Recommendation request for a function generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: yotam
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 03, 2016, 10:20:45 pm
content: Hi,I've recently decided to double down on my electronics hobby and bought 'The Art of Electronics' and 'Learning the Art of Electronics'.I have enough parts to get me started for now, and I plan on buying the Rigol 1054Z scope, but what I'm missing is a function generator.Is there anything with a similar price-value ratio of the 1054z, but in the range of <200$?I do have a budget to buy a better one if I have to, but I prefer to avoid it, my main criterion is that I would be able to implement the labs in 'Learning the ...', and extract meaningful information from them (as opposed for example to having to guess if I got it right or not due to jitter).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2016, 10:23:34 pm
content: Did you look at the cheap Feeltech dual channel generators?

author: yotam
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 05:14:32 am
content: Something likethis?If so, what are the drawbacks?

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 06:47:16 am
content: Quote from: yotam on April 04, 2016, 05:14:32 amHave a look at this thread from about Reply 139 onwards:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy3224s-24mhz-2-channel-dds-aw-function-signal-generator/125/The power supply isn't isolated or grounded. A cheap fix is to replace the power cord.

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 07:28:48 pm
content: I am very, very happy with my TEK AWG2021. Its GUI allows me to create waveforms without a PC, which i need a lot.But I am not sure if it fits your needs as it is BIG. Price bracket is like 300USD.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 07:38:31 pm
content: I have been eyeballing the Tektronix AWG2000 series before but they are prone to leaky capacitors and they are rather noisy.

author: yotam
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 08:00:36 pm
content: Any suggestions for a better alternative in that price range?

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 12:27:35 am
content: Quote from: yotam on April 04, 2016, 08:00:36 pmNew or used ? Available only in Israel or USA via eBay.If used and USA - check out old Wavetek units - good quality and made in my hometown ha ha haStart with Wavetek 145Since they are good quality, there is a chance this works (in Israel )http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wavetek-Function-Generator-134-untested-/231865580433?hash=item35fc43fb91:g:kzQAAOSwyjBW2XwB

author: yotam
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 12:36:12 pm
content: I decided to order this one. Thanks!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 12:46:00 pm
content: You bought that old piece of junk?Why not buy one from Feeltech? Dual output, digitally adjustable, stable frequency, etc.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 05:29:33 pm
content: Quote from: yotam on April 05, 2016, 12:36:12 pmWhat one ?

author: yotam
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 06:05:18 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on April 05, 2016, 05:29:33 pmThe Wavetek 134I've no need for an AFG in the meantime.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 08:06:50 pm
content: Quote from: yotam on April 05, 2016, 06:05:18 pmHope it works - let me know. Can you tell me what is AFG ? auto freg gain ??Pay attention to the output - it says into 50 ohms.

author: yotam
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 08:09:41 pm
content: Sorry, I meant AWG (Arbitrary Waveform Generator).

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 03:51:11 am
content: Quote from: yotam on April 05, 2016, 06:05:18 pmUhhh.... you bought the one in that ebay link? Bent BNC connectors on VCG and TRIG inputs, missing Variable knob on Sweep Width control, non-original knob on Sweep Time control, apparent salt-water corrosion, panel markings largely worn away, apparently no line cord....."removed from working environment".... I wonder what that means.Well... good luck anyway. But be prepared to find that it needs work, such as replacement of the power supply filter capacitors, switch and control cleaning, a replacement knob for that missing one, and you may be able to straighten the BNC connectors with careful work with needle-nose pliers... maybe.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 03:58:25 am
content: Quote from: alsetalokin4017 on April 06, 2016, 03:51:11 amAnd it is in Israel

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 01:39:21 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on April 06, 2016, 03:58:25 amAs if they have no way to receive something from China in IsraelThat Wavetek 134 you linked to is an utter piece of crap and the seller is laughing his ass off that someone actually paid $45 + shipping for it!

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2016, 12:58:24 am
content: Well... I was trying to be polite... but yes, utter piece of crap seems like a fair description.But who knows, maybe it's working perfectly, has been recapped and cleaned by the "working environment" owner, and just has some cosmetic blemishes. Right...Still, it's only 2MHz.@Yotam, we are all going to be eagerly awaiting the arrival of your instrument, and your report as to how it works out for you!

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2018, 02:07:40 am
content: Cannnot think of a better subject. I Just bought two. (accidently), found them on eBay for under $200. They are averaging around$300 now.My Experience so far with this AWGI have soooo tried to avoid these "big old tanks" My habit is to open them up because I read and learned abut how getting something used, and the person's experience was a bunch of cockroaches came out. I have had spiders and dead bug colonies. About opening it up. It is finichy because of the braided wire around each end of the cover. It was a real b..to get it back together. It had been calibrated that expired in Sept 2017 from a reputable firm that does that stuff.It uses a 3.5 inch floppy disk to create your own custom waveforms. I still had some. There are floppy disk to USB adaptors that can be found.Being so old, I just went ahead and attached the drive right to the side of the unitWhy an AWG old and a tank?1.) I was looking for something that I could check a quality of a 200MHz scope.2.) looking at Rigol/Hantek/ etc could only find similar pricing for 40 to 60MHz AWG, for over 100MHz I was seeing over $1,000 USD and higher up to $2,00 USD, even used...3.) I dreaded getting something so big and heavy, and a CRT era. but I downloaded the manual measured and re-created the weight.. At this point I said maybe.4.) At the Tektronics site, I learned that it had been i production back as far as 1994, but they were still selling them right up to 2006. Not so bad. perhaps the cllincher was they still had the most recent firmware updates downloadable, and the price.a 250MHz, Tektronix relatively recent for under $300 shipped to my door? fine..I had to completely redo the teest gear shelves to accomodate the beast!