[Elecraft] XG3 Signal Generator

[Clay Autery]

Mine just happens to be sub-1dB accurate as tested....  I can't find the 
datasheet from the XG3 measurement....  I did it several years ago.
I power mine with a Bioenno battery rather than a wall wart, too. FYI...

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 03/24/20 14:41, Greg Troxel wrote:
> Bill Smith via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> writes:
>
>> Looking at buying the XG3 signal generator to calibrate S meters.
>> Particularly thought it would be very useful to calibrate the S meter
>> in the HDSDR SDR software I use now.  I read the S meter calibration
>> instructions in the manual and was happy to see how simple it is.  If
>> I had tried to use my old Tektronix signal generator I would of had to
>> buy an RF Power meter to measure the amplitude and a Step Attenuator
>> to adjust for -73db/50uv.
> No, but I intend to do this.  It's certainly simple on the XG3 side; the
> possibly hard part is on your receiver's side.
>
> Beware that the XG3 output is a square wave.  I am 99% sure that this
> means the stated power of e.g. -73 dBm is the power of the desired
> frequency, and the power of the third harmonic is not included in that.
> Certainly that is what you'd want for receiver testing as a ham receiver
> should be expected to not respond to the third (fifth, etc.) harmonic.
>
> If anyone has measured an XG3's output at various bands and power levels
> on real test equipment, seeing that data would be nice.  The manual says
> +/- 1 dB typical for most ranges, and doesn't give absolute limits.
> Still, even about 1 dB is amazingly good for such an inexpensive device.
>
> Unless you want to buy proper lab gear with controllable output for
> vastly more money, the XG3 seems like the best thing out there.   I've
> only used mine a little bit, but I'm very happy with it.
>
> 73 de n1dam