Took apart the 8568B RF section front panel to get to the attenuator. Remarkably easy, actually, except that when I reassembled it I forgot to plug in the little plug that powers and controls the attenuator.
![Face Palm :palm:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)
Cue unstacking the display and taking it down once again to open it up...I got my workout tonight!
![Laughing :-DD](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif)
Anyway, I took apart the attenuator and examined it for signs of a major power excursion and could find none. I think it may in fact just be worn out and the contacts are not making good contact with the tiny resistive pads. Perhaps one of the solenoids is weak. A +15 dBm signal is capacitively coupling approximately -61 dBm through the attenuator from 0-30 dBm attenuation, and correct amplitude from 40-70 dBm attenuation.
Since I have no way to repair such a precision device, I am definitely going to need a new attenuator.