help building function generator

[tempus fugit]

Hey all

I'm going to build a function generator using the MAX038 IC. Do the
connectors for the output need to be BNC type, and do I need to use 50 ohm
cables to connect things with, or will normal (shielded?) cable do?

Thanks

 

[Michael Black]

"tempus fugit" (toccata@no.spam.ciaccess.com) writes:

Hey all

I'm going to build a function generator using the MAX038 IC. Do the
connectors for the output need to be BNC type, and do I need to use 50 ohm
cables to connect things with, or will normal (shielded?) cable do?

Thanks



Well what are you using it for?

At audio, the cable and the connectors will be less important than if
you are using it to generate low radio frequencies. Maybe a signal
generator in years gone by used banana jacks or 4-way binding posts.

And if this is for home experimenting, it will matter less than
if you plan to use it for precise work.

On the other hand, BNC connectors are pretty handy. They are shielded,
and yet are easy to connect and disconnect. They are likely to make
a good connection, unlike some cheap connectors you might otherwise
choose, and they certainly won't pull out by accident. They make
for a standard connector, so you could easily make up different cables
to work with them (ie one with a BNC connector on both ends, another
with a pair of alligator clips on the other end, etc). I'd say
the female connectors are infinitely reusable, I've never seen
one go bad, so if you can scrounge up some used ones they should
be cheap. And while wiring up the male connector looks like it
might be complicated, it really isn't so long as you follow the
directions.

I suppose if I didn't have BNC connectors around, or a need
for 50ohm impedance, I might be tempted to use Type F connectors,
as seen in cable use. The connectors are likely to be more available
(if nothing else one can pull them off tv sets and VCRs found in
the garbage), and premade cables are available everywhere. They aren't
as quick connect/disconnect as BNC, since they are threaded.

Michael

 

[tempus fugit]

Thanks Michael.

This is definitely for home experimenting/troubleshooting, with an emphasis
on audio. It will be a 20MHz generator, though (although I can't really
forsee needing that much bandwidth), so it might be nice to have it set up
to take advantage of the wide bandwidth. I also hope to use it to check caps
for low ESR.

Thanks

"Michael Black" <et472@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
news:c5d3qb$34p$1@freenet9.carleton.ca...

"tempus fugit" (toccata@no.spam.ciaccess.com) writes:
Hey all

I'm going to build a function generator using the MAX038 IC. Do the
connectors for the output need to be BNC type, and do I need to use 50
ohm
cables to connect things with, or will normal (shielded?) cable do?

Thanks



Well what are you using it for?

At audio, the cable and the connectors will be less important than if
you are using it to generate low radio frequencies. Maybe a signal
generator in years gone by used banana jacks or 4-way binding posts.

And if this is for home experimenting, it will matter less than
if you plan to use it for precise work.

On the other hand, BNC connectors are pretty handy. They are shielded,
and yet are easy to connect and disconnect. They are likely to make
a good connection, unlike some cheap connectors you might otherwise
choose, and they certainly won't pull out by accident. They make
for a standard connector, so you could easily make up different cables
to work with them (ie one with a BNC connector on both ends, another
with a pair of alligator clips on the other end, etc). I'd say
the female connectors are infinitely reusable, I've never seen
one go bad, so if you can scrounge up some used ones they should
be cheap. And while wiring up the male connector looks like it
might be complicated, it really isn't so long as you follow the
directions.

I suppose if I didn't have BNC connectors around, or a need
for 50ohm impedance, I might be tempted to use Type F connectors,
as seen in cable use. The connectors are likely to be more available
(if nothing else one can pull them off tv sets and VCRs found in
the garbage), and premade cables are available everywhere. They aren't
as quick connect/disconnect as BNC, since they are threaded.

Michael