Quick look at a B&K 415 and HP 3336A sweep generators
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2023
- Here's a look at a couple more interesting sweep generators.
B&K 415 solid state TV sweep and marker generator for 44 MHz IFs
HP 3336A synthesizer / level generator good up to 21 MHz 
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The 415 was good enough for the Stargate program.
I have that B&K marker generator. Unfortunately mine is missing the RF cable with the impedance switch. Keeping a constant eye out for one.
A few years back, I lucked into an HP 8662A at a really good price (needed repair), and retired all the other RF and sweep/marker gens I had acquired over the years. Has the same programmable sweep features and variable encoder knob of the 3336A, but works up to 1.2 GHz. It replaced an HP606A, a Boonton 202H, A Wavetek 1001, and a Heathkit IG-57A with one piece of gear. Wretched excess for working on old TV sets and radios, but why the heck not?
Lucky! Someday....someday....
because somebody else who really needs a 8662A is using the kind of gear you got rid off. (Maybe you need it too; but, that won't stop somebody who doesn't from copying you.)
Who exactly really needs an 8662A that is unable to get one? If you're servicing the type of equipment that requires than level of sophistication, you should be charging your customers enough to afford one. Better yet, get a newer device that's been calibrated and under warranty.
Have you seen Mr Carlson's Lab or the Signal Path? They have piles of high end equipment sitting around.
@@bandersentv Exactly...
@@bandersentv Mr. Carlson creeps me out... but, that's just me... I'm not implying anything. Signal Path is a hghly educated engineer, and works for a modern research University, in a very expensive, well funded lab. But yes... they are examples of how RUclips influencers can have unintended influence, and lead people astray.
Please post an in-depth video of doing alignment with the B&K 415. shango has videos, but his video on chroma alignment doesn’t explain where to hookup the B&K 415 to the tuner.
Problem is the 415 only works on newer chassis using a 44MHz IF. Most of what I work on uses the older 22.
Also, you really need to follow the alignment instructions specific to your chassis. They will tell you where to connect the generator. Generally, if you are aligning the IF, you inject at the input to the 1st IF stage. If you are aligning the tuner, you inject at the antenna terminals.
Hi bandersentv. Thanks for the video. Sometimes the stuff you say really surprises me. Those 3 center connectors on the 415 are nothing but extremely common microphone connectors. These were used on all kinds of vintage test equipment, like scopes and VTVMs. AFAIK Switchcraft still makes them (Amphenol was only one of them.) Every ham with a junkbox, and some vintage gear has some of these. Available at any hamfest. I still see musicians using vintage Astatic mikes using those connectors.
Yes, they are common, but you'll likely need NBC adapters to connect to your scope. Easier to swap them out. I was referring more generally to vintage test equipment. The RCA RW-514A or Philco 7008 use some really weird cables and pods.
@@bandersentv Especially given that the mounting holes for the old Amphenol mic connectors are the same 3/8" holes that you need for a BNC. You can "return to stock" in a few minutes if you ever wanted to for some strange reason. Have never seen a "microphone to BNC adapter", so you would need to make custom cables for connecting with your scope anyway...
@@bobweiss8682 No. When ever I've moded vintage gear (don't you just see the BS in the term 'vintage.') Anyway, whenever I'v moded this stuff, I've almost always regretted it. (I can't see that there's a problem used a 50 ohm BNC... from the 415 schematic... but there's a reason that B&K choose these mike connectors (they can go with 600 ohm cable.) Another-anyway if one doesn't know the reasons behind the design then.... Also, if someone can't (and I'm not saying you can't) ... if someone can cut a BNC - BNC patch in half, and solder a 250 F on the other end... how they gointo 'fix' radios?
These connections go directly to a scope. How many scopes have 600 ohm input impedance or use mike connectors?
@@willthecat3861 I thought 'vintage' was 20+ years and antique is 50+ years. Is that in error?
Does the HP3336A have FM stereo multiplex circuit? Looking for something to align FM stereo tuners.
No, nothing like that.
that's the problem :( most of the B&K 415s out on evil bay don't have any of the probes.
Easy to make. Much easier than aligning an old T.V. Lots of parts available to do it, including the connectors.
Great explanation :-)
What’s your opinion on a Heathkit TS-4A Television Alignment Generator
I just found one for $20 at a swap meet
Replace the three electrolytic and all four wax paper caps . Check all carbon comp resistors for drifted values.
