[time-nuts] Re: Isotemp OCXO question
Internet Archive to the rescue! https://web.archive.org/web/19990506093727/http://www.isotemp.com/ocxo59.htm According to that page, the OCXO59 series is available in 5 MHz to 50 MHz... So a 1MHz version may have been an OEM version. >From a later archive of their site, here's a PDF datasheet for a 50 MHz OCXO59 series oscillator which includes a drawing for the 59 series with a pinout: http://www.isotemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Legacy59-21.pdf On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 3:56 PM Robert DiRosario wrote: > I got a Trak Systems "Time Code Translator" from ebay. It's a 1U box > with large LEDs for DOY and H/M/S that translates IRIG-A to NASA-36 time > code. I plan on using the case for my WWVB clock. > > Unexpectedly it has an Isotemp OCXO in it, model OCXO59-11-2, frequency > marked as 1.000 MHz The Isotemp website is more or less dead, it has no > information on it. Does anyone have any information on this model, like > how accurate it is? It has only three wires, which I assume are power, > ground and output, with no EFC input. > > One thing that I'm sill note sure about is what to do when the receiver > is not receiving WWVB. I was thinking of using something like the > DS3231 RTC module. If this OCXO is better, I may use it. > > Thanks > > Robert > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send > an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Re: Isotemp OCXO question
This is just a little "fun" project. I"m sure any of my GPS receivers will be more accurate by several orders of magnitude. So does anyone know how to "decode" the Isotemp model numbers, assuming there is some pattern to them? Robert On 08/19/2021 09:19 PM, Bob kb8tq wrote: Hi The issue you run into is that the fancy devices tried to derive information from the phase of the WWVB signal. With an “AM only” receiver accuracy in the 10’s (or 100’s … yikes ….) of ms was pretty common. With a phase oriented approach, you could get into the 100’s of us. Indeed there is a lot of fine print involved with any WWVB claims. The change over did not impact the typical WWVB watch or an AM based receiver. It very much messed up any of the fancy timing stuff. Bob On Aug 19, 2021, at 9:09 PM, Robert DiRosario wrote: I have a MAS6180C AM receiver chip, on a board with a few other parts to complete the receiver. I did not make the board, it came from Universal-Solder Electronics in Canada. The date on the chip datasheet is 2014 and on the receiver board 2016, so after NIST messed up WWVB in 2012. Robert On 08/19/2021 07:23 PM, Bob kb8tq wrote: Hi It’s a good bet that whatever the spec on that Isotemp OCXO, it’s way better in terms of temperature and aging then the DS3231. Is it still on frequency (however many years later …..) who knows …. Many of the “time oriented” WWVB devices stopped working when they put in the new modulation scheme. It’s a pretty good bet that this applies to the device you have. Bob On Aug 19, 2021, at 6:55 PM, Robert DiRosario wrote: I got a Trak Systems "Time Code Translator" from ebay. It's a 1U box with large LEDs for DOY and H/M/S that translates IRIG-A to NASA-36 time code. I plan on using the case for my WWVB clock. Unexpectedly it has an Isotemp OCXO in it, model OCXO59-11-2, frequency marked as 1.000 MHz The Isotemp website is more or less dead, it has no information on it. Does anyone have any information on this model, like how accurate it is