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

[Cecil Acuff]

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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