Buy Used & Refurbished RF Test Equipment in Europe
RF-Labs stocks pre-owned RF test equipment from Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Agilent, Anritsu, and HP — tested, verified, and shipped from within the EU. Every unit goes through functional inspection and performance checks before it reaches your bench. No transatlantic customs delays. No surprise import duties.
Whether you need a vector network analyzer for production testing, a spectrum analyzer for EMC pre-compliance, or a signal generator for R&D, buying refurbished saves 40–70% over new list price. That margin matters when equipping a lab or scaling a test line.
Why Buy Pre-Owned RF Equipment From a European Supplier?
Most used RF equipment listed online ships from US-based resellers. That creates three problems for European buyers: customs clearance, unpredictable lead times, and calibration certificates that may not meet EU laboratory accreditation requirements. RF-Labs eliminates all three.
- 40–70% below new list price. A Rohde & Schwarz SMA100A signal generator or an Agilent 8720ES network analyzer at a fraction of OEM pricing — with verified performance.
- No customs, no import VAT surprises. Intra-EU shipments move freely. UK buyers get DDP options with Brexit import handled on our side.
- EU-compliant calibration. ISO 17025 accredited calibration available with 5-day turnaround at our facility. Not a generic “certificate of conformance” — traceable, accredited documentation.
- Warranty and returns. Functional warranty included on every unit sold. Compare that to most US resellers offering 5–14 day return windows with restocking fees and return shipping at buyer’s cost across the Atlantic.
Here is how the options compare side by side:
- Buy new from OEM: Full list price (€20,000–€80,000+ for mid-range instruments). Lead time 6–16 weeks. Full OEM warranty and calibration.
- Buy refurbished from RF-Labs (EU): 40–70% savings. Delivery in 2–5 business days across EU/EEA/UK. Functional warranty included. ISO 17025 calibration available. No customs paperwork.
- Buy from US reseller: Similar savings to refurbished EU, but 10–18 business days shipping. Customs clearance required. Import VAT and potential duties on arrival. Calibration may not carry EU-accredited traceability. Returns expensive and slow.
The price gap between an EU and US reseller is often negligible. Total cost of ownership — once you factor in customs brokerage, duty risk, and recalibration — tips clearly toward buying within the single market.
Equipment Categories Available
Current inventory spans the core RF and microwave test categories. Each section below links to dedicated pages where you can check stock, specifications, and pricing.
Spectrum Analyzers
Second-hand spectrum analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz, Keysight, and Anritsu. Currently available: the Rohde & Schwarz FSP (9 kHz–7 GHz), a workhorse for production test and EMC pre-compliance, and the Anritsu MS2691A signal analyzer (50 Hz–13.5 GHz), covering broadband signal analysis with wideband digitizer capabilities. Both units are verified against manufacturer specifications before shipment.
Browse used spectrum analyzers →
Network Analyzers
Vector network analyzers remain some of the most expensive instruments in any RF lab. Buying a refurbished network analyzer makes particular sense in this category. In stock now: the Agilent 8720ES (50 MHz–20 GHz), Agilent 8753ES (30 kHz–6 GHz), Agilent E8357A PNA (300 kHz–6 GHz), and Agilent E8358A PNA (300 kHz–9 GHz). Performance verification against OEM specifications completed on each unit before listing.
Browse used network analyzers →
Signal Generators
Analog and vector signal generators for RF, microwave, and modulated-signal applications. Available units span multiple architectures: the Keysight N5172B EXG (9 kHz–6 GHz), Rohde & Schwarz SMBV100A (vector, available in 3.2 GHz and 6 GHz variants), R&S SMA100A (9 kHz–3 GHz), R&S SMU200A dual-path vector generator, R&S SMIQ 03B (300 kHz–3.3 GHz), and the Agilent E4421 ESG series (250 kHz–3 GHz). Multiple frequency and modulation configurations available from stock.
Browse used signal generators →
Cable & Antenna Analyzers
Field-portable and bench cable/antenna analyzers for site installation, maintenance, and tower work. Contact us for current availability on specific models and frequency ranges.
Browse cable & antenna analyzers →
Power Supplies, Meters, Sensors & RF Accessories
Beyond the headline instruments, RF-Labs carries the supporting equipment your lab or production floor needs. DC power supplies include the HP 6674A (0–60 V, 0–35 A system supply), Agilent 6622A (also available as HP 6622A), and the Digimess PN300 programmable supply. Data acquisition is covered by the Keysight 34970A switch unit with Agilent 34902A 16-channel multiplexer modules. For RF power measurement, the Rohde & Schwarz NRP-Z11 sensor is in stock. Precision measurement needs are served by the Keysight 34410A 6½-digit multimeter. We also carry RF switch boxes (Keysight N8990, N8990K-A96) and passive components such as Microlab CK17N (10 dB) and CKD55 (20 dB) directional couplers.
