Elecraft Introduces the XG1 Rcvr Test Calibrator

[AA7BQ]

Elecraft Introduces the XG1 Receiver Test Oscillator/S-Meter Calibrator

Hams often wonder how well an HF receiver is really working--or how one receiver compares to another. One of the most important performance measurements is sensitivity. But measuring sensitivity usually requires an expensive, lab-grade signal generator.

Elecraft's new XG1 Receiver Test Oscillator is an inexpensive alternative. The XG1 is a fixed-frequency (7.040 MHz) signal source with highly-accurate 1 microvolt and 50 microvolt output levels. Thanks to its precision, low-level crystal oscillator, the XG1 achieves absolute output accuracy of better than +/- 2 dB, and an extremely small unit-to-unit variation of typically +/- 1 dB. This ensures that measurements made with different XG1s can be compared, which can be helpful when evaluating used equipment found at flea markets or on the web.

The 1-microvolt level can be used to determine a receiver's MDS (minimum discernable signal), as well as its overall receive gain. 50 microvolts is widely used as the standard "S9" reference, so this level can be used for S-meter calibration. Step-by-step procedures are included for receiver performance measurement and S-meter alignment. In addition to receiver testing, the XG1 can be used as a reference to calibrate other lab instruments.

Additional features of the XG1 include an on-board 3-Volt battery (standard coin cell), low-battery LED (yellow), power-on LED (green), and reverse-transmit warning LED (red). The unit is protected against brief accidental transmit, and has been tested at up to 10 watts for 2 seconds. But the provided test procedures include warnings about disconnecting the key, mic, etc., so accidental transmit into the XG1 is unlikely.

An output frequency of 7040 kHz was selected because nearly all multi-band HF transceivers, as well as many monoband QRP transceivers, cover the 40 Meter CW band. But the XG1 also provides reduced output levels at harmonics of 7040 kHz, so it can be used for receiver alignment and qualitative tests on 20, 15, and 10 meters.

Like Elecraft's other mini-modules, the XG1 is quite small: the PC board is just 1.5"W by 3.5"L. You can use a BNC male-to-male adapter such as their model BNC-MM to eliminate the coax cable and directly connect the XG1 to the back of a receiver or transceiver. Rubber feet are also included so the unit can be used on the workbench.

The XG1 is available now, and is priced at $39. The BNC-MM adapter is $5. For further details on the XG1 and other Elecraft products, visit their web site, http://www.elecraft.com

[wb6bnq]

It is unfortunate that a company that makes a really nice little radio would produce an item that is so shabby. #There is no way this item would seriously qualify as test equipment, even in Amateur radio use.

A single stage oscillator that depends upon a precise output load to achieve its' accuracy is totally unreliable in the real world. #Because there is no buffering, the frequency and amplitude will shift with the output load.

Additionally, it would have been far better to provide buffering instead of wasting battery energy lighting up LED's. #While the concept is good, I think the manufacturer has fallen far short of what it should have done in designing this product.

Bill......WB6BNQ

[WA4NJY]

I wish Elecraft would offer a Ham/SWL receiver kit.



# # # # Ed Purvis
# # # # #Bradenton, Fl

[k5dvw]

Sensitivity means NOTHING much in an HF radio. The ambient atmospheric noise levels are so high to begin with, especially at 20 MHz and below, that any modern receiver with a 15 dB noise figure is totally adequate. So measuring an HF receivers noise figure and saying it's the most important measurement is misleading. The most important measurements are of intermod, filtering and strong signal handling.

It's an interesting box, but I dont see how useful it really is.

[WD8OQX]

This is like comparing a $4 VOM to an oscilloscope. It serves its intended purpose.

