Dave I installed one about the time they were released, it was a pain free exercise, plug an external 10Mhz in and it worked, unplug it and it falls back to the internal reference. The whole exercise has proved invaluable for external microwave transverters as well as the internal 2M module which is now locked.
I built a 10Mhz reference based on the VE2ZAZ design ( http://ve2zaz.net/GPS_Std/GPS_Std.htm ) and used it to reference my test equipment, frequency counter, signal generator as well as the K3, my shack is basically GPS reference locked.. It is a GPS locked reference, a little slow to lock, about 5 mins but rock solid when locked (I never turn it off). Bert VE2ZAZ also had a design for a station clock based on the GPS receiver, now this is one of the best things I have ever built. I also have Rubidium standard but rarely use it for anything, it draws a lot of current, particularly at start up. The only warning I have ever seen about radiation was from spectratime ( http://www.spectratime.com/uploads/hazmat331.pdf ) and I doubt it is an issue for anyone. The lamps lose efficiency as they age as well and some of the older ones on EBay are getting to the age where they are marginal. If you decide to build one I am sure there are lot of folks who have done just that and can assist you, I would be happy to share my construction experiences off list with you. Regards. Roger VK3ADE. -----Original Message----- Subject: [Elecraft] K3 External Frequency Reference Questions Hi All, I'm interested in possibly trying the K3EXREF in my good ol' K3 for no good reason other than its something new and fun to try and can give some bragging rights about frequency accuracy. Can any of you comment on your experiences in using the K3EXREF? Elecraft provides very little background info on how to get started with this accessory after its installation. I see that the once prolific Trimble Thunderbolt units are now quite scarce on eBay and elsewhere those that are available are now really pricey. What are any of you now using if you went the GPS disciplined oscillator route? Have any of you used a rubidium standard as the alternative? This may sound naive, but is a rubidium standard device safe to have at home, i.e. is it radioactive? I think I know the answer but I want to ask anyway. With a toddler grandson around here often I want to be very safe and very certain. Any suggestions as to how to proceed, encountered pitfalls and sourcing a reasonably priced frequency standard would be greatly welcome. I thank you all in advance. 73 de N1LQ-Dave ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
