Handheld signal generators?

[David Aurora]

Anybody know of anything out there besides those clunky looking $20 eBay ones?

I used to have a Velleman HPG1 that was great for the tool bag but I lent it out ages ago and never saw it again, and they don't seem to be on the market anymore. Similar story with the Tenma 72-505/Iso-tech IFG100, I can see plenty of places that used to sell them but can't find them in stock.

I basically just want to replace the old one I had as it was super handy on jobs to be able to patch in without a power cable (both for simplicity and also as it takes ground loops out of the equation). I only need sine waves in the audio range, ideally with level control from a few mV to a couple volts RMS

[KungFuJosh]

I still have one of those Tenma 72-505 in one of my meter totes.

If high quality isn't a concern, there are lots of portable signal generators including Fnirsi TC3 or TC4, or stuff from other less annoying brands.

Something like the Uni-T UTG932 could probably be powered off a USB power bank. That's a decent gen, and it's small.

Thanks,
Josh

[David Aurora]

I had considered one of those handheld scopes with a signal generator (and I may still go that way), but I should have specified that I meant a dedicated signal generator with as few bells and whistles as possible. If I can avoid fucking around with buttons and menus that's ideal, because by the time I do that I feel like I could just plug in one of the billion bench signal generators I already have

[Aldo22]

There are lots of dedicated portable signal generators. Fnirsi has a couple that have a thread here, like the SG-003. I'd read the thread for opinions on it.

The Fnirsi SG-003A is a very useful tool, but not a signal generator in this sense.
It cannot generate sine waves.
It is a process calibrator.
https://www.elektormagazine.com/review/fnirsi-sg-003a-signal-generator

[David Aurora]

Yeah, that Fnirsi thing isn't what I'm talking about, and that Amazon thing is exactly what I was talking about not wanting 

[David Aurora]

Just to be clear, these are the kinds of things I'm talking about, neither of which appear to be available anymore:

https://www.velleman.eu/products/view/1-mhz-pocket-function-generator-hpg1/?id=398568&lang=en

https://us.amazon.com/Tenma-72-505-Hand-Audio-Generator/dp/B008DJS2GY

[armandine2]

..not inexpensive but has a interesting looking AWG included, RS Pro 133.

I order an unused one for less than half price from ebay - but the vendor couldn't supply  "inventory" error.

[themadhippy]

but I should have specified that I meant a dedicated signal generator with as few bells and whistles as possible.

cant get much simpler https://www.canford.co.uk/Products/25-065_CANFORD-TONE-GENERATOR-Analogue-audio-balanced-battery-powered

[David Aurora]

but I should have specified that I meant a dedicated signal generator with as few bells and whistles as possible.

cant get much simpler https://www.canford.co.uk/Products/25-065_CANFORD-TONE-GENERATOR-Analogue-audio-balanced-battery-powered

That's more along the lines of what I'm after

[themadhippy]

Theres also the minarator ,https://www.nti-audio.com/en/products/minirator-mr-pro-mr2  but it comes with a lot more whistles and bells along with a heftier price tag

[David Aurora]

Theres also the minarator ,https://www.nti-audio.com/en/products/minirator-mr-pro-mr2  but it comes with a lot more whistles and bells along with a heftier price tag

Yeah they look handy but massively overkill for my needs. I've got better sig gens if I need them, I just want something quick and easy for the tool bag for basic signal checks.

[DaneLaw]

An old phone/tablet with a free app would likely be the cheapest option.  (picure below)
Or use your work phone with TypeC splitter if you just need crude signals in the audio range.

Otherwise, if you need it to be ruggerized and be able to just drop in a toolbag, then get one of these small 40 to 70 dollar multimeters with scope.. many of those tend to have a signal generator built-in that can deliver your sine.
Usually called 3-1, and simply write of the secondary DMM/Scope aspects... Gochifix, Fnirsi, Owon, and likely also Zotek and Aneng got a few models with a built-in sig-gens.
fx https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71jj2aVnfHL._SL1500_.jpg
Just make up your mind, what sig-gen connector you want, as they do vary..  mcx, bnc or simply crude hook-on points..

