[R-390] test equipment question

[Patrick]

To me, the best Frequency Generator that I have is a 0-464/SRC Synthesizer Electrical Frequency. works from 2 to 34 MCS, is solid a a rock and plenty of adjustable power to use with a small antenna. A little big a heavy (rack mountable) but very reliable. The other one is an old tube one, a Hampden HBT 477 that has a Xtal socket, perfet for testing crystals. Anyhow, only the opinion of and old FA%&.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cecil Acuff 
  To: Tisha Hayes ; r-390 at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 1:22 PM
  Subject: Re: [R-390] test equipment question


  Actually a good HP-8640B can be had on ebay for fairly cheap....don't go to Fair Radio though...not the place to buy test gear....except maybe scopes.  

  The 8640B is an analog sig gen but has a lock feature that will lock it down to the dialed up freq so no problems with drift.  I would imagine a working example could be had for less than $400.

  I didn't like the URM-25 either and got rid of it quickly....  The HP-606A and a freq counter was a better solution and then I added the 8640...

  Cecil...
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Tisha Hayes 
    To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net 
    Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:55 AM
    Subject: Re: [R-390] test equipment question


    I know that this is broaching on heresy to mention this;

    I found the URM-25D to be less than helpful when compared to a good signal generator. It is drifty, the impedance matching module is a joke and it is hard to get repeatable results when trying to chase the performance dragon.

    But; if you use a good frequency reference (like the 100 KHz calibrator and that is not waay off and WWV) you can get darned close to being on frequency.

    If you dare to dabble with the compensation screws on the PTO to correct linearity you need a much better frequency counter and signal generator. Of course, gettting used HP/Agilent equipment will cost you more than any one radio would ever sell for. You can find a really decent HP 400 series VTVM or a Boonton that would do an excellent job on measuring RF levels for a song-and-a-dance.

    The original maintenance manuals were written around the inherent limitations of the test equipment available at the time (URM-25's). While I try to keep the filaments glowing and avoid transistor/IC based radios in my setup I do use more modern test equipment.



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