Tony, I just finished the mod on my Lodestar Signal generator (same as yours). I happened to have the same cheap frequency counter laying around looking for a use. The mod was easy and really makes a nice addition to the signal generator. Thanks for the video.
I have learnt so much watching this here in lockdown in the UK. Thank you for your clear explanation. I really look forward to watching more of your excellent series
Thank you for taking the time to do this video. I learned a lot by watching. Hope to learn more from your videos. I especially would like to learn more about the isolation transformers and how to make a radio safe to use in everyday use. Thank you for your time
Excellent answer to a common problem- how to get better accuracy out of yesteryear/ lower cost test equipment. I was thinking of doing this very thing with a B&K RF generator and an Elenco AF generator. This makes the third video of yours I've watched. First was on the Eico capacitor checker. Just got mine today and started desoldering capacitors before watching your video. New subscriber here! I may have some questions for you at some point.
Nice job on the modification to your signal generator, I wanted to point out to others there are at least two other companies that sold this exact same signal generator under a different name but slightly newer but with a factory supplied separate BNC frequency monitor output. Two of them are the BK Precision 2005A, and the Goodwill Instrument Co. GRG-450B. I see these on Ebay quite a bit
Thanks very much, XRTB for putting out this video. It was very helpful to have the alignment steps so clearly laid out. This made the process a great deal more clear.
Thank you for taking the time to do the video. I think that is an outstanding way to monitor the reference frequency. I have watched some of your other videos. Thanks again keep up the great work.
Thanks a lot for sharing this tutorial, your .01uF capacitor fix to stabilize the attenuator worked great on my BK 2005B signal generator which is the same as your Tenma 72-585 as you know. I use an external frequency counter which is also a BK counter. My oscilloscope clearly shows the difference in attenuation without lowering the frequency value. It’s back on my workbench for use now.
I have been trying to figure out how to use my Sencore SG165 to do an AM alignment on a 1970’s receiver. As you know, the SG165 doesn’t have an AM sweep function. I could not find a video on RUclips that shows how to do the AM alignment with the SG165. From this video, I am now able to do the AM alignment. Thanks a bunch for posting and keep up the great work!! Cheers!!
After watching this I essentially did the same thing with a VIZ WR-50C and it works perfectly. BNC just below the crystal socket attached with a single wire to the junction of C105 and R106 for an external counter. Thanks for the idea!
Great video! I have an Eico tube version of that signal generator. I’m going to get one of those frequency counter modules to add to it. One point I’d like to share regarding the noise from your other piece of test gear. That is a common problem with electronic equipment nowadays, but the worst culprits for generating noise have to be the fluorescent light fixtures that are for sale now. The noise from them will completely swamp an AM radio, making alignment next to impossible. Some of the LED fixtures are bad for noise, too. If you want to work on AM or shortwave radios, you’ll need to use non-electronic ballast fluorescent lamps, or good old fashioned incandescent lamps for your bench, at least while you work on radios.
great video Tony, And yes i allso definatly want to see the SX1050 repair.in full as i have pionner amps SA500 and 500A plus a SA6200 which work well thanks again Colin
Nice job. I added a regulator to the the PS (for better Freq stability although yours seems good) & a small air variable cap that I connected to the main air variable & mounted to the back of the cover to get better resolution of the main Freq control.
I liked the Frequency meter addition so much that I added a small modifications to power the Frequency meter from the signal generator. I attached a 680 ohm resistor the B+ 24V line. The frequency meter gets about 5V and the B+ is reduced by only about 0.5v. When you turn on the Tenma power the frequency meter goes on also.
Well I appreciate the video you will. Me some things and I'm just getting into the hobby myself so I appreciate videos like this thank you very much keep them up
Excellent video! That Tenma is a vast improvement over the tube type Eico & Heathkit RF signal generators I have. I picked up an Elenco SG9500, which is solid state and similar to the Tenma, except it has a counter/digital display instead of the analog dial. Presently there are better choices for modest cost RF signal generators, even at new prices. Consider the tinySA & tinySA Ultra. These are feature packed, small devices. There are two major factors to be aware of. First it is all too easy to kill a spectrum analyzer by overloading the input. Second there are fakes of these devices. If anyone intends to get one, do your homework. There are plenty of YTs covering the use and fakes of these devices.
