Re: [time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-20 Thread Ed Palmer


On 2/19/2013 12:54 PM, Magnus Danielson wrote:

On 19/02/13 19:36, Ed Palmer wrote:

Hi Stu,

Did you find the long message threads from April  May of last year
where I was trying to fix my 304-B? Look for Antique Rubidium
Standard, General Technology Corp model 304b and Antique Rb
Standard. Lots of good info from guys like Magnus Danielson, Paul Swed,
Ed Breya and others.

To cut to the chase, no I haven't got it working. The second harmonic is
still missing. I haven't given up. I still have a few puzzles to work
out. I work on it for awhile, decide I need more equipment, wait for it
to show up on the auction site, wait for it to be delivered, fix it
and/or learn about it, make some measurements, get frustrated and walk
away for awhile, repeat until wallet is empty and workshop is full. :-)

Answers to your current questions are interspersed below. We'll talk
more, but it's probably best if we take it offlist. I'll contact you
directly.

On 2/19/2013 12:36 AM, Stewart Cobb wrote:

Guys,

I'm repairing a 1960's vintage lab-grade rubidium standard, General
Technology Corporation model 304-B. Apparently Tracor bought GTC soon
after this unit was made, because references to this as a Tracor 
304-B

seem to be more common. I've made some progress, but now it seems like
time to consult the hive mind.

The unit appears clean, but it doesn't lock. I've read through old
comments on the list regarding this unit, and I've downloaded a copy
of the
manual and schematics available at

*http://sundry.i2phd.com/ServiceManual_304b.pdf*

That file seems to contain a complete copy of the manual text, but some
schematics are missing. In particular, the schematics for the
sweep/acquisition board (A8) and the three boards inside the physics
package (the lamp oscillator (A13), the SRD driver (A12), and the
photocell
preamp (A11)) are not shown. Does anyone know where to find copies of
those schematics?


I have a hard copy of the manual. I'll scan those schematics and send
them to you.


Could you put them on a suitable server?


I don't know what server would be suitable.  It's not like there are 
hordes of people who are desperately waiting to get their hands on this 
manual.  Any suggestions?



A frequency counter (GPSDO reference) shows that the crystal oven
warms up
as expected. The output can be centered on 5 MHz and the sweep circuit
covers a symmetrical range around 5 MHz as expected.


Really? That surprises me. Drift in the OCXO should have caused an issue
over this much time. On my unit, some kind soul adjusted the oscillator
via the adjustment on the oscillator itself. Unfortunately, that changes
the oven temperature which does change the frequency, but it also moves
the oscillator away from the crystal's turnover point. It still works,
but for proper operation, the oscillator has to be opened and components
changed to bring the oscillator back to it's proper frequency at the
proper temperature.


The ovens for the
lamp and filter cell appear to warm up properly as well, judging from
test
points available on the A1 oven controller board. The test point 
voltages

don't quite match the ones in the PDF manual, but it looks like those
readings were typed into each individual manual after being read off 
the

particular unit that came with that manual.


That's one of the remaining puzzles on my unit. It appears that one of
the thermistors on my unit has drifted badly and the RF cavity (and
therefore the resonance cell) are running about 20C colder than they
should. My next round of testing will investigate that.


That would indeed help to keep the Rb-85 and Rb-87 peaks misaligned, 
with weak return signal as result.


I tested the temperature early in my investigations.  Raising or 
lowering the temperature reduced the maximum amplitude of the error 
signal so I left it alone.  But the current temperature of 56C seemed 
suspiciously low.  The correct temperature isn't stated in the manual.  
I was finally able to find the data for the thermistor and the current 
hot resistance should correlate to a temperature of ~72C which seems 
much more reasonable.  So I'm going to boost the temperature to that 
level and then go hunting for a signal.



