Siglent SHA851A 9 kHz~3.6 GHz handheld spectrum analyzer
The SIGLENT SHA851A is a handheld portable spectrum analyzer and cable-and-antenna analyzer, what makes it a powerful and flexible tool for many field and outdoor RF applications. This includes communication engineering, telecom operation and maintenance, radio management, production, education and teaching and some more fields. Within the frequency range of up to 3.6 GHz.
Product overview
The SHA851A is a rugged handheld spectrum & network analyzer covering 9 kHz to 3.6 GHz. With a −165 dBm/Hz displayed average noise level, −104 dBc/Hz phase noise and a standard preamplifier, it delivers full spectrum analysis in the field — on a bright 8.4-inch multi-touch screen with around four hours of battery life. The SHA851A is upgradeable to the full 7.5 GHz range (F2).
Spectrum analysis and cable-and-antenna testing are both standard, so a single handheld commissions and maintains RF systems: sweep the spectrum, then check the feedline and antenna — VSWR, return loss, cable loss and distance-to-fault — without swapping tools. Add the VNA, modulation, source, GPS, mapping, EMI and DC-bias licences as the job demands.
Two N-type ports, GPS, DC-bias, USB and LAN with web-browser (LXI) remote control make the SHA851A equally at home on the mast, in the field and on the bench. An optional 1-path-2-port vector network analyzer (vector S11 & S21, up to 114 dB dynamic range), an independent signal source, GPS logging and indoor/outdoor mapping turn one instrument into a complete field toolkit for installation, interference hunting, maintenance and R&D.
Key highlights
9 kHz – 3.6 GHz handheld
Full spectrum coverage in a rugged, battery-powered handheld with an 8.4-inch multi-touch screen.
−165 dBm/Hz DANL
A standard preamplifier and a −165 dBm/Hz displayed average noise level for weak-signal field work.
Cable & antenna test — standard
VSWR, return loss, cable loss, distance-to-fault and TDR are built in — commission and maintain feedlines and antennas.
−104 dBc/Hz phase noise
Low phase noise and ±0.7 dB amplitude accuracy for precise field and bench measurements.
Optional 1-path-2-port VNA
Add the VNA licence for vector S11 & S21 with up to 114 dB dynamic range — a full handheld network analyzer.
GPS, mapping & source
Options add GPS logging, indoor/outdoor maps, an independent signal source, DC bias and modulation analysis.
Core capabilities
Spectrum analysis
9 kHz – 7.5 GHz with a −165 dBm/Hz DANL, −104 dBc/Hz phase noise, RBW from 1 Hz to 3 MHz and a standard preamplifier — full-featured spectrum analysis you can carry.
Cable & antenna testing — standard
VSWR, return loss, cable loss, distance-to-fault (DTF) and TDR are standard, so one handheld sweeps the spectrum and then checks the feedline and antenna without swapping tools.
Vector network analysis (option)
The VNA licence turns the SHA850A into a 1-path-2-port vector network analyzer — vector S11 and S21 with up to 114 dB dynamic range for component and filter test.
Field-ready platform
An 8.4-inch capacitive multi-touch screen, ~4 hours of battery life, GPS & mapping, an independent source and DC-bias output make the SHA850A a complete field toolkit.
In the field
With a directional antenna, a built-in GPS receiver and indoor/outdoor mapping, the SHA850A becomes a complete interference-hunting kit. Real-time density and spectrogram views reveal brief, intermittent and frequency-hopping signals that a swept trace would miss, while the directional antenna lets you walk down the bearing toward the source. Position-tagged logging records every reading on the map, so you can trace an emitter across a site and document exactly where and when it appeared.
The advanced measurement kit brings one-touch channel-power, ACPR and adjacent-channel-power measurements to the handheld — no PC or post-processing needed. Set the channel and adjacent-channel bandwidths and spacing once and the SHA850A reports main- and adjacent-channel power together with the ratio in dBc, live on the 8.4-inch screen. It is ideal for verifying transmitter output and spectral regrowth during installation, commissioning and routine maintenance.