I remember watching this 3 or 4 years ago , I have a friend that does E-Waste scrapping , he was called by a electronics Vo-Tech school that closed it's doors ..... He carried off about 30 of those signal generators 15 or 20 oscilloscopes , 20 to 25 function generators ETC ....He got with me to help him find good homes for all that , he doesn't want good equipment to go to the landfill, everything was in working condition when he picked the items up.... GW Instek SG like yours but with the frequency counter BNC jack on them .....35 bux plus S&H .... Scopes for 50 bux etc.... Let your friends know ...... Take Care Mon Ami ...
I'm looking at my 1GHz Tenma frequency counter from MCM. That was the Playboy magazine for a EE student back in the late 70's. I think I bought my first scope from them, a Beckman 60MHz. Still a great scope!
First of all thank you for sharing your experience and enthusiasm with us. I am a 66 year old newby to this hobby and am learning so much from your videos. I have just started this conversion on my Altai TE 20D, all good so far. Just one simple question. The coax cable you used from the internal tag strip to the BNC socket inside the case, should I use 75 ohm or will any other value do ? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us. Terry
THANKS for your video......Nice description of the fundamentals of the AM alignment, researching alignment most videos think you know it all and don't include things like why there is a squeal. and why it is because of the fact that the signal generator and the radio RECEIVER signals are not in sinc, AND how it ties into the tuning dial indicator and why stations say they broadcast at some frequency that doesn't match what I find on my dial..... ... how about the Short wave alignment?? are they done with the 455 and 1600khz, settings on the signal generator just switching the meter bands?
tkarlmann great idea... on the other hand this is an analog dial signal generator that may or may not be very accurate. You can get an online signal generator that will cover HF on eBay for $52 shipped - and it will greatly outperform this sig gen.
Bry C most of those cheap signal generators are square wave generators and are very high in harmonics ... This type of signal generator produces a clean sign wave .
I have a lodestar and this is a very helpful modification. I load up my leads on 1M port on my freq counter Teed also to my coil to radiate a signal to radio, and it seems the freq counter is overloading the generator. Im then way off on the manual scale
Greetings: Isolation transformers when bought NEW can be a bit pricey. Also because they are heavy in general and get heavier as they have higher power capability; it may be best if you can source one locally. To that end, the ideal Isolation transformer has an input to output ratio of 1:1. Most of the time you can achieve a low cost by finding a transformer in a piece of obsolete or simply non-working equipment. What you are looking for is a transformer that is equipped with two 110-125 vac windings that allow switching between 120 & 240vac. When wired up, one of those 120vac windings will be used alone as the input and the other as the output. Do not be confused by schematics or wiring diagrams that imply that those windings are for input use only. As long as all windings are isolated from one another or willingly be unused, then they can be used for either function. If by chance you intend to be working on older equipment originally designed for lower mains voltage, you can wire any 5v, 6.3v, or even 12.6v ac outputs to be used in series with the primary to increase or decrease the output voltage by appropriate wiring choices. You should understand how to determine whether you will be increasing or decreasing the output ac voltage depending on the polarity of the windings. Be sure that all unused windings remain isolated and are insulated against accidental touching. Although not a convenient alternative to a variable AC transformer (aka variac) they can be wired to perform similarly. Again, in almost all cases only series wiring should be used and all arrangements should be measured before assuming your wiring is correct. Also, since one of the original 120 vac windings is being used as output, only 1/2 of the original power handling capability remains (e.g. for original 5a input capability, only 2.5a remains for the output winding). I hope no one assumes this is easy if you have no experience. Do this at your own risk. Be careful.
Great video. the old AM radio looks similar to the one we built back when i was in BOCES in 1980 (less the tubes of course lol). considering the components are fixed in the Tenma generator, any way to bring it into better alignment? Would make for a nice video itself. Haven't heard the name MCM in a long time! Used to order form them at my first job in '82.
Great video thanks very much. So the local oscillator tracks the incoming signal and keeps its spacing of 455 Khz via the 2 tuning capacitors being locked together on the same shaft, but can the local oscillator ever go of frequency because some other component has changed value in the circuit. So instead of tracking it at 455 it's wandered to some mad difference say 800 kHz away. What other components are involved in making the local oscillator oscillate. All very interesting stuff. Thanks
I'm not sure who cloned who, but this model has been sold under dozens of brands ranging from Leader, BK (2005A/B), Lodestar, GW Instek and of course Tenma. The GW Instek version which I have has an additional BNC jack on the front for a counter.
Another great video Tony, I saw in the end there that you have a HP 8657... I got one of those and really never used it.. Well actually I don't know how to use it. Would you consider making a video on that piece of equipment? And yes we would definatly want to see the SX1050 repair. Thanks again
shango066 has some videos out where he uses it. The one he has called "AM Radio Silver Mica Disease Repair Tube Radio" is the one that convinced me to get one, but I haven't seen any review videos or how to videos regarding it.
