EMRFD Message Archive 6079
Message Date From Subject 6079 2011-04-09 13:14:15 dnorbury Component sources - now looking for signal generator The responses I got to my request for suppliers of components were great. I really appreciate all the inputs I got. I've checked out a lot of them and my impression is that the availability today of low cost parts and the ease of finding and ordering them on the internet is a whole lot easier than it was when I was an active homebrewer back in the 60s! Thanks very much for your suggestions.
Now I'm looking for a good RF signal generator. I'm looking for a stable, accurate, digital readout generator that covers from under 1 MHz to somewhere in the multi hundred MHz range (or more). My days as an RF/microwave design engineer has spoiled me because I always had access to multi-thousand generators but I don't think I can spend that kind of money. So I'm looking for a reasonably priced piece of equipment (under $1,000 or so?) that will fit the bill. Suggestions?
Dave
KD6A6082 2011-04-10 04:00:23 Leon Heller Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator 6084 2011-04-10 08:28:39 Gary Chatters Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator 6086 2011-04-10 09:23:05 Lasse Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator My vote goes to the .Rohde Schwarz SMG, SMGU, SMH or SMHU
They are high performance genereators, and extremely user friendly.
Spectral purity is excellent!
The only drawback is that the SMG (1GHz)/SMGU (2GHz) is not phase locked
due to the implimentation of DDS so phase slowly drifts. This has been
fixed with the SMH/SMHU if I recall correctly.
These is are my generator of choice when working in the RF lab...
despite their age.
/Lasse SM5GLC
dnorbury skrev 2011-04-09 22:14:
> The responses I got to my request for suppliers of components were great. I really appreciate all the inputs I got. I've checked out a lot of them and my impression is that the availability today of low cost parts and the ease of finding and ordering them on the internet is a whole lot easier than it was when I was an active homebrewer back in the 60s! Thanks very much for your suggestions.
>
> Now I'm looking for a good RF signal generator. I'm looking for a stable, accurate, digital readout generator that covers from under 1 MHz to somewhere in the multi hundred MHz range (or more). My days as an RF/microwave design engineer has spoiled me because I always had access to multi-thousand generators but I don't think I can spend that kind of money. So I'm looking for a reasonably priced piece of equipment (under $1,000 or so?) that will fit the bill. Suggestions?
>
> Dave
> KD6A
>
>6087 2011-04-10 10:01:29 Ashhar Farhan Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator Why don't you slap one together with an si570? there are a few of
those kits available for under $100s. I have an si570 controlled with
an off the shelf arduino board. I also added half-wave filters to keep
the harmonics down.
I gave up on buying an HP8640B. The cost of shipping it to india was
prohibitive. It is apparently quite a boat anchor.
- farhan, VU2ESE
On 4/10/11, Leon Heller <leon355@btinternet.com> wrote:
>6094 2011-04-11 22:49:39 drmail377 Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator The HP8640B would be my choice, especially when locked to a good GPS reference. The problem with the HP8640B is that the plastic gears crack with age, and there are no replacements available, that I have been able to find anyway. Someone with a good 3D printer might be able to make new gears and plastic parts for this generator.
The Si570 is an excellent choice as well. KB5CQ has an inexpensive VFO kit that uses the Si570 (can't find the URL right now, try Google). Si570's that go into the higher frequency range get expensive (around $100 for the highest if memory serves) and I've heard variously there can be "holes" in the frequency coverage.
Remember the Si570 has a square wave output. The Si570 has excellent phase noise performance and no spurs (but plenty of harmonics). It is about as stable as a decent crystal. If memory serves the LVDS version +/-20ppm per C, the CMOS version is +/-50ppm. You would probably want to put a level shifter/buffer6101 2011-04-13 00:47:51 aadlh48 Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator As a newcomer, still preparing on small scale homebrewing, I wonder if I can use my Yaesu NT817ND qrp transceiver on 0.5W with an attenuator for most purposes.
I hope so, since $ 1000,-- equipment is really out of the question :-)6103 2011-04-13 07:06:34 brett@truthheim.c... Re: Component sources - now looking for signal generator imho, the answer to that is "yes!"
I use my "main station rig" to measure output frequencies of stuff I have
homebrewed, set transmit offsets, adjust bfo freqs, calibrate band edges
and stuff like that. It is extremely handy.
I happen to have some pretty nice test gear, but really, beyond my main
station rig, all I use is a frequency counter (built from a Pongrance
kit), a homebrew crystal oscillator and a multimeter combined with a few
circuits I breadboard as needed.
So -- absolutely, the 817 is a great rig and you can use it to help with a
lot of calibration chores.
> As a newcomer, still preparing on small scale homebrewing, I wonder if I
> can use my Yaesu NT817ND qrp transceiver on 0.5W with an attenuator for
> most purposes.
>
> I hope so, since $ 1000,-- equipment is really out of the question :-)
>
>
>
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