[time-nuts] Test Equipment

[J. Forster]

I agree. The RF generators are not really useful for radio work.

-John

==============


> I agree, the TM-500 series has a lot of good plug-ins like DMMs, power
> supplies, function generators, pulse generators and frequency counters,
> that
> are quite useful and as good as economy stand-alone equipment, often for
> much less.
>
> One relatively deceptive instrument in the TM-500 series is the SG-503
> (and
> its big brother SG-504). On paper, it sounds very useful, with 250MHz max
> frequency and very stable output level with a frequency counter built-in
> in
> a single TM-500 drawer. But its frequency stability is insufficient to
> check
> receivers, the frequency control (and counter) is too coarse, and the
> attenuator has very limited range (high level only). It is perfect for
> what
> it was designed for, which is checking the bandwidth of oscilloscopes, but
> is not really useful for much else, particularly not for checking
> receivers.
> I have one in perfect condition, and I never use it.
>
> If you do RF work on a budget, don't buy an SG-503. They are still
> relatively expensive, and not very useful. Keep your money for a true
> Signal
> Generator, like an HP 8640 (manual tuning) or an HP 8657A (synthesized),
> or
> a Communication Test Set.
>
> This was my $0.02 for today...
>
> Didier
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com
>> [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On Behalf Of J. Forster
>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 3:46 PM
>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Test Equipment
>>
>> One thing to look at is the Tek TM500 stuff. When I lived in
>> a small appartment, it was very helpful. There are a wide
>> variety of modules available, often in the $20 to $30 range.
>> They are also mostly pretty easy to fix and use mostly
>> standard OTS parts.
>>
>> The TM500 stuff is NOT a substitute for high end instruments,
>> but is well above hobby grade. BTW, the RF generators are not
>> very good on frequency stability. You can get 6 lab grade
>> instruments in a box about 9" wide x 14" high x 18" deep.
>>
>> FWIW,
>> -John
>>
>> ================
>>
>
>
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