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Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders. |
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16th May 2018, 12:12 pm | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,765
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Sig Gen Advice
I have a fair few sets now that could use some alignment, I've not ventured this far yet but understand the concepts and it looks fairly simple for some sets with the right kit.
Unfortunately the only signal generator I have is an AVO unit but the lowest it goes is 2 MHz, not much use for domestic stuff far as I can tell. I was given it for free via this forum, and if its not much use to me I will likely offer it back on here to someone who can make better use of it. Anyway, What is the cheapest way of getting a basic generator good enough to align typical domestic sets? Any recommendations would be appreciated. The new cheapo Chinese stuff seems to also be far higher frequency ranges than I need. |
16th May 2018, 12:13 pm | #2 |
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Are you looking to align FM sets as well a AM ones?
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
16th May 2018, 1:24 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,765
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Hadn’t thought of that. While it would be nice the only ones that definitely need alignment are A.M. so I can live without FM
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16th May 2018, 1:30 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
You could do worse than obtaining an Avo All-Wave Oscillator.
Lawrence. |
16th May 2018, 1:33 pm | #5 |
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
For a aligning AM domestic receivers. I'm a fan of Advance signal generators. They use valves and are nice and easy to fix. There are generally several available on eBay.
If you like you can add a cheap Chinese frequency counter.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
16th May 2018, 2:07 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 5,000
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Absolutely! The Advance E2 is all that I use. Had it for years. It does drift a bit for the first hour until it warms up. There must be hundreds out there for a tenner or so.
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16th May 2018, 2:10 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Also look out for Leader signal generators. I've had a couple of them over the years and they are pretty reliable. They don't drift at all after about 5 minutes and it's possible to get the dial spot on as well. Think I paid £30 for my current one, a 17A
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16th May 2018, 3:11 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Some of the old Taylor models were very sound workshop models; I have a 68A which is quite handy.
B
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16th May 2018, 7:18 pm | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,765
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Thanks all, seems like plenty of options. I see a few Advanced models on ebay for not too much
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16th May 2018, 7:30 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Just two suitable for you so far as I can see unless I've missed some, not confusing RF with AF are you?
Lawrence. |
18th May 2018, 7:01 am | #11 |
Dekatron
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
I have two Advance sig gen's, even I can fix them. Once I'd replaced a few caps they work well. They come up on here quite regularly, so if you sit tight something will turn up. Alternatively pop a post on the wanted thread.
Andy.
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18th May 2018, 11:44 am | #12 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Of the 2 elligible advance ones I managed to miss the cheaper one so will post a wanted thread and very soon will offer the avo unit I have FOC
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11th Jun 2018, 2:30 pm | #13 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,765
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
I managed to pick up a nice Advance E1 sig gen and found the schematics on here. Unfortunately no leads with the unit, could anyone suggest some appropriate cable and plugs that would fit? I suppose coax for the cable?
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11th Jun 2018, 2:40 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Post a photo of the sockets because sometimes they might have been changed at sometime.
Lawrence. |
11th Jun 2018, 2:57 pm | #15 | |
Dekatron
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Quote:
Peter |
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12th Jun 2018, 10:54 am | #16 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,765
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Attached a picture of the unit and the type of socket on it , thanks
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12th Jun 2018, 11:05 am | #17 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
75 ohm TV antenna plug aka Belling-Lee plug:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IEC_169-2.jpg Plenty of suppliers out there. Lawrence. |
12th Jun 2018, 11:26 am | #18 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
Thanks Lawrence, I did google belling-lee connectors, but it looks like the socket needs a plug where the pin protrudes from the plug to make the connection Unless I'm missing something
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12th Jun 2018, 11:33 am | #19 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK.
Posts: 5,215
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
It's not an old-style car aerial plug, is it? Sometimes called a 'Motorola plug'.
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12th Jun 2018, 11:48 am | #20 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Sig Gen Advice
They might be the car radio antenna type then, hard to see properly from the photo's, BNC is a common mod for the sockets.
EDIT: Post crossed Lawrence. |