Signal Generator

[Al & Dianne Bruce]

Good morning folks !  I am looking for a signal generator that outputs
signals across the frequencies of the 15-40 band, and does not cost an
arm and a leg. Need your advice, does such a creature exist?
                                                                                                   
Al



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[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2]

Al,

I cannot comment offhand about any low cost commercial signal signal
generator that would suit your requirements, but if you are prepared to
homebrew there are many low cost options. If you did
homebrew and if you needed to know the output level from the generator when
using it, you would need to measure RF voltage with good accuracy when
calibrating the generator feeding a 50 ohm load. Also I would suggest in
this case that you purchase rather than build a step attenuator capable of
introducing at least 60db of attenuation. It is possible to build a good
step attenuator, but you would require
good test equipment to check its performance, also its enclosure and its
internal shielding partitions have to be built in addition to the
'electronics'.

On the other hand if you only require a generator which can produce a stable
but tuneable unmodulated carrier in the 40 - 15m bands, and you are not
interested in the actual value of its output level (which could be adjusted
during use), a homebrewed generator can be very simple. Other than a
receiver with frequency readout test equipment is not essential, although
having a DMM is a good idea.

Please contact me off-list if you would like to discuss this further.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD


----- Original Message -----
From: "Al & Dianne Bruce" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:24 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Signal Generator


> Good morning folks !  I am looking for a signal generator that outputs
> signals across the frequencies of the 15-40 band, and does not cost an arm
> and a leg. Need your advice, does such a creature exist?
>
> Al


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[srife]

        Check at Fair Radio. I bought a surplus military signal generator
for less than 200 bucks (160 or 180). The one I purchased is a URM-25D. It
does AM and CW modulation (no FM). They said it worked...and it did, but the
output was kind of flaky. I sent it off to a place in Washington state that
refurbished the unit and made it work like new for 60 bucks. They did a
bunch of circuit mods and replaced a lot of components that had deteriorated
with age. The shipping ate me up though, as the unit weighs around 50 pounds
packaged for shipment. It should last me a LONG time.

Stan Rife
W5EWA
Houston, TX
K2 S/N 4216


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Geoffrey
Mackenzie-Kennedy
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:26 PM
To: Al & Dianne Bruce
Cc: Elecraft Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Signal Generator

Al,

I cannot comment offhand about any low cost commercial signal signal
generator that would suit your requirements, but if you are prepared to
homebrew there are many low cost options. If you did
homebrew and if you needed to know the output level from the generator when
using it, you would need to measure RF voltage with good accuracy when
calibrating the generator feeding a 50 ohm load. Also I would suggest in
this case that you purchase rather than build a step attenuator capable of
introducing at least 60db of attenuation. It is possible to build a good
step attenuator, but you would require
good test equipment to check its performance, also its enclosure and its
internal shielding partitions have to be built in addition to the
'electronics'.

On the other hand if you only require a generator which can produce a stable

but tuneable unmodulated carrier in the 40 - 15m bands, and you are not
interested in the actual value of its output level (which could be adjusted
during use), a homebrewed generator can be very simple. Other than a
receiver with frequency readout test equipment is not essential, although
having a DMM is a good idea.

Please contact me off-list if you would like to discuss this further.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD


----- Original Message -----
From: "Al & Dianne Bruce" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:24 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Signal Generator


> Good morning folks !  I am looking for a signal generator that outputs
> signals across the frequencies of the 15-40 band, and does not cost an arm

> and a leg. Need your advice, does such a creature exist?
>
> Al


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