Years ago, I built one of Heath Kits (remember them?) signal generators. I found that if I placed my hand on the front it would change the frequency dramatically. Yes for the most part it was a "cheap piece of junk" but it served the purpose I intended, a signal source that would let me know if the RX I was working on indeed receive. I used a freq. counter when I needed to have the signal on a certain freq. So I see this as being nothing more than a small, portable, quick check, 1st stage test instrument that would tell me if I needed to put the rcvr in the shop or not.


http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif 73

[N5RLR]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WD8OQX @ Dec. 05, 2003, 10:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><span style='color:green'>This is like comparing a $4 VOM to an oscilloscope. It serves its intended purpose...</span>[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
<span style='color:blue'>Exactly. There is no sense expecting such a simple circuit to do anything other than what it’s capable of.

Not a bad little product; however an equivalent device can be homebrewed for considerably less than Elecraft’s $39.00 price tag [I’m not knocking Elecraft here; they have overhead and salaries to pay, for the items they market].

Heck, just for kicks…one can whip up a quick-n-dirty signal generator using a computer timebase oscillator [units programmed with a user’s desired frequency, are available from DigiKey, and others]. Insert a 2N2222 transistor into the ground lead, switch this with a 555-timer-based tone oscillator, and Voila, modulated signal generator. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

For what it is, the Elecraft XG1 will tell if a receiver is “hearing” or not, and to some degree, how well. If someone wants to dissect a hamfest purchase, perhaps he/she should tug around a cartful of laboratory test gear. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Just my two cents’…</span> http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[n3sdo]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif I think that its a nifty little dohickey. Agreed, its not a $,$$$ calibrated signal generator, but if you are tinkering with your treasured boat anchor you just bought on Ebay, it looks like just the ticket.

Anybody know where I can get a schematic to build a FM SINAD meter 2m?

N3SDO
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[N9TTX]

I agree, it is not intended to replace or even come close to a lot of high dollar test equipment, but for what it is designed for it looks to be a good little product. Those that spouted off and degraded it right off the bat should know better, and should realize it for what it is. I am also sure that one can build one for a bit cheaper, but I also look into the time involved in constructing one from scratch. I my self do not know what one needs to put something like this together, and it is already in a neat (non-bug-ugly) package for a decent price. Plus I am sure one can homebrew some options into it later. I have talked to people that run the K1/2/100's, and have read reports and all are favorablle, and I have been impressed with them on my end, so I have company respect for this little Quick-check unit.
Just for argument sake, my test bench equipment consists of a dummy load, SWR/Power meters, a Hickock Tube Tester, a DVM, a small Telequipment S54 O-scope, and a cheepo frequency counter that has SO-239 (UHF) connectors on it for inline testing or also a phono jack on the back for IF input. it is only a 5 digit and I have a homemade sniffer clip lead I attach to the IF jack for inside the radio work. for Audio work, I have an old pager unit that throws a static hiss when a button is pushed. it works better than trying to hold a constant tone with ones vocal cords, and works suprisingly well.
This product would be a welcome item for my junk-box test bench. I think we all need to look at the reality that not everyone can afford to go out and buy thousands of dollars of test equipment just to say he or she is a ham operator capable of "fixing/testing" radio equipment...particularly a young ham just getting into the hobby that has an interest in tinkering...or for one that does go shopping at swapmeets. 73.

Dave Aho....N9TTX

[KQ6XA]

Thank you, ELECRAFT for another great little product!
This is an extremely valuable portable gadget for testing and aligning receivers.

73---Bonnie KQ6XA

HFpack website:
http://www.hfpack.com

[w4cwz]

It's unfortunate that some have to disparage something that is a good idea. #This little rig is a handy gadget, and I am sure that there is nothing at all shabby about it. #There is no way that such a post can seriously qualify as anything but sour grapes. #If you can do better, design and market the beastie and make us all happy. #If not, don't disparage the poor little thing, #you'll give it a complex or something!!

It is NOT intended as serious test equipment, simply as a quickie comparison or test gadget for comparing two radios. #It would be perfect for "touchup" alignments if needed, or if one wonders if that last lightning zap ate the receiver. #Also good for checking hamfest rigs for general health.

