#1365 Siglent Spectrum Analyzer SSA3021X SSA3032X

Episode 1365
Thanks to all my viewers, subscribers, and patrons. I bought a new spectrum analyzer
here are beginning concepts for using spectrum analyzers:

[andylawton]

The web interface this and other Siglent instruments have is a great way to get the instrument’s display onto a computer; I’ve used it on a few occasions with my VNA and ‘scope when giving presentations!

I was torn between the SSA3021X and the SVA1015X. I needed return loss to tune repeater duplexers so it was the SSA plus return loss bridge or the SVA. I ultimately went for the SVA so the return loss bridge is inbuilt in VNA mode.

Looking forward to future videos and learning stuff!

[RideGasGas]

Very nice! That's a great price for what you're getting, and if I didn't want something with a higher frequency range I'd probably be all over that.

I have an HP 8563E which is the 26 GHz version. I have upgraded it with an LCD color display. As you noted, the HP 856x series were the work horse of the '90s and well into the 2000s. Over the years I have purchased many of these in my day job for engineering labs, network operations, and field service. Have traveled the globe with an HP 8563E, so when it came time to equip my home lab that was my go to model.

Would of course like one of the newer digital versions but it will be a few more years before the price comes down for models that operate up at 26 GHz and above make it down to my price range.

I highly recommend the HP / Agilent application notes, particularly AN 150 and its annexes. I spent a lot of time pouring through that in the late '70s learning the basics and advanced spectrum analyzer operation. It's well worth the time spent for anyone who plans to spend much time with one.


These provide a great foundation in the theory of noise and how to make measurements on the spectrum analyzer. The series does focus mostly on radar systems and measurements of them, but covers other stuff too. Rather dry material but Frank does a good job of presenting it in watchable chunks.

[davidjohnstone]

Nice purchase! I never had the chance to use a spectrum analyzer either in college or in the field. I bought a tinySA Ultra because at the basic setting of 800 MHz it more than covers my ham radio needs. I could remember when I was in college, buying a TI SR-10 calculator for $150 because it could do square roots. A dollar was worth much more back then. Keep up the good work on YT.

[philsanalogbasement]

Siglent sells clearance items direct from their website. They have a ssa3021x plus on there for 1040 right now. I bought mine from them a few weeks ago for that price.

[avdeur]

Great purchase! Look forward to the new SA videos! Thanks!

[tonyr]

Damn You!!!😇 Now I need to spend money. Hoping the open unit is in great shape.

[dougnbfs]

Purchased SSA3021X+ last year, great addition to my bench after using Tek, HP and IFR for 4 decades...
Make sure and check all peripheral connections, mine has a defective front USB port that I only found out today after watching your video (normally used the web browser interface) and luckily it's still under warranty.
I like it's small bench footprint, the relative 'portability', that it's 'return loss bridge ready', tracking generator was a must for me, and nice large screen all made it a winner.

[Dennis-ucgm]

Thanks for doing this video. I have other Siglent test equipment that I've been happy with and have been kind of looking at these because of the price. I got a couple "Warehouse" deals in the past that I couldn't walk away from. 👍

[Edisson.]

Hello in the new year, congratulations on a great purchase.
I'm looking forward to the SA options video, I've never had one and I'm ignorant in this area.

Nice day 🙂 Tom

[johnnorton]

I have the same unit but I never used the up / down arrows. Super time saver. Thank you.

[imagesbyscott]

Congratulations on the new instrument. I love my Siglent SA. Happy New Year. 73 Scott K2CK

[ptronix]

I had the same hp as you, but decided to buy the 2021x a few years ago & haven't regretted it. Its an excellent spectrum analyzer for the money, I just love it! And the tracking generator function is great as well. Its very sensitive as well, can see down easily to -140 dbm with the preamp on. The only negatives I've found are a couple of spurious signals just below 2 ghz but they are way down around -100 dbm.
It appears in many of my videos!

[technishn]

Most options are time limited to 48 hrs or 100hrs to give you a taster. I think there is an options screen which gives you this information. It is possible that the original purchaser may have purchased options. The tracking generator was an option but now permanent.

[jspencerg]

A worthy upgrade! You needed the extra GHz, if nothing else.
The old HP SA's are still kicking around(see ebay). You are in a good position to keep demonstrating their use.
Perhaps you can do quick comparisons on signals between old and new while you are showing all the new data processing abilities?
I'll still be using my 8561E.

[stuartmartin]

I have the very same one and love it, i think the new models now come with a VNA included.

[Manf-ftzk]

Great video, I am also a fan of the SSA 3032X and I have the impression that I still have not tried out all it's functions, (like taking a photo of the screen instead of using USB).

[bobdoritique]

Top! Curious to see it in use during your experiments.

[Randrew]

Edit: as of Jan 3, 2023 there are 3 "Very Good" condition SSA3021X Plus returns on Amazon for $993 - approach with caution as IMSAI Guy explains in this video.

Your Amazon return price/strategy was pretty smart/lucky, I guess. I had my eye on the Rigol unit at $999, but stumbled on Siglent's December sale putting the normally $1300 SSA3015X Plus at $999. Then I went with Saelig to buy from as they did not charge my state & local sales tax like Amazon, Ebay and SiglentNA do. I figured between sale price and no tax, I saved about $410 compared to buying new from Amazon.


Oh, and if any purists here don't think the Siglent brand name is nice enough for them, LeCroy re-badges the SSA30nnX series to sell as their own at twice the price.

[Chris_Grossman]

I really like my SVA1015X. The only issue I have with mine is internal harmonic distortion for inputs below 10MHz. The head of the spectrum analyzer group at Siglent said it is due to the AD mixer they use. It would be interesting to see if this model has similar issues.

The harmonic distortion on mine decreases above 1MHz and becomes undetectable at 10 Mhz and above.

It is 60 dB or more down, but shows in the spectrum.

[StuartMTTQAmateurRadio]

Many people in the ham community have bought analysers now and are using them to look at the harmonic suppression in a transmitter and then deciding whether their TX is clean or not based purely on that. Maybe for an FM handie that's fair but nobody seems to do 2-tone IMD plotting any more for SSB rigs and amps (even in many magazine reviews).