Choosing a signal spectrum analyzer usually comes down to one question: do you need something that works today, or are you willing to take on a repair project? The four listings here span from a few hundred dollars to nearly $5,000 and include a working vintage TV-RF analyzer, a new portable option, and two identical Agilent EXA benches that are not operational. Each one fits a different buyer, so your first move is to decide what you're willing to fix.
Quick take
If you want to turn it on and use it soon, the Sencore FS74 Channelizer SR is the most immediate pick. If you want something new and portable, the TinySA Ultra+ ZS407 is a compact option with a touchscreen. The two Agilent N9010A EXA listings have the same model and the same condition story, but one asks significantly less money. That makes the lower-priced Agilent the more logical parts-project starting point.
Listed-price comparison
Here's the side-by-side comparison:
| Analyzer | Listed Price | Price Bar | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sencore FS74 Channelizer SR TV-RF Signal Analyzer | $150.00 | Used | |
| Agilent N9010A EXA RF Signal Analyzer (Higher-Priced Listing) | $4,850.00 | For parts or not working | |
| Agilent N9010A EXA RF Signal Analyzer (Lower-Priced Listing) | $4,111.00 | For parts or not working | |
| TinySA Ultra+ ZS407 Spectrum Analyzer | $199.00 | New |
Decision matrix
Match the analyzer to your use case:
- Immediate TV/RF signal checks on a budget: Sencore FS74 - the only unit in the group listed as ready to use, with a bright CRT and included carrying case and power supply.
- Portable, modern testing on a small bench: TinySA Ultra+ ZS407 - new, with a 4-inch touchscreen, rechargeable battery, and compact metal housing.
- Agilent EXA repair project or parts donor: Choose the lower-priced N9010A listing over the higher-priced one, because both share the same documented faults and the lower price gives you the same starting point for less.
- Immediate benchtop measurement: None of these four - the only working unit is a vintage TV-RF analyzer, and the two Agilent units are not operational.
Product notes
Sencore FS74 Channelizer SR TV-RF Signal Analyzer
At $150, this is the lowest-priced listing and the only one described as in good working condition. The seller notes a bright, clear CRT, good reception of off-air TV signals from a modulator, and solid FM reception. It comes with a carrying case and power supply. The catch is that it's vintage electronics sold AS IS, the included batteries are dead, and the unit has been sitting unused for a while. If you want an affordable analyzer for basic TV/RF checks and can accept an older device, this is the one to start with.
Agilent N9010A EXA RF Signal Analyzer (Higher-Priced Listing)
This listing is the most expensive at $4,850, and the condition is clearly not operational. The Agilent N9010A EXA is a capable benchtop platform with a 9 KHz to 7 GHz range and installed options like /507, /B25, /PFR, plus N9060A and N9073A software. But the seller lists serious issues: no signal trace, Misc/System Alignment Failure, System error, a ripped front panel 3 key, and multiple entries in the error log. It is untested and sold as-is. Choose it only if you're comfortable buying a complex unit for parts and can absorb the repair risk.
Agilent N9010A EXA RF Signal Analyzer (Lower-Priced Listing)
This is the same Agilent N9010A EXA model, with the same installed options and the same description of faults as the higher-priced listing. What differs is the listed price: $4,111. If your goal is to use the EXA as a repair project or a source of internal boards and options, this listing makes more financial sense, since you're starting from the same place for less. The downside is that the unit is still untested and shows the same error history, so you should go in expecting to troubleshoot before it can be useful.
TinySA Ultra+ ZS407 Spectrum Analyzer
At $199, this is the only new unit in the group. The listing highlights a 4-inch touchscreen, rugged metal housing, portable design, rechargeable battery, USB connectivity, and RF testing/antenna analysis features, which makes it a good fit for a small workspace or field use. The limitation is that the title says TinySA Ultra+ while the description talks about a NanoVNA-H4, and the frequency-range claims differ across the listing. You can count on the portable form factor and the modern feature set, but the exact frequency spec is not consistent enough to be a primary reason to buy.
Final recommendation
Summing it up: For immediate, low-cost TV/RF signal checking, the Sencore FS74 is the only unit listed as ready to use. For a new, portable analyzer, the TinySA Ultra+ ZS407 is the practical pick. And for someone ready to repair an Agilent EXA, the lower-priced N9010A listing is the better entry point than the higher-priced one, since both are in the same parts-only state. Pick the one that matches your tolerance for repair work, and you'll know which analyzer belongs on your bench.