The test point on the A5 board shows that 155 Hz resonance detector
modulation is within spec. The A6 filter-amplifier board test points 
show
the system attempting (and failing) to detect 155 Hz and 310 Hz 
resonance

signals coming back from the photocell.

The manual says that the A7 RF pre-driver board (the x14 multiplier)
should
be supplying 70 MHz at +13 dBm to the SRD driver inside the physics
package. That would be about 2.8Vpp, assuming a 50-ohm system. Instead,
it's supplying a clean 70 MHz at about 100mV into a 50-ohm load. My 
best

guess is that the final amplifier transistor on that board is blown,
possibly from being operated with only a scope probe as a load 
(infinite

VSWR). Replacement transistors are on order. Any other thoughts?


I've measured my A7 

Re: [time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-20 Thread Charles P. Steinmetz



Could you put [scans of the manual] on a suitable server?


I don't know what server would be suitable.  *   *   *  Any suggestions?


http://www.ko4bb.com/Manuals/01%29_Upload_Instructions.php

Best regards,

Charles




___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-19 Thread Magnus Danielson

On 19/02/13 07:36, Stewart Cobb wrote:

Guys,

I'm repairing a 1960's vintage lab-grade rubidium standard, General
Technology Corporation model 304-B.  Apparently Tracor bought GTC soon
after this unit was made, because references to this as a Tracor 304-B
seem to be more common.  I've made some progress, but now it seems like
time to consult the hive mind.

The unit appears clean, but it doesn't lock.  I've read through old
comments on the list regarding this unit, and I've downloaded a copy of the
manual and schematics available at

*http://sundry.i2phd.com/ServiceManual_304b.pdf*

That file seems to contain a complete copy of the manual text, but some
schematics are missing.  In particular, the schematics for the
sweep/acquisition board (A8) and the three boards inside the physics
package (the lamp oscillator (A13), the SRD driver (A12), and the photocell
preamp (A11)) are not shown.  Does anyone know where to find copies of
those schematics?

The main power supply voltage on my unit seems to have been deliberately
adjusted lower than spec (18.54 V actual, versus 20 +/- 0.1V specified in
the manual).  Replacing a resistor on the regulator board (that had smoked
from overload due to the low voltage) didn't change the voltage much.  I
had to crank the trimmer across half of its range to get the voltage back
within spec.  Nothing in the regulator circuitry seemed to have drifted
enough to change the setpoint that much.  Is there a reason why a tech
would have deliberately set this voltage lower than spec, or did it just
drift down over the years?

A frequency counter (GPSDO reference) shows that the crystal oven warms up
as expected.  The output can be centered on 5 MHz and the sweep circuit
covers a symmetrical range around 5 MHz as expected.  The ovens for the
lamp and filter cell appear to warm up properly as well, judging from test
points available on the A1 oven controller board.  The test point voltages
don't quite match the ones in the PDF manual, but it looks like those
readings were typed into each individual manual after being read off the
particular unit that came with that manual.

The test point on the A5 board shows that 155 Hz resonance detector
modulation is within spec.  The A6 filter-amplifier board test points show
the system attempting (and failing) to detect 155 Hz and 310 Hz resonance
signals coming back from the photocell.

The manual says that the A7 RF pre-driver board (the x14 multiplier) should
be supplying 70 MHz at +13 dBm to the SRD driver inside the physics
package.  That would be about 2.8Vpp, assuming a 50-ohm system.  Instead,
it's supplying a clean 70 MHz at about 100mV into a 50-ohm load.  My best
guess is that the final amplifier transistor on that board is blown,
possibly from being operated with only a scope probe as a load (infinite
VSWR).  Replacement transistors are on order.  Any other thoughts?


Trimming might have drifted. OK signal in? On a HP5060 (similar vintage) 
I had to start by tuning the crystal filter of the OCXO to get a strong 
5 MHz. I ended up having trouble with the multiplier board.