[hfleming]

If you need a handheld signal-generator, why not go for one of those hand-held DSO/signal generator combo’s instead? Plenty of those around. zoyi, Fnirsi, Owon, etc, etc…

[danno_cj]

Some of these 3:1 devices have fixed output or limited range adjustment. With these 3:1 devices the upper and the lower limit can be the issue.
Owon hand-held DSO/signal generator combo’s can supply voltage from 10mV to 2.5 Vpp. Not all of them have generator inside. Models with generator have S at the end of name.

[David Aurora]

Yeah, nah, like I said- I'm looking for a handheld signal generator like the ones I linked to. I know there are all in one devices, apps, DIY options etc, but I'm specifically looking for a standalone hand held signal generator. Really looks like slim pickings out there these days though

[KungFuJosh]

Here ya go, have some fun with a project: https://www.jameco.com/z/WSAH105-Velleman-Velleman-Signal-Generator-Kit-1kHz-Fixed-Frequency-by-Whadda_2136930.html

[David Aurora]

Or... I could not. Again, not looking for alternative ideas, just trying to see if there's still an off the shelf solution on the market similar to the ones I linked.

[DaneLaw]

Or... I could not. Again, not looking for alternative ideas, just trying to see if there's still an off the shelf solution on the market similar to the ones I linked.

People are trying to help you... tone down the attitude.

[David Aurora]

Or... I could not. Again, not looking for alternative ideas, just trying to see if there's still an off the shelf solution on the market similar to the ones I linked.

People are trying to help you... tone down the attitude.

If you ask for suggestions on a framing hammer and people keep recommending their favourite rubber mallet it gets old quick. I definitely appreciate the people who chimed in with relevant suggestions, but just randomly recommending shit without actually looking at the examples isn't helpful.

[David Aurora]

Or... I could not. Again, not looking for alternative ideas, just trying to see if there's still an off the shelf solution on the market similar to the ones I linked.

No. There isn't. That's why alternatives were suggested. I'm out. 

Apparently there is. I just managed to find a supplier with those Tenma/Iso-tech ones in stock under yet another name (which makes at least 3 rebadges of the same item that I've found so far)

[Aldo22]

I also have a silly suggestion. Not for the OP, who has now found what he is looking for, but for others.
The $20 LCR Tweezers are quite handy for giving a quick signal.
You can choose between 100Hz, 1kHz, and 10kHz, as well as 100mVrms, 300mVrms, and 600mVrms (ZT-MD1).
This sine wave is quite clean.
Often that's all you need.

[David Aurora]

I also have a silly suggestion. Not for the OP, who has now found what he is looking for, but for others.
The $20 LCR Tweezers are quite handy for giving a quick signal.
You can choose between 100Hz, 1kHz, and 10kHz, as well as 100mVrms, 300mVrms, and 600mVrms (ZT-MD1).
This sine wave is quite clean.
Often that's all you need.

That actually just made me realise my DE-5000 can do the same, though not with adjustable level. Handy in a pinch for sure though!

[themadhippy]

I just managed to find a supplier with those Tenma/Iso-tech ones in stock under yet another name

Gonna share that name? Not that i need another signal generator, but others may find it useful.

[David Aurora]

I just managed to find a supplier with those Tenma/Iso-tech ones in stock under yet another name

Gonna share that name? Not that i need another signal generator, but others may find it useful.

There are a few! So far I've found it as the following:
- Tenma 72-505
- Iso-tech IFG100
- B&K Precision 3001
- Chung Instrument Electronics 555 RC Oscillators (yes, with an "s" at the end)
- Scope RC-555 RC Oscillators (again with an "s" at the end)

I sort of get the vibe that Chung Instrument Electronics might be the OEM because that's the only version I can find in stock anywhere, they're in Taiwan and all versions I've seen say made in Taiwan and they list themselves as an OEM manufacturer for other brands but who knows. I've emailed them to check if they're actually still producing them or if the ones I've found are just the last of some stock kicking around.

[Aldo22]

This model is more than forty years old.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/cie_chung_rc_oscillators_555.html#