Pete,

I have an SG-83C. It's an excellent RF (radio frequency) signal generator. It's
not a lab-quality instrument like, say, a Hewlett-Packard 606, but it's a solid
notch or two above standard radio/TV service-grade gear. I'd put it on a par
with the B&K E-200D. I know these model numbers may not mean a lot to you at
this point, but they provide a little context for others who may want to chime
in.

It generates RF signals that can be used to align AM and shortwave radios. The
frequencies generated are in six bands, with the lowest band starting at 50 kHz
(kilohertz), meaning 50,000 cycles per second, and the highest topping out at
54 MHz (megahertz), or 54 million cycles per second.

The output is metered so you can come pretty close to figuring out sensitivity,
overload characteristics, and other qualities of a radio under test.

The innards are well shielded to keep the generated signal from leaking out.
And it's very well constructed.

The plain SG-83 was introduced in 1962, the A model in '64, the B in '66, and
the C a couple of years after that.

My C model doesn't have a separate power supply. It uses a battery or can be
connected directly to the AC line. I'm a little puzzled by your reference to a
Bogen power supply.

Anyway, it is a very worthwhile purchase, especially for $25. I paid $100 and
consider it well worth the price.

Cheers,
Avery W3AVE
Potomac, Md.

You can add audio modulation to the RF signal.

From: Pete & Renee Davis

surpussales.com has
the manual and it's a signal generator. It has a Bogen PRS 16 power
supply and no leads.

Can anyone tell me if this is a worthwhile piece of test equipment? How
hard would it be to find compatible leads? How can I tell if it's
working properly? What else should I know about this rig before I go
back up there next weekend with 25 bucks and high hopes that no one else
knew what it was, either?

Pete Davis