If you're looking for an affordable way into high-frequency analysis, the marketplace of oscilloscopes signal spectrum analyzers often includes units sold for parts. The appeal is obvious: a 22 GHz instrument for a few hundred dollars. The risk is just as obvious: you may be buying a repair project that never measures anything. That's the exact situation with the Aeroflex IFR Marconi 2390 / AN930A.
Quick Verdict
This is a parts-only unit, not a working analyzer. It powers up and boots with a good display, but the configuration EEPROM was not moved when the controller was replaced, so the unit fails testing. At $299.95, you're getting a physically complete 22 GHz spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator, but one that needs a specific repair before it can be used for any measurement.
Who It Suits
The ideal buyer is someone repairing or servicing spectrum analyzers, or someone who needs the internal modules of a 22 GHz analyzer for another project. If you have the ability to program or source the correct EEPROM configuration, this could be a worthwhile challenge. If you're not comfortable troubleshooting at the component level, this is best left in the listing.
Product Details
Aeroflex IFR Marconi 2390 / AN930A 22GHz Spectrum Analyzer with Tracking Generator
This unit is from Aeroflex/IFR Marconi, model 2390, with MPN AN930A. It is physically complete, and the power supply and controller are reported as good. The display works, and the unit boots. The failure point is the configuration EEPROM, which does not match the replacement controller. Because of that, it's being sold for parts or not working.
What Stands Out from the Listed Details
The standout traits are the 22 GHz frequency coverage and the factory tracking generator option. Those are substantial features. The fact that the unit boots and has a working display means you're not starting from zero; the issue is limited to a configuration mismatch, which is a known type of repair. That's a more concrete starting point than a generic "not working" listing.
Meaningful Trade-Offs
The trade-off is between price and risk. You're paying a low price for a high-spec instrument, but you inherit a repair that may require specialized equipment or documentation. There's no guarantee the analyzer will meet its original specifications after repair, and with a parts-only designation, you should expect no functional warranty. If you can't complete the repair, you still have a box of useful parts from a 22 GHz unit.
Bottom Line
If you're a spectrum analyzer tech looking for a repair project, the Aeroflex IFR Marconi 2390 / AN930A offers a clear set of symptoms and a defined path. If you're an everyday buyer hoping to save money on a working analyzer, it's not the right purchase.
