Quick Test of Test Equipment Modules.

I have collected some test equipment stuff over the last several months.
I finally got to test some of it, and there is more to test. This was a quick test of the following test equipment (boards or in a casing):

- Signal generator, 500kHz - 470MHz, spec output: -70dBm - -125dBm. Signal could be heard on the frequency tested, so it appears to be in good working order.

- DDS function generator:
This was supposed to deliver a signal on a max frequency of 8MHz. Well, it does, but not variable up to 8MHz. Just 1MHz, 2MHz, 4MHz and 8MHz. Useless on amateur bands.
The function generator can deliver sine, sawtooth and square waves. Spec says from 1 - 65500Hz. I can only set the frequency with 100Hz steps at the moment. There may be another trick that I have not yet learned, to step with 10 or 1Hz.
This one was a disappointment. The function generator should be somewhat useful, though.

- Frequency counter modules some with possibility for IF frequency offset.
some LCD modules could be adjusted to show 432MHz nicely with 1-200Hz tolerance.
Similarly some LED (8 digit) modules could be adjusted to the same frequency tolerance.
One LED module was dead. No 5V output voltage from the regulator. I expect it can be fixed
One LED module had missing segments. A short at the PCB was the reason, and it works fine now.
One 500MHz module could not be adjusted to the wanted tolerance, the reference frequency offset was about 19ppm (too low). I expect that a different trimmer capacitor will make it possible to adjust correctly. Maybe a different crystal, I think I have some lying around.
All of the above (functional) counter modules were subjected to a quick test/adjustment with a 432MHz signal from a hand held TRX
A last (6 digit) counter module could not detect/count the 432MHz signal, must be tested with a lower frequency.
Finally, a larger counter module, supposed to count to 2.4GHz, was tested with the 432MHz signal, and had quite an offset. The reference frequency did not appear to be adjustable, it is a canned crystal oscillator. More investigation necessary. It may be that an external reference generator (GPSDO ?) is a good idea for this module.

- LCR meters:
Two LC-100 modules were tested. They seem to have survived getting connected to a 9V supply, when only 5V was "expected". (Display characters went rather dark)
Getting a correct 5V changed the display, so it became readable, and the modules appear to work correctly.

- 35 - 4000MHz signal generator with 1kHz frequency resolution:
A quick test showed a frequency about 3kHz too low on 144MHz. Needs adjustment or locking. This was at start-up, so it may improve.

A burn-in period test should be performed on all those units, to see how they work in a more stable state/environment, and then some more elaborate testing, maybe against some professional equipment.

After this, some radio construction can begin. This year should, first and foremost, be dedicated to antennas, especially adding some for monitor receiving purposes, and getting to transmit via QO-100.

After this, some microwave experiments, mostly local low power tests, and then some extreme low power experiments for different bands, ranging from MF to microwaves. The idea is working at least one QSO on as many bands as possible, with less than 1mW. Yes, micro-watts.

At some stage, some of the test equipment should be mounted in casings, mostly for protecting the test gear, and probably adding some RF shielding to the test gear. (inputs as well as outputs).