I can second the HP 606 suggestion. That has been my primary generator for over 20 years. I will only add reliable, clean output and zero leakage to Garey's comments. If you can handle the bulk, it's a great value.
Dennis AE6C On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:55 AM, Garey Barrell <k4...@mindspring.com> wrote: > James - > > Depending upon what you intend to do with it, the price can vary from next > to nothing, to infinity. > > That said, if you are interested in using on Drake gear, the most useful > generator (aside from the Calibrator built into most receivers) is one of > the XG generators from Elecraft. The XG-2 is a 'tri-band" (80 / 40 / 20) > calibrated source with 1 uV and 50 uV outputs. These are the two > most-needed levels, 1 uV for Noise Figure or MDS testing, and 50 uV for > calibrating S-Meters to S-9. This is the generator that I use most often, > if for no other reason than it is about the size of two "thumb" drives and > runs off a coin cell. > > For general coverage, a Heathkit IG-42 or similar will give you a decent 50 > kHz to 30 MHz generator. An external attenuator, commercial or homebrew can > convert it to a calibrated source. About $40 > > My favorite is an HP 606A/B which covers 50 kHz to 65 MHz, is stable, has a > beautiful attenuator and is well calibrated. It's BIG, 10" high, 19" wide > rack panel with cabinet to match. Typically sells for $100 and up. > > The HP 8640B is a good generator, goes to 512 MHz I think, 1024 with an > optional doubler. It's only 5.5" rack panel, but weighs about as much as > the 606! It does have a weak point in the internal gearing, (plastic,) that > is happening often now. So watch EBay type sales. There have been talks > about making a replacement gear, but .... > > Beyond this you are getting into newer stuff, from the cheap stuff from > China that's not as good as the Heathkit, up to the megabuck units current > with HP. There are a couple of HP units that sell in the $200-300 range > that are smaller and lighter and show up on EBay, etc. > > 73, Garey - K4OAH > Glen Allen, VA > > Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line& TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs > <www.k4oah.com> > > > > James Bridgers wrote: > >> I would like to have a rf signal generator for my use. Any suggestions as >> what to look for? >> >> Thanks in advance for your help >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Drakelist mailing list > Drakelist@zerobeat.net > http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist >
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