Patrick wrote:
Thanks John
With regard to frequency and price, low frequency is fine for me and I
am hoping to buy something for < $250-Patrick
The HP 3336 (A,B,C) is similar to the 3325 but somewhat lesser
capabilities and can be a bit cheaper. There is one on eBay "in working
condition" for $150.
Frequency range is 10 Hz to 21 MHz.
Frequency is settable to uHz or mHz steps and it has frequency sweep
capability.
The output attenuator has 0.01dB steps and the output goes down to about
-71 dBm.
It is sine wave output only. If you want square or triangle, this won't
do. If you need to go below about 10 Hz you will need a function
generator.
My impression from your description is that you do not need the
capabilities of a synthesized signal generator. Perhaps an old analog
test oscillator such as the HP 654A would be adequate. This is just an
analog oscillator combined with a step attenuator that goes down to
about -90dBm in 1 dB steps. There is one on eBay for $85 OBO, "tested".
Or, for function generator capabilities (square, triangle, lower
frequencies) an HP 3310A with an external attenuator. RF attenuators
can be somewhat expensive, but audio ones are usually much less.
I'll let others comment on whether anything that old might have too many
problems.
One advantage of the old analog stuff is that they are acoustically
quiet (no fan).
73,
Gary
_______________________________________________
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
