This time, not really a repair, but an upgrade.
Every lab or repair shop dealing with really high frequency circuits needs one: a microwave counter. The EIP 54x series has certainly been (and still is) one of the workhorses of the industry. EIP is now Phase Matrix, still selling counters. But I guess, not an easy tasks – there are quite a few of the EIP counters around, and they do have some little issues with tantalum capacitors, etc, but all in all, the EIP counters are really marvelous instruments, rock solid.
The 545A:
In my own shop, there are two 545A counters (18 GHz, N connector), and also a 548A, which is similar, but covers up to 26.5 GHz (3.5 mm connector). The 548A can go to frequencies as high as 110 GHz, with some external mixers. While these have provided good service over the years, they are all lacking ‘option 2’, the build-in power meter. At microwave frequencies, having a combined power meter and counter has a considerable advantage – no need for changing cables, no need for splitters or couplers – just the push of a button. And not always do you want to connect a circuit under test to a valuable 18 GHz+ spectrum analyzer or measurement receiver…
Fortunately, there are clever people around, at the Green Bay Professional Packet Radio club (“GBPPR”), which kindly provide the ROM images and some circuit modification info on the web – to convert a regular 545A, to an option 2 545A!
Well, first we need to collect some parts, a low capacity Schottky diode (HP 5082-2835, 1 pF max.; original EIP circuit uses a different kind, but really any low capacity Schottky will work), a DM8136N (a comparator/address decoder), a 74LS244 buffer, and an AD7524JN (8 bit DAC) – plus, a 10k resistor. Except for the DM8136N, nothing uncommon at all.
The only tricky part, at least here – the 2532 EPROMs. These aren’t accepted by any of the programmers around, and they need a high programming voltage. So first, put together a little programmer that attaches to an ATmega32L, and with the data transfered by USB.
It’s really crude – I don’t anticipate a lot more 2532 EPROMs that need programming, except for the EIP….
I had some 2532A around which are working perfectly fine, just lower programming voltage. The 2532A/2532 – they can be handled by some 2732 programmers, for reading the contents, with a little socket adapter (2532 and 2732 have different pinouts!) – but strangle, the same programmer doesn’t work for writing to the these old beasts.
The second type, they are 2516 EPROMs, no problem with a 2716 programmer.
After fiddling around with the EPROMs, the little programmer, the adapter sockets – a few hours later – that’s now the set of parts:
These are the boards, A105 and A107, with the parts installed – red rectangles: additional parts; yellow: removed parts (resistors R39 and R40).
I would suggest to put all parts in sockets, like EIP did. Then you can change your counter back, to non-option 2, should you ever want to.
After a bit of soldering – that what we have – a working option 2 EIP 545A.
The power meter can be switched off – if you need the extra digits. Typically, I don’t.
All that is left are the original EIP EPROMs, programmed in San Jose, California. Collectables.
Any questions, please let me know!
Hello simon compliments for your work and for the article, i bet it will be helpful to many people…i bought an 548B with some issues, do you have some service manual?thank you Nicola
Thank You, I will send you username/password for manual collection with private message.
Nice work!
Would you consider doing the modification for someone else?
I am definitely interested.
Sure, just keep in mind I am living in Germany so it is pretty expensive to ship the unit here. Otherwise, I can also offer a set of EPROMs, or can modify the boards only – however then I can’t test the full unit.
Just got an EIP 545A without the power option. Could I purchase a set of EPROMs from you? Also looking for a DM8136N. Some on Ebay but at pirate prices.
Many thanks,
Bob Sandness
VE3LPB
Hi Bob,
Unfortunately, just sold the last set of programmed eproms recently, but can program new sets and will also check for the 8136n. Currently on business travel but will check over the next weekend/please remind me by email if I forget. Simon
Thanks Simon. Look forward to following up when you get back. Much appreciate your help.
Bob
I have an EIP 545A as well and would be interested in acquiring a chip set. Simon, please let me know if this is a possibility.
Hi Tom, Sure, this is possible. Currently I have not enough 2532A here, but some are on order, so probably I can send you a set late March. DM8136, and 74244, available as well.
The AD part, no spares at the moment, and the Schottky diode, I have some, do you need this as well?
If still interested, just send a message to simon@simonsdialogs.com some time mid March.
Thanks Simon, I sent a follow up message at the email address you listed.
Do you have a link to the EPROM files for the modification? I have an ancient EPROM programmer that can program 2716’s and 2732’s, but I can’t find the code anywhere.
Sure, I will send them to you! Simon
Dear Simon, thanks for the article. I was using a 2nd hand EIP 548B counter for ages but now it is broken showing error 40 on Bands 3 and 4X. The 1st diagnose was malfunction of EEPROM where Options and YIG correction data are stored, but counter doesn’t work with the EEPRPM copied from working counter of the same type showing the same error. It seems there is something wrong with EEPROM reading or YIG filter control. I would be very helpful to have a service manual, could you help me, please? Best regards Antonin, OK2VMC
Dear Simon, do you have any experience with Option 2 upgrade of EIP 548B counter? Is it also so easy as for 548A type? If yes, I’m strongly interesed in set of EEPROMs and possibly also in DM8136N. Best regards Antonin OK2VMC
Simon,
As per the previous post I am also interested to know if a 548A can be modified in the same way as a 545A or are the EPROMs different?
Regards Geoff
Hi Geoff, I have never tried the modification on a 548, the hardware is almost the same, so for this part I don’t expect issues. But you would need a 548A/B EPROM set, or at least the binaries.
Maybe even a 545 EPROM set would work in a 548, but it might not recognize the ext mixer converter band any more. I will look around a bit for a 548A/B with option 2. Simon
Hi Simon,
Congratulations for this huge work!
I have a 545B and I’m considering to add power meter too. Are you still selling the programmed EPROM (and the rest of the kit by the way)?
Thank you!
Guile
Hi, Guile, at least one set of EPROMs, and the Schottky diode. The other parts, I need to check, but don’t think I have any of the devices left, maybe some of the logic chips – but these are still available anyway.
Simon
Hi Simon,
Thanks for this quick answer! As long as the programmed EEPROM are available I’m fine. I just need to know how to place the order.
Thanks!
Hello Simon,
Do you have EPROM files for 548B ?
Unfortunately, don’t have. Simon
Great work on adding option 02 to the EIP frequency/power meter. This is very much needed.
I have a EIP 548A, actually two of them, neither of which has the power option. I would like to buy a set or 2 sets of pre-programmed eproms from you and any other associated parts parts to do the power meter upgrade/conversion to my EIP 548A’s.
73’s
Nick Krachmalnick
nickk968@gmail.com
Not sure if the update will work with the 548a, probably not!
Do you still have matching Schottky Diodes, I could buy from you?
The HP diodes are still fairly common, I have many left bit they are in Germany and currently I am in Japan. In August I could ship most likely when I am back for vacation.
Hi Simon,
As always, great article. You website is amazing .
I just acquire an EIP 545 non A or B.
Do you know if this modification can be applied to this earlier version?
Alex
Hi Alex, I believe it can be. The boards are essentially the same.
Simon