Mine was branded Maplin. Used it for years, but the attenuator is pretty useless above about 20 MHz as the RF just leaked around it! Frequency stability is quite poor above about 20 MHz, and using a frequency counter is almost essential with this item as the calibration is only a guide! But as you say, simple to use and reliable - provided you understand its limitations.
I've got one of these, "Altai" branded, bought it from new years ago and its still like new. Had to fix it once, the high frequency inductor (just a thick copper wire wire if I recall) had separated from the range switch, due to poor factory soldering. I pulled it out not so long ago to test an oscilloscope, and it still works fine. I've got tons of stuff from the 70's, 80's, even 50's & 60's, my wife doesn't understand at all.
Congratulations for the video and for the full explanation. I have the same generator but Lodestar branded and I would like you to make a video on the use of the instrument and on the calibration of a transistor radio. It's possible? Thanks
I have a video of alignment of a valve radio here ruclips.net/video/7r9VeG1SaeI/видео.html I am using a 1940's signal generator, however the principle is the same for the more modern instruments. And here ruclips.net/video/BFPDzkcZS00/видео.html is a video of transistor alignment. Again, different generator but principle is the same.
Thanks for your review. You didn't mention but the RF oscillator Q1 circuit on the schematic is not correct! There is no bias to the jfet. Obviously the circuit is drawn totally wrong. It would be nice if someone posted the correct circuit diagram. There are many free downloads of the manual online--they're all the same with the incorrect Q1 circuit.
13:15 Is this for chalking calibration? I’ve a valve Tech RF generator, allows you to zero beat against a known crystal reference, say 10 MHz and obtain 10 m references. Is this the same?
Hi Bill. I have just bought one of these signal generators it's the Altai te20d in superb condition. It's slightly different from the one you have as my has the plastic front surround. I have also built one of the frequency counter kits from eBay to accompany it. I do have a question if you can help. I have an old transistor radio from the 60s that I would like to get working again. Can you recommend where I can buy replacement capacitors in UK. Terry
Terry, I just use UK suppliers on EBay, and do my best to get the free postage option! For example:- www.ebay.co.uk/str/elecompuk?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 and www.ebay.co.uk/str/jhcomponentslimited?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 Hope that helps.
@@LockdownElectronics Thank you for getting back to me Bill. I was just sat in the garden watching one of your videos on the oscilloscope kit. I did a bit of electronics about twenty or thirty years ago as a hobby. In them days you had Maplins in Southampton where I live. Also a little radio repair shop and you could get anything there. Now I am retired and in needed something to keep me out of mischief. Try and stay cool, thanks again. Terry
@@terryblackman6217 I had Maplin in Erdington, West Midlands in the 80's, moved to North Yorkshire in '91 and had Maplin in Middlesbrough, now all gone of course. Mind you I can get components delivered for less than the fuel cost to get to Maplin! Also recently retired and electronics is keeping me out of trouble (along with my motorcycle and scuba diving!) extreme heat for your part of the world tomorrow, mind how long you sit in the garden!
@@LockdownElectronics you sound like a busy man. My other hobby is flying model aircraft. On my garden thermometer today it reached 98. Far too hot. Take care. Terry
Hello, may I ask what kind Of TinySA you were using? I would like to buy one for my hobby but I don't know if the cheaper one will be okay or if I should buy the Ultra? Thx for your opinion. / Geert
So if I was trying to put the signal from this machine to a CB radio would I have to go from the BNC output jack.With the switch for Int. Mod selected. Connect a BNC to PL-259 cable and plug directly into the antenna jack on the radio. Is that what injects the signal to the radio properly?
Mine was branded Maplin. Used it for years, but the attenuator is pretty useless above about 20 MHz as the RF just leaked around it! Frequency stability is quite poor above about 20 MHz, and using a frequency counter is almost essential with this item as the calibration is only a guide! But as you say, simple to use and reliable - provided you understand its limitations.
