[time-nuts] Problem with HP 83623A 20 GHz sweep generator stepping up/down 100 Hz when not wanted.

Bob Camp kb8tq at n1k.org
Fri Dec 23 08:03:52 EST 2016


Hi

On a sweep generator with a magnet tuned YIG, supply ripple is a very common issue ….

Bob

> On Dec 22, 2016, at 9:00 PM, n2lym <n2lym at optonline.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Bob,
> 
> I don't have issues at 60, 120, or 180Hz in a 60Hz country. Even with a 500KV line a few thousand feet away. I can hear the corona on the ham bands at times.
> 
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 05:15 PM, Bob Camp wrote:
> 
>> Hi
>> 
>> 
>> In a country with 50 Hz power lines, figuring out anything at 50, 100 or 150 Hz
>> is going to be a bit exciting.
>> 
>> Bob
>> 
>>> On Dec 22, 2016, at 4:04 PM, n2lym  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Dave,
>>> 
>>> Look at it with a narrow band SA and see if it's modulated by 100Hz.
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> 
>>> Mike N2LYM
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 07:39 AM, Dr. David Kirkby (Kirkby Microwave Ltd) wrote:
>>> 
>>>> On 22 December 2016 at 03:17, paul swed
>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Dave Congratulations on 10 Ghz SSB.
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> This was not a QSO at all. It was simply a one way transmission from a
>>>> signal generator at my end to a receiver at his end. No QSO was attempted.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> Now to your question. I will fully believe you are seeing normal behavior
>>>>> of the generators. Even if its dithering 100 Hz thats pretty amazing. Sweep
>>>>> gens simply are not stable enough for narrow work like you are trying.
>>>>> Now I am sure comments will prove me totally wrong.
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> But I find it a bit odd that HP would have a 1 Hz software option on this
>>>> instrument, if the instrument jumped up/down 100 Hz.
>>>> 
>>>> Now I don't yet have the 1 Hz option programmed in, and it might well
>>>> change the behavior completely, but I'd still like to find a way, if one
>>>> exists, of checking this with the equipment I have.
>>>> 
>>>> The signal generator is no longer supported, but I could try my luck seeing
>>>> if there are any known problems with this unit, or firmware upgrades
>>>> available - currently revision 29, May 1991.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> But I don't think so. (Have been on 10G SSB over the years also. Only 60
>>>>> watts plus. Nothing fancy. ;-)  )
>>>>> Regards
>>>>> Paul
>>>>> WB8TSL
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 60 W is clearly some setup. I also know a lot of people run portable stuff
>>>> on 10 GHz, where achieving frequency stability is more of a challenge,
>>>> although less so with GPS. But this is a laboratory instrument, from a
>>>> reputable manufacturer. I personally would not expected this behavior. I
>>>> actually purchased this very cheaply (£650 GBP, which would have been about
>>>> $900 at the time), but they are not cheap to buy now.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Dave
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