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Signal generators.

200eazy

Member
Sep 23, 2017
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So getting more into repairing cb radios. Got a scope and am now looking into a decent cheap signal generator to learn on. Been looking at something similar to the fy6800 or even the fg100. Will they work to get alignments close enough to be operational?
 

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
 
Last edited:
I'm using an old Sencore CB-42 that I had recapped and calibrated recently. Works great.

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 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.
 
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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.

- 399
 
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