Great video. I'm thinking about trying this on a BK 2005A. My question is. Is your generator the same as 2005 ?. The other is do you have any idea how to program the frequency counter. I hit the program button and mest up the counter . Can't find any instructions on how to get this corrected. Thx jTM
Tremendous tutorial, thanks so much for sharing. I'm looking for a RF Generator for alignment of older Ham Radio transceivers - not sure if attenuation control is fine enough for this purpose? I note GW Instek produced something similar with ext counter port- model GRG-450 that might be viable and plenty on eBay.
Christopher, Thanks for watching! If you plan on only servicing AM radios, most any RF generator will work. If you want to get into FM, you may need to go with a better unit than this one.
The best thing to put in front of the LED display would be a "circular polarizer" There are some folks that make them at a reasonable price. Basically any light that goes in through the polarizer, can never come back out to glare out the light from the digits.
What if you salvage and verify some old IF crystals ,plug them in? I have used another counter, all in one,off air freq,and ctcss,dcts, cost 25 ish$. You can hide it inside, but I Velcro them in case you want to move it. I also made a accessory , 50,75,300 OHM padding device with a counter in it , Similar to the one you used. That way I can get more control,of impedence match, any 50 or 75 ohm pad will do. Good work repurposing,updating old hear.
the plastic hex tool. shoudl work from top for both top and bottom slug... the hex part of tool if its like 1/8 or lil hair more. then round plastic to the handle.. you slip it thru the top slug find the bottom slug and do ur tune then slip it back up to the top coil .. so on ..
Could a similar mod be conducted for Model LSG -11 Signal Generator please? If so, where on the circuit board would you tap off the signal for the frequency counter frequency input? Thank you very much! Kind regards, Peter 😁
This being an older video. Which piece of newer equipment would you suggest for a newbie to learn to align old AM receivers? Siglent Technologies SDG1032X possibly??
What type and make is your Isolation Transformer, I am going to be working on a Lafayette Shortwave Receiver, ( tube type ) in the near future. I want to be safe than dead. Thank you for the video and the tip on safety.
I take the signal from the generator, and attach it to a freq counter, with a oscilloscope probe(on 1x) and tune the generator to 455 khz, not matter what the generators dial says, then do the alignment.
Have the same generator as you trying to do this for CB I hear nothing when I do this coil idea. I don't hear anything at all. Any ideas how do make this work?
ne yazıkki orada bulunan test aletlerini ve kullandığın test aletlerini temin edemiyoruz ülkemde üretim yok ve bulunmuyor ve çok çok pahalı alamıyoruz teknolojiye yatırım yapmadık seni tebrik ediyorum.
can you use a 4 ohm resistor connected to the speaker wires, and disconnect the speaker so you can turn up the volume wide open like most alignments call for, to do the alignment?
Yes, you can do that. Another way that I didn't show is to tap into the audio signal before the volume control. Circuit designs vary from radio to radio, so you need to look at the schematic to know where to connect.
So if one wanted to use a freq. Counter with say 7 or 8 digit display could one connect the BNC connector where you had on the board and then just connect the freq counter to the bnc installed on the board of the signal generator. With the freq. Counter having its own power supply?
All he's really doing here is creating a separate monitor jack that will have a "fixed" output. You should be able to use it with about any bench frequency counter or scope.
Hi sir it was great to watch this video but my signal generator does not have 450 MHz but it is mentioned that it can be done using frequency multiple How to do that can you help
To get your RF sig gen dial accuracy to line up with the output, you can trim the main oscillator with a silver mica cap to get the output to line up with the dial.
A 9V 78L09 voltage chip would be really easy and guaranteed not to add any switching noise to the RF output. But that signal generator is really tricky to accurately set above 15 MHz even with a frequency counter isn't it?!
"But that signal generator is really tricky to accurately set above 15 MHz even with a frequency counter isn't it?!" Yes it appears so but I found this video where an RF pre amplifier is used ruclips.net/video/P1h8N6GaZXQ/видео.html . I have tried using one of these pre amps along with a cheap frequency counter off AliExpress. I have also had an SDR running on my laptop at the same time for comparisons. I found that I could get frequencies to stabilise around 24 - 25mhz up to 30mhz with a slight variation in readings from the SDR. The signal generator I'm using is a TRIO SG-402. Note: I'm relatively new to all this and no coax was used and connections were not the best so I'm sure there would've been signal loss etc.
