AWG2041 what would you pay? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: CoffinDodger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 03:35:37 pm
content: I'm looking for a function generator new/used and hoping to stay under $500. Been looking at used Waveteks, HP/Agilent, Tektronix, some Rigols, etc. and not sure what to consider for new when i'm used to getting better bang for buck used. Anyway, to the title. I found a couple used Tektronix AWG2041s from approx. 400-500 usd. A deal? or terrible idea? I've also been looking at Wavetek 288s in the 150-250 usd range, and some AWG2021s.If you were willing to spend up to $500 for a function generator what would you look for?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 04:09:32 pm
content: With the only criteria being $500, I will assume you need the sample rate and BW or you would buy brand new. There's been a few threads about the Sony/Tek on this site. I have an old HP33120A that I bought brand new many years ago. There are times having two channels would have been useful. If you're not sure what you need then buying anything is a poor choice.Maybe watch some YT videos. If you have a specific technical question about the 2041, feel free to ask as I may be able to help.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 04:45:54 pm
content: Quote from: CoffinDodger on September 11, 2021, 03:35:37 pmIf I had a working, good-condition AWG2041 I could sell it for quite a bit more than $500, so I'd be wary of what you are actually getting at that price. It's only a good deal if it works.If the AWG2021 would be sufficient in sample rate/functions/BW, then at $500 I would buy a new Siglent SDG2042X and uphack it to 120MHz. It's not perfect, but it generally gets the job done. If you had a clearer idea of what you really need or want regarding specs, you'd get better specific advice.

author: CoffinDodger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 05:30:03 pm
content: Thank you for the response. Some conversation often helps to get the brain moving or....be less scattered/ADD.I'll admit right now. I have NO idea what i'm looking for or need. I'm laughing at myself right now but that's the sad obvious truth of it. The more I look at gens the more I realize how diverse they are. I'm an electronics hobbyist like most, an EE student, an Instrumentation Tech (But for the Army so does it really count?), and have a bagillion other hobbies that splits the budget and knowledge base. I've been getting by with just a few test pieces. An Analog Discovery 2, a DS1054Z, a Rigol PSU, and some hand me down Fluke DMMs I'm fortunate enough to have from my Father-in-law. I'm looking more towards motor control, PSU design, Inductors/Transformers, and repairing whatever I can get my hands on.So first thought was "Bigger for less = better right!?" Because if I don't know what I need I might as well have room to grow. But then, after posting, started thinking "What if generators are like torque wrenches?" as in just because it has a certain range it doesn't mean it's accurate or as useful across its whole range as a torque wrench with a smaller range. Not sure that's a good way to think of it. Then saw the 2042X thread the moment I went back to the main thread.joeqsmith, Watched the video you posted. Kind of bringing me back to reality after too much eBay window shopping. Funny I only start using my brain after making a s**t post.bdunham, You're probably right about the 2042X. If anything else, it seems like the right place to start while I learn.Again thank you two for taking the time to respond, I know that post was a bit of a vague vomit. Just needed to get it out of the way I suppose to start thinking reasonably again.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 05:41:01 pm
content: The advice was based on your $500 and IMO the Siglent gives you the most at that price point. Perhaps you could start with a lot less (FeelTech FY6900) or since you already have the Analog Discovery 2, perhaps just an amplifier for it would be more useful choice?https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=353140243068&_sacat=0

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 05:57:49 pm
content: Quote from: CoffinDodger on September 11, 2021, 03:35:37 pmFor 'just a function generator' I'd get the Feeltech Fy6900 (or later model) any day. These are so cheap that you simply can't waste money on them. Nowadays there is no need to mess around with old boatanchors that are noisy and likely require repairs.

