[Test-Equipment] El-cheapo sweep generators?

[KA4INM radio]

   On 11/26/14 20:51, Brian `Ex: W5BRO, K6UCD' Burns wrote:

> Hello test equipment experts, babe-in-the-woods, here. I'm seeing Chinese
> sweep generators on Ebay for under $100 that go from 0 to 2 mHz. I'm looking
> for a way to align the I.F. transformers in a ham-band receiver at 85 kHz. I
> would like to be able to see the passband on a scope as I make the
> adjustments. Would I have a prayer of doing it with one of these?

   What would be best, for just about any application is a sweep 
generator with an integral (built in) marker generator that can be 
"post" equipment connected, so a sample of the marker can feed your 
counter (a cheepee that is reasonably close will do) that can be 
connected properly to your scope.  The marker is how you know what 
frequencies your pass band edges are at.  You can use a separate marker 
generator, but the built in kind is easier to setup and move out of your 
way.

BTW: The mentioned "Wavtek 171 0-2 Meg function generator" does have an 
external frequency control that a ramp, triangle or sine wave signal 
could be sent into at a frequency that should be usable even if only at 
5 or 10 Hz.
Since I do not have one (I have a WaveTek 130) I cannot test that idea 
with certainty.
-- 
   Ron  KA4INM - Youvan's corollary:
                 Every action results in unwanted side effects.