[R-390] Signal Generators (was: Deoxit)

[Michael Drum]

Cecil,

I wanted a 8640B years ago, but it was over my head price
wize.  I just found one on the auction place for $150
using the buy it now option! It is in working shape
and looks to be in good cosmetic condition as well.

I don't think I'm ever going to get one cheaper then that.

Beware of a seller offering a manual download for the
8640B. It's available as a free download from the BAMA
web site. This guy is trying to profit from other peoples
work. I told him he was selling Copyrighted work and he
responded with the must vulgar language I've ever heard.
I'm sorry to say he is a ham too...Guy actually charges a
shipping fee for a download he is selling! He does not
even provide a CD! He gets it from BAMA and puts it on
his server, then charges the uninformed for the privledge
of getting it from him. I reported him to Ebay and HP.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's to all.

At 01:25 PM 11/29/2003 -0600, Cecil Acuff wrote:
>Well just another update....I was wrong on the pricing of the 8640B's...the
>market has gotten softer than I knew...Looks like one can buy a nice one for
>$300 to $400 bucks...that is a steal of a deal on a very nice
>generator....They were double that 2 years ago!  I may buy me a spare just
>for the parts at those prices!
>
>Cecil...
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Don Reaves W5OR" <w5or@comcast.net>
>To: <R-390@mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 11:18 AM
>Subject: RE: [R-390] Signal Generators (was: Deoxit)
>
>
> > I second the HP-606 boatanchor nomination, especially the HP-606B model.
> > It has a high level secondary output, independent of the calibrated
> > output, that is useful for connecting to a frequency counter.  As Cecil
> > says, they are built like tanks, and the only trouble I've had with mine
> > is that the grease in the band turret got old and gummy and finally
> > prohibited easy band changing.  I used a degreaser to soak out the old
> > grease over a period of a week and then applied new lubrication.  Works
> > like new.  Be careful buying signal generators - they often have the
> > attenuator fouled up and you will need a functioning calibrated output
> > for tweaking your R-390.
> >
> > The URM-25 is the genny called out in the manuals.  They are much
> > smaller and compact and a bit harder to work on should you need to
> > repair one.  But it is the classic choice.
> >
> > I've never owned an 8640B but you can trust Walter's recommendation.
> > 8640s are on the workbenches of Chuck Ripple and Rick Mish.  Be sure you
> > get one that does not have the attenuator burned out.
> >
> > A friend who is tuned into the used test equipment market says prices
> > for high quality older test equipment are just absolutely sinking.  So
> > it's a great time to upgrade your workbench.  At a recent Texas hamfest
> > test equipment was nearly being given away.  For example, I picked up an
> > HP-3586B Selective Voltmeter, an HP-3330B Synthesizer, and several
> > Watkins Johnson counters.  The pile was less than $200.
> > Manuals for this stuff will probably cost more than the equipment.
> >
> > DeOxit.
> > For a while, you could find DeOxit on their web site in ten dollar
> > sample kits, which was enough to cure several R-390s of oxidized
> > contacts.  They furnished an assortment of their products in 2cc plastic
> > tubes in the kit.  Part number 2C-SAMP.  Included CaiLube (for pots) and
> > R-5 (good for flashlight batteries).  I just checked, they still have
> > web specials, called survival kits (hehe).  K2C is the closest match to
> > what they used to offer.  Still ten bucks.  www.caig.com
> >
> > Don Reaves
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> >
>
>
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