HISTORY:
This HP 8145A OTDR was originally owned and maintained by a multi-national communications research facility located overseas until the early 2000's. They disposed of their surplus equipment (RF test, EMF emission test and communication systems test equipment) and I imported all of the equipment into Australia. All of this equipment was fully functional, the only reason for disposal was for R&D and test system upgrades.
If you are wondering "what else does he have?" Well, not much left now .... most was HP or Agilent equipment and included highly sought after Spectrum Analyser's, Signal Generators, Test & Measurement equipment of all types - they have already found new owners/laboratories/benchtops with just a few more items to be advertised when time permits.
My "native field" in electronics is RF so Optical is not something I have worked with a lot, please forgive any information lacking on my part - I have tried my best to give a full and frank account of this equipment.
35 years is a long time in the world of electronics, even for such high quality equipment from Hewlett Packard and I have made a reasonably detailed examination and limited test of the equipment being offered ... details are below
HEWLETT PARKARD - Optical Test Equipment
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
Circa 1987
Purpose: Fiber Optic Performance tests in design and production environments, Fault Analysis and I have learned that some organisations using these for Optical System monitoring.
The 8145A can test all common fibre parameters enabling the user to view measurements such as splicing or other fiber degradation, location of the optical faults etc
Model: HP 8145A
Serial # 2932G00425
Although HP is obviously USA designed product, the metal serial number label clearly identifies this equipment as being made in Germany
NOT recently calibrated!
Fitted Options:
Option 023 - 1301nm & 1539nm
Memory module - HP81450A (stores up to 100 traces)
Options NOT supplied
Connector options (you need to find these, they are NOT supplied)
Connector modules for Diamond HMS-10, FC/PC, DIN47256 & Biconic
Test resolution:
Display: 0.01dB
Within 1 metre over a 200Km range
More technical details are showing in one of the photographs
Benchtop/laboratory fixed location use is most likely but it can also be powered by a portable DC source for field use (heavy instrument to carry around though!)
Key features of the 8145A are showing in one of the photographs (scanned from the manual)
AC Power input: 100 ~ 120V or 230 ~ 240V (Currently set to 240V) Input via a standard IEC C13 lead
AC input is changed at the rear IEC socket, lift off the cover to reveal the AC voltage settings
DC input is a special 2 pin female socket located to the right of the IEC socket.
DC voltage in the range 12 ~ 30V at approximately 80W power requirement
Weight: 13Kg
Dimensions: 340mm Wide x 190mm Height x 460mm Deep
Supplied Accessories:
2x 60cm OLEX Fiber optic single 62.5/125 MMDF patch leads fitted with ST connectors/protective caps at each end - both patch leads are identical
Original printed Operating Pocket Guide
This guide provides brief descriptions of all front panel functions and print facilities via the HP-1B rear port
I have looked around online and full HP8145A manuals appear to be readily available at no cost.
Packet of decals for the rear panel HP-1B port
2x AC line fuses
Although very common, if an IEC C13 power lead is required (Australian 3 pin plug fitted), I can supply this as well - please request this if it is needed.
I do not have the special connector for the DC power input
COSMETIC CONDITION:
CASE: Clean, undamaged
NO dings or bent metal!
NO significant case scratches or marks!
Front and Rear protective feet are NOT cracked or damaged in any way
Front panel does have light "marks" in the centre/top area - this is where the previous company had a metal ID/Stock control label attached, which has now been removed.
ALL knobs and buttons are present
NO damage to the front panel labelling
CRT screen is unscratched, clean
Rear panel is clean
HP-1B and Options module ports both have their protective covers in place, although one cover has "cracks" it still serves its purpose fine.
Adjustable, locked position carry handle is in very good condition - little signs of wear and the outer coating is sound.
Accessories are all contained within a special "pouch" which also serves to protect the front panel when the equipment is not in use.
This pouch uses two side clips - ONE clip is missing (metal clip/screw in) so although the accessories pouch is fitted, it is not locked into place on one side.
I have NOT taken a look inside, although tempted as I often like to gaze in awe at the engineering of HP products! I saw no need to explore inside for the present time BUT if no-one shows any interest in this gear then I MAY started to dismantle the equipment for spare parts.
TESTING:
TEST CONDITIONS: All "power on" testing made using AC 240V NO tests made using the DC input
Due to a lack of fiber or other suitable accessories to test the functionality of the equipment, my tests are "rudimentary" only
I have NOT made real "live" tests using fiber.
I have NOT checked the HB-1B communications port - any HB-1B equipment (printers/plotters) have long since left here!
POWER ON
POST proceeds (very fast POST process)
The speed of the self testing is such that at first turn on you don't even see it! Why? because the CRT hasn't had time to "come alive", display is not slow to power up, in fact much faster than traditional CRT systems but the POST is much faster!
POST completes and shows the fact it has passed, no errors, and indicates the modules fitted (see one of the screen shot photographs)
Nice clean/sharp monochrome (Green) display
Next I pushed one of the software determined keys to the right of the screen, system responded fine. Other keys also had a "result" but quite frankly I didn't want to mess around with all the settings and did not randomly push buttons for the sake of it! My aim was to make sure the CPU was responding and an action resulted - this seems to be the case.
I very quickly (less than a second) checked that I had laser output ("quickly" because the manual specifically says "DO NOT OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT WITHOUT FIBER CABLE CONNECTED" - I think this is for user safety reasons primarily.
Green LED above the output port comes ON and I can see the laser output using a camera - DO NOT LOOK "INTO" THIS PORT WITH THE NAKED EYE!
The rear cooling fan runs very quietly and there is NO build up of "airborne" gunk! Either the equipment was not used often or it was in a "clean air" environment - probably the latter.
NO funny smells or signs of stress (particularly from the power supply - 35+ years is a long time for electro's etc)
I have no doubt that a small battery is installed INSIDE the equipment (usually a 10 year lifespan) and this will most likely need replacing. It's purpose is to retain the settings held in memory when power is turned off. If you don't mind losing your custom settings then it probably isn't worth worrying about this battery.
This ends my description, on appearances this equipment seems to be in very good condition both cosmetically and electrically (although optically it is untested)
For "serious" use it will need a calibration
Nice piece of classic Hewlett Packard equipment, which was not cheap in the day (no HP gear was! A bit like the Mercedes of test equipment)
How much?
Back in 1987, you would be asked to pay
US$12,900 basic unit
US$21,800 both wavelength modules (Option 023)
US$1100 HP41850A Memory module
That adds up to quite a sum of money (US$35,000) and this is 1987 dollars, imagine the costs now!
Just as a side note, the DC power lead asking price was US$770! Ouch!
I see that sellers are STILL offering these for US$1500 Plus UNTESTED! online, I hope interested folk find my asking price to be much more reasonable, and remember that this will be shipped FREE OF FREIGHT CHARGES anywhere around Australia.
Of course I can send internationally but the freight costs may be prohibitive!
