Avo RF Signal Generator HF 134

[John M0GLN]

The only Avo I really liked was their original All Wave Oscillator, had one of them for years.
Lawrence.

I got one of these about 18 years ago, not having a frequency counter in those days, I took it into the instrument section at work to check it out against their counter and make a calibration chart, I checked it by setting the frequency on the Avo with a magnifying glass to get it as accurate as possible and then reading the counter, having checked it on all ranges I threw the calibration chart in the bin as the Avo was so accurate, but still not accurate enough perhaps for alignment.
I use it now with a Philips PM 6661 frequency counter as its easier to use than my ex-gov' CT212 oscillator ( less knobs )

John

[pwdrive]

My old Avo All Wave was used ok for alignment, never had no problems, no frequency counter back then for me when I was employed in the trade, just an Avo 8, Advance E2, soldering iron and some knowledge.
I did have an old Yaesu Nixie counter at one point but never used it much except when experimenting with home brew stuff etc.
These days I normally check the generators accuracy against known transmission frequencies such as WWV etc or a 500 khz Xtal marker, absolute accuracy isn't that critical for most radio alignment jobs.

Lawrence.

[tim.54]

Thanks for the replies , more food for thought , is there anywhere apart from e bay for obtaining test equipment ?
regards, tim

[pwdrive]

There are a few companies in the UK that sell second hand test equipment, mostly more modern professional grade stuff, Stewarts of Reading comes to mind if they are still in business.

It all depends what your after, if you need a sig gen for checking and aligning domestic radios then you don't really need a high end unit, if you want to include boat anchor comms receivers then the same applies in many cases.

If it's for the above then Ebay, local amature/vintage radio sales events is the best bet, or post a request on this or other forums.

Lawrence.

[Yorkie]

Lots of opportunities on ebay for decent if old gear. Advance has been mentioned. Don't be put off by the external appearance, which is often a bit grotty, but most such equipment is pristine inside, and there's something rather appealing (to me at any rate), in using vintage test gear to restore vintage radios. Here's an Avo one on e-bay that I've been watching out of interest to see what it goes for:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271415509553?_...1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The postage always adds to the price of course, but often, when listings are time to close during work hours it tends to narrow down the number of bidders. My guess for this would be £25ish but e-bay is so fickle that you never can tell. (I've got one of those so don't need another - steady as a rock and bang on when checked with a counter).

[pwdrive]

I've got one of those Avo sig gens.

Lawrence.

[Radio Fixer]

I have one in the loft that one day I might get around to get working. I understand them to be excellent. But they do have a few snags: one is a special RF lead and funny connector, the other is the miniature valves they use (don't know what they are. The lead is got around by fitting a BNC connector so I read.

Gary

[pwdrive]

Mine has a standard flush mounted coax socket for the switched attenuator output, the Force output maybe accessible with a modified car antenna plug? Not sure, never tried it.

Lawrence.

[AlanBeckett]

That was a good price even with the Postage. I tend to add the Postage in to the Price I'm prepared to pay.

Alan

[Radio Fixer]

Discounting the postage as cheap as chips really. Mine cost about the same at a Harpie auction.

Here's another: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Signal...0005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20648%26meid%3D5437052906421984213%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D9210%26rk%3D0%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D181321813737&rt=nc

Gary