Alignment Question

ALL, I am just having a heck of a time understanding how to properly setup my EICO 324 in order to properly align my radio/radios. I have read the instruction from head to toe, but for someone that has never done this before it is all greek to me. I am more of a hands on type (OJT) person vice somebody telling me how to do. Show me one time and I will have it down packed. I have attached a pic of how I interpret the setup of the EICO 324 per each step and where the control knob's should be set at per the blue arrows. I hope this is the correct why. Thanks

Frank

Frank, I have never used this particular generator but one setting pops to my mind. The signal select dial should be set to the internal mod setting, not the ext mod setting . The band setting of "B" looks correct but I really can't read your frequency reading on the B dial, it should be set at the IF frequency if your doing an IF alignement. Otherwise at the assigned frequency (RF) for doing oscillator and antenna alignment.
Hope this helps.
Jerry

One thing I will do if unsure about the settings, is to try the oscillator with a known good unit and try setting up a couple of signals by tuning the radio to a known frequency and bring the oscillator to that generated frequency and see if you get a response from the radio.  Then you can see if it is relatively accurate and see what kind of audio carrier you are getting.  Just do it a few times for practice. Use a short length of wire to act as an antenna.

+1 on Jerry's advice, too.

One other thing I failed to comment on is that the AF modulated output has to be turned up off 0 to provide a level of "tone" to your signal on the internal modulation mode. 75 is giving good advise as well to check the accuracy of your generator.
Jerry

Jerry, 75,
Thanks. Jerry band B is set per the schematic of the radio I am doing at 455 KC for both of the IF transformer's, this seem to be the norm for the two radio's I have to do. The AF modulated will be adjusted. Any suggestions as to were it should be set to start off with?? I also understand, correct me if I am wrong as the signal get louder the AF modulated should be turned down?

Frank, in general the radio volume should be at max and the RF level to where you can just hear the hum. You may have to play a little with the AF level, I don't have any experience with that adjustment as on my generator the internal modulation is just on or off with no adjustment for that level. Adjustment of signal is through the RF level adjustment. The only adjustment is a on/off level but the level portion only works on the AF output for troubleshooting the audio if that makes any sense. Keep the signal low by lower the RF gain.
Jerry
Jerry

Thanks 75, and Jerry for your advise/wise wisdom. I followed this and radio alignment went prefect, no radio bleed over like before, station comes in nice and clear. Now that what I call some good old OJT.


Frank

I would also call that confidence. You needed it and you are getting it. That will help you just as much as any of your test equipment. It comes with the wisdom you acquire for yourself.

If I find the oscillator tracking is fairly accurate, I normally don't mess with it during an alignment. I just touch up the IF's and leave it at that. Good job, Frank.

WC

Score a big one for Frank, good job.
Jerry

Good work, Frank....

Frank,

It's all about building your confidence one step at a time.

Thanks all!!!

I realise that this is a very old thread, but I must add that analog RF generators are of limited use unless they feed a digital counter. Then, the few I've used (Eico, Precision, Heathkit and Stark, latter still in use) can be set very accurately, e.g. 455 KHz for AM IF and 10.7 MHz for FM IF. After a while the Stark hardly drifts at all, but the dial is very sensitive to set.
Hope this still helps!
Cheers,
Roger