Does anyone have a set of plans for a modulated RF generator suitable
for testing receivers in the HF/VHF bands?

TIA

Matt, for many of us building a piece of test equipment that we can
inexpensively buy used on eBay is much like wanting to build a pair of
pliers or a screwdriver from scratch. It's simply not worth the time
and expense.

I use a simple Heatkit r.f. signal generator that I purchased on eBay,
and paid something like $12 for it less shipping. It performs every
function I need. If I could even find the need components to build it
today, they alone would cost me far more than $20.

Take this for whatever it's worth.

Harry C.

Hi Guys,
If you are not in continental US or one of it's regions, you will pay MUCH
more than $20 for shipping alone!

Build, therfore, becomes an option.

My 2c.

--
Pete . .
ZS5ACT
http://www.electronic-ideas.com/zs5act/

BTW I HATE bottom posters with passion!

------ Reply Separator ------

wrote in message
ups.com...
Matt, for many of us building a piece of test equipment that we can
inexpensively buy used on eBay is much like wanting to build a pair of
pliers or a screwdriver from scratch. It's simply not worth the time
and expense.

I use a simple Heatkit r.f. signal generator that I purchased on eBay,
and paid something like $12 for it less shipping. It performs every
function I need. If I could even find the need components to build it
today, they alone would cost me far more than $20.

Take this for whatever it's worth.

Harry C.

....the group IS called "rec.radio.amateur.homebrew"..isn't it?. Why would
someone be advised to buy when he asks for advice in a group dedicated to
building???

Joe

"PeteDBNZA" wrote in message
...
Hi Guys,
If you are not in continental US or one of it's regions, you will pay MUCH
more than $20 for shipping alone!

Build, therfore, becomes an option.

My 2c.

--
Pete . .
ZS5ACT
http://www.electronic-ideas.com/zs5act/

BTW I HATE bottom posters with passion!

------ Reply Separator ------

wrote in message
ups.com...
Matt, for many of us building a piece of test equipment that we can
inexpensively buy used on eBay is much like wanting to build a pair of
pliers or a screwdriver from scratch. It's simply not worth the time
and expense.

I use a simple Heatkit r.f. signal generator that I purchased on eBay,
and paid something like $12 for it less shipping. It performs every
function I need. If I could even find the need components to build it
today, they alone would cost me far more than $20.

Take this for whatever it's worth.

Harry C.

"W3JDR" writes:

...the group IS called "rec.radio.amateur.homebrew"..isn't it?. Why would
someone be advised to buy when he asks for advice in a group dedicated to
building???

Joe

And it is fund to build stuff. The old sig gens were pretty simple, with
most of the hard work on the dial. The Eico 320 was pretty popular and
you can use the manual to build one of your own:
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Referenc.../EIC/EIC_8.zip

But you can replace the triodes with fets, lower the voltage to 12 volts and
get the same results.

Steve.
--
Steven D. Swift, , http://www.novatech-instr.com
NOVATECH INSTRUMENTS, INC. P.O. Box 55997
206.301.8986, fax 206.363.4367 Seattle, Washington 98155 USA

A lot of the modern signal generator projects are based on the Analog
Devices AD9850. Analog Devices actually encourages hams to use their sample
service, so the part itself is no problem. It is relatively simple to
program, so you may choose the microcontroller of your choice, although most
of the projects out there seem to lean toward the PIC.

The challenge could well be the circuit board. The 9850 is only available
in TSSOP so you need a good quality circuit board to attach it to. If your
PCB skills are good this won't be a problem. But if not, you might need to
hunat around for a protoboard or something of that ilk that you can get in
your location. Unfortunately, these tend to be kind of pricey.

...

"Steven Swift" wrote in message
...
"W3JDR" writes:

...the group IS called "rec.radio.amateur.homebrew"..isn't it?. Why would
someone be advised to buy when he asks for advice in a group dedicated to
building???

Joe

And it is fund to build stuff. The old sig gens were pretty simple, with
most of the hard work on the dial. The Eico 320 was pretty popular and
you can use the manual to build one of your own:
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Referenc.../EIC/EIC_8.zip

But you can replace the triodes with fets, lower the voltage to 12 volts
and
get the same results.

Steve.
--
Steven D. Swift, , http://www.novatech-instr.com
NOVATECH INSTRUMENTS, INC. P.O. Box 55997
206.301.8986, fax 206.363.4367 Seattle, Washington 98155 USA

matt vk3zmw wrote:
Does anyone have a set of plans for a modulated RF generator suitable
for testing receivers in the HF/VHF bands?

TIA

Drew Diamond, VK3XU, has published a few things in this line - in his
books "Radio Projects for Amateurs" now up to Vol 3. Available from TTS
Systems (one that I know of..) - excellent books, can recommend them to
anyone interested in home brewing.

If you want something with calibrated output, there has NEVER been a
better time to get a good used one - so much high quality test gear is
being sold off, as most telcos etc no longer maintain expensive gear
and trained staff to run it - cheaper to replace the equipment with a
new one.

73 de VK3BFA Andrew.