Replace the blue colored Selenium rectifier with a 1N4007 or better. Check all the tubes. Clean every switch as
the contacts will surely be oxidized. There is a conversion sheet from Heathkit to make it a TS-4A if you want.
The TS-4A manual is available on the web for free. You will also need a probe and or a test lead for it. Again
see the manual for how to make them. As for aligning it there I'm not sure as you may need an oscilloscope
to correctly align on it. Good luck on the new acquisition.
Great thanks for the information and numbers. :-) I’m quite familiar with replacing caps and restoring. I was more wondering if it’s something worth bothering with
@@alexinnewwest1860 It's worth bothering with. For some people doing IF alignment on early T.V.s it's quite useful. The 415 won't do those earlier IF frequencies. It uses some common tubes... and put back right... the tubes could last a long time. It's got a pair of Colpitts oscillators... but if you cal it properly, and let it warm up... it's much better than those old T.V.s
A bit too early for me. You'll need to let it warm up and periodically calibrate. Doesn't have post marker support either. Eico 369 is a little better in that regard. Also, it relies on the AC line for the sweep signal. You may have trouble getting your scope to work properly if it doesn't support driving the x-axis form the ac line. The phase control is there to help with that. I'd swap out the old Amphenol connector for BNC.
Ok thanks. Maybe I’ll throw some new caps in it and play around just for learning purposes.
I just found a 57 Chisholm Industries TV which was a local electronics manufacturer here in Vancouver back in the day. I’m excited to pick it up
Yes. 1
If you are thinking of getting a 3336A... you really really don't need an HP 3336A to putz around with aligning an old AM radio. That's like using a micrometer to measure a rip cut off a 2X4. Leave these instruments for people that really need them... they know what they are... and they know how to use them.
No kidding. All of the equipment I have is overkill as I've stated many times before. Same goes for every vintage electronics channel. That's part of the fun. Getting to use equipment that was out of reach when it was new.
What's the harm in playing around with obsolete equipment? There are about a dozen 3336A/B/C on ebay right now. Better than it going in a landfill.
@@bandersentv Ya. They don't go to a landfill... not here at least. All the fad with aligning old radio has done has driven up the price... outside the reach of some people who need these things. Perhaps you don't see that. IMO, that's the harm. A friend of mine, after watching RUclips, spent thousands of dollars on HP, and R&S sig gens, only to find the alignment... on his old AM radios, really wasn't any better than done with his grandad's Stark sig gen, and Heathkit VTVM. All he needed to buy was a better tuning stick. Maybe that's the harm too.
@@willthecat3861 Who are these people that need a 45 year old boat anchor sweep gen? If it is for a business, pass the cost of equipment on to the customers. It's a free market economy.
@@bandersentv Hi bd: You're missing my point... and I'm not directing my comments specifically to you. IMO, it's not a boat anchor (and those that have one, and think it is, don't know... maybe you do.) Not everybody who uses these runs a business... or thinks about ways to use them for a profit. It used to be okay to get these... say for a field project, outside the lab (that's a real lab, not someone's mom's basement.)... but since the prices shot up... due to RUclips techno--social influencers... and Ebay industrial bottom feeder's greed...you can't. I can't say often... but more than enough... Harry has kicked the bucket, and Marge doesn't know with his 'wires and boxes' ... and when I go down into the lab=basement... there sits, untouched, unused a piece of gear that has only held down the basement floor for 25 years... cause Harry wanted to 'fix' radios... but, really didn't have a clue about this stuff.
You mentioned "landfill" ... well that situation is dispersed landfill. It's a waste... and accumulating these old, but hi-end, test gear doesn't benefit people who only want to putz around with old radios and T.V.s It all and only benefits RUclipsrs, and Ebayers... that's... IMO, the true business aspect going on.
@willthecat3861 I understand your point. I'm well ware if I mention a piece of gear, the demand and price may go up. I think you're missing mine. Who are you to decide who does or doesn't deserve to have one? Why can't anyone who can afford one, buy one and why shouldn't a seller get top dollar? Why should good deals be kept hidden by a select few? How about buy a new one and keep a company in business?
I understand that bothers you, but that's reality. I hate it when some distresses or paints vintage furniture, but I'm not going to tell them they can't.