Obviously, the box won't lock until the RF input is the right level.  But
it also requires the Rb lamp to light.  Corby Dawson posted to the list
back on 12 November 2009:

Tracor bulbs fail with a different mechanism and last maybe 10 years.

Anyone know what that different failure mechanism is?  Is it repairable
in an ordinary lab, like the heat-gun trick for LPRO bulbs?  If not, is it
feasible to build a Frankenstein replacement using something like an LPRO
or FEI bulb?

Is it possible to tell whether the lamp is lit without opening the physics
package?  If not, are there any tricks to opening the physics package?  Any
precautions to take before doing so?


The photodetector should detect the lamp intensity as a DC component. 
The modulation doesn't cut out much of the light, so the 155 Hz and 310 
Hz is there only when things are properly aligned.


The tricky part is that not only the frequency needs to be aligned, but 
also the temperature of the lamp with the temperature of the filter and 
resonance cell. Check the oven settings on it. The temperature alignment 
is needed to make the optical pumping align up and work well, if you 
don't too little pumping is achieved, and too few atomis is in the right 
state to later alter state with your applied signal and hence gives a 
much weaker signal.



Any other comments on how to get this box working again?


Check the return signal yourself. It could be that you have the 155 Hz 
and 310 Hz, but you need to re-align the phase of the synchronous 
detector, but this only comes after getting the 70 MHz operating again.



Cheers!
--Stu

Side note:  This unit was built during the era of elastic seconds
(roughly, the 1960's).  It contains a board (A9) which digitally offsets
the output frequency in increments of roughly 7E-10, without changing the
rubidium resonance frequency or the C-field.  There's also a note in 

Re: [time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-19 Thread Bob Camp
Hi

Keep in mind that the Tracor's came out before the Teflon coated bulbs. Without 
the Teflon, the Rb will combine with the glass of the bulb. The ones I have 
seen slowly turn a black. As they darken, the light transmission drops enough 
to stop the standard. Since it's a chemical reaction, there is no simple way to 
reverse it.

Bob
   
On Feb 19, 2013, at 1:36 AM, Stewart Cobb stewart.c...@gmail.com wrote:

 Guys,
 
 I'm repairing a 1960's vintage lab-grade rubidium standard, General
 Technology Corporation model 304-B.  Apparently Tracor bought GTC soon
 after this unit was made, because references to this as a Tracor 304-B
 seem to be more common.  I've made some progress, but now it seems like
 time to consult the hive mind.
 
 The unit appears clean, but it doesn't lock.  I've read through old
 comments on the list regarding this unit, and I've downloaded a copy of the
 manual and schematics available at
 
 *http://sundry.i2phd.com/ServiceManual_304b.pdf*
 
 That file seems to contain a complete copy of the manual text, but some
 schematics are missing.  In particular, the schematics for the
 sweep/acquisition board (A8) and the three boards inside the physics
 package (the lamp oscillator (A13), the SRD driver (A12), and the photocell
 preamp (A11)) are not shown.  Does anyone know where to find copies of
 those schematics?
 
 The main power supply voltage on my unit seems to have been deliberately
 adjusted lower than spec (18.54 V actual, versus 20 +/- 0.1V specified in
 the manual).  Replacing a resistor on the regulator board (that had smoked
 from overload due to the low voltage) didn't change the voltage much.  I
 had to crank the trimmer across half of its range to get the voltage back
 within spec.  Nothing in the regulator circuitry seemed to have drifted
 enough to change the setpoint that much.  Is there a reason why a tech
 would have deliberately set this voltage lower than spec, or did it just
 drift down over the years?
 
 A frequency counter (GPSDO reference) shows that the crystal oven warms up
 as expected.  The output can be centered on 5 MHz and the sweep circuit
 covers a symmetrical range around 5 MHz as expected.  The ovens for the
 lamp and filter cell appear to warm up properly as well, judging from test
 points available on the A1 oven controller board.  The test point voltages
 don't quite match the ones in the PDF manual, but it looks like those
 readings were typed into each individual manual after being read off the
 particular unit that came with that manual.
 
