[Elecraft] NZ7C: Setting up a "lab" (off-topic)

[Mark J. Dulcey]

Tim and Nancy Logan wrote:
> Hi everyone - hope this off-topic question is OK....
> 
> In an ealier post I mentioned that I got a Norcal 40A kit and David
> Rutledge's The Electronics of Radio which uses the Norcal for the
> "pracitical lab". To use this self-teaching tool well, you need some
> equipment. Thanks to the Elecraft crowd I've solved the Oscilliscope
> component by getting a Tektronics 465M for $110. It will have the manual
> and arrives tomorrow :-)
> 
> The study also requires a frequency generator and mentions the HP 33120A
> 15MHz function generator. Well, this little baby is $1700 new. Dah, I
> don't THINK so folks - I'm more interested in something like $50 used.
> I've summarized the typical uses the "lab work"  demands of the function
> generator by the book's Problem Numbers.
> 
> Knowing that this is what is required, can anyone suggest a piece of
> equipment that would meet my needs and could be had very cheaply? Thanks
> again.

Can't think of any single piece of equipment that does everything on the 
list...

The various audio signals can be handled easily enough with any sort of 
simple function generator. You could even build one using a 8038 or 
2206; there are numerous plans available on the web, such as 
http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Testgear/funcgen.htm - or you 
can use a computer and software... http://www.marchandelec.com/fg.htm

The RF signals are tougher. Perhaps the best best is an existing rig 
that can be turned down to QRP power levels, plus an attenuator to bring 
the signal down some more. Depending on the radio, you probably won't be 
able to get down to 1Hz steps, but you can at least get to 10Hz, which 
will probably be good enough.