I forgot to add a subject line/can't press that enter key to fast.

Greetings,
I finally finished two Heath-kit IG-102 Signal Generators.
On both units the attenuators have to be turned almost all the way up to get a reading on a frequency counter. I changed the electrolytics and tubular caps only. The tubes are good and only one resistor has been changed as needed on one unit. One unit I changed to BNC connectors with new leads, and the other I kept the original connectors and leads.
The other caps tested good with an ohmmeter, and an in-line capacitor tester (changed the one cap and re-calibrated it also).
I have not done an alignment yet but preparing to do an Admiral Y-2998 as soon as I can figure out which grid to place the positive lead of the SG on, the schematic does not specify which Grid to use (Detector is a 12AU6). I would like to know if it is ‘normal’ that the attenuators have to be turned up high on these units to get a reading on a frequency counter or is something else wrong? And Which Grid does the SG have to be connected to. This is a hump I have to get over.
Thank you,
Vinny A.

Correction: The converter is a 12AU6.

Vinny A.

One last foot note: Both SG's have been re-calibrated to zero beats.
Vinny A.

I wish I could help as I have the IG-102 also. But not that skilled I have the wiring diagram and the alignment part of the manual if that could be any help to you. Mine has a problem I need to work on after I finish a radio I am working on. Seems to be a popular SG. Not finding enough time.

:One last foot note: Both SG's have been re-calibrated to zero beats.
:Vinny A.
:

Rich, Thank you for responding. I have the manual, but thanks for offering. I am just trying to learn how to align radios. I chose this Admiral to get started but I do not know which grid to connect the positive lead of the SG.

Vinny A.

I have an Eico 324 signal generator - it can be picked up on any radio that even is in the same room!

I'm unfamiliar with your model - but the signal needs to be modulated to pick up on a radio. Sometimes you can select an internally generated (400-Hz?) tone or inject an external audio signal. Try this with an AM radio - you should hear the signal loud and clear.

Of course, the signal doesn't have to be modulated to register on a frequency counter. I'm suspecting some problem with either the freq counter or the sig generator? There should be a sensitivity adjustment on the freq counter?

To calibrate a signal generator, you can just beat it against a broadcast station of known frequency.

Doug, thank you for responding.
The unit has a coarse and a fine attenuator. The coarse has to be turned up full throttle, and the fine about half way for the signal to be picked up on a frequency counter.
I have never owned a generator before and have never done an alignment. Thus, I do not know if that is normal? I want to do an alignment, I have an Admiral y-2998 that I want to start with, and perhaps it will be clearer what the generator would do when connected to a radio.
The radio has only one IF can with one adjustment on top, and one trimmer on the variable condenser that can be adjusted (an early sixties radio).
The converter tube is a 12AU6 and I am not sure which grid to connect the SG positive to. I have read different schools of thought where to connect the SG, but still I am unsure.
Thank you again,
Vinny A.

:Doug, thank you for responding.
:The unit has a coarse and a fine attenuator. The coarse has to be turned up full throttle, and the fine about half way for the signal to be picked up on a frequency counter.
:I have never owned a generator before and have never done an alignment. Thus, I do not know if that is normal? I want to do an alignment, I have an Admiral y-2998 that I want to start with, and perhaps it will be clearer what the generator would do when connected to a radio.
:The radio has only one IF can with one adjustment on top, and one trimmer on the variable condenser that can be adjusted (an early sixties radio).
:The converter tube is a 12AU6 and I am not sure which grid to connect the SG positive to. I have read different schools of thought where to connect the SG, but still I am unsure.
:Thank you again,
:Vinny A.
:
:

Thank you who ever you are. I though it was pin 1 but was not sure.

Vinny A.

It depends on what the counter was designed for as to how much level it needs to count properly. What you are describing is not unusual for general purpose counters.

:I forgot to add a subject line/can't press that enter key to fast.
:
:
:Greetings,
:I finally finished two Heath-kit IG-102 Signal Generators.
:On both units the attenuators have to be turned almost all the way up to get a reading on a frequency counter. I changed the electrolytics and tubular caps only. The tubes are good and only one resistor has been changed as needed on one unit. One unit I changed to BNC connectors with new leads, and the other I kept the original connectors and leads.
:The other caps tested good with an ohmmeter, and an in-line capacitor tester (changed the one cap and re-calibrated it also).
:I have not done an alignment yet but preparing to do an Admiral Y-2998 as soon as I can figure out which grid to place the positive lead of the SG on, the schematic does not specify which Grid to use (Detector is a 12AU6). I would like to know if it is ‘normal’ that the attenuators have to be turned up high on these units to get a reading on a frequency counter or is something else wrong? And Which Grid does the SG have to be connected to. This is a hump I have to get over.
:Thank you,
:Vinny A.
:

Harvey, you da man. Thank you for responding, I am a bit at ease now.

Vinny A.

Many older signal generators use harmonics to generate the higher frequencies. This is fine for radio alignment, etc. - but I can visualize how a frequency counter might be fooled. A 'scope display might look funny, too.

My old, super-duper, lab-grade, H-P freq counter has an input sensitivity switch - the lowest voltage is 0.3V and the highest is 10V.

By the way, my H-P 5245L freq counter has a nixie-tube display. And, of course, has an internal oven to maintain the crystal temperature. The thing must weigh 40 pounds.