[Boatanchors] HP 8640B issues

[GRANT YOUNGMAN]

Fortunately, nothing on my 8640B has broken … yet :)

Just to ask what is probably obvious on the flashing display … but is it possible you simply have the frequency lock button engaged?  

Grant NQ5T


> On Dec 22, 2014, at 7:35 PM, Ron Bussiere via Boatanchors <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi. I have a pretty nice collection of test equipment. On one bench, I have an 8640B sg and it is used with a 11710B down converter. I bought the 11710B as a NOS piece a few years ago and they made a nice pair.
> As you may know, the 8640B, while an excellent sg electrically, has a bunch of plastic parts that do NOT age well.
> The last time I tried to use the sg, I broke one of the plastic levers. Then, in the midst of a repair, the display//output no longer works. The display just flashes....
> So, I know there are places that do repair on these, but just wondering about the following solutions:
> 
> 1. build a robust crate and ship it off to be 'restored'
> 2. buy one of the many sgs on eBay either as a parts donor or replacement
> 3. purchase a used HP 8656B 
> 4. sell the 8640B as a parts unit and also sell the 11710B
> 
> Although I really like the 8640B, those fragile levers and gears really, really turn me off. BTW, I do have a set of replacement plastic gears, so I do have some $ invested it it.
> I do have a bunch of other HP sgs, mostly the 608 series and my favorite, the 606A. These are great older, heavy duty sgs.......
> 
> What to do?????
> 
> ron
> 
> N4UE