hello all. I’m looking for some advice for a signal generator that will work with the cb band. It needs to be affordable as I am on a budget. It will be tool for learning and for personal use. Would like to keep cost as low as possible but still have a decent functioning unit. As skill and money permits I would be upgrading.
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First signal generator
- Thread starter 200eazy
- Start date
How patient are you? I picked up a working HP 8656B for just under $200 from Ebay, but it took a long time checking for something in that price range.
To do CB work you need more than a signal generator. You need an oscilloscope to start with. How serious do you want to get? There are bench top units that have signal generators built in. And if you want to ever be able to work SSB radios you will need a good calibrated frequency counter and Digital Volt Ohm meter.
Another CB radio can be you signal generator. Don't just plug them straight into each other. You will need to build an attenuation circuit otherwise you will blow the radios up.
Also consider taking some of the free online courses for electronics.
For example:http://www.cbtricks.com/miscellaneous/tech_publications/neets/index.htm
Another CB radio can be you signal generator. Don't just plug them straight into each other. You will need to build an attenuation circuit otherwise you will blow the radios up.
Also consider taking some of the free online courses for electronics.
For example:http://www.cbtricks.com/miscellaneous/tech_publications/neets/index.htm
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I just bought a cos6100m scope. Right now I do this as a hobby however I would like to get my skill level and bench setup where I can make some extra cash on the side. I have several small radios that I could use as a signal generator and I’ve looked online for instructions on how to do this with no luck. Can you explain it a little better please.
My budget at this time will not allow the purchase of a generator over a hundred bucks.
My budget at this time will not allow the purchase of a generator over a hundred bucks.
The least expensive unit I can think of is the Unit made by SeedStudio under the RF Explorer Line. It covers 24 MHz to 6 GHz. Amazon sells them. It has 8 different RF levels from -3 dBm (1 mw) to -39 dBm (0.125 uw). You may find one in your price range on the used market.
200EZ -
There are a LOT of RF signal generators listed on Ebay ... new and used. Several decent new generators are available from Chinese sellers in the $95 - $105 range. If you want to stick to good used equipment, there is plenty out there to choose from in your price range. My only caveat would be to stay away from older tube-type models. In their day they were good, but most will need to have their capacitors freshened up, and a possible tube replacement will cost mucho $$$. Most Heathkit, Eico, and Knight models listed on Ebay are tube type. Good Luck and 73s.
- 399
There are a LOT of RF signal generators listed on Ebay ... new and used. Several decent new generators are available from Chinese sellers in the $95 - $105 range. If you want to stick to good used equipment, there is plenty out there to choose from in your price range. My only caveat would be to stay away from older tube-type models. In their day they were good, but most will need to have their capacitors freshened up, and a possible tube replacement will cost mucho $$$. Most Heathkit, Eico, and Knight models listed on Ebay are tube type. Good Luck and 73s.
- 399
I bought a Sencore CB-42. It's older so I had it gone through, with caps replaced and calibrated.