An electronic frequency sweep generator that eliminates the need for mechanical frequency scanning in nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectrometers is described: In addition to overcoming the disadvantages inherent in any mechanical system, the new approach can facilitate the use of automatic scanning and data acquisition, paving the way for the application of time-averaged signal recovery techniques. In addition to its application to NQR the generator has a wide range of applicability to systems where motor driven potentiometers are used but are either inadequate or inflexible.