[Boatanchors] HP 606 vs. 608

[Phil Mills]

Don,  you are right and then again "sorta right".

I used a URM -25 sig gen and an HP-606B for years....  I finally
got a Wavetek 2407.  I fell in love with being able to go from one
end of the "band" ( I put this in quotes because if you are working
on an R-390A the band ends are usually several mc apart)  with only
the push of one or two buttons.  Unfortnately, the Wavetek died last
year.  I can replace it with some similar synthesized sig gen for
arount $300 to $400 bucks.  I then looked at how much I actually
used the sig gen from the time stand point.  I basically use the sig
gen maby a dozen times a year at best and some of these are for
IF purposes.  From the economic standpoint, a good analog sig
gen coupled with a digital frequency counter is the best option in
my situation.

73, Phil  WBVB


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Buska" <dbuska at wi.rr.com>
To: <boatanchors at qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] HP 606 vs. 608


>I understand our love for the BA's, but for me I want my test gear to be
> the "standard" in my lab.  Since the early part of this decade (after
> the DOT COM bust) newer used test instruments have really taken a big
> price hit.  With our latest economic problems this has only added to the
> amount of equipment out there at very reasonable prices.   It may be
> time to move out that 1950/60's test gears and buy some 1980's stuff.
>
> In my case I bought an HP 8656A Signal Generator off eBay a couple of
> years back for around $300.  What it gives me is a modern synthesized
> generator that does 100kHz (see below) to 990MHz with internal AM/FM
> modulation.  Using the internal frequency standard I only experienced
> about a 1kc error max across the whole frequency spectrum.  Also, even
> though it is rated to have a lower frequency limit of 100kc it will
> accept lower frequencies entry.  I just aligned my SX-115 50kc IF using
> it and the frequency and output levels were spot on.  I used the HP
> 8656A and selected external AM modulation supplied by the output of my
> HP 3325A function generator sweeping from 10Hz to 10KHz,  and then
> monitoring the IF output on an Advantest TR4171 spectrum analyzer (the
> only SA I know of that also has a Hi-Z input channel).  Immediately you
> can see what a difference it makes to fine tune IF alignments to get
> symmetrical sidebands on each side of the carrier.  I quickly found out
> that peaking the IF's for the carrier frequency won't do that.  Actually
> I quickly discovered my cause of a noticeable difference between my
> signal levels under AM-USB and AM-LSB on my SX-115.  I would have been
> head-scratching for days if all I had was an old RF generator and VTVM.
> This is a perfect setup for performing stager tuning of IF's if that is
> necessary aka HQ-170-180's.
>
> Bottom line is many of us are willing to invest thousands in our
> stations, but then only a couple hundred, if that much, in test gear.
> Good modern RF generators can be had for well under $500 if you look for
> them.  Sweeping audio generators for much less and good spectrum
> analyzers for a bit more.  Also, another excellent signal generator is a
> transceiver.  My older Icom IC-745 has a transverter output which simply
> operates the rig minus the final amplifier.  The RF output control still
> works so I can generate an RF signal from 1.5MHz through 30MHz at a
> level up to 50mW.  I think IC-745's sell for around $300 these days.   A
> good signal generator that can also make QSO's, hi.  Plenty of the
> high-end solid-state function generators, with sweep, will go to 20MHz
> and are great for IF alignment too.  Don't go to the surplus equipment
> houses, keep your eyes open on eBay.
>
> BTW, I gave my two 608C's away a couple of years back.  I'm glad I don't
> have to fool with those anymore.  I'm not getting any younger and if I'm
> going to pull a muscle it will be on an BA transmitter and not my test 
> gear.
>
> 73 es take what you want and leave the rest.
>
> Don N9OO
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