The ARRL Laboratory has acquired two new Keysight N5182B MXG signal generators, which will replace two of the Lab’s aging Marconi 2041 analog signal generators. ARRL Senior Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, said the new equipment will expand the Lab’s testing capabilities.

“Operating in a range from 9 kHz to 6 GHz, the MXG can generate both vector and analog RF signals at high performance levels, which will allow the ARRL Laboratory to develop new tests for measuring the performance of digital receivers and transmitters,” Allison said. “The MXG can also function as a waveform generator and has the ability to download complex RF signals captured by the Lab’s Keysight spectrum analyzer. This allows the Lab to capture both digital and analog signals and play them back as a signal source for test purposes.”

Keysight Engineer Tom Holmes, N8ZM, recently visited the ARRL Lab to discuss ideas regarding new tests with Allison. “Once Tom hooked the cables from the MXA to the MXG, I realized the potential the ARRL Lab now has,” Allison said. “While our Marconi signal generators have been faithful to us for many, many years, they lacked the ability to generate digital signals needed for today’s Amateur Radio equipment.”

The ARRL has expressed its thanks to Keysight for its assistance, and especially to Tom Holmes and Keysight’s Field Territory Engineer Joe Carr. — Thanks to Bob Allison, WB1GCM