author: Plasmateur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 06:02:58 pm
content: SDG2042X -https://siglentna.com/waveform-generators/sdg2000x-series-functionarbitrary-waveform-generators/Hackable.Nothing else even comes close. Don't bother looking at anything else. This is the best bang for your buck you can get. You can end the thread now.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 06:20:36 pm
content: I would start with, do you even need an Arb? Maybe you would be better served with an RF generator. I watched a video some time ago where a radio hobbyist bought an arb without learning anything about them before their purchase. They wanted it for RF work. The video was about a half hour rant about how poor the performance was. It was hard to feel bad for the guy.There have been times I could have used a second channel on my 2041. While it has GPIB and is easy to control with LabView, Ethernet would help with the upload times. I like that it can be clocked synchronously and at a 1:1 ratio.Another option as far as just experimenting is doing it virtually with SPICE. With MicroCap now being free we all have access to a very nice simulator.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 06:32:06 pm
content: QuoteA while back I was working on this old relic. When these first came out, I used its big brother for some experiments. I think the cost back then was about $100k. Not a bad Arb but it was their first dip into Ethernet and the performance was so poor, the GPIB interface would out perform it.The funny thing, the AGW2041 has much better trigger jitter than this unit. These also require a the sampling clock to run above 5GHz (or something like that) so you may end up have to multiply the clock to use it.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 08:48:02 pm
content: My recommendation for a budget AWG (incorporating some hacking) from todays point of view is to get a Rigol DG811 and convert it to DG992 terrain (not exactly due to calibration constraints, it will lose some 2dB of amplitude at 100MHz unless someone figures out how to calibrate it). This instrument can be considered the lowest-priced option to enter "half-way professional" terrain, provided that a maximum signal frequency of 100MHz will suffice. Second hand gear is another option, but chances are that 10+ years old gear will lack several of today's equipment's features that may make "lab life" much easier...

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 09:14:32 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 11, 2021, 05:57:49 pmI like the old boatanchors, electronics is a hobby for me and the gear is fun to tinker with. I've had a few random low cost Chinese instruments and I eventually got rid of all of them, there is something about the feel of most budget equipment I just don't like, they just feel cheap to me. I'm sure the FY9600 is a fine value, but personally I'd much rather have an old Tek, HP/Agilent or other A-list brand, the specs might be lower but they will be specs I can trust. I find a great appeal in having equipment that once cost a fortune, it shows in the build quality and the overall feel in most cases and the documentation tends to be much better. It's like an older Mercedes or BMW luxury car vs a low end new economy car, many people value the new aspect, I don't.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2021, 10:27:24 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on September 11, 2021, 09:14:32 pmThe major difference is that an older luxury car is actually luxurious. Smooth ride and very little noise. Old test equipment is nothing like that. More likely the opposite: loud (due to fans), bulky / heavy and poor user interfaces.

author: CoffinDodger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2021, 12:26:58 am
content: Quote from: TurboTom on September 11, 2021, 08:48:02 pmThis is petty but god do I wish the DG800s and 900s weren't so ugly...Either way I'm between that option and picking up this guy's 2042X second hand for $350.https://www.ebay.com/itm/124891037395?epid=598133079&hash=item1d1415fed3:g:nYoAAOSwZO5hONaCDoes the DG811 hack upgrade all the specifications to near DG992 levels, or just bandwidth?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2021, 03:11:13 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 11, 2021, 10:27:24 pmI guess it depends on how old. I find older Tek and HP equipment to have very nice controls, logically laid out, my HP AWG and frequency counter have beautiful vacuum fluorescent displays and nice big membrane buttons. I replaced the fans with Noctua fans that are barely audible. To each their own, but I enjoy owning equipment I wished I could have years ago when it was way, way out of my price range. The documentation is another big one, the manual for my frequency counter is almost an inch thick and is written in proper English. Some of the budget gear I've had came with a few pages written in Chingrish.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2021, 05:44:16 am
content: Quote from: CoffinDodger on September 12, 2021, 12:26:58 amAgreed, the design is questionable to tell the least, but the instrument is surprisingly rigid and doesn't feel "cheapish" at all. It's also got quite some heft to it. I was quite positively surprised when I got mine.The hack turns the instrument into a full-featured DG992 except for the level calibration above approx. 70MHz. The consequence is that there is a gradual drop in output level between 70 and 100MHz of round about 2dB -- that's it. Otherwise, the hacked DG811 is identical with the DG992 (less the black case).In case of a warranty claim, the hack can be reverted without leaving a trace.