A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator - Wrapup, set-up, and final thoughts.
The signal generator is working (although it will continue to need some love now and then) so it's time for the wrapup post. I've tried to write a simple cal procedure for the unit as well, all of that is included in the link.
The 69th annual CFARC Hamfest is this weekend.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/04/02/the-69th-annual-cfarc-hamfest-is-this-weekend/
This Saturday marks the sixty-ninth (yes that's written out on all promo material for the obvious reason) Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club Hamfest.
Located in the Emidio & Sons Party Center at 48 East Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, this show has always been pleasantly surprising in the stuff that shows up for sale. It even includes a well stocked "pay what you want" table where people can leave donations and, of course, pay what they want!
If you're into this kind of thing, and are close by, this is a good show to attend. It's Saturday, April 5th, from 8AM to about 1PM, and admission is $8. Assuming nothing gets in the way, I'll have plenty of pictures for you soon.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 7 - I think we’re done…
It's all back together and it's time to check it out. Everything seems to work well, so the next post in this series will be the last - a wrapup and final thoughts is on the way.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 6 - We’re back up and running.
After replacing the (surprising) failed component, we're back up and running with the Heathkit IG-72. Check that out on my project page.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 5 - We’re not done yet.
Never say done when you're working with old equipment - something that this piece reminded me of. There are further issues that will need to be addressed before putting this into service, and one of those issues is quite unusual.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 4 - Final - No need for repairs.
Final, or so I thought. While the Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator worked a treat, there was a little surprise laying in wait here. It's not something you normally think of as being defective - but when you're working with old stuff, you have to consider all things suspect. Check out what I found on my project page.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 3 - Do I need parts?
The device seems to work ok...do I really need any parts?
Some basic checks seem to say "no." (foreshadowing)
A new documents library home at wereboar.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/02/27/a-new-documents-library-home-here-at-wereboar/
I've been looking for a way to present the documents that I find and use on my project page without simply tossing them into an Apache2 file list page. Some sort of directory listing program would be useful.
I tried a number of them, many don't work well on shared hosts because they're more of a docker thing than just a simple script - but one stood out. Aptly named "Directory Lister" - it does nothing more than presents your file list on a page that flows with screen size, and looks good to boot. There's no upload capability, no passwords - just files.
To that end, I've installed a copy of that on wereboar and have all of the documents - schematics, pictures, manuals, etc. - that I am allowed to present to you available. Some are still held to copyright so I'm not going to post those (if I know about the copyright,) others were purchased items and I ask that you purchase them as well to support the vendor.
Most of the files are PDF, some are of other types. All have been zipped to allow for ease of download. Beyond that - feel free to browse and download as much (or as little!) as you'd like.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 2 - Suspicions.
I had some suspicions about what could be wrong with the signal generator I picked up. Turned out, I was wrong! Read about that on my project page.
A Simpson 715 AC VTVM
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/02/04/a-simpson-715-ac-vtvm/
I was given this Simpson 715 AC VTVM in a box of junk. When I took a look at it, it seemed like it would be somewhat difficult to repair, but I found that it had something unusual about it. Check that out on my project page.
A Heathkit EK-1 multimeter
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/01/31/the-heathkit-ek-1-multimeter/
I've wanted one of these little meters for a while now, and finally found a good example. What is it? Check it out on my project page.
A Heathkit IG-72 Signal Generator Part 1 - Observations.
I picked up a nice example of a Heathkit IG-72 audio (sine) generator at a small hamfest in Piketon, Ohio. It seemed to need relatively minimal repair to get it back in operation. This is part 1 of a series, it's observations and basic checks on the instrument to see how it's working before deciding if any repairs are needed.
I don't have a problem, I swear.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/01/22/what-do-you-mean-i-have-a-problem/
Well, maybe I could let some of this old equipment go.
Pictures from the SCARF 2025 Hamfest
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/01/20/the-scarf-2025-hamfest-in-shade-ohio/
The SCARF 2025 Hamfest in Shade, OH happened this past Sunday. It was a snowy day, and that probably kept a few people away, but it was still a nice, cozy show. I didn't take many pictures due to the size, but you can view them on my project page.
The Phaostron 666 Multimeter from 1958.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2024/09/09/the-phaostron-666-multimeter-from-1958/
I was given this multimeter by a retiring co-worker. While it's not of much use today, the overall look at the fact the thing is built like a tank really made appreciate the thing. Check it out on my project page.
A PlayTape unit
https://pic8.co/a/cb5b1442-3a18-455b-a9ce-5ae2f2fd853a/
I ran across this unusual tape player in an antique store. It was kind-of-not-really a competing format to the 8-track. It was quite popular for a short time, gaining about 3000 titles and a major auto manufacturer before 8-track and cassette took over.
Kind of a neat piece, if it wasn't so hard to find tapes it might be a neat device to have.
Replacing the battery in a Kaypro 2X
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2022/03/23/just-because-it-fits-doesnt-mean-it-will-work/
Some time ago I tried to replace the battery in an old computer's real-time clock circuit. While I was able to get the appropriate battery, I wasn't able to get the machine to work properly with it installed. Not sure why, so I pulled it out until I could troubleshoot further. I didn't get around to it, but the machine worked fine without it. The RTC was more of a novelty in this machine. I wrote a post about it with pictures, check it out at the link.
An Unknown 2-dial TRF radio: Identifying things inside.
I picked up an unknown 4 tube, 2 dial TRF coffin set at a show in November. It was next to nothing, I couldn't pass it up.
The previous owner had it stored, so I had no idea where the tubes went. However, I've since been able to identify what kind of circuit it is, and where things should go. Read what I've discovered on my project page.
It’s that time of year - get your Dayton Hamvention tickets early!
Tickets for the Dayton Hamvention are currently on sale at the early boar price of $26 - this is good until March 1st, at which point they’ll go to the normal $30.
You can order online for convenience, and doing so now allows plenty of time for the postal service to deliver them to you - especially if you’re not in the USA.
See you there!