Clemens SG83 signal generator
 

I've been lurking on the group for a while. I'm a newbie who barely
knows an volt from an ohm so far, but I came across a Clemens SG83 at a
flea market this weekend. Not having a clue what it was, I wrote down
the name and did a Google search when I got home. 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?

Any advice will be welcomed.

Pete Davis

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

"Pete & Renee Davis" wrote in message
...
I've been lurking on the group for a while. I'm a newbie who barely
knows an volt from an ohm so far, but I came across a Clemens SG83 at a
flea market this weekend. Not having a clue what it was, I wrote down
the name and did a Google search when I got home. 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?

Any advice will be welcomed.

Pete Davis



Grab it! It is a very nice signal generator, all solid state! I have two.
Sold my third to the other gent who posted!

Pete

Hi, Pete--what's the "Bogen power supply" he mentioned? Any idea?

Avery, the other gent

Hi Avery

I'd guess another item at the fleamarket following the
Clemens around! No relation, I suspect.

Pete


"AComarow" wrote in message
...
Hi, Pete--what's the "Bogen power supply" he mentioned? Any idea?

Avery, the other gent

It was another small black box that was attached to the side of the
Clemens. It had a two prong power cord. I didn't copy down everything on
the name plate, just "Bogen PRS 16 Power Supply". If I'm lucky and it is
still there next weekend, I'll try to let you know the rest of the info
on the name plate.

Thanks to all for your responses to my questions. I look forward to
having many more to ask.

Pete Davis

AComarow wrote:

Hi, Pete--what's the "Bogen power supply" he mentioned? Any idea?

Avery, the other gent