Most of those sets had two (ferrite) slugs per I.F. can, and two I.F. cans per set, or the I.F. can had no (adjustable) slugs, and - instead - had two trimmer caps, both accessible from the top. For his set, there should be another slug, reachable from the bottom, with the set turned over. Don't forget to peak these, too!
sorry to be so off topic but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me
@Jaxon Abraham thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
Friend my RF Signal Generator 17A is the same as yours internally the circuit, it does not have any CI, it is all transistorized, I need the Maintenance and User Manual scheme. Do you have your Manual or where can I download it because they are the same. Can you send me please. Thanks Oliveira
😷 HOLY CRAP !! My wife just walked by as “Cookie” was shown.... @32:05 She stated the following to me: “WHAT ARE WATCHING ?? DID THEY REPLACE THE FELINE PAW WITH A BABY’S FOOT??” and... “YOU WATCH THE SICKEST SHIT “ Of course, I played it up and explained how this was a medical experimentation channel and that an infant had donated its organs and limbs to science and for medical / experimental purposes. Btw: CATS SUCK.... Think “Toxo”. (toxoplasmosis) and. Bella is a beautiful DOG. 👍🏻 Seriously.. thanks for the videos. 😷👍🏻🇺🇸🧂
i have one those but my was made by B&K , but i never use it because i have a ton's of rf generators, better than this one , also i have the same meters i see on you shop , i work all my life repair ,redesign electronics and industrial electric stuff but i"m too old for that stuff but i miss that things , i have a lot test equipment made be sencore , i love sencore , good lock with you stuff and have fun
The problem with RF signals is that they are very low amplitude, which make it difficult to accurately measure them without using sensitive test equipment. You could feed the SG into a 50 ohm load and measure the amplitude, but it would be difficult with a scope, as they aren't very sensitive at very low signal levels. The other way would be to use a spectrum analyzer (very expensive) or an RF voltmeter or RF power meter (hard to find / expensive). That said, it can be hard to get an accurate measurement even using a synthesized RF signal generator with calibrated output unless the coupling and load are properly accounted for. Chec out the video I did on connecting a 50 ohm signal generator onto a non-50 ohm load. I touch on this subject there. Thanks for the comment!
Развлечения
Tony, I just finished the mod on my Lodestar Signal generator (same as yours). I happened to have the same cheap frequency counter laying around looking for a use. The mod was easy and really makes a nice addition to the signal generator. Thanks for the video.
I have learnt so much watching this here in lockdown in the UK. Thank you for your clear explanation. I really look forward to watching more of your excellent series
Thank you for taking the time to do this video. I learned a lot by watching. Hope to learn more from your videos. I especially would like to learn more about the isolation transformers and how to make a radio safe to use in everyday use. Thank you for your time
Excellent answer to a common problem- how to get better accuracy out of yesteryear/ lower cost test equipment. I was thinking of doing this very thing with a B&K RF generator and an Elenco AF generator. This makes the third video of yours I've watched. First was on the Eico capacitor checker. Just got mine today and started desoldering capacitors before watching your video. New subscriber here! I may have some questions for you at some point.
Nice job on the modification to your signal generator, I wanted to point out to others there are at least two other companies that sold this exact same signal generator under a different name but slightly newer but with a factory supplied separate BNC frequency monitor output. Two of them are the BK Precision 2005A, and the Goodwill Instrument Co. GRG-450B. I see these on Ebay quite a bit
Thanks very much, XRTB for putting out this video. It was very helpful to have the alignment steps so clearly laid out. This made the process a great deal more clear.
Thank you for taking the time to do the video. I think that is an outstanding way to monitor the reference frequency. I have watched some of your other videos. Thanks again keep up the great work.
Thanks a lot for sharing this tutorial, your .01uF capacitor fix to stabilize the attenuator worked great on my BK 2005B signal generator which is the same as your Tenma 72-585 as you know. I use an external frequency counter which is also a BK counter. My oscilloscope clearly shows the difference in attenuation without lowering the frequency value. It’s back on my workbench for use now.
I have been trying to figure out how to use my Sencore SG165 to do an AM alignment on a 1970’s receiver. As you know, the SG165 doesn’t have an AM sweep function. I could not find a video on RUclips that shows how to do the AM alignment with the SG165. From this video, I am now able to do the AM alignment. Thanks a bunch for posting and keep up the great work!! Cheers!!
After watching this I essentially did the same thing with a VIZ WR-50C and it works perfectly. BNC just below the crystal socket attached with a single wire to the junction of C105 and R106 for an external counter. Thanks for the idea!