Every input & output
Two N-type RF ports plus reference, trigger, GPS, DC-bias, USB, LAN and audio — everything you need for spectrum, cable-and-antenna and network measurement in one handheld.
Where it is used
Cable & antenna maintenance
Commission and maintain feedlines and antennas — VSWR, return loss, DTF and TDR in the field.
Interference hunting
Locate intermittent and rogue signals with a directional antenna, GPS logging and mapping.
5G & wireless site work
Signal, coverage and spectrum monitoring for 5G, LTE and wireless installations up to 7.5 GHz.
EMI & pre-compliance
On-site EMI measurement with the EMI kit and near-field probes.
Modulation & source
Analog/digital modulation analysis and an independent signal source for two-port and component test.
Field service & R&D
A rugged, battery-powered analyzer for service, installation, production and development.
In the box
Every SHA851A ships with spectrum analysis and cable-and-antenna testing standard, plus the accessories below.
Internal rechargeable battery, ~4 h working time
9–12 VDC (4 A) mains adapter
Printed getting-started guide
Factory calibration certificate
Measurement licences & options
Extend the SHA851A with the VNA, modulation, source, GPS, mapping, EMI and DC-bias options — most activated electronically. See the full SHA850A licence page.
Lifts an SHA851A to the full 7.5 GHz range.
1-path-2-port VNA — vector S11 & S21, up to 114 dB dynamic range.
ASK, FSK, PSK, MSK and QAM demodulation with EVM.
Capture raw I/Q data for external processing and analysis.
CISPR-16 EMI filters, quasi-peak detector and limit lines.
Channel power, ACPR, harmonics, TOI and waterfall chart.
100 kHz – 3.6 / 7.5 GHz, −40 to 0 dBm independent source.
GPS positioning and position-tagged measurement logging.
Accessories & field kits
Batteries, adapters, antennas, probes and kits for the SHA851A in the field.
Specifications
- Frequency range
- 9 kHz – 3.6 GHz
- Resolution bandwidth (RBW)
- 1 Hz – 3 MHz, 1-3-10
- Displayed average noise level
- −165 dBm/Hz (typ.)
- Phase noise
- −104 dBc/Hz @ 1 GHz, 10 kHz
- Amplitude accuracy
- ±0.7 dB
- Preamplifier
- Standard
- Cable & antenna test (std.)
- VSWR, return loss, cable loss, DTF, TDR
- Vector network analysis (opt.)
- 1-path-2-port · S11 & S21 · up to 114 dB
- Independent source (opt.)
- 100 kHz – 3.6 GHz · −40 to 0 dBm
- DC bias output (opt.)
- 12 – 32 V
- Advanced measurement (opt.)
- CHP, ACPR, harmonics, TOI, waterfall
- Modulation (opt.)
- Analog AM/FM · digital · IQ capture · EMI
- RF connectors
- 2 × N-type — RF In/Port 2 (+30 dBm) · Source/Port 1 (+27 dBm)
- Reference / trigger
- Ref In & Trig In (BNC)
- GPS / bias
- GPS Ant & Bias Out (SMA)
- Data
- USB-C · USB-A · LAN (RJ-45, LXI)
- Audio / power
- 3.5 mm headphone · 9–12 VDC (4 A)
- Remote control
- Web-browser (LXI) · USB / LAN · SCPI
- Display
- 8.4-inch capacitive multi-touch (mouse & keyboard supported)
- GPS & mapping (opt.)
- GPS positioning & logging · indoor/outdoor maps
- Battery
- Internal Li-ion, ~4 h typical working time
- Weight
- 3.2 kg (net)
Specifications are guidance only — the official Siglent datasheet is the definitive reference. Software licences are delivered electronically and are excluded from the 14-day EU return right once the key has been issued.
Ready to order the SHA851A?
In EU stock, shipped from the Netherlands with full warranty and expert support. Compare both models on the series page.