Author Topic: Signal Generator what one to choose between?  (Read 1817 times)

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Offline CramboneTopic starter

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Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« on: February 05, 2023, 10:49:24 pm »
Ok guys and ladies if you have a choice between a Marconi 2024 or a HP 8662A what one would you prefer and why?

Andrew
 

Online tautech

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2023, 11:06:08 pm »
Ok guys and ladies if you have a choice between a Marconi 2024 or a HP 8662A what one would you prefer and why?

Andrew
Neither can be described as a sig gen when in fact they are RF gens.
Just saying.
Maybe change the topic title.
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Offline DimitriP

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2023, 11:11:04 pm »
Really?  Really?
On my planet RF is still a signal for some strange reason

https://avalontest.com/marconi-2024-9-khz-to-24-ghz-signal-generator

https://www.atecorp.com/products/marconi/2024

https://www.curiousmarc.com/instruments/hp-8662a-signal-generator


To circle back  to the original question, it depends on what you are going to be doing with it and which one you can have for free :)
   If three 100  Ohm resistors are connected in parallel, and in series with a 200 Ohm resistor, how many resistors do you have? 
 

Offline CramboneTopic starter

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2023, 11:32:15 pm »
Potato potato
Tomato tomato

Come on
 

Offline CramboneTopic starter

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2023, 11:33:32 pm »
Uhhhhh always that guy, just saying! lol joking call it what you want we all get the idea
 

Online bdunham7

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2023, 11:38:26 pm »
For me, the RF Gen is an 'under the bench, haul out as needed' item.  That 8662A is quite a beast to haul out on occasion, one of the reasons I've never been tempted to keep one.  Also, you might want to consider the modulation capabilities of each if you anticipate needing that capability.  Extensive manual reading is indicated.  I haven't seen the Marconi 2024 myself, but the 8662A is a well-made monster with a very clean, precise signal output.
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 

Offline switchabl

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2023, 11:40:29 pm »
The 8862A has significantly better phase-noise (by 10-20 dB) which may or may not be very important to you. The 2024 might be considered a more practical choice: it is more recent, much smaller and lighter, has more modulation options and goes to 2.4 GHz.

Neither can be described as a sig gen when in fact they are RF gens.
Just saying.
Maybe change the topic title.

It generates signals, so in my book that makes it a signal generator. Marconi and HP agree. If you want to be more specific, you can call it an RF signal generator. Depending on the field you work in, that is usually implied.
 

Online tautech

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2023, 11:51:22 pm »
Potato potato
Tomato tomato
Yup but in my world:
FG
SG
AWG
RF gen

Are all very different things with some little cross over for sure of which none can do all what the other can do.
The one exception is AWG's that sometimes except for max amplitude old FG's have an edge.
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Offline switchabl

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2023, 12:43:48 am »
I mean, it says "signal generator" on the front panel. People have been calling them that for at least 60 years (https://www.hpmemoryproject.org/wb_pages/wall_b_page_10b.htm). If you seriously want to discuss the merit of this, maybe consider starting a new topic?

OP, to me, it comes down to this: the HP is an impressive bit of engineering and in some ways can still hold its own against a modern MXG. But it's a huge, complex beast and it weighs 30 kg. Don't get one unless you are into this sort of thing and have a permanent space for it.
 
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Offline Fungus

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2023, 06:57:07 am »
All RF generators are signal generator but not all signal generators are RF generators.
 
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Offline BillyO

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2023, 03:04:32 pm »
Yup but in my world:
FG
SG
AWG
RF gen

Are all very different things with some little cross over for sure of which none can do all what the other can do.
The one exception is AWG's that sometimes except for max amplitude old FG's have an edge.
You forgot PG.

Pulse generators are very specialized devices and while some of the above have overlapping functionality with a purpose designed PG (Pulse Generator) they are clumsier to use in the applications that a proper PG excell at.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Online tautech

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2023, 06:59:53 pm »
Yup but in my world:
FG
SG
AWG
RF gen

Are all very different things with some little cross over for sure of which none can do all what the other can do.
The one exception is AWG's that sometimes except for max amplitude old FG's have an edge.
You forgot PG.

Pulse generators are very specialized devices and while some of the above have overlapping functionality with a purpose designed PG (Pulse Generator) they are clumsier to use in the applications that a proper PG excell at.
:)
I have a friend with a 100 MHz Phillips PG that at one time I would regularly borrow for its Mark/Space capabilities to check CRO calibration.
TBH the modern AWG Pulse capability kicks arse for this requirement......even the now discontinued SDG1010 I had was quite capable in this regard for the CRO repairs I once did.
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Online joeqsmith

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2023, 06:01:09 am »
Ok guys and ladies if you have a choice between a Marconi 2024 or a HP 8662A what one would you prefer and why?

Andrew

I have a Marconi  branded 2024 signal generator.  It's old and came with a dead power supply and display.  After my repairs it was calibrated and I've not had any problems with it.  Phase noise is decent (see manual) and its easy to control remotely.   The output level is accurate enough for my use.   Attached plots compare signal generator with my spectrum analyzer.     

If you have any questions about it that are not covered in the manual, feel free to ask. 
« Last Edit: February 07, 2023, 06:02:47 am by joeqsmith »
 

Offline colorado.rob

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Re: Signal Generator what one to choose between?
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2023, 04:39:52 pm »
Neither because I have little need for a simple RF signal generator. Modern RF requires a vector signal generator, one that can generate arbitrary IQ modulation. One can typically find an Agilent E4433B vector signal generator for a similar price.

But you have not told us what the intended purpose is, so it's hard to make an informed recommendation.
 


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