I have this same signal generator and plan to do the same modification that you did on yours. Thanks for the great tip.
I have learnt more from you than any other videos i have watched thanks man.
Great video! I have an Eico tube version of that signal generator. I’m going to get one of those frequency counter modules to add to it. One point I’d like to share regarding the noise from your other piece of test gear. That is a common problem with electronic equipment nowadays, but the worst culprits for generating noise have to be the fluorescent light fixtures that are for sale now. The noise from them will completely swamp an AM radio, making alignment next to impossible. Some of the LED fixtures are bad for noise, too. If you want to work on AM or shortwave radios, you’ll need to use non-electronic ballast fluorescent
lamps, or good old fashioned incandescent lamps for your bench, at least while you work on radios.
great video Tony,
And yes i allso definatly want to see the SX1050 repair.in full as i have pionner amps SA500 and 500A plus a SA6200 which work well thanks again
Colin
Fascinating! I am just getting a signal generator in for valve radio alignment. Will see if I can get the counter in a similar configuration.
Thanks for this suggestion. I've made the mods as described. I'm using my bench counter and works great!
Thanks for the upload! Ive been looking at getting a Signal generator and saw a similar one on ebay. Now I know how to use one!
Fantastically explained a real lesson perfect thankyou
Nice job. I added a regulator to the the PS (for better Freq stability although yours seems good) & a small air variable cap that I connected to the main air variable & mounted to the back of the cover to get better resolution of the main Freq control.
Iv just seen one of those signal generators for sale and on the strength of your great explanation on how it works etc I might buy it 👌..
thanks for help us about adjusting radios and use of this equipment.
Thank you for it think the best and most informative video I have seen on this subject. 🎄👍
Hey, I enjoy hour-long episodes :). Keep that up! I learned a few things along the way.
It's levels to these bezels
Nice video and appreciated the second part showing alignment. Have another subscriber!
Thank you!!
Always can learn one more thing every day Thank You
I liked the Frequency meter addition so much that I added a small modifications to power the Frequency meter from the signal generator. I attached a 680 ohm resistor the B+ 24V line. The frequency meter gets about 5V and the B+ is reduced by only about 0.5v. When you turn on the Tenma power the frequency meter goes on also.
Thanks for showing this video. I have learnt much
Well I appreciate the video you will. Me some things and I'm just getting into the hobby myself so I appreciate videos like this thank you very much keep them up
Yes, I have this Signal Generator with Leader Brand, I bought it in 1985.
เอาสโคปวัดตรงไหนของเครื่อง
Excellent video! That Tenma is a vast improvement over the tube type Eico & Heathkit RF signal generators I have. I picked up an Elenco SG9500, which is solid state and similar to the Tenma, except it has a counter/digital display instead of the analog dial. Presently there are better choices for modest cost RF signal generators, even at new prices. Consider the tinySA & tinySA Ultra. These are feature packed, small devices. There are two major factors to be aware of. First it is all too easy to kill a spectrum analyzer by overloading the input. Second there are fakes of these devices. If anyone intends to get one, do your homework. There are plenty of YTs covering the use and fakes of these devices.
I remember watching this 3 or 4 years ago , I have a friend that does E-Waste scrapping , he was called by a electronics Vo-Tech school that closed it's doors ..... He carried off about 30 of those signal generators 15 or 20 oscilloscopes , 20 to 25 function generators ETC ....He got with me to help him find good homes for all that , he doesn't want good equipment to go to the landfill, everything was in working condition when he picked the items up.... GW Instek SG like yours but with the frequency counter BNC jack on them .....35 bux plus S&H .... Scopes for 50 bux etc.... Let your friends know ...... Take Care Mon Ami ...
I'm looking at my 1GHz Tenma frequency counter from MCM. That was the Playboy magazine for a EE student back in the late 70's. I think I bought my first scope from them, a Beckman 60MHz. Still a great scope!
Good Video. I happen to have this generator branded "Lodestar". I may do this mod. Thanks!
excellent video very educational, well done, thank you
Not again. Another electronics channel to subscribe to. :) Thanks for the video - very helpful.
First of all thank you for sharing your experience and enthusiasm with us. I am a 66 year old newby to this hobby and am learning so much from your videos. I have just started this conversion on my Altai TE 20D, all good so far. Just one simple question. The coax cable you used from the internal tag strip to the BNC socket inside the case, should I use 75 ohm or will any other value do ? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us. Terry
Great video, thanks a lot really enjoyed it, and I also learnt a lot thanks again.
