This is a freeware release for use on Win2k/XP. I'll open source the Visual Basic 2005 code shortly, too.
Download Alpha 0.1 Release 041406 here. NI Only.
Download Alpha 0.2 Release 070906 here. NI and Prologix USB-GPIB support. (619KB)
No FAQ yet. But here is the gist:
I use a hardware analyzer that is GPIB controlled from a PC using Visual Basic 2005 as the control software. I started off with a HP 8903B a few years ago which was loaned to me by my employer. This past fall I started looking at the Boonton 1120 analyzeras they are pretty much a clone of the 8903-series unit, but with a wider bandwidth (10Hz to 140kHz source), slightly lower distortion and front inputs which are a big plus. The actual hardware (chassis, buttons) isn't up to HP standards, but the guts are well built. The military has been getting rid of these units and upgrading, so these units can be had for under $400 on Ebay. The used HP 8903B's sell for over $1k these days. The new Boonton 1121, which is almost identical to the 1120, sells for around $8K, I believe.
So what does a setup like this end up costing?
[diytube doesn't sell any of this - this is just a shopping list]
-Boonton 1120 $250
-Boonton 1120 Operation, Programming, Full Schematics Manual FREE (PDF)
-National Instruments AT-GPIB/TNT PNP GPIB card & cable $40
-533MHz PC with ISA Basically FREE
-Visual Basic 2005 FREE
-VB 2005 test software from diytube FREE (open source)
-MS Excel for audio log charting $???
All said, I feel this is the best bang-for-your-buck until you get to a >$10K Audio Precision rig. There are four of us at this point - hopefully several more will join us.
Shannon
Disclaimer: This is still DIY testing though, and I don't plan any support beyond this forum, so YMMV.