Test Equipment purchase

[Beaner]

OK, so I'm feeling the need to make a purchase. Which would be more benefiical to purchase first a frequency counter or a RF generator? I bought a rig that needs some work and while eventally I'll need both, finances say only one for the moment. I have a scope.

Thanks

[redhat]

A cheap frequency counter can be had for less than $100.  Look for an old B&K or similar on ebay.  Most of the newer stuff is junk.  A decent signal generator with any resemblance to calibration is going to run a few hundred used, new over $2K.

+-RH

[Josh]

If you don't need nist tracking, used will do. Spend the money on a good counter with tcxo, then it doesn't matter as much on the siggen since you can always tell what freq its on.

[redhat]

A counter can be cal'd to WWV fairly easily, you just need an hf receiver.  Even a portable will do.  The sig gen will be a bigger problem, as setting deviation and other parameters requires a spectrum analyzer.

+-RH

[Beaner]

Much appreciated! Now to go on the hunt for new toys.

[Stretchyman]

Get a VNA.

At $40 it's a steal.

Btw a VNA is a sig gen and a tracking Rx.

[ThElectriCat]

Good frequency counters sometimes have a mode with 2 inputs where one input is counted and the count is gated by the other. This allows you to compare two signals regardless of the internal clock (or use a better oscillator, gpsdo, etc. on the second input. ) I use this feature a lot for comparing low frequency signals.