Great video. Yes, do the full SX1050 video
THX - I want to do exactly this to my old Heathkit
THANKS for your video......Nice description of the fundamentals of the AM alignment, researching alignment most videos think you know it all and don't include things like why there is a squeal. and why it is because of the fact that the signal generator and the radio RECEIVER signals are not in sinc,
AND how it ties into the tuning dial indicator and why stations say they broadcast at some frequency that doesn't match what I find on my dial.....
... how about the Short wave alignment?? are they done with the 455 and 1600khz, settings on the signal generator just switching the meter bands?
Thank you - I learned a lot.
Good stuff! Thanks, Tony.
Wouldn't it be easier to just put a 455 crystal in the front socket?
i love this video , i have 1 generator like that but not from tenma ,i have a B&K model 2005B , i never like tenma stuff
tkarlmann great idea... on the other hand this is an analog dial signal generator that may or may not be very accurate. You can get an online signal generator that will cover HF on eBay for $52 shipped - and it will greatly outperform this sig gen.
Bry C most of those cheap signal generators are square wave generators and are very high in harmonics ... This type of signal generator produces a clean sign wave .
Whoops! Guess I should have watched the whole video before commenting. Great solution.
I have a lodestar and this is a very helpful modification. I load up my leads on 1M port on my freq counter Teed also to my coil to radiate a signal to radio, and it seems the freq counter is overloading the generator. Im then way off on the manual scale
Nice job mate big thumbs up
Greetings:
Isolation transformers when bought NEW can be a bit pricey. Also because they are heavy in general and get heavier as they have higher power capability; it may be best if you can source one locally. To that end, the ideal Isolation transformer has an input to output ratio of 1:1. Most of the time you can achieve a low cost by finding a transformer in a piece of obsolete or simply non-working equipment. What you are looking for is a transformer that is equipped with two 110-125 vac windings that allow switching between 120 & 240vac. When wired up, one of those 120vac windings will be used alone as the input and the other as the output. Do not be confused by schematics or wiring diagrams that imply that those windings are for input use only. As long as all windings are isolated from one another or willingly be unused, then they can be used for either function. If by chance you intend to be working on older equipment originally designed for lower mains voltage, you can wire any 5v, 6.3v, or even 12.6v ac outputs to be used in series with the primary to increase or decrease the output voltage by appropriate wiring choices. You should understand how to determine whether you will be increasing or decreasing the output ac voltage depending on the polarity of the windings. Be sure that all unused windings remain isolated and are insulated against accidental touching. Although not a convenient alternative to a variable AC transformer (aka variac) they can be wired to perform similarly. Again, in almost all cases only series wiring should be used and all arrangements should be measured before assuming your wiring is correct. Also, since one of the original 120 vac windings is being used as output, only 1/2 of the original power handling capability remains (e.g. for original 5a input capability, only 2.5a remains for the output winding). I hope no one assumes this is easy if you have no experience. Do this at your own risk. Be careful.
Why not put a small variable capacitor in parallel with the main tuning cap for easier adjustments?
Great video. the old AM radio looks similar to the one we built back when i was in BOCES in 1980 (less the tubes of course lol). considering the components are fixed in the Tenma generator, any way to bring it into better alignment? Would make for a nice video itself. Haven't heard the name MCM in a long time! Used to order form them at my first job in '82.
Great video thanks very much. So the local oscillator tracks the incoming signal and keeps its spacing of 455 Khz via the 2 tuning capacitors being locked together on the same shaft, but can the local oscillator ever go of frequency because some other component has changed value in the circuit. So instead of tracking it at 455 it's wandered to some mad difference say 800 kHz away. What other components are involved in making the local oscillator oscillate.
All very interesting stuff. Thanks
I'm not sure who cloned who, but this model has been sold under dozens of brands ranging from Leader, BK (2005A/B), Lodestar, GW Instek and of course Tenma. The GW Instek version which I have has an additional BNC jack on the front for a counter.
Another great video Tony, I saw in the end there that you have a HP 8657... I got one of those and really never used it.. Well actually I don't know how to use it. Would you consider making a video on that piece of equipment? And yes we would definatly want to see the SX1050 repair. Thanks again
Andre,
I'll see if I can do something on the HP 8657. It's a great signal generator.
Thanks for watching!
I've got one too, it is great. Does AM and FM. Powerful and accurate. I'd like to see a video to get the most out of it.
