SMA Attenuators (value find)

[Randy222]

I am always looking for the value items. Finally found something that is on-par with product description.
Specs test out ok, seem to be really good value.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805879252327.html

[bingo600]

Is that a "Gut feeling" , or can we see the measurement data please

/Bingo

[Randy222]

Is that a "Gut feeling" , or can we see the measurement data please

/Bingo

Not gut feeling. My testing shows basically same thing as OEM. Duly noted, OEM 30db test appears to run more flat and a tick lower than on my VNA. VSWR less than 1.25 ~0-6GHz, db looks good, for $3(US), not bad.
I will add pics here.

[uer166]

Just wanna say thanks, I was looking for a budget attenuation kit for ISM.

[nctnico]

But can it actually handle the rated power? A while ago there was a thread about cheap Chinese attenuators that didn't meet their power ratings.

Personally I rather buy used brand attenuators from Ebay or new than taking a chance with the cheap Chinese models.

[Randy222]

But can it actually handle the rated power? A while ago there was a thread about cheap Chinese attenuators that didn't meet their power ratings.

Personally I rather buy used brand attenuators from Ebay or new than taking a chance with the cheap Chinese models.

I am not sure what the actual power ability is. Ratings are typically rms, but maybe it's abs for these items. I usually like to stay below 1/2 rating, so I would expect I could use these 1w rms. Obviously some signals are not nice, square, triangle, wavvy sine.

For ~$3usd you buy a few, run up some voltage on them until you get 2w, let it burn-in at 2w for 8hrs, let cool, re-measure vswr and such.
For ~$3usd you buy a few, up the voltage until it frys
For ~$3usd you buy a few, cut them open and see what's inside.

EEVb is home of "rip in, tear down", yes?

They are however the 1st set in my china pile that actually tested to be what the seller said they are, at least in vswr & attenuation. Never did any LCR or watt testing.

[joeqsmith]

Thanks for taking the time to post about these.   

I bought a similar set from China.  Mine cost more (maybe $20) and are laser marked.   I wasn't expecting them to be accurate at all or that the connectors would be decent enough to use them.   Was I wrong.   I recently used them to demonstrate a frequency extended for the LiteVNA.  Timestamp showing how they compare with a few others I have at 10.16GHz.  Based on my own findings, I'm not too surprised that you would find them to be fairly accurate.  I am VERY much surprised that they can sell a product that works so well for so little. 

Power wise, I only use these for small signal applications (<20dBm) and have not had any problems with them. 

https://youtu.be/qxH-a0cCY3U?t=474