Sencore SG165 AM-FM Stereo Analyzer

A Sencore SG165 signal generator made in the USA in the 1970s. I imagine a rare thing in the UK, the only other Sencore products I've seen here are their TV CRT Analysers. This SG165 needed a minor repair, a clean and a lube. Here, I am testing everything still works after the equipment was re-assembled after being stripped down for the repair. Apologies for the lighting, it was a bright, sunny day and I drew the curtains as I wanted to make sure the 'scope screen was visible for the film.

[@johncunningham5435]

Excellent Andrew; you compensated very will with the replacement crystal. The SG165 is a fine piece of equipment that has a wide range of applications and will prove to be invaluable," Very nicely demonstrated " enjoyed your video.

[@Andrewausfa]

+John Cunningham Thanks John. It's a really useful piece of equipment!

[@OldRadioAl]

I've never managed to get my hands on one of these, of any make. Good for you, Andrew. Great video, cool seeing this thing.

[@acereviews1379]

I have one can u tell me wat there worth

[@steelcity321pb6]

Andrew, An excellent explanation and demonstration. I've never used equipment of that sort but it looks, to me, well worth investigating. Thank you. Regards, Phil.

[@teagar3]

Sencore is still manufacturing electronic equipment in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The latest Multiplex RF Signal Wave Generator is the ATX2000. See: www.sencore.com/product/atsc-mh-multiplex-signal-generator#.WDZVl4ozXQw

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I think i have a Sencore valve tester in the loft. Very nice bit of kit.

[@Andrewausfa]

And getting silly expensive over here! Sencore are one of those manufacturers who seem to understand exactly what people need. Shame they didn't export more here.

[@crazyskull88]

Nice video. I have to vintage peace of equipment too I have a Super Cricket Ft 46 transistor tester /Fet and a Micranta 22-206 Multi Tester

[@Andrewausfa]

Thanks Carlos, do you repair old equipment as well?

[@321reh]

Awesome Video,,,Thanks!!!!

[@Andrewausfa]

Thank you! It could have done with some more lighting.

[@xwarp]

Andrew, I have one of these units and there seems to be a problem with the 19khz multivibrator section, which is part of the mpx board. I wonder if you might be able to get some scope screen shots of the test points called out in the service manual regarding this section? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[@AntiqueRadioandTV]

Andrew: How did you figure out ahead of time, that the RF output of the SG165 measured by your freq counter would get progressively worse till you got to the 1,000 KHz/1MHz point, then snap back to accuracy here? Of course, I see that you were "spot on" with your prediction. This is very curious to me that you had figured this out BEFORE actually testing the Sencore SG165 itself. Hmm... A good one! Would love to get some clarification here. I'm quite befuddled. Cheers my friend, Tom

[@ArthurHollingsworth]

As he was saying that, I was thinking that he was probably spot on. I have an old RCA signal generator that does the same thing. I think maybe when signal generators are out of alignment, that's just the way they act. More out of whack toward the middle of the dial and more accurate at the ends.

[@Andrewausfa]

Hi Tom, Fair question and Art's alluded to the answer but my feeling that the SG wasn't going to track its dial scale accurately in the mid-section was based on previous experience with other sig-gens I have. But I didn't actually know the SG165 would be out, no, just a guess-timation. However, I didn't expect it to be out as much as it was so I expect it's out of cal and needs calibrating. After all, it's only 10 years younger than me and I'm well out of alignment these days. The manuals calibration recommendation is to zero beat with a known radio station frequency at the high and low end of the band. Both of my Advance signal generators in the background (the ivory coloured equipment) have similar properties. They are very accurate to the scale at the low and high end of each band but even after I've let them warm up for an hour the tracking goes slightly awry mid-scale. Not much I might add but enough to cause me to spot check with the frequency counter. The big, blue generator in the corner of my room is much worse. I read in one of the many threads on the SG165 on the Antique Radio Forum that one owner went through the calibration procedure and he'd improved things. I'll see if I can find it again and see what he actually said. Regards - Andrew

[@AntiqueRadioandTV]

***** I have two sweep signal generators and a third one that is just a straight generator. All are valve vintage. I would have probably noticed this as well but I never trust them for accuracy anyways. I just get "close" with the dial then use my frequency counter to narrow it in. I should just try this test out someday just for fun! Thanks Andrew and Art for your feedback!

[@GeorgeChristofi]

nice bit of kit. is it 120v or a really rare 240v unit?

[@Andrewausfa]

Hi George, 120 running off a 120-240 isolation transformer

[@acereviews1379]

I have one of these I also have a b&k 415 solid state sweep/marker generator and a b&k 10778 television analysis can anyone tell me wat there worth. O I also have a case that has a few tups in it it says rca receiving tubs black and white and color TV