You're doing everything right Nick. Thankfully we still have smart people like you that still create your own. The rotary attenuators are made by many other companies beside the former Texscan. I was lucky to buy both 1dB and 10 dB 1 watt Narda's on Evil Bay 3 years ago. They were pulls from mil radar test set gear and they are perfect. Precision resistors to repair them if fried, are not easy to obtain. Cheers!
Thanks Danish you're very kind. I used to have some step attenuators out of a scrap HP tracking generator, but for some strange reason I sold them. Best wishes Nick
Really looking forward to this project, Nick! It's all true, I was in a big 'hurry' (zero milliGrahams of patience) so bought discrete attenuators like a savage. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a personal favorite. Especially enjoyed the bit about using a cut up beer can as a shim, and all the talk about quality.
Yes the beer can that he passed of as from some barron in Germany secret stock for his friend's BMW. Classic book. You're easily pleased Joe with my new project!
Good luck with this, Nick. I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on. I have a Hatfield 2105 which goes up to 100dB attenuation. It's supposed to be good to 150 MHz, but it's not much use above 75 MHz at 80dB or more because of internal leakage. Good enough for me though. It's worth noting that it contains small capacitors, presumably to cancel out the inductance of the wiring and maintain 50 ohms impedance. I picked it up as not working for a fiver at Retrotech last year.
The Hatfield looks quite a nice unit. Looked it up this morning, shame the frequency doesn't go higher. Mines nearly finished. Just got to test it and finish the video.
You're doing everything right Nick. Thankfully we still have smart people like you that still create your own. The rotary attenuators are made by many other companies beside the former Texscan. I was lucky to buy both 1dB and 10 dB 1 watt Narda's on Evil Bay 3 years ago. They were pulls from mil radar test set gear and they are perfect. Precision resistors to repair them if fried, are not easy to obtain. Cheers!
Thanks Danish you're very kind. I used to have some step attenuators out of a scrap HP tracking generator, but for some strange reason I sold them. Best wishes Nick
Really looking forward to this project, Nick! It's all true, I was in a big 'hurry' (zero milliGrahams of patience) so bought discrete attenuators like a savage.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a personal favorite. Especially enjoyed the bit about using a cut up beer can as a shim, and all the talk about quality.
Yes the beer can that he passed of as from some barron in Germany secret stock for his friend's BMW. Classic book.
You're easily pleased Joe with my new project!
@@ptronix Oh no, I disagree Nick - I'm quite particular. Fair to say that sparkies have a peculiar range of interests though.
Good luck with this, Nick. I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on. I have a Hatfield 2105 which goes up to 100dB attenuation. It's supposed to be good to 150 MHz, but it's not much use above 75 MHz at 80dB or more because of internal leakage. Good enough for me though. It's worth noting that it contains small capacitors, presumably to cancel out the inductance of the wiring and maintain 50 ohms impedance. I picked it up as not working for a fiver at Retrotech last year.
Man you fellas have outrageous luck at finding electronic bargains!
@@matambale 😄
The Hatfield looks quite a nice unit.
Looked it up this morning, shame the frequency doesn't go higher.
Mines nearly finished. Just got to test it and finish the video.
@@ptronixWell done, that was quick. I'm looking forward to watching it.