Aeroflex Launches New Portable Radio Test Set

Wichita, KS -- Aeroflex is launching its 3500 radio test set, a lightweight and portable radio test set designed specifically to test vehicle-based radio systems used predominantly by first responders. The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set incorporates the latest technology in rugged design, portability, battery life and high performance. The new test set allows the user to test all aspects of the vehicle's system -- from the radio to the cable and the antenna -- with features typically found only in bench-top radio test equipment.

With a built-in generator and receiver, the Aeroflex 3500 radio test set operates from 2 MHz to 1 GHz and it is capable of measuring high power (up to 200 Watts with an external attenuator) as well as finding faults in antenna, power amplifiers and interconnects. It performs a wide variety of AM/FM transmitter and receiver tests including RF power, RF frequency error, AM modulation, FM deviation, Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), distortion and SINAD/sensitivity.

"Aeroflex's 3500 is the most comprehensive vehicular test system available and meets the needs of a variety of radio vehicle tests and commercial radio applications," said Rob Barden, Director of Product Marketing, Aeroflex. "The 3500 allows technicians and engineers to quickly find and isolate radio system failures, including cable and antenna problems, more quickly than other test sets because it features a built in VSWR meter and other test capabilities that allow the User to test the entire radio system."

Since many radio system faults actually originate in the cabling or antenna rather than in the radio, the Aeroflex 3500 radio test set allows the User to measure the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of both the cable and the antenna. A large VSWR can indicate a high return loss caused by a bad cable, connector, or antenna. Isolating the problem in the cable, connector or antenna prevents the User from returning a good radio to the manufacturer or depot for repair.

The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set weighs 8.5 lbs. (3.86 kg.) including the battery and solid aluminum weatherproof case. It has an operating temperature of -10 °C to +50 °C, and is designed with rugged construction specifications for humidity, altitude, shock and vibration. It has a battery life of seven hours and can be fully recharged and ready to operate in four hours. When not in use, the Aeroflex 3500 radio test set and the optional accessories can be stored and transported in a carrying case.

The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set is designed to enable "Drive-By" testing, allowing the user to connect to the supplied antenna, key up the radio and measure the radio parameters over-the-air. A microphone/speaker combination handset is provided to check voice quality of the transmitter and receiver.

The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set utilizes a software-defined radio architecture where the software defines almost all of the functionality of the test set from the RF physical layer and up. Because it is software-defined, it allows for future updates and improvements to the capability of the instrument and the User can add options or update functional improvements in the field without the need to return the instrument to the factory. Future product enhancements will include spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope functions.

The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set base configuration includes an internal battery, AC to DC charger, Audio/ Microphone handset, Audio/Microphone cable, VSWR load TNC female and TNC to TNC cable.

Optionally, the 3500 has available a combination cover/stand, 150-W (200 Watts intermittent) 20-dB attenuator, 50-W 20-dB attenuator, various antennas as well as a hard and soft carrying case. The 3500 radio test set is available 8 weeks after receipt of order.

SOURCE: Aeroflex Incorporated