In short, there is no way "shabby" could apply to such a device. #From Merriam-Webster online:

Etymology: obsolete English shab a low fellow
Date: 1669
1 : clothed with worn or seedy garments <a shabby hobo>
2 a : threadbare and faded from wear <a shabby sofa> b : ill-kept : DILAPIDATED <a shabby neighborhood>
3 a : MEAN, DESPICABLE, CONTEMPTIBLE <must feel shabby... because of his compromises -- Nat Hentoff> b : UNGENEROUS, UNFAIR <laments the shabby way in which this country often treated a poet -- Paul Engle> c : inferior in quality <shabby reasoning>

And, being from Elecraft, there is nothing inferior about it.

[N8YV]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KQ6XA @ Dec. 05 2003,17:58)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This is an extremely valuable portable gadget for testing and aligning receivers.

73---Bonnie KQ6XA[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Receiver alignments should never be attempted with such simplistic and limited equipment. For one thing, many receivers require alignment on a stage-by-stage basis, using variable oscillator frequencies, amplitudes, and even modulation in certain instances. Proper alignment often dictates that AGC effects not be present, requiring the signal to be injected at critical points directly into the circuit via shielded cable.

This might "get you into the ball park" if you are restoring a receiver, homebrewing a pre-amp, etc., but cannot be relied upon for any serious alignment work.

That said, it IS a neat little GO/NO-GO product that may be useful for installation work, portable/emergency work, Field Day, etc.

[k0wlu]

Very nice idea! Interesting responses on here from some apparentley un-informed, maybe new, hams. The s9 signal thing has long been a subject discussed on the air waves. Interesting that finally, when someone markets a unit that will give one an idea about what the sensitivity of a receiver is(by ear, and by meter) .
This unit is not measuring "noise figure" as one respondent commented. It simply measures sensitivity....it simply gives one an idea that ones s meter is even close to what it was intended to read. Noise figure is not the issue here.
There certainly are a lot of nit pickers out there, judging by the responses. Ease up...its ham radio, not rocket science!!!

Bill, KØWLU

[ka5s]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N5RLR @ Dec. 05 2003,10:25)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not a bad little product; however an equivalent device can be homebrewed for considerably less than Elecraft’s $39.00 price tag [i][I’m not knocking Elecraft[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
IMO, what we are paying for here is calibration. A calibrated 50 uV source will come in very handy. That its output changes with load is trivial; even expensive HP's do (did) THAT.

Cortland

[KD7EFQ]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (k5dvw @ Dec. 05 2003,06:53)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Sensitivity means NOTHING much in an HF radio. The ambient atmospheric noise levels are so high to begin with, especially at 20 MHz and below, that any modern receiver with a 15 dB noise figure is totally adequate. So measuring an HF receivers noise figure and saying it's the most important measurement is misleading. The most important measurements are of intermod, filtering and strong signal handling.

It's an interesting box, but I dont see how useful it really is.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Sensitivity and noise floor are important figures to some, such as weak signal workers, CW contesters etc. Strong signal handling capability is important too... especially in cities with many hams. But as a serious manufacturer with a dynamite new product is claiming, the real trick is to hear the weak ones in between the strong ones. This is where the filtering / strong signal handling as well as sensitivity comes into play. 73.

[W4OAE]

The Elecraft XG1 Receiver Test Oscillator/S-Meter Calibrator is a nice addition to the keep it simple stupid approach to things. #Previous comment for the nay sayers that have posted here. #Priced for all to afford. #

I was surprised to see the negative responses to this product. #I really can't see any merit in any of those on the minus side of Elecraft's making of what appears to be a very useful item. #I'm sure it's well understood that it's not a lab grade test instrument. #I'm retired from the two-way business radio field and in spite of having a lot of very expensive test equipment that I kept on hand after my retirement to maintain my own amateur radio equipment, I'm sure I will find a number of productive uses for the XG1. #

The idea that anyone owning the XG1 can test their rx sensitivity in a matter of seconds is a great asset . The periodic testing can give a good indication of one's receiver performance as well and it will allow you to see when it may need some attention in the repair/alignment department. #Or just a quick way to check to see if the band is dead. I can think of many ways to put the XG1 to use around #the shack. #

I've never owned anything from Elecraft before.
I ordered the XG1 the minute I finished reading the article here on QRZ. #I have observed many good things being said for their product online to date. That leaves me comfortable with trying a new and yet to be proven product from the folks at Elecraft.



