[Elecraft] Re: NGEN - is it working?

[wayne burdick]

Nick Waterman wrote:

> If I connect NGEN to my K2 but leave it switched off, I have a certain
> level of background noise. If I turn NGEN on, there's no noticeable
> increase in background noise.

Hi Nick,

Your N-gen should definitely provide an audible increase in noise when 
connected to the K2. The noise level is very well-controlled; there are 
radio astronomers in Japan using N-gens instead of HP-346 noise sources 
to calibrate their radio telescopes. If you can't hear the increase, 
it's likely that you have a defective component or a cold solder joint 
somewhere.

Regarding the zener diode, there should never be one that is "too 
good," unless it is actually bad. Noise production is an inherent 
characteristic of the avalanche breakdown (a.k.a. "zener") process. 
When we designed the N-gen, we tested 20 diodes of different types, and 
they all put out the same noise level within a dB or so.

If you discover that your zener is not producing noise (by substituting 
one that does), please send the old one to us so we can test it. We'll 
send a replacement free of charge.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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