Polorad 1105E-FT Microwave Signal Generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 11:37:58 am
content: I scored a little piece of historical test equipment recently for 60 dollars. The unit was NOS, never used and had all the original manuals, cables and etc. sealed in the factory bags. The unit is nearly flawless and after powering it up to test the functionality I checked the to see it it was in spec and it passed no problem! It came with the attached 1020T modulator also! I will try and find some time this weekend to open her up and take a few pics...For now, I did find this small website dedicated to the company.http://www.polarad.com

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 12:09:50 pm
content: Lovely that they included the rack mount as standard, nicely fitted to the front panel with space reserved for it as well.Looks lovely and new.

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 01:23:49 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on May 23, 2015, 12:09:50 pmIt also came with a set of rack mounts for the modulator in case you wanted to separate the modulator from the generator and rack mount seperatley.I actually have a full sized equipment rack that will be given to me shortly which I will populate with gear along with I/O plates for various functions. Should help my cluttered bench issue!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 02:28:19 pm
content: When setting up the rack add way more power outlets than you think you will need ( like more than double the amount) so that you do not end up a year or two down the line having to figure out how you are going to power the new stuff without having to rip out and repack half the rack

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 02:32:50 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on May 23, 2015, 02:28:19 pmGood idea.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 02:53:38 pm
content: At work the rack, with a power rail running from top to bottom, is full, and I added an extra socket outlet already, plugged into the one existing outlet. Funny how those wall warts on things are so arranged that plugging in one means the outlet points either side ( or in some cases 2 on the one side and the other) are not usable, as they are so big that the plugtops will not fit under them. As well they come ( here at least) with that poor 2 pin plug, that the most common adaptors will only fit in one orientation, of course being the worst.When wiring up dedicated outlets for the DECT repeaters I used proper outlets for them, which actually fit 2 power supplies in an outlet box, thanks to the Siemens designers having the forethought to make the supply slimline so they fit properly, but they are just 2mm too wide to fit adjacent in the socket.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 03:12:32 pm
content: You can tame the power cord struggle with something like this:Usually, the power drain isn't an issue, you just need somewhere to plug the thing in. This is the perfect solution.Ed

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 03:31:50 pm
content: Polarad was one of the top companies in RF in the 50's I think, I still have one of those but I forgot why

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 04:13:46 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on May 23, 2015, 03:31:50 pmNice. I like the color!

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 04:15:49 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on May 23, 2015, 03:31:50 pmI believe the one I bought is 1982 or around about.

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2015, 06:15:29 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on May 23, 2015, 02:53:38 pmAt work we use wall wart extensions to help manage the packs. Here is a Google Image search of some of them...https://www.google.com/search?q=wall+wart+extension&newwindow=1&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=SMNgVZDTG8SrNv6zgIAC&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1805&bih=1341