Marconi / IFR · Signal generator
The 2025 tops a family of AM/FM signal generators, the 2023 and 2023A to 1.2 GHz, the 2023B to 2.05 GHz, the 2024 to 2.4 GHz and the 2025 from 9 kHz to 2.51 GHz. IFR, which bought Marconi Instruments in 1998, published the maintenance manual covering it in 1999. Inside, a fractional-N synthesizer sets frequency in 1 Hz steps, and a two-point FM scheme lets it modulate right down to DC, with a self-calibration routine to keep FM flat. Output runs from -140 to +13 dBm through a relay attenuator with reverse power protection. GPIB and RS-232 are built in, and the LCD front panel has a keypad and a knob. The options matter more than the badge. High power, fast pulse, SINAD and a high-stability reference were factory fits, so find the unit that already has the ones you need.
Options and accessories
Check the listing photos and the rear panel against this list, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing option or probe should come off the price.
The LCD is lit by a cold cathode lamp, which dims with age like any CCFL. IFR's fault diagnosis works from on-screen error messages, so a unit that shows an error at power-on needs a closer look.
New to used bench gear? How to check used test equipment covers self-tests, fuses, the voltage selector and shipping, and what “calibrated” means in a listing.
Buying guide
We'd buy testgearnation's 2025 at $955 delivered, under the $1,000–1,450 band, from a US test-equipment dealer, with Options 05, 10 and 11 as titled (rear panel connectors, the 1 V peak modulation input, and fast pulse with high power). There are at least 45 for sale, most from China resellers asking about $830–1,570 delivered with copied titles and photos shared across accounts, while the US units here mostly ask $777–1,225. The options matter more than the badge, so ask which are fitted and how the seller knows, and ask for a photo of the screen after power-on with no error message and a 0 dBm reading on a power meter. A calibration claim needs a dated certificate, and the UK unit titled recent calibration doesn't give a date. Skip the listings that share one photo across three accounts, and alltest's $4,995 unit at about 4.2 times the median.
$776.50est. delivered
The lowest delivered 2025 we'd buy, at $777, with Option 12 SINAD as titled and a photo showing it on with settings on the screen. It isn't titled tested, so ask for a 0 dBm reading on a power meter.
IFR Marconi 2025 RF Signal Generator 9kHz-2.51GHz Opt 12 SINAD GPIB RS232
$955.45est. delivered
Options 05, 10 and 11 as titled, from testgearnation, a US test-equipment dealer, at $955 delivered and under the band. Ask how they confirmed the options and for a photo of the screen after power-on.
IFR 2025 SIGNAL GENERATOR w/OPTS 05, 10,11 9kHz-2.51GHz
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$776.50est. delivered
$750.00 + $26.50 shipping
Buy It Now$750.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Option 12 SINAD as titled. Photo shows it on with settings displayed.
Seller: slashinburn
100% positive
Used$955.45est. delivered
$900.00 + $55.45 shipping
Buy It Now$900.00
Good buy
Options 05, 10 and 11 as titled, from a US test-gear dealer. Photo shows it on.
Seller: testgearnation
100% positive
Used$1,225.11est. delivered
$1,199.99 + $25.12 shipping
Buy It Now$1,199.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled powers on. The photo shows the screen dark, so ask for one after power-on.
Seller: abcelectronics_isimn
99.9% positive
Used$1,890.43est. delivered
$1,710.44 + $179.99 shipping
Buy It Now$1,710.44
Our take
Titled recent calibration, with no date given. Ask for the certificate. Ships from the UK.
Seller: dralbert.123
100% positive
Used$920.00est. delivered
$770.00 + $150.00 shipping
Buy It Now$770.00
Check the seller
96.8% feedback, and the photo is shared with other accounts. Ships from China.
Seller: reliable-instrument
96.8% positive
Used$1,210.00est. delivered
$1,150.00 + $60.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,150.00
Check the seller
Ships from China under another account's LEYPIN watermark. Ask for a photo of the actual unit with its serial.
Seller: ytd-technology
100% positive
Used$1,252.06est. delivered
$1,212.06 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,212.06
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
97.6% feedback, and the photo is shared with two other accounts. Ships from China.
Seller: baozhang
97.6% positive
Used$5,093.63est. delivered
$4,995.00 + $98.63 shipping
Buy It Now$4,995.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
About 4.2 times the median. Ask whether the 11 in the title means Option 11.
Seller: alltest_instruments
99.5% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 14, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchMarconi / IFR
Signal generator$700–$1,025 typical ask
Rohde & Schwarz
Signal generator$1,050–$2,175 typical ask
HP / Agilent / Keysight
Signal generator$340–$775 typical ask