[Hallicrafters] Signal generators

[Mike Everette]

I bought a GR 1001-A generator at a hamfest for $35, probably because the guy didn't want to haul it back home.  A big reason was that its range goes down to 50 KHz.  Truth be told, I haven't used it for much more than low IF alignments; but for that it does well.  I also came by a skdoozle of GR coax adaptors in an estate sale, which helped even more.

One pretty good little signal generator -- and they're cheap -- is the Eico 324.  I think its range goes from about 150 KHz to 150 MHz or something like that.  These units are all over eVilBay, and can be bought for as low as $10. 

You do run a risk of getting a doggie that may have been built by an ignoranus; but much of the Eico test gear you see is surplus from tech schools and was factory wired.

My 324 is so stable that I can literally use it for a BFO while listening to SSB nets on 75 and 40 meters.  True, it doesn't have a calibrated attenuator; and it doesn't do low IFs.  But what it does, it does well.

The Eico 249 VTVM is an excellent device, and the 7 inch meter can be read by Mr. Magoo.  The Eico 232 is the same instrument, with a smaller meter.  Both are quite accurate.  Be sure to get the correct "Uniprobe" with it.  These meters are also pretty inexpensive.

Eico also made a nice tube type sweep generator, but it's made for TV servicing; I think the model is 368.  And the Eico 950 series capacitance-resistance testers are very VERY good.  I also like the 147 signal tracer -- a mighty handy little device.

73

Mike
W4DSE