Pioneer TX 930 Part 3 - FM Stereo and AM alignment

Time to wrap this up! The alternate title for these should be how to turn a $10 tuner into a $20 tuner. :)
HP 8904A- To insure the unit will do FM Stereo modulation it must have Option 1 and be serial number 2948A or above.

[BowlingSuperior]

There is a good article on the HP 8904A in the Feburary 1989 issue of the Hewlett-Packard Journal (search for HPJ-1989-02, pdf), on page 74. They show you how to set up FM encoding on the earlier models, using the 4 independent signal generators, one at 39KHz(90 deg), the next at 37KHz(270 deg), one at 19 KHz and the last one at 1 KHz. Jut have to make sure your unit has the 4 independent oscillators (option 1). The later version has the stereo mode built-in.

[brettkaufman]

Ray -- thank you for your videos! I have learned more about tuning in the past 1 ½ hrs watching than all others. Just getting started in electronics and this explains things in details that were not available other places. Thank you again!

[dimitriapproved]

@ 10:10 7.5 KHz deviation is 10% of 75KHz deviation. So either set the pilot to 7.5KHz **deviation** or 10% **modulation level** .

[PAULPETCAVAGE]

Ray, Just now getting into radio/alignment, I have the HP 8657 D and it has been difficult to find anyone on how to truly use this equipment in detail. Thank you so much!! I now have more confidence in using my generator. Maybe you can do a video on some of the amplitude settings like dbm, db, uF, . I have seen different settings but they do not explain how or why like you do in this video. Again, thank you!!!!

[raygianelli]

HP 8904A- To insure the unit will do FM Stereo modulation it must have Option 1 and be serial number 2948A or above.

[myradiovideos]

Ray, nice video as always. I just picked up a 8904A unit. The display is OK, but not super bright. I was wondering where you got a replacement display for the unit? Was it an exact match, or did you have to make some modifications to get it to fit in. Thanks in advance... Robert, San Diego

[peterstoffregen]

Hi Ray, Thanks for the videos! I'm new to FM alignment but learning with your help. For an amateur, would it be better (or possible these days) to look for an AM FM generator with built in stereo modulation capabilities?
Regards, Peter in Canada

[cottydry]

Ray, Great series! Any suggestions for feeding a composite MPX signal into a AM/FM signal generator that's inexpensive for a newbie/hobbyist. Also, any alternatives to an expensive distortion meter! I want to venture into RF basic tuning but only as a hobby. A video on "tuning for cheap hobbyists" would be great!

[nemekesennemehesp]

Hi Ray, glad I found your channel. Very informative. Graduated long, long ago as an electronics engineer but got onto a different career path. Hence my knowledge is rusty. Your channel is both a good refresher and an eye opener into areas I am not so familiar with. I took note of your advice regarding FM tuner alignment for an HP8904 to have option 1 installed, but I am not clear as to why you say the serial number must be 2904A or higher. Do you mind explaining?

[daviddoty]

Thank you for the video, Im intrested in the visual analyzer software, several software analyzers that come up when I look for search visual analyzers, could you share the link to the actual software your using? Thanks again for the video!

[jamesaguirre]

Were you just laying the AM antenna on the disconnected Coax for the AM alignment?

[jamesaguirre]

I noticed you seem to be using a scope probe to connect to your frequency counter, is that correct? I have an HP 53132A frequency counter with a 1M ohm option, but I never thought of using a scope probe. That would make connecting much easier. If so, do you suggest using the probe in 1x or 10x.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Another excellent GNLE video! Could you expand on replacing the 8904's display? Where did you purchase that? Thanks!

[Silent-Lucidity]

Hi Sir! I hate to pull you into this debate, but I value your knowledge. I'm of the school that says there "may" be a difference in cheap/expensive speaker cable and connectors, but the return on investment is poor at best. I don't have the equipment to prove to guys like Paul ans Danny that their hype is just that... hype. Now, if I had unlimited funds... you bet your butt I'd buy these grossly expensive cables. However, there are so many other parameters along the "entire" signal path that can/will change audio quality. And better areas to focus a limited budget.

What are your thoughts and can you or have you ever tried to prove one cable verse another really could make an audible difference?

In my opinion, it's not the quality of the connector/cable, it's the quality of the install and the confirmation of a secure connection for the signal path.

I won't blame you if you stay out of this arena. Cheers!