Keysight (Agilent HP) 8591A Repair Service

Name: 8591A spectrum analyzer 9kHz-1.8GHz
Brand: Keysight (Agilent HP)
Availability: InStoreOnly

Product model

8591A spectrum analyzer 9kHz-1.8GHz

Services

Send us your HP 8591A Spectrum Analyzer for full repair and calibration. Our veteran-owned lab offers free estimates and quick turnaround.

Description

The Agilent 8591A is an easy-to-use RF spectrum analyzer that offers a wide range of performance, features, and optional capability to meet your measurement needs. Downloadable measurement personalities combine with optional plug-in performance to provide tailored solutions for your application.

Repair prices

Any failures or unforeseen issues identified during the calibration phase will be detailed in an estimate submitted for your approval prior to any further action. Repair charges are determined by the actual time and materials required. Please be aware that customers are responsible for all associated shipping costs, to and from our location. This initial estimate is provided free of charge.

8591A Specifications – click to expand

8591A Specifications

Frequency range 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz
Resolution bandwidth 3 kHz to 3 MHz in a 1, 3, 10 sequencern-115 dBm to +30 dBm amplitude measurement range
N(f) input connector # 50 ohm input impedance
Operate remotely and print directly with the optional interfaces
86-127/195-250 Vac; 47-66 Hz operation

Specification	Value
Weight	33 lb; Size: 163 mm (6.4 in)H x 325 mm (12.8 in)W x 427 mm (16.8 in)D

8591A Options – click to expand

8591A Options

010 = Tracking Generator 50-ohms
021 = HP-IB Interface

HP 8591A Error Messages – click to expand

HP 8591A Error Messages

Error messages on the HP 8591A (9 kHz to 1.8 GHz) are plain-text, not numbered codes. Hardware (H) messages point to a fault; user (U) messages mean a setting or cable issue; (M) is information only.

First step: connect CAL OUT to the input and run CAL FREQ & AMPTD, then press CAL STORE. A hardware (H) message that comes back after a good self-cal means the 8591A needs repair.

8591A notes

The 8591A has no YIG-tuned filter, so CAL YTF and comb messages do not apply.
The 8591A has counter-lock hardware for better frequency accuracy.
SRQ numbers on the 8591A screen are service requests: SRQ 110 means hardware broken, SRQ 140 means an illegal command.

8591A hardware messages

Message	Type	Meaning
ADC-TIME FAIL	H	The processor board failed its analog-to-digital converter timing check.
ADC-2V FAIL	H	The processor board failed its analog-to-digital converter 2 V reference check.
FAIL: xxxx xxxxxxxxxx	H	A circuit fault was found during the power-up self-test. The 4-digit and 10-digit code identifies the failed circuit (see the service manual).
FREQ UNCAL	U/H	YTO tuning failure. Common when default correction factors are in use; run CAL FREQ. It also flashes briefly during CAL FREQ or when turning the knob, which is normal.
CAL SIGNAL NOT FOUND	U/H	The CAL OUT signal could not be found. Check the cable from CAL OUT to the input. If it is connected, enter the −37 Hz passcode (FREQUENCY, −37, Hz) before CAL FREQ or CAL FREQ & AMPTD.
CAL: GAIN FAIL	H	Signal level too low during CAL AMPTD.
CAL: SPAN SENS FAIL	H	The span sensitivity calibration failed.
CAL: FM SPAN SENS FAIL	H	Could not set the FM coil span sensitivity.
CAL: RES BW AMPL FAIL	H	The relative loss of a resolution bandwidth filter is wrong.
CAL: DATA NOT STORED CAL AMP NEEDED	U/H	Correction factors are corrupt and cannot be stored. Run CAL FREQ & AMPTD, then CAL STORE.
CAL: cannot execute CALAMP enter: 0 dB PREAMP GAIN	U/H	Set EXT PREAMP gain to 0 dB before running CAL AMPTD.
CONF TEST FAIL	H	The confidence test failed.
POS-PK FAIL	H	Positive-peak detector failed.
SAMPLE FAIL	H	Sample detector failed.
VID-BW FAIL	H	Video bandwidth check failed.
RES-BW NOISE FAIL	H	Noise floor too high at the bandwidth shown.
RES-BW SHAPE FAIL	H	A resolution bandwidth 3 dB width is out of specification.
STEP GAIN ATTEN FAIL	H	IF step gain failed.
ADC-GND FAIL	H	The processor board failed its analog-to-digital converter ground check.

8591A calibration, setup and information messages

Message	Type	Meaning
CAL: USING DEFAULT DATA	M	Cal data is corrupt, so default correction factors are in use. An interrupted self-cal can cause this.
MEAS UNCAL	U	Sweep time, span and bandwidth settings make the measurement uncalibrated.
CAL: PASSCODE NEEDED	M	The function needs the service passcode (center frequency −37 Hz).
SRQ 110	M	Hardware broken service request. Look for the hardware message shown with it.
SRQ 140	M	Illegal command was received over the bus.
INVALID SYMTAB ENTRY: SYMTAB OVERFLOW	U	Too many user-defined items or downloadable programs in memory; delete some with DISPOSE USER MEM. It can also mean a failed processor board.
CAL: NO YTF IN 8590/1	U	The CAL YTF command does not apply to the 8591A; it has no YIG-tuned filter.

8591A remote programming and memory card messages (U)

These come from bad remote commands, memory card problems or bus setup, not hardware: COMMAND ERROR, PARAMETER ERROR, INVALID ITEM, INVALID VALUE PARAMETER, INVALID ENTER FORMAT, INVALID OUTPUT FORMAT, INVALID BLOCK FORMAT: IF STATEMENT, INVALID COMPARE OPERATOR, INVALID REPEAT MEM OVFL, INVALID REPEAT NEST LEVEL, INVALID ACTDEF, INVALID VARDEF, INVALID KEYNAME, INVALID AUNITS, INVALID DETECTOR, INVALID TRIGGER MODE, INVALID TRACE, INVALID TRACE NAME, INVALID REGISTER NUMBER, INVALID SAVEREG, INVALID STORE DEST, INVALID CHECKSUM: USTATE, INVALID AMPCOR: FREQ, INVALID WINDOW TYPE, CONFLICT TABLE OVERFLOW, CAL: NO YTO AVAILABLE, SOFTKEY OVFL, UNDEF KEY, TABLE FULL, INVALID HP-IB ADDRESS/OPERATION, INVALID HP-IB OPERATION REN TRUE, INVALID RS-232 ADDRESS/OPERATION, INVALID CARD, INVALID CARD: DIRECTORY / NO CARD / TYPE, INVALID FILE: NO ROOM, NO CARD FOUND.

Need the 8591A fixed? We repair older 8590 series analyzers to the board and component level and return them calibrated. Free estimate once it arrives; you approve before any work. Contact us for service.

Message list based on the HP 8590B/8592B Installation, Verification and Operation Manual, Appendix A.

Located in: Spectrum Analyzers