Cable For My Waveform Generator?

I just got a arbitrary waveform generator.

it didn't come with a cable. How do plug the signal into my circuit? Is there a special coax cable I can use/buy? Can I just use the same type of leads/cable that I use with my oscilloscope?

Any direction would be great. Can I get an antenna so I can directly send out AM/FM waves into the air? (it supports AM/FM Modulation).

Thanks.

Reply to
Ken Williams
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On 03/26/2009 12:46 AM, Ken Williams sent:

The specs for the generator should say what the output impedance is. Match the output impedance with a like cable impedance. If you tell us the make and model of the generator, we can help more.

This might make you *very* unpopular. On either side of the international border.

It also might earn you some unannounced visits and confiscation by government officials.

Pete

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1PW  @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]
Reply to
1PW

I have this:

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So I have to buy a cable with an impedance that matches what the generator is using then correct?

Reply to
Ken Williams

The site links to a pdf document, at page 6-6 input and output impedances are specified I spotted 5K in, 50 ohms out.

Reply to
Sjouke Burry

Thanks, so now I need cable that is 50 ohms too.

Reply to
Ken Williams

Hello Ken:

At $1,500USD, your Rigol function generator is very impressive. Its output impedance *is* 50 ohms at the front panel output BNC female connector, and is so marked at the right of the jack as you can see.

Yes, you would want a 50 ohm coaxial cable, terminated in a male BNC connector on at least the generator's end. The cable itself is typically RG-58/U, or from its family.

Please use your generator wisely.

Pete

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1PW  @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]
Reply to
1PW

I just noticed that, it says 50 ohms right on the front. It also has a

42Vpk on it. Does that mean the max voltage coming out of the coax will never be over 42 volts peak to peak?
Reply to
Ken Williams

For audio work, you can use any cable. For RF work it is typically 50 ohm. And for video work it would be a 75ohm cable. The cable impedance is typically chosen for the load you connect it to and not so much based on the generator output impedance. The generator output impedance can be shifted using pads, transformers etc. But matching is not always neccessary. It depends on what you are driving, the length of the cable, the load, the frequencies involved etc. You can buy adaptors to go from BNC to just about any other connector on the market, or even solder the end of the cable to the load. Lots of variables in this question, and one cable isn't going to fit every application.

Reply to
bg

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