 The test point on the A5 board shows that 155 Hz resonance detector
 modulation is within spec.  The A6 filter-amplifier board test points show
 the system attempting (and failing) to detect 155 Hz and 310 Hz resonance
 signals coming back from the photocell.
 
 The manual says that the A7 RF pre-driver board (the x14 multiplier) should
 be supplying 70 MHz at +13 dBm to the SRD driver inside the physics
 package.  That would be about 2.8Vpp, assuming a 50-ohm system.  Instead,
 it's supplying a clean 70 MHz at about 100mV into a 50-ohm load.  My best
 guess is that the final amplifier transistor on that board is blown,
 possibly from being operated with only a scope probe as a load (infinite
 VSWR).  Replacement transistors are on order.  Any other thoughts?
 
 Obviously, the box won't lock until the RF input is the right level.  But
 it also requires the Rb lamp to light.  Corby Dawson posted to the list
 back on 12 November 2009:
 
 Tracor bulbs fail with a different mechanism and last maybe 10 years.
 
 Anyone know what that different failure mechanism is?  Is it repairable
 in an ordinary lab, like the heat-gun trick for LPRO bulbs?  If not, is it
 feasible to build a Frankenstein replacement using something like an LPRO
 or FEI bulb?
 
 Is it possible to tell whether the lamp is lit without opening the physics
 package?  If not, are there any tricks to opening the physics package?  Any
 precautions to take before doing so?
 
 Any other comments on how to get this box working again?
 
 Cheers!
 --Stu
 
 Side note:  This unit was built during the era of elastic seconds
 (roughly, the 1960's).  It contains a board (A9) which digitally offsets
 the output frequency in increments of roughly 7E-10, without changing the
 rubidium resonance frequency or the C-field.  There's also a note in the
 manual saying that annual changes to the definition of the second may
 require replacing the rubidium resonance cell in the physics package with a
 new cell calibrated for the new second in the new year.  Leap seconds bring
 their own problems, but compared to dismantling your lab instruments every
 year, they're a breeze.
 ___
 time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
 To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
 and follow the instructions there.

___
time-nuts mailing list -- 

[time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-19 Thread cdelect


Stewart,

Tracor units use a high voltage pulse to start the lamp. You should be
able to hear the  relay that drives the pulse clicking around every 10
seconds or so until the lamp lights up.

Tracor lamp failures are  not rejuvinatable (is that really a word).
However I have in the past installed Efratom lamps into some 304D units.

Corby
___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.


Re: [time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-19 Thread Ed Palmer

Hi Stu,

Did you find the long message threads from April  May of last year 
where I was trying to fix my 304-B?  Look for Antique Rubidium 
Standard, General Technology Corp model 304b and Antique Rb 
Standard.  Lots of good info from guys like Magnus Danielson, Paul 
Swed, Ed Breya and others.


To cut to the chase, no I haven't got it working.  The second harmonic 
is still missing.  I haven't given up.  I still have a few puzzles to 
work out.  I work on it for awhile, decide I need more equipment, wait 
for it to show up on the auction site, wait for it to be delivered, fix 
it and/or learn about it, make some measurements, get frustrated and 
walk away for awhile, repeat until wallet is empty and workshop is 
full.  :-)


Answers to your current questions are interspersed below.  We'll talk 
more, but it's probably best if we take it offlist.  I'll contact you 
directly.


On 2/19/2013 12:36 AM, Stewart Cobb wrote:

Guys,

I'm repairing a 1960's vintage lab-grade rubidium standard, General
Technology Corporation model 304-B.  Apparently Tracor bought GTC soon
after this unit was made, because references to this as a Tracor 304-B
seem to be more common.  I've made some progress, but now it seems like
time to consult the hive mind.

