Pair of HP 8657A synthesized generators 100 KHz - 1024 MHz Pair of HP 8640B analog w/ lock generators, one with internal doubler (1024 MHz) and reverse power protection Panasonic VP8191A synthesized 100 KHz - 135 MHz
8640B is quite plentiful, and when properly working is very hard to beat for phase noise and all around use. However, these are 30+ years old and are notorious for bad switches which are works of art involving circular PCB and spring fingers, custom made by HP. If you are mechanically inclined and have the patience to work on them, the switches can be repaired. HP made several "moderately priced" synthesized generators that show up frequently, 8656A is not recommended as the specs are marginal and they use a mechanical (relay) controlled attenuator that may be worn out if the particular unit you buy was exercised enough. HP8657A and B. I have a pair of A units and they are fine, if you understand their limits. The main limit is that they have spurious products. Some nearby the carrier from 120 Hz noise. Others further away, such as at integer multiples of 1 MHz. Phase noise is so-so. B units are better than A units. Difficult to use if you want to test close in IP because phase noise and 120 Hz spurs and discrete synthesizer spurs can interfere with your measurements. HP8642A. Don't have one but been thinking about buying a pair. Supposed to be major improvement over the 8657A and B in terms of phase noise and synthesizer spurs. Appear on E-bay in the $1K to $2.5K range. Anyone with hands-on experience with the 8642A care to comment? If you don't mind the inconvenience, HP generators with the RF output and modulation input appearing only on the rear panel (used in computer controlled arrangements) are generally cheaper than ones with the more normal front panel connectors. Jack K8ZOA www.cliftonlaboratories.com On 1/31/2010 1:58 PM, n0jrn wrote: > Gang: Considering the purchase of a signal generator for > aligning the projects in the shack. > > Looking on e-bay shows several low cost options. Most are pretty old and > likely in need of some work. > > SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using. > > IF your using a signal / RF generator, what brand, model and options are > you using ??? > > Was there a reason you choice the unit you have over some other ???? > > Just curious > > 73 Jerry N0JRN > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