73 #Sam Belew #W4OAE

[kd5om]

Cool!! Why didn't I think of that? I have bought deaf receivers before at a Hamfest and this little gizmo would have been a real assist.

My 2 bit reponse to the nay sayers; You people have terribly short memory retention. If you did read the original description it says, "an inexpensive alternative". Nowhere are there claims of "mil spec" type tolerances, precise measurements, yada yada yada.... We have a guy locally that works in a professional 2 way shop and he too never has anything nice to say about the test equipment us "regular" hams own. He's very annoying!

I own and built a K1 and I for one really enjoy Elecraft's products.

Thanks for the heads up on the XG1.

Jerry KD5OM
www.kd5om.com

[K3EWZ]

Howdy, I repair ham gear just about every day, and while it's a pretty little package, about as useful for radio troubleshooting as a 12 volt test light. Yeah, something is better than nothing, but it ain't much--especially for $40.

[w4cwz]

K3EWZ,(and others): If you can do better, design and market it. #Meanwhile, don't belittle it just because you think (or even know)your gear is better. #I repair ham gear too, and this is a handy little tool for quickie checks, not intended to be your $5000 service monitor. #Sheesh, can't people accept things as they are without belittling them? #If you don't like it, thats fine, but don't discourage those who do! #Not all of us can afford a loaded test bench, and not all of us need it, either. BTW, a 12-volt test light is not intended for radio troubleshooting, lets compare apples to apples, shall we?

[K3EWZ]

To N4FLJ and anyone else interested in my 2c worth: Most of the sensitivity problems I run into on modern HF rigs are due to shorted front end switching diodes damaged by lightning/static/RF. Sensitivity will be normal on some bands and non-existant on others. Using a device generating a 7040 khz signal is only useful for testing 40 meter sensitivity. The implication that harmonic output is useful is a stretch. Harmonics will be far below the 1uv or 50uv calibration by some unknown amount. You would be better off with the old battery/buzzer/antenna wire method for a rough check of sensitivity on all bands. It would be handy for someone with a frequent need to calibrate the S meter on their 40 meter monoband rig. I'm not knocking it, just trying to point out how limited it's usefulness is. Cheers

[w4cwz]

Good points, Greg! You are correct, and sorry if I came on a bit strong! However, I am not about to lug my venerable old HP608a boatanchor to a hamfest to check a receiver, and that is one of the primary applications for the XG1. That I could slip into my pocket. Can't do that with the '608, needs two strong men and a dog to carry it, and the extension cord gets a bit unwieldy! Not to mention the warm-up and stabilization time...

I am a happy K2 owner who gets a little overzealous sometimes in pulling for Elecraft, as do many other Elecraft fans.

73 de John N4FLJ

[I7SWX]

Elekraft is a good name and has good products.

I believe the only "mistake" regarding the generator is #"highly accurate 1uV and 50 uV output". This statement is certainly right if the load is exactly 50 ohm and it is not reactive. The real load of a receiver input is far from being 50ohm and not reactive.
The good use of this generator is to see if a second hand receiver is sentive (1uV) and if the S'meter is working 1uV to 50 uV changes.

Who can assemble gadgets can make their own generato, like a xtal calibrator with a good attenuator buffer giving 1uV and 50uV, more or less, and save 39$.
Who cannot assemble a circuit and has no friends that can do it...have to buy this #gear and pay 39$.

73

Gian
I7SWX
F5VGU
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KH7YD]

After reading the posts I decided not to buy this product. Also I've been waiting for 2 years to buy another K-2 or K-100 untill they implement a clean way to connect the mic audio from logging software, and disconnecting the microphone while transmitting. Most K-2 owners are contesters and all of them have to homebrew their own way to connect the audio in from the computer logging program. #I hope someone from Elecraft reads this post.
Eugene, kh7yd/w7