Sweep Generators and Marker Crystals

3/13/2011 5:49:01 PMMark Quesenberry

I own two sweep generators: an Eico 360 and a Precision E-400. I would like to get more experience with aligning FM radios.

Neither generator came with a 10.7 MHz marker crystal. Question: do marker crystals have any required specifications (such as frequency deviation, Q, etc.) or, could an ordinary 10.7 MHz crystal work fine for either generator? Thank you for your time.

3/13/2011 10:40:11 PMeeprof

:I own two sweep generators: an Eico 360 and a Precision E-400. I would like to get more experience with aligning FM radios.
:
:Neither generator came with a 10.7 MHz marker crystal. Question: do marker crystals have any required specifications (such as frequency deviation, Q, etc.) or, could an ordinary 10.7 MHz crystal work fine for either generator? Thank you for your time.
:
Mark: I have no experience with the Eico 360 but used a Precision E400 for years for FM and TV alignment. You can use most any standard xtal in the 4 availabale xtal sockets and it will be fine. Also, you can use an external signal generator as a "marker". Of course, your marker will only be as accurate as your signal generator so you could use a frequency counter to monitor it. I persaonally prefer the variable marker generator beacuse it lets you align at any frequency you desire such as the front end of the FM set.

3/14/2011 7:25:13 AMLewis L

::I own two sweep generators: an Eico 360 and a Precision E-400. I would like to get more experience with aligning FM radios.
::
::Neither generator came with a 10.7 MHz marker crystal. Question: do marker crystals have any required specifications (such as frequency deviation, Q, etc.) or, could an ordinary 10.7 MHz crystal work fine for either generator? Thank you for your time.
::
:Mark: I have no experience with the Eico 360 but used a Precision E400 for years for FM and TV alignment. You can use most any standard xtal in the 4 availabale xtal sockets and it will be fine. Also, you can use an external signal generator as a "marker". Of course, your marker will only be as accurate as your signal generator so you could use a frequency counter to monitor it. I persaonally prefer the variable marker generator beacuse it lets you align at any frequency you desire such as the front end of the FM set.

The I. F. of a radio doesn't have to be EXACTLY 10.7 mHz, close will do just fine. Any good xtal should be plenty good for FM alignment. If you have a communications reciever, WWV at 10 mHz. would be a very good check of the xtal accuracy.
Lewis
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3/14/2011 12:35:03 PMMark Quesenberry

::I own two sweep generators: an Eico 360 and a Precision E-400. I would like to get more experience with aligning FM radios.
::
::Neither generator came with a 10.7 MHz marker crystal. Question: do marker crystals have any required specifications (such as frequency deviation, Q, etc.) or, could an ordinary 10.7 MHz crystal work fine for either generator? Thank you for your time.
::
:Mark: I have no experience with the Eico 360 but used a Precision E400 for years for FM and TV alignment. You can use most any standard xtal in the 4 availabale xtal sockets and it will be fine. Also, you can use an external signal generator as a "marker". Of course, your marker will only be as accurate as your signal generator so you could use a frequency counter to monitor it. I persaonally prefer the variable marker generator beacuse it lets you align at any frequency you desire such as the front end of the FM set.
:
Thanks!