Cheap spectrum analyser

[LukeW]

Anyone have any recommendations for a spectrum analyser that is not a rubbish toy but is also low-cost and good value?

In terms of specific budget, let's say a couple of k, or $5k at the most.

I've been looking at the Rigol DSA1030 at the moment... anyone with experience with that unit, or recommendations for anything else that is similarly priced?

It would be really desirable to have something that runs up to 3 GHz, for RF work with 2.4 GHz devices.

[VK5RC]

What frequency do you have to get to,  good second hand ok?  A trusted HP SA?

[KJDS]

Which country are you in? Good second hand equipment is a lot more readily available in some countries than others.

[Psi]

Does it need to be a all-in-one unit with a LCD?
Some of the PC based analyzers are quite good.
Also do you need a tracking gen

[nctnico]

Anyone have any recommendations for a spectrum analyser that is not a rubbish toy but is also low-cost and good value?

In terms of specific budget, let's say a couple of k, or $5k at the most.

I've been looking at the Rigol DSA1030 at the moment... anyone with experience with that unit, or recommendations for anything else that is similarly priced?

It would be really desirable to have something that runs up to 3 GHz, for RF work with 2.4 GHz devices.

Does it need to be new? Advantest has several models with an LCD screen which certainly can be bought from Ebay with that budget.

[dannyf]

let's say a couple of k, or $5k at the most.

Depending on your requirement, those SDR sticks can be used as a spectrum analyzer.

Usually around $10 - 20 each.

[w2aew]

Anyone have any recommendations for a spectrum analyser that is not a rubbish toy but is also low-cost and good value?

In terms of specific budget, let's say a couple of k, or $5k at the most.

I've been looking at the Rigol DSA1030 at the moment... anyone with experience with that unit, or recommendations for anything else that is similarly priced?

It would be really desirable to have something that runs up to 3 GHz, for RF work with 2.4 GHz devices.

With the current promotion that Tek is running on the MDO3000 series of mixed domain oscilloscopes, you get the 3GHz spectrum analyzer upgrade for free.  In your case, you can think of this as a basic 3GHz spectrum analyzer with a free scope attached.