The unit appears clean, but it doesn't lock.  I've read through old
comments on the list regarding this unit, and I've downloaded a copy of the
manual and schematics available at

*http://sundry.i2phd.com/ServiceManual_304b.pdf*

That file seems to contain a complete copy of the manual text, but some
schematics are missing.  In particular, the schematics for the
sweep/acquisition board (A8) and the three boards inside the physics
package (the lamp oscillator (A13), the SRD driver (A12), and the photocell
preamp (A11)) are not shown.  Does anyone know where to find copies of
those schematics?


I have a hard copy of the manual.  I'll scan those schematics and send 
them to you.



The main power supply voltage on my unit seems to have been deliberately
adjusted lower than spec (18.54 V actual, versus 20 +/- 0.1V specified in
the manual).  Replacing a resistor on the regulator board (that had smoked
from overload due to the low voltage) didn't change the voltage much.  I
had to crank the trimmer across half of its range to get the voltage back
within spec.  Nothing in the regulator circuitry seemed to have drifted
enough to change the setpoint that much.  Is there a reason why a tech
would have deliberately set this voltage lower than spec, or did it just
drift down over the years?


I can't think why the voltage would be intentionally adjusted down. 
Probably just drift.



A frequency counter (GPSDO reference) shows that the crystal oven warms up
as expected.  The output can be centered on 5 MHz and the sweep circuit
covers a symmetrical range around 5 MHz as expected.


Really?  That surprises me.  Drift in the OCXO should have caused an 
issue over this much time.  On my unit, some kind soul adjusted the 
oscillator via the adjustment on the oscillator itself. Unfortunately, 
that changes the oven temperature which does change the frequency, but 
it also moves the oscillator away from the crystal's turnover point.  It 
still works, but for proper operation, the oscillator has to be opened 
and components changed to bring the oscillator back to it's proper 
frequency at the proper temperature.



The ovens for the
lamp and filter cell appear to warm up properly as well, judging from test
points available on the A1 oven controller board.  The test point voltages
don't quite match the ones in the PDF manual, but it looks like those
readings were typed into each individual manual after being read off the
particular unit that came with that manual.


That's one of the remaining puzzles on my unit.  It appears that one of 
the thermistors on my unit has drifted badly and the RF cavity (and 
therefore the resonance cell) are running about 20C colder than they 
should.  My next round of testing will investigate that.



The test point on the A5 board shows that 155 Hz resonance detector
modulation is within spec.  The A6 filter-amplifier board test points show
the system attempting (and failing) to detect 155 Hz and 310 Hz resonance
signals coming back from the photocell.

The manual says that the A7 RF pre-driver board (the x14 multiplier) should
be supplying 70 MHz at +13 dBm to the SRD driver inside the physics
package.  That would be about 2.8Vpp, assuming a 50-ohm system.  Instead,
it's supplying a clean 70 MHz at about 100mV into a 50-ohm load.  My best
guess is that the final amplifier transistor on that board is blown,
possibly from being operated with only a scope probe as a load (infinite
VSWR).  Replacement transistors are on order.  Any other thoughts?


I've measured my A7 output at +12 dBm.  I've also found that the level 
isn't critical.  Levels as low as +5 dBm didn't reduce the amplitude of 
the error signal.



Obviously, the box won't lock until the RF input 

Re: [time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-19 Thread Magnus Danielson

On 19/02/13 19:36, Ed Palmer wrote:

Hi Stu,

Did you find the long message threads from April  May of last year
where I was trying to fix my 304-B? Look for Antique Rubidium
Standard, General Technology Corp model 304b and Antique Rb
Standard. Lots of good info from guys like Magnus Danielson, Paul Swed,
Ed Breya and others.

