a signal, then demodulate. Used to also be able to listen in to cellular before it all went digital. And there are a number of freq bands with various signals. You'll have to do a web search to find local signal frequencies.
Wow!! What people will do while at work. And in a Calibration Lab? Disappointing.
Only in Metrology will you find $50 thousand dollar AM & FM radios that don't support stereo.. :-D
When I was in Korea we where looking for a GRM-114A everywhere. (And I mean EVERYWHERE!)..
When we found it.. It was on the top shelf, connected to the light and tuned to the AFFES Radio Station.. When you would turn on the light, the radio would just start.
Mike..
Quote from: Runescape on 10-07-2015 -- 11:47:54
Some people I work with recall that you could listen to the radio on a 8563E but we can't figure out how to do it. Anyone know how to do this?
I don't remember if it was that Spec An but on those old HP's if you had the correct key sequence you could play space invaders on them. God I loved old firmware engineers humor back in the day.
Now how much power would I have to output on a specific frequency to jam the reception of someone playing country music which I despise?
TRUE STORY- Working in cal lab at RCA Automated Systems in Burlington MA in 1985, a coworker whose bench was in front of me played some "headbanger" music that I didn't like. I Put an old fashioned gospel cassette in my boombox, then plugged my earphone output into the external modulation input on the HP 8640B on my bench. I modulated at the frequency his station was operating at (FM), ran an output wire from the output jack of my HP 8640B covertly right up next to the telescoping antenna on his little FM radio and gradually increased amplitude until my music took over reception on his radio at that frequency. Any of you who know a little FM theory, only one signal can occupy a frequency (why you hear two weak stations switch back and forth - but you won't hear them at the same time).
So I increased amplitude until his frequency started playing gospel music. I put it just high enough to barely take over the frequency for a few seconds, then lowered amplitude to let him hear his music. I went up and down in amplitude at random intervals for a day or so until I got him picking up his radio and playing with the tuner. I ran this for a day or two before I let him figure it out.
I did one other trick where I opened his radio and cut the antenna wire inside the insulation, then had the two pieces of cut wire touching but messed up enough to reduce receive sensitivity. I was much younger then - and would NEVER do such a thing now.
Thanks! I thought it'd be a good way to gauge a trainees interest if I could relate a spec an to something the already knew
Quote from: silv3rstr3 on 10-08-2015 -- 11:24:19
Now how much power would I have to output on a specific frequency to jam the reception of someone playing country music which I despise?
Depends on how close the radio is - but it ain't much. And you have to broadcast something. Yes, I am aware it violates FCC regs or whatever......
In Germany.. I would announced over the radio using freshly calibrated GRM-114B, that people a person in the lab had 5 min to call in to the radio station to claim the Grand Prize. You would be amazed how many people would run to the phone and call the radio station.
Mike
That's hilarious!! I like how you all applied your electronics background to scheming on coworkers. That's the one thing I do actually miss from being in the military. Unfortunately, now a days that stuff doesn't fly working for a big corporation!!
Quote from: silv3rstr3 on 10-08-2015 -- 11:24:19
Now how much power would I have to output on a specific frequency to jam the reception of someone playing country music which I despise?
8566 had space invaders, don't remember the key strokes
Quote from: microwave-kevin on 10-14-2015 -- 08:34:21
Quote from: silv3rstr3 on 10-08-2015 -- 11:24:19
Now how much power would I have to output on a specific frequency to jam the reception of someone playing country music which I despise?
8566 had space invaders, don't remember the key strokes
That depends on how far away the radio is from the signal source... And how far the radio station is from the broadcast station. Times how much you want to get caught my the FCC.
Mike
True, just a thought. I will have to try this next time one of those analyzers comes in for cal. I attached the directions I found online below.