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Signal generators.
- Thread starter 200eazy
- Start date
More of an either-or choice.
Cheap.
OR
Decent.
The cheap ones are not calibrated for the output frequency. And the output level is not calibrated, either.
Those are the two features that cost money. A dependable output level is needed to evaluate a receiver's sensitivity. Calibrated frequency is handy, especially to get a SSB receiver on frequency.
The cheap signal generators are fine if you don't need to use it for setting a receiver on frequency, and you don't need to know exactly how many microVolts you are feeding into it.
Used lab-grade stuff that has those features can be cheap, but the older it is the more likely it is to be out of calibration or to be broken. I would recommend staying away from tube-type signal generators.
73
Cheap.
OR
Decent.
The cheap ones are not calibrated for the output frequency. And the output level is not calibrated, either.
Those are the two features that cost money. A dependable output level is needed to evaluate a receiver's sensitivity. Calibrated frequency is handy, especially to get a SSB receiver on frequency.
The cheap signal generators are fine if you don't need to use it for setting a receiver on frequency, and you don't need to know exactly how many microVolts you are feeding into it.
Used lab-grade stuff that has those features can be cheap, but the older it is the more likely it is to be out of calibration or to be broken. I would recommend staying away from tube-type signal generators.
73
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Keep trying it took me 4 years to get a hp signal generator for great price, heck the guy even delievered it to my house it cost me 200 bucks.
KD8HMO,
what did you think of the calibration process of the VCO?
I had a heck of a time getting mine set in the one i restored.
LC
I had an Icom tech who has his own shop do mine. It was quite a job I guess. Fortunately I had the service manual, schematics and calibration guide for it.. lol
Here's a decent cheap one.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/AGILENT-8924...r-in-excellent-working-condition/283048676211
This guy can calibrate it for cheap.
https://www.custom-cal.com/TypeInfo.aspx?kn=153&srv=Signal_Generator_Calibration_Repair
https://m.ebay.com/itm/AGILENT-8924...r-in-excellent-working-condition/283048676211
This guy can calibrate it for cheap.
https://www.custom-cal.com/TypeInfo.aspx?kn=153&srv=Signal_Generator_Calibration_Repair
I just got a hell of a deal on an old Fluke 6060A/AN. The guy still has some listed, although it appears that all of them have error codes showing. Mine did as well. He has them listed for $95 or make offer. I offered $70, which made it about $120 after shipping.
When I got it, I started out by testing the voltage rails. +15V was being pulled down, so I started disconnecting harnesses until the voltage came up. I followed the harness and started pulling boards until I got voltage again, and tracked it down to the communication board, which isn't necessary for opertation. I removed it, and it worked perfectly. Since there were only ICs on the communication board, I thought that I might be able to repair it and get rid of the ADDR light on the display, so I plugged it back in to see if I could feel something getting hot. When I plugged it back in though, the ADDR light went away, and it passed the self tests. The board was just not inserted properly. The only part I had to replace was a tantalum I blew when I slipped with my probe.
If you are interested, and aren't afraid of doing some troubleshooting, that's a pretty good signal generator for $120 shipped, and he still has a few left. His store is at http://www.ebaystores.com/Express-Equipment-Auctions
Keep in mind, the error codes are not the same as mine had, so it is likely not the same problem on those other units.
When I got it, I started out by testing the voltage rails. +15V was being pulled down, so I started disconnecting harnesses until the voltage came up. I followed the harness and started pulling boards until I got voltage again, and tracked it down to the communication board, which isn't necessary for opertation. I removed it, and it worked perfectly. Since there were only ICs on the communication board, I thought that I might be able to repair it and get rid of the ADDR light on the display, so I plugged it back in to see if I could feel something getting hot. When I plugged it back in though, the ADDR light went away, and it passed the self tests. The board was just not inserted properly. The only part I had to replace was a tantalum I blew when I slipped with my probe.
If you are interested, and aren't afraid of doing some troubleshooting, that's a pretty good signal generator for $120 shipped, and he still has a few left. His store is at http://www.ebaystores.com/Express-Equipment-Auctions
Keep in mind, the error codes are not the same as mine had, so it is likely not the same problem on those other units.
I use a B & K Precision E200D. Not the greatest, but not the worst either. I bought it from a local amatuer operator. 400 000 pesos ( about $140 US) with calibration included. I added a digital frequency readout and did several of the mods for it that are online. For what I need ... it's perfect.
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