Author Topic: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions  (Read 2489 times)

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Offline cvancTopic starter

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Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« on: May 16, 2019, 02:25:36 am »
So I'm looking for a cheap but nice function generator and came across some old Philips models (PM5131, PM5135, others?).  Any opinions on these, are they OK and reasonably trustworthy after all these years?

Need to hunt down very narrow high-Q resonances in loudspeakers, and a big vernier dial adjusted by hand seems like a workable solution.  From a quick search the Philips models are more affordable than HP or Leader equivalents.

All comments welcome, thanks.
 

Online tautech

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2019, 03:11:35 am »
I've got an old PM5131 somewhere and it was my first sig gen.
Never had any issue with it other than a bit of noise on the pots which is par for the course in older stuff.
The big dial was way off frequency at the upper end but other than that it worked fine.

I'd put the manual up but it's 3 MB and AFAIK not hard to find online.
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Offline trobbins

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2019, 03:10:53 am »
A free software sine generator like in REW provides 0.5Hz resolution settings up to 200Hz, and 1Hz above that - I'd suggest a lot more repeatable and accurate than analog equipment you may acquire - and ready to go within minutes  ;)
 

Offline vk6zgo

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2019, 04:10:39 am »
A free software sine generator like in REW provides 0.5Hz resolution settings up to 200Hz, and 1Hz above that - I'd suggest a lot more repeatable and accurate than analog equipment you may acquire - and ready to go within minutes  ;)

Solid state analog is ready to go within seconds!
Even tube stuff would be up in a minute.
 

Offline trobbins

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2019, 05:19:09 am »
Not if you don't have the equipment and need to find something on ebay - which is I think the situation.

Of course that assumes the OP is using a PC with a soundcard  :-\
 

Offline AudioFile

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2023, 07:55:00 pm »
I know it's been ages, but just in case ;).

All the manuals available for PM5131 seem to have page 41 missing as it was copied with the page folded over. Any chance of a copy of that page? I need to calibrate my unit and the sequence of adjustments seems to be important.  Many thanks!
« Last Edit: August 24, 2023, 07:56:55 pm by AudioFile »
 

Online tautech

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2023, 10:35:00 am »
I know it's been ages, but just in case ;).

All the manuals available for PM5131 seem to have page 41 missing as it was copied with the page folded over. Any chance of a copy of that page? I need to calibrate my unit and the sequence of adjustments seems to be important.  Many thanks!
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Offline AudioFile

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Re: Vintage Philips function generators: Questions
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2023, 09:02:48 pm »
Thanks so much for your reply, tautech. Sadly, this copy also has the folded over page 41.  The search continues...
 


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