Audio Generator vs. Signal Generator...

In a simplistic way, an "audio generator" is a signal generator that is limited to frequencies I'm the audible range. Most signal generators have a frequency range that is much wider.

 

I can't see why not.

 

Basically, there are 2 types of signal generators with two very different uses

Audio signal generators that cover the audio frequencies essentially around 10 Hz to around 20 kHz
these can have various modes of output eg sine, square and saw wave outputs
Often these are combined in a package called a function generator and may go up to a few MHz
and have digital modes as well for testing digital / logic circuits

RF ( radio frequency) signal generators often cover the range of around 10 kHz up to many 10's of GHz (microwave frequencies)
my one goes from 10 kHz to 8.4 GHz ... they get pretty expensive as the frequency climbs higher

Audio generators you use to test the audio stages of your AM/FM radio kit, from the detector/demodulator stage to the speaker output

RF generators you use to test all the RF stages from the antenna input through the RF amplifier stages, local oscillators, mixers, and IF stages
up to the detector/demodulator stage.

so you can now see there are two very different beasts


Dave

 

What do you call one that goes from 0.01Hz to 20MHz? . I have another one that goes up to 990MHz, but I can't remember the lowest frequency off the top of my head.

Other than frequency range, there are very few features that you couldn't find in both an audio signal generator or an rf signal generator.

 

usually nothing adjustable.... but an audio source is great for finding why audio isn't getting from the detector stage to the speaker
being able to tone out the audio path is sometimes an essential test proceedure

 

since none of them were repair jobs .... you statement is correct, but it has nothing to do with the repair job that the OP is conducting