GPSDO “Holdover” mode (loss of GPS sync) runs typically better than 1x10 (to 
the) -9 ppm per day.  These devices use the last control values and historical 
data to manage the OCXO (or rubidium, or cesium standard) during periods 
without GPS sync.  They don’t just default to some nominal frequency or run at 
random.  Outside of the occasional times I’ve had to disconnect the GPS antenna 
to move things around, I’ve never observed any of the GPSDOs I’ve used go into 
holdover mode on their own.  I used to have logs monitoring the old HP 
standards when I had them, but no longer do that — since it was like monitoring 
the location of a period on a page :-)

The K3 will retain the last Ref Cal frequency if you unplug the GPSDO 
altogether.  Which nominally, should be the Ref Cal setting you would get if 
you went through a manual cal and set it at the current rig temperature.

Which is kind of the point.  Without the external sync, if you cal the radio 
after it’s been warming up for 30 minutes, and then start running RTTY or FT8 
or some other mode that’s going to heat the radio up, the cal will go to h*ll 
in a hand basket — if a few Hz or 10s of Hz is a hand basket.  Well not in any 
practical sense, necessarily,  but it will change.  The GPSDO “nudges” it back 
into place and is not dependent on the temp of the internal K3 standard.

It’s an compulsive disorder, and not very much of a practical thing, in any 
case :-)

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342

> 
> If GPS lock is lost on the Bodnar device it reverts to a TCXO that is likely 
> no better than the one in the K3, assuming the high stability option.  (Note: 
> I haven't pursued all of the relevant specs, this is just gut feel.)
> 

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