[R-390] Leader Equipment

[Roy Morgan]

On Feb 21, 2009, at 7:40 PM, Barry wrote:
... thought I'd
> go for an audio generator a little less bulky, etc.  I saw a hand-held
> jobbie on eBay that looked kind of cool but more than I want to  
> spend for
> one.

Barry,

Some thoughts on this:

- A hand held instrument will usually be somewhere else when you want  
it.  A larger sit-on-the-shelf thing is likely to be where you last  
left it.  Rack mounted stuff is almost certainly where you last saw it.

- Don't spend a lot for test gear.  Certainly don't buy new stuff.   
Nowadays, you can get really good stuff that's a bit older and still  
working just fine for not much money.  Hamfests, ePay, wherever.   
(Hamfest season is coming, right??)

- Itsy bitsey miniaturized computer controlled instruments may have  
loads of "features", but simplicity of operation is very valuable.

- Maybe we can divide all of us into two groups:  Those who work at  
home at a bench or workshop, and those who go some where to work on  
someone else's equipment (and may get paid to do  it.)  Keep in mind  
which type you are.  A  piece of test gear does NOT need to be  
portable if you never take it anywhere.

The GR type 1310 audio oscillator is one of my favorites.  It has just  
three controls:  Frequency range, frequency set (with big easy to read  
dial and a vernier knob) and output level. What more do you need?


Roy

Roy Morgan
k1lky at earthlink.net
529 Cobb St.
Groton NY, 13073