[Hammarlund] HP 606A

[Mike McCoy]

A while back I was asking about aligning an HQ-180. I asked what I should
look for in a signal generator. While a few recomended the HP 606A, I
replied that I preferred something a little less weighty.

Well, as fate would have it I couldn't resist picking up an absolutely
immaculate HP 606A. It cost me $100 (shipping was largest part of that) but
after cleaning off the dust it looks almost brand new and is stable/solid as
a rock.

Anyway, for those with an HP 606A (or thereabouts) my question is this: It
might just be me not being used to it but it seems the vernier is really
'free' and therefore adjustments are really touchy. Much more 'sensitive'
than I would think a vernier has any right to be. It's a simple mechanical
link via a small gear to the (very) large main frequency gear and I don't
see any shaft adjustment and/or friction type device to 'tighten' it up.

Anyway, it's almost impossible to dial it in better than +/- 10-20 hz. I'm
thinking a felt pad under the knob itself might eliminate the 'backlash'
and/or provide a tighter feel. With a tighter vernier I'm sure I could nail
any frequency I wanted.

Or am I just 'digitally spoiled'?

If you have any tips/tricks to share about this ol boatanchor please feel
free to email me directly (to keep the list on topic).

Thanks,
Mike