Best of 2 AVO Sig Gens? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

cathoderay57 · 9th Jul 2018, 10:39 pm

Hi. For many years I have been using an Avo No.1 Wide Range signal generator. It uses one L63/6J5 and one EF91/6AM6/Z77 valve. From a Radiolympia advert in Wireless World it appears to date from 1949. The second unit I have just acquired is the earlier (1946) Avo All Wave Oscillator. The functionality of both units seems very similar although the latter one uses a pair of L63/6J5. Both units are mains operated and work very well. Cosmetically the All Wave unit is the more attractive because the Wide Range unit case is painted drab Matt green.

Any thoughts as to which is the better of the 2 units?

Cheers, Jerry

cathoderay57 · 13th Jul 2018, 11:14 am

Here are some pictures of the 2 items plus circuits

ms660 · 13th Jul 2018, 11:59 am

I've owned and used both types, I preferred the All Wave Oscillator, probably because it was one of the first signal generators I bought.

Lawrence.

Andrewausfa · 13th Jul 2018, 12:08 pm

I have both, well one All Wave and two Wide Range. I prefer the Wide Range 'user' under my bench as the All Waves calibration is out here and there on the scale. I think if the latter was in calibration there would be more of an either or choice really between the two.

Andrew

barrymagrec · 13th Jul 2018, 12:24 pm

My Dad has the All Wave, I think from during the war, I put a couple of new caps in it in 1974 and checked the calibration on an HP counter - it was spot on, you couldn't even say it was out by the width of the needle.

9th Jul 2018, 10:39 pm	#1
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,382	Best of 2 AVO Sig Gens? Hi. For many years I have been using an Avo No.1 Wide Range signal generator. It uses one L63/6J5 and one EF91/6AM6/Z77 valve. From a Radiolympia advert in Wireless World it appears to date from 1949. The second unit I have just acquired is the earlier (1946) Avo All Wave Oscillator. The functionality of both units seems very similar although the latter one uses a pair of L63/6J5. Both units are mains operated and work very well. Cosmetically the All Wave unit is the more attractive because the Wide Range unit case is painted drab Matt green. Any thoughts as to which is the better of the 2 units? Cheers, Jerry

13th Jul 2018, 11:59 am	#3
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Best of 2 Avo Sig Gens? I've owned and used both types, I preferred the All Wave Oscillator, probably because it was one of the first signal generators I bought. Lawrence.

13th Jul 2018, 12:08 pm	#4
Andrewausfa Octode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,180	Re: Best of 2 Avo Sig Gens? I have both, well one All Wave and two Wide Range. I prefer the Wide Range 'user' under my bench as the All Waves calibration is out here and there on the scale. I think if the latter was in calibration there would be more of an either or choice really between the two. Andrew __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member

13th Jul 2018, 12:24 pm	#5
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,557	Re: Best of 2 Avo Sig Gens? My Dad has the All Wave, I think from during the war, I put a couple of new caps in it in 1974 and checked the calibration on an HP counter - it was spot on, you couldn't even say it was out by the width of the needle.