[ARC5] Signal generator selection

[Tom Lee]

The HP8640 certainly has the frequency lock function (except for the military model).

The choice is really driven by what you want to do with the sig gen. For basic repair and maintenance, service-grade boxes suffice. If you want to characterize performance to any detailed degree (e.g., sensitivity, IP3, etc), you’ll want something like an 8640. If you have limited bench space and don’t need all the features, you have other options.

— Cheers,
Tom

Sent from my iThing, so please forgive typos and brevity.

> On May 5, 2021, at 12:00 PM, Scott Robinson <spr at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> Folks,
> 
> HP 8640s are popular. Some years ago i bought a Boonton 102D, and like it a lot. It does AM and FM modulation at very low distortion. Manual tuning, but if you like the frequency you've selected, push the LOCK button and it phase-locks to its internal crystal (or to your external ref, if you prefer).  I don't think the 8640 does this.  The FM may meet your sweep needs.
> 
> My Boonton is down at the moment, and some of the RF ICS in it are very expen$ive. I'm having trouble getting the output amplifier board working.
> 
> FWIW,
> 
> Scott
> 
>> On 5/5/21 11:22 AM, Hubert Miller wrote:
>> I have the same interest, but I want an RF generator with sweep function, and I mean not just fixed 60 Hz
>> sweep and megacycles sweep width, like the old ones had.
>> -Hue Miller
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 
> 
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