Shop all equipment by type → or request a quote for a specific model or configuration.
Brands We Stock
RF-Labs focuses on the OEMs that dominate European test labs. Our technicians know these platforms — what to check, which options to verify, and where common failure points appear with age.
- Keysight / Agilent — Current Keysight models (N5172B EXG, 34410A, 34970A, N8990 switch boxes) alongside legacy Agilent instruments (8720ES, 8753ES, E8357A, E8358A, E4421). The Agilent-to-Keysight rebrand left thousands of perfectly functional units on the secondary market — same hardware, lower price. Browse Keysight / Agilent inventory.
- Rohde & Schwarz — Signal generators (SMA100A, SMBV100A in multiple frequency variants, SMU200A, SMIQ 03B), the FSP spectrum analyzer, and NRP-Z11 power sensors. Long service life and strong residual value make these particularly good candidates for second-hand purchase. See available Rohde & Schwarz units.
- HP — Classic Hewlett-Packard instruments including the 6622A and 6674A power supplies. Many of these units were built for 20+ years of continuous rack operation, and still meet original specifications today. HP & other OEM equipment.
- Anritsu & others — The Anritsu MS2691A signal analyzer (50 Hz–13.5 GHz) is in stock. Additional OEM models sourced on request. Buy by brand.
Our Refurbishment & Quality Process
Every unit entering RF-Labs inventory goes through a structured inspection sequence — not a visual check and a wipe-down, but a multi-stage process designed to confirm the instrument performs to OEM specifications.
- Incoming inspection: Visual and mechanical check for damage, missing hardware, connector wear, and display condition.
- Functional verification: Power-on test, self-test pass, key parameter verification against the manufacturer’s published specifications. For network analyzers, this includes port match and dynamic range checks; for signal generators, output level accuracy and phase noise spot checks.
- Calibration options: Basic functional check included with every sale. Full ISO 17025 accredited calibration available — 5-day turnaround. The resulting certificate is traceable and accepted by EU accreditation bodies.
- Cosmetic grading: Grade A (near-new appearance, minimal marks), Grade B (normal signs of professional use, fully functional), Grade C (visible wear, cosmetic imperfections, full electrical performance). Every listing states the grade clearly.
- Firmware and options: Installed firmware version confirmed. Licensed option keys verified and documented. No grey-area option activations.
Full details on each step are documented on our refurbishment and certification process page.
How to Buy — Process & Shipping
Purchasing from RF-Labs works the way procurement departments expect. No marketplace friction, no consumer-grade checkout flow.
- Browse or request. Check current stock on the site. If a specific model or option configuration is not listed, submit a wanted request — we source instruments continuously from labs and OEM trade-in programs across Europe.
- Quotation and payment. Formal quotes issued with equipment details, condition grade, calibration status, and pricing in EUR. Payment by bank transfer or company purchase order. EU VAT invoicing standard; reverse-charge mechanism applied for intra-EU B2B transactions where applicable.
- Shipping. DHL and FedEx express across the EU, EEA, and UK. Typical delivery: 2–5 business days. US-based resellers average 10–18 business days to a European destination, plus customs processing.
- UK buyers. Post-Brexit shipments handled with DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options available. No clearance delays, no surprise duty invoices from the carrier weeks later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is used RF test equipment reliable?
Professional-grade instruments from Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, and Agilent are engineered for 15–25+ year operational lifespans. An Agilent 8753ES network analyzer manufactured in 2004 can still meet its published specifications when properly maintained. The critical factor is verification before sale — which is why every RF-Labs unit is tested against OEM specs before shipment.
What warranty do I get?
Every unit ships with a functional warranty covering defects and out-of-spec performance. Warranty duration depends on the instrument category and is stated explicitly in the quotation. This is not an “as-is” marketplace transaction.
Can I get a specific option key or frequency extension?
In many cases, yes. Some option keys can be purchased from the OEM and installed on a pre-owned instrument — for example, bandwidth upgrades on Keysight EXG generators or additional measurement personalities on R&S signal analyzers. Other options are hardware-dependent. Contact us with the model and desired option before committing; we will confirm feasibility and pricing.
Do you buy back equipment?
RF-Labs purchases surplus and end-of-life RF test equipment from labs, manufacturers, and service providers across Europe. If you have instruments to sell or want to trade in against a purchase, contact us with model details and approximate condition.
Find the instrument you need. Browse current inventory by equipment type, shop by brand, or request a quote for a specific model, option, or configuration. EU-based stock. Tested and verified. Shipped in days, not weeks.