My First Function Generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: dreaquil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 10:10:02 am
content: Hi,I'm an electronics engineering student in my second year (out of four) and I'm looking to buy a second hand Function generator with a budget of about 200$ I was wondering if anyone could suggest good affordable function generators that (like the BK precision 4011) i could look up on ebay or maybe other sites that i might be missing.My requirements are:about 1Hz to about 5MHz (could be as low as 2 and as high as anything as long as its within budget)Ideally with a Display20Vpp output or thereabouts EDIT : 20Vpp into high impedance and 10Vpp into 50 ohmDc OffsetA sweep function would be an added bonus but isn't necessaryAlso, I live in Europe so most sites like TEquipment wont ship to me at an affordable rate.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 10:31:24 am
content: Is your 20Vpp into high impedance?Most generators are designed for 10Vpp into 50 ohms but may be listed as 20Vpp into high impedance (the internal resistance is typically 50 ohms).If you're looking for 20Vpp into 50 ohms then you'll find it much more difficult to find a generator.

author: dreaquil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 10:34:52 am
content: ah yeah you're right.. so 10Vpp into 50 ohm

author: dreaquil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 10:36:35 am
content: Basically looking for a versatile function generator to complete my little home lab .. got my scope a meter and a power supply .. just need a function gen now.

author: geekbot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 07:08:49 pm
content: You could buy a DDS Signal generator for like 30 bucks or so. It's not worthy to be called as a lab equipment but it will be enough for hobby works. See IEMP by Itead Studio. I think it's the best out of these ones. Or you could make a DDS Signal generator with a DDS chip from Analog Devices. I am trying to do that because I dont have the money to buy function gens. They are too costly!

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 07:51:34 pm
content: I've got a GW Instek SFG-1003, which is a basic unit that seems to (barely) meet all your specifications, significantly under your budget. Amazon has it for about $130. Not sure about availability in Europe.It goes to 3 MHz, but it will only do that with square or sine output. The limit for triangle output is 1 MHz. For all wave types, the lower frequency limit is 0.1 Hz, and it's adjustable in 0.1Hz increments.It's a DDS generator, and has excellent frequency accuracy and stability compared to typical analog generators.It will put 10V into a 50 ohm load, or 20V into high impedance.It has a digital display of frequency. There's another model, the SFG-1013, which adds a digital voltage display, at an additional cost.It has no sweep or modulation of any kind. Just standard sine, square and triangle outputs, plus a TTL output. There is also a variable duty cycle on the square wave.It is basic, without a lot of bells and whistles, but it does a good job with the basics.

author: Herman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 03:02:49 am
content: Quote from: dreaquil on May 27, 2014, 10:10:02 amMaybe Siglent 805 will be a good choice for you.http://www.siglent.eu/waveform-generators/sdg-800-series/sdg805-5mhz.htmloutput frequency 1MHz ~ 5MHz,Amplitude 4mVpp~20Vpp(HighZ), 2mVpp~10Vpp(50ohm)Sweep,Burst

author: dreaquil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 05:26:02 am
content: That siglent does look pretty impressive and i wouldnt mind spending a bit extra for all the added features... do you have any experience with it? I might also conider the SFG 10003 if the shipping blows the price out of the water. As for the DDS chips i thought about it but I think id rather stretch my budget and get a quality one from a manufacturer cause I dont see myself buying another one anytime soon and very often with the DIY projects its a lot of time and extra expenses

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 10:23:45 am
content: Quote from: dreaquil on May 29, 2014, 05:26:02 amBe careful here on this forum if you get recommendations for Siglent. There is not just a group of mindless Siglent fanboys being active here, recommending Siglent whenever there is an opportunity, but there are also for ages some strange things going on when Siglent threads show up:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-siglent-3000-series-dmm/msg451324/#msg451324https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/review-of-owon-sds7102/msg180575/#msg180575Note the first link. There is maybe more behind this Herman guy with this innocent Siglent recommendation than it meets the eye.Further, while certain people violently try to deny it, for practical purposes Siglent, like Gratten, is another brand of Atten. And Atten is just a manufacturer of rubbish clone stuff.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 11:19:27 am
content: You may want to set a country flag in your forum profile - makes it easier for people to provide useful buying advice.If you are in the UK or Ireland then CPC (part of the Farnell group) have the SFG-1013 for £105 + VAThere.You may have seen Dave recommend the SFG-1003 in this vblog:How To Set Up An Electronics LabIf you're not put off by Bored@Work's conspiracy theories there's a second hand Siglent SDG1020 currently at £99 on eBayhere.

author: dfmischler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 12:09:59 pm
content: I got a BK 3011B for US $40 on ebay. There are a couple HP 8111A 20 MHz pulse/function generators available in your price range today [plus some at ridiculous prices]. I'm sure there are more options, too. If you have a little time just search ebay for function generators in your price range, and google for the manuals so you will know if it meets your needs. I would not buy any used function generator if there is no manual available, and I would prefer a service manual over a user manual.

author: petieken
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 03:43:01 pm
content: I'm also living in Europe, I recently got an HP 3312A function generator on ebay for US $49 (~37 euro). After shipping, tax and import duties from USA to Belgium the total came to 78 euro. It even came with the original Operating/Service manual.IMO it's worth it to set up some saved searches with e-mail notification on ebay and just be patient. That's how I got the HP 3312A.

author: dreaquil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 05:16:19 pm
content: Haha that's a shady way of doing business. Okay, yeah i've been looking at those 8111A but the shipping always blows the prices out of proportion, you pay 1/2 Function Generator and 1/2 shipping. I guess i'll just have to keep looking at ebay. As for the siglent, I thought I had seen a video where dave visits a siglent distributor and finds that theyre not so bad... any thoughts on this?

author: speedyant
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 05:58:04 pm
content: I bought a sdg1010, it is enough for my needs.

author: pinchip
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 06:03:12 pm
content: Is there difference in file formats and usb protocols between different brands? e.g. If I have Rigol oscilloscope, can I "play" waveforms from usb stick from Siglent AWG?

author: speedyant
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 06:22:05 pm
content: I don't know, i try with a csv file, from my atten oscilloscope to my siglent generator...But you know are the same "thing"...

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 06:24:20 pm
content: Most sig gens will be able to import a CSV and make sense of those points so you get the original waveform.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 06:48:00 pm
content: I have a Siglent SDG1020 it's very nice. When it was first introduced it had a slight problem which was fixed shortly after. I purchased mine after that point so there was no issue. If you do go for a second hand one you should be aware of it. There is a fix on the forum and it's a simple one so even if you did get one it's easily repaired. Siglent sells under many brand names so you may end up with one without realizing it.Siglent or some of it's salespeople? have been "playing around" on the forum. I really wish they wouldn't the hardware is pretty good and inexpensive. Pretending to be people talking about the product just isn't necessary. Put some out there for review, Dave, Mikeselectricstuff, Robrenz, whoever, I'm sure many out there would be happy to have a look at the stuff.