To cut to the chase, no I haven't got it working. The second harmonic is
still missing. I haven't given up. I still have a few puzzles to work
out. I work on it for awhile, decide I need more equipment, wait for it
to show up on the auction site, wait for it to be delivered, fix it
and/or learn about it, make some measurements, get frustrated and walk
away for awhile, repeat until wallet is empty and workshop is full. :-)

Answers to your current questions are interspersed below. We'll talk
more, but it's probably best if we take it offlist. I'll contact you
directly.

On 2/19/2013 12:36 AM, Stewart Cobb wrote:

Guys,

I'm repairing a 1960's vintage lab-grade rubidium standard, General
Technology Corporation model 304-B. Apparently Tracor bought GTC soon
after this unit was made, because references to this as a Tracor 304-B
seem to be more common. I've made some progress, but now it seems like
time to consult the hive mind.

The unit appears clean, but it doesn't lock. I've read through old
comments on the list regarding this unit, and I've downloaded a copy
of the
manual and schematics available at

*http://sundry.i2phd.com/ServiceManual_304b.pdf*

That file seems to contain a complete copy of the manual text, but some
schematics are missing. In particular, the schematics for the
sweep/acquisition board (A8) and the three boards inside the physics
package (the lamp oscillator (A13), the SRD driver (A12), and the
photocell
preamp (A11)) are not shown. Does anyone know where to find copies of
those schematics?


I have a hard copy of the manual. I'll scan those schematics and send
them to you.


Could you put them on a suitable server?


A frequency counter (GPSDO reference) shows that the crystal oven
warms up
as expected. The output can be centered on 5 MHz and the sweep circuit
covers a symmetrical range around 5 MHz as expected.


Really? That surprises me. Drift in the OCXO should have caused an issue
over this much time. On my unit, some kind soul adjusted the oscillator
via the adjustment on the oscillator itself. Unfortunately, that changes
the oven temperature which does change the frequency, but it also moves
the oscillator away from the crystal's turnover point. It still works,
but for proper operation, the oscillator has to be opened and components
changed to bring the oscillator back to it's proper frequency at the
proper temperature.


The ovens for the
lamp and filter cell appear to warm up properly as well, judging from
test
points available on the A1 oven controller board. The test point voltages
don't quite match the ones in the PDF manual, but it looks like those
readings were typed into each individual manual after being read off the
particular unit that came with that manual.


That's one of the remaining puzzles on my unit. It appears that one of
the thermistors on my unit has drifted badly and the RF cavity (and
therefore the resonance cell) are running about 20C colder than they
should. My next round of testing will investigate that.


That would indeed help to keep the Rb-85 and Rb-87 peaks misaligned, 
with weak return signal as result.



The test point on the A5 board shows that 155 Hz resonance detector
modulation is within spec. The A6 filter-amplifier board test points show
the system attempting (and failing) to detect 155 Hz and 310 Hz resonance
signals coming back from the photocell.

The manual says that the A7 RF pre-driver board (the x14 multiplier)
should
be supplying 70 MHz at +13 dBm to the SRD driver inside the physics
package. That would be about 2.8Vpp, assuming a 50-ohm system. Instead,
it's supplying a clean 70 MHz at about 100mV into a 50-ohm load. My best
guess is that the final amplifier transistor on that board is blown,
possibly from being operated with only a scope probe as a load (infinite
VSWR). Replacement transistors are on order. Any other thoughts?


I've measured my A7 output at +12 dBm. I've also found that the level
isn't critical. Levels as low as +5 dBm didn't reduce the amplitude of
the error signal.


Once sufficient, levels should be set somewhat below peaking, and 
preferably for best stability. Signal level shift causes frequency 
shift. It's a bit obscure actually. Anyway, if you can have a servo-loop 
to maintain a stable level over time, it will reduce the drift.



Any other comments on how to get this box working again?


