I'm looking for a PC Oscilloscope to analyze RF output from handheld FM transceivers operating in the VHF and UHF bands in the U.S., e.g. 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz. Specific objectives are to confirm that FCC maximum permissible channel bandwidths (e.g. 16.0 kHz for FM and 11.2 kHz for "narrowband" FM) are observed on various Chinese imported radios (no vendor names shall be mentioned here :^)
Can you please recommend suitable "least-expensive" and "best-featured" models and explain the basis for your recommendations?
The only possible Real-Time Scope in our range that would cover the complete frequency range would be the PicoScope 6407 (see here: https://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope/6 ... -digitizer), which would be able to capture a huge amount of data across any signal bandwidth up to 1GHz.
Note that this model is actually a Digitizer, as opposed to a Scope (it doesn't have multiple input ranges, it just has one at +/-100mV). However you can either use our attenuators (see here: https://www.picotech.com/accessories/bn ... or-set-bnc) to reduce external signals to the correct level for the inputs, or for the signal generator you can connect it up and just use signal amplitudes up to 1V to drive the 100mV inputs, as the 50 ohm input impedance of the PicoScope 6407 in series with the much higher output impedance of the Signal Generator will divide the voltage down to a usable level.
Our PicoScope software will enable you to look at the amplitude spectrum across your frequency range of interest (for instance selecting 625MHz) and zoom into specific regions using log axis scaling, and window magnification. You can also, analyze the terrain across the station bandwidth using frequency rulers to pin point the area, and manual measurements, or automatic measurements such as SFDR, Amplitude at Peak, and Total Power (to name but a few) to get the quantitative data that you might need.
Sorry for the delayed reply... Thanks Gerry for your recommendation. Unfortunately (as I expected, given the UHF frequencies we are looking at here) the instrument price is several orders of magnitude higher than the price of the radios I wish to test.
... But while I have your attention, how about the 6404C? It's rated at 500MHz bandwidth and costs about one third less than the 6407. Do you think that might work if I were to only sample UHF frequencies on the low end of the range (e.g. 400 MHz), and assuming my pockets are deep enough?