Yes it is. I bought it on eBay and it was in very good condition and seem to work well. Not sure about all it's features but I like it.
shango066 has some videos out where he uses it. The one he has called "AM Radio Silver Mica Disease Repair Tube Radio" is the one that convinced me to get one, but I haven't seen any review videos or how to videos regarding it.
Thanks I will take a look at it.
Thanks for the excellent demo. Can I have that extra Eico VTVM you have on the shelf? :)
Great vid.Thanks.
Great topic. I have seen these and was wondering if they would be any good. I need a higher frequency sig gen for FM radio alignments.
Great video. I'm thinking about trying this on a BK 2005A. My question is. Is your generator the same as 2005 ?.
The other is do you have any idea how to program the frequency counter. I hit the program button and mest up the counter . Can't find any instructions on how to get this corrected.
Thx
jTM
Thank you so much sir for taking your time to help others learn.where did you get the freq readout meter?
eBay. Really cheap.
This dude is pretty smart!
Tremendous tutorial, thanks so much for sharing. I'm looking for a RF Generator for alignment of older Ham Radio transceivers - not sure if attenuation control is fine enough for this purpose?
I note GW Instek produced something similar with ext counter port- model GRG-450 that might be viable and plenty on eBay.
Christopher,
Thanks for watching! If you plan on only servicing AM radios, most any RF generator will work. If you want to get into FM, you may need to go with a better unit than this one.
The best thing to put in front of the LED display would be a "circular polarizer" There are some folks that make them at a reasonable price. Basically any light that goes in through the polarizer, can never come back out to glare out the light from the digits.
What if you salvage and verify some old IF crystals ,plug them in? I have used another counter, all in one,off air freq,and ctcss,dcts, cost 25 ish$. You can hide it inside, but I Velcro them in case you want to move it. I also made a accessory , 50,75,300 OHM padding device with a counter in it , Similar to the one you used. That way I can get more control,of impedence match, any 50 or 75 ohm pad will do. Good work repurposing,updating old hear.
Tenma is made by LG Goldstar. I've got the 72-910 Digital counter / function generator model for sale at EBay $40.
Hi, What value was the capacitor you used to couple the output to the frequency counter ? 0.1uf ?
This is also a BK precision 2005B, INSTEK GRG-450B,
i Repair Electronics thank you I was wandering I have the bk precision
the plastic hex tool. shoudl work from top for both top and bottom slug... the hex part of tool if its like 1/8 or lil hair more. then round plastic to the handle.. you slip it thru the top slug find the bottom slug and do ur tune then slip it back up to the top coil .. so on ..
Thanks for the vedio. I want to buy a tube tester by which you can advise me an old tester and which brand or a curve tracer like utracer3, etracer .
Could a similar mod be conducted for Model LSG -11 Signal Generator please?
If so, where on the circuit board would you tap off the signal for the frequency counter frequency input?
Thank you very much!
Kind regards,
Peter
😁
This being an older video. Which piece of newer equipment would you suggest for a newbie to learn to align old AM receivers? Siglent Technologies SDG1032X possibly??
What type and make is your Isolation Transformer, I am going to be working on a Lafayette Shortwave Receiver, ( tube type ) in the near future. I want to be safe than dead. Thank you for the video and the tip on safety.
I take the signal from the generator, and attach it to a freq counter, with a oscilloscope probe(on 1x) and tune the generator to 455 khz, not matter what the generators dial says, then do the alignment.
Good video.
Hello Tony, can you do the same am alignment with this setup on a more recent piece of gear - say an sta-47? lol
Have the same generator as you trying to do this for CB I hear nothing when I do this coil idea. I don't hear anything at all. Any ideas how do make this work?
Have one under the monarc brand perfect for the experimenter it is what it is for the money
ne yazıkki orada bulunan test aletlerini ve kullandığın test aletlerini temin edemiyoruz ülkemde üretim yok ve bulunmuyor ve çok çok pahalı alamıyoruz teknolojiye yatırım yapmadık seni tebrik ediyorum.
Yes we want to see it in detail..............
can you use a 4 ohm resistor connected to the speaker wires, and disconnect the speaker so you can turn up the volume wide open like most alignments call for, to do the alignment?
Yes, you can do that. Another way that I didn't show is to tap into the audio signal before the volume control. Circuit designs vary from radio to radio, so you need to look at the schematic to know where to connect.
So if one wanted to use a freq. Counter with say 7 or 8 digit display could one connect the BNC connector where you had on the board and then just connect the freq counter to the bnc installed on the board of the signal generator. With the freq. Counter having its own power supply?