Invest copious amounts of time, money, and frustration. Odds of success
are unknown, but probably not great. The effort will either keep you out
of the bar or drive you to it. But you will learn lots about how a Rb
standard works! ;-)


Indeed. You guys are lucky, on one of my rubidiums I have a 

[time-nuts] repairing General Technology (Tracor) 304-B rubidium standard

2013-02-18 Thread Stewart Cobb
Guys,

I'm repairing a 1960's vintage lab-grade rubidium standard, General
Technology Corporation model 304-B.  Apparently Tracor bought GTC soon
after this unit was made, because references to this as a Tracor 304-B
seem to be more common.  I've made some progress, but now it seems like
time to consult the hive mind.

The unit appears clean, but it doesn't lock.  I've read through old
comments on the list regarding this unit, and I've downloaded a copy of the
manual and schematics available at

*http://sundry.i2phd.com/ServiceManual_304b.pdf*

That file seems to contain a complete copy of the manual text, but some
schematics are missing.  In particular, the schematics for the
sweep/acquisition board (A8) and the three boards inside the physics
package (the lamp oscillator (A13), the SRD driver (A12), and the photocell
preamp (A11)) are not shown.  Does anyone know where to find copies of
those schematics?

The main power supply voltage on my unit seems to have been deliberately
adjusted lower than spec (18.54 V actual, versus 20 +/- 0.1V specified in
the manual).  Replacing a resistor on the regulator board (that had smoked
from overload due to the low voltage) didn't change the voltage much.  I
had to crank the trimmer across half of its range to get the voltage back
within spec.  Nothing in the regulator circuitry seemed to have drifted
enough to change the setpoint that much.  Is there a reason why a tech
would have deliberately set this voltage lower than spec, or did it just
drift down over the years?

A frequency counter (GPSDO reference) shows that the crystal oven warms up
as expected.  The output can be centered on 5 MHz and the sweep circuit
covers a symmetrical range around 5 MHz as expected.  The ovens for the
lamp and filter cell appear to warm up properly as well, judging from test
points available on the A1 oven controller board.  The test point voltages
don't quite match the ones in the PDF manual, but it looks like those
readings were typed into each individual manual after being read off the
particular unit that came with that manual.

The test point on the A5 board shows that 155 Hz resonance detector
modulation is within spec.  The A6 filter-amplifier board test points show
the system attempting (and failing) to detect 155 Hz and 310 Hz resonance
signals coming back from the photocell.

The manual says that the A7 RF pre-driver board (the x14 multiplier) should
be supplying 70 MHz at +13 dBm to the SRD driver inside the physics
package.  That would be about 2.8Vpp, assuming a 50-ohm system.  Instead,
it's supplying a clean 70 MHz at about 100mV into a 50-ohm load.  My best
guess is that the final amplifier transistor on that board is blown,
possibly from being operated with only a scope probe as a load (infinite
VSWR).  Replacement transistors are on order.  Any other thoughts?

Obviously, the box won't lock until the RF input is the right level.  But
it also requires the Rb lamp to light.  Corby Dawson posted to the list
back on 12 November 2009:

Tracor bulbs fail with a different mechanism and last maybe 10 years.

Anyone know what that different failure mechanism is?  Is it repairable
in an ordinary lab, like the heat-gun trick for LPRO bulbs?  If not, is it
feasible to build a Frankenstein replacement using something like an LPRO
or FEI bulb?

Is it possible to tell whether the lamp is lit without opening the physics
package?  If not, are there any tricks to opening the physics package?  Any
precautions to take before doing so?

Any other comments on how to get this box working again?

Cheers!
--Stu

Side note:  This unit was built during the era of elastic seconds
(roughly, the 1960's).  It contains a board (A9) which digitally offsets
the output frequency in increments of roughly 7E-10, without changing the
rubidium resonance frequency or the C-field.  There's also a note in the
manual saying that annual changes to the definition of the second may
require replacing the rubidium resonance cell in the physics package with a
new cell calibrated for the new second in the new year.  Leap seconds bring
their own problems, but compared to dismantling your lab instruments every
year, they're a breeze.
___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.