Waveform Generator Pledge

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Revision as of 20:07, 7 June 2023 by Moop (talk | contribs)
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Currently our only working signal generator is a Farnell LFM3 from 1975. It has a number of issues:

  • Very imprecise adjustment of the frequency
  • Long periods of drift until it has warmed up
  • Switching between output ranges briefly disconnects the attenuation and destroys your circuit
  • It has no options for modulation and is only capable of sine or square waves
  • It only has a single output
  • Output impedance is either 50/600 ohm rather than the more modern standard of 50/1M ("HiZ") ohm
  • I'm surprised it still works
  • It's so old, it's available for hire as a film prop https://www.tvfilmprops.co.uk/det/3737/Farnell-LFM3-Signal-Generator/

The proposal is to purchase a Siglent SDG1062X which solves all the problems mentioned above. The total cost is just under £400. https://siglent.co.uk/product/siglent-sdg1062x-function-generator/

If we're unable to reach this target we can see if the space is willing to "top up the pledge", or change the pledge to a Siglent SDG1032X, which has much the same functionality but only capable of 30MHz instead of 60MHz. If this is necessary, we will discuss it with the people who have agreed to make a pledge, and give you the option to remove yourself from the pledge.

Pledge Tracking
Who How Much Paid Method Paid
Aaron Jackson (asj) £50 No
Jon Woodcock £25 No
Duncan Fyfe £25 No
Stuart Tyler £50 No
Andrew Armstrong £20 No
Jason Alexander £50 No
Steve Barnett £25 No