All he's really doing here is creating a separate monitor jack that will have a "fixed" output. You should be able to use it with about any bench frequency counter or scope.
MCM is a subsidiary of Newark electronics.
Can I use this to inject a ikhz tone into my radio Mike plug to tune my radio/amp
Hi sir it was great to watch this video but my signal generator does not have 450 MHz but it is mentioned that it can be done using frequency multiple
How to do that can you help
To get your RF sig gen dial accuracy to line up with the output, you can trim the main oscillator with a silver mica cap to get the output to line up with the dial.
A 9V 78L09 voltage chip would be really easy and guaranteed not to add any switching noise to the RF output. But that signal generator is really tricky to accurately set above 15 MHz even with a frequency counter isn't it?!
"But that signal generator is really tricky to accurately set above 15 MHz even with a frequency counter isn't it?!"
Yes it appears so but I found this video where an RF pre amplifier is used ruclips.net/video/P1h8N6GaZXQ/видео.html . I have tried using one of these pre amps along with a cheap frequency counter off AliExpress. I have also had an SDR running on my laptop at the same time for comparisons. I found that I could get frequencies to stabilise around 24 - 25mhz up to 30mhz with a slight variation in readings from the SDR. The signal generator I'm using is a TRIO SG-402. Note: I'm relatively new to all this and no coax was used and connections were not the best so I'm sure there would've been signal loss etc.
Use a small wide band amp from EBAY to monitor signal( about 9 bucks)
Most of those sets had two (ferrite) slugs per I.F. can, and two I.F. cans per set, or the I.F. can had no (adjustable) slugs, and - instead - had two trimmer caps, both accessible from the top. For his set, there should be another slug, reachable from the bottom, with the set turned over. Don't forget to peak these, too!
sorry to be so off topic but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me
@Caleb Alfred Instablaster =)
@Jaxon Abraham thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
@Jaxon Abraham it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my account !
@Caleb Alfred no problem xD
how can I breakdown the part numbers of the IF cans? I have looked everywhere to try to determine just what the specifications are.
Sam Calloway ... I need help on this too . 😤🤔🤔🤔
That looks very very similar to my 1973 LSG-16 signal generator - the inside is virtually identical -> www.radiomuseum.org/r/leader_lsg_16_lsg16.html
thanks
An old friend of mine passed away and left me one of these I've no idea what is for but it's just like the one you have what are these things worth
I wonder how easy is it to turn this into a sweep generator?
Friend my RF Signal Generator 17A is the same as yours internally the circuit, it does not have any CI, it is all transistorized, I need the Maintenance and User Manual scheme.
Do you have your Manual or where can I download it because they are the same.
Can you send me please.
Thanks Oliveira
How to make that loop antenna ?
좋아요~^^
😷 HOLY CRAP !! My wife just walked by as “Cookie” was shown.... @32:05
She stated the following to me:
“WHAT ARE WATCHING ?? DID THEY REPLACE THE FELINE PAW WITH A BABY’S FOOT??”
and...
“YOU WATCH THE SICKEST SHIT “
Of course, I played it up and explained how this was a medical experimentation channel and that an infant
had donated its organs and limbs to science and for medical / experimental purposes.
Btw: CATS SUCK.... Think “Toxo”. (toxoplasmosis)
and.
Bella is a beautiful DOG. 👍🏻
Seriously.. thanks for the videos.
😷👍🏻🇺🇸🧂
I have a BK/Tenna meter. Can you add a freq counter to mine for a price
i have one those but my was made by B&K , but i never use it because i have a ton's of rf generators, better than this one , also i have the same meters i see on you shop , i work all my life repair ,redesign electronics and industrial electric stuff but i"m too old for that stuff but i miss that things , i have a lot test equipment made be sencore , i love sencore , good lock with you stuff and have fun
The only thing you did not show is where you grounded the coax to the bnc on the board
any idea how to set and measure the output on one of these to 20dbm output?
The problem with RF signals is that they are very low amplitude, which make it difficult to accurately measure them without using sensitive test equipment. You could feed the SG into a 50 ohm load and measure the amplitude, but it would be difficult with a scope, as they aren't very sensitive at very low signal levels. The other way would be to use a spectrum analyzer (very expensive) or an RF voltmeter or RF power meter (hard to find / expensive). That said, it can be hard to get an accurate measurement even using a synthesized RF signal generator with calibrated output unless the coupling and load are properly accounted for. Chec out the video I did on connecting a 50 ohm signal generator onto a non-50 ohm load. I touch on this subject there. Thanks for the comment!