Quote:
Originally Posted by Penthode
Unfortunately you initially got a bummer unit. From experience, the alignment of old tvs is far from foolproof. I have tested and used a variety of test instruments to do the job and the 8600a/8601a combo to me has been the most accurate and convenient solution. Nothing is perfect but these devices for what they do come close.
They have done a terrific job on my tvs and communications receivers. I recently aligned my RCA AR88D with them and the receiver is now amazing. The alignment of the RCA CT100 was a breeze and the HP duo identified the subtle tuner bypass capacitor fault which I expect has gone unnoticed by other CT100 owners. I can say the alignment of my CT100 using the HP8600a/8601a is as best as could be.
The key is building up a rapport with your equipment to get a good feel of it's operations.
In your case, you did choose one of the most difficult early TV sets to align! So don't feel disparaged.
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I'm not and I intend to get back on the RCA this weekend...once I get the Christmas lights strung on the house! I have no issue continuing to use the combo units as I proceed. This switch problem on the 8601 is still a nuisance. The toggle than changes the frequency scale from X1 to X10 is rock solid in the X1 position but results in frequencies jumping all over the place in the X10 position. If I wiggle it around and put it halfway between settings, there's a sweet spot where it works but it's a pain. The first unit I got is now a parts machine but harvesting the switch and replacing the one in my functional unit looks near impossible, at least for me. The switch will, I imagine, eventually fail and I'll have to do something. That's why I hoping to learn how to operate the 8350 in this alignment procedure. Unless I'm way off base, it's a sweep generator with a digital readout and 5 independent internal markers so it should be able to do the same work as the 8601/8600 combo. Fingers crossed. Looks like step one is finding an "N" connector to BNC adapter as the RF output isn't BNC.