I have one of these (Lodestar brand). Bought it for around 40 years ago, and it still works fine :)
I've got one of these, "Altai" branded, bought it from new years ago and its still like new. Had to fix it once, the high frequency inductor (just a thick copper wire wire if I recall) had separated from the range switch, due to poor factory soldering. I pulled it out not so long ago to test an oscilloscope, and it still works fine. I've got tons of stuff from the 70's, 80's, even 50's & 60's, my wife doesn't understand at all.
There are a few RUclips channels where you can see one of these signal generators lurking in the background!
Congratulations for the video and for the full explanation. I have the same generator but Lodestar branded and I would like you to make a video on the use of the instrument and on the calibration of a transistor radio. It's possible? Thanks
I have a video of alignment of a valve radio here ruclips.net/video/7r9VeG1SaeI/видео.html I am using a 1940's signal generator, however the principle is the same for the more modern instruments.
And here ruclips.net/video/BFPDzkcZS00/видео.html is a video of transistor alignment. Again, different generator but principle is the same.
Thanks for your review. You didn't mention but the RF oscillator Q1 circuit on the schematic is not correct! There is no bias to the jfet. Obviously the circuit is drawn totally wrong. It would be nice if someone posted the correct circuit diagram. There are many free downloads of the manual online--they're all the same with the incorrect Q1 circuit.
I finally found a valid schematic diagram that shows the correct Q1 circuit. Search for Leader LSG-16 manual.
13:15 Is this for chalking calibration? I’ve a valve Tech RF generator, allows you to zero beat against a known crystal reference, say 10 MHz and obtain 10 m references. Is this the same?
Hi Bill. I have just bought one of these signal generators it's the Altai te20d in superb condition. It's slightly different from the one you have as my has the plastic front surround. I have also built one of the frequency counter kits from eBay to accompany it. I do have a question if you can help. I have an old transistor radio from the 60s that I would like to get working again. Can you recommend where I can buy replacement capacitors in UK. Terry
Terry, I just use UK suppliers on EBay, and do my best to get the free postage option!
For example:-
www.ebay.co.uk/str/elecompuk?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
and
www.ebay.co.uk/str/jhcomponentslimited?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
Hope that helps.
@@LockdownElectronics Thank you for getting back to me Bill. I was just sat in the garden watching one of your videos on the oscilloscope kit. I did a bit of electronics about twenty or thirty years ago as a hobby. In them days you had Maplins in Southampton where I live. Also a little radio repair shop and you could get anything there. Now I am retired and in needed something to keep me out of mischief. Try and stay cool, thanks again. Terry
@@terryblackman6217 I had Maplin in Erdington, West Midlands in the 80's, moved to North Yorkshire in '91 and had Maplin in Middlesbrough, now all gone of course. Mind you I can get components delivered for less than the fuel cost to get to Maplin!
Also recently retired and electronics is keeping me out of trouble (along with my motorcycle and scuba diving!) extreme heat for your part of the world tomorrow, mind how long you sit in the garden!
@@LockdownElectronics you sound like a busy man. My other hobby is flying model aircraft. On my garden thermometer today it reached 98. Far too hot. Take care. Terry
Hello, may I ask what kind Of TinySA you were using? I would like to buy one for my hobby but I don't know if the cheaper one will be okay or if I should buy the Ultra? Thx for your opinion. / Geert
It was the cheap version.
The new one is supposed to be very good....
Thank you very much for your quick answer! I now know what to do. 😊
Sorry, To be sure: Did you mean with 'new one' the new cheap or the ultra?
I have no experience of either one of those, only what I have heard on line.
@@LockdownElectronics okay thx a lot.
So if I was trying to put the signal from this machine to a CB radio would I have to go from the BNC output jack.With the switch for Int. Mod selected. Connect a BNC to PL-259 cable and plug directly into the antenna jack on the radio. Is that what injects the signal to the radio properly?
3342 total words in H:M:S 00:19:35, roughly 170 wpm. lovely presentation. Makes me want one.
they are easy to use but they keep drifting ,the frequenty not very acuarete the tiny is far much better
I have an altai one of these,is it possible to calibrate the output to setup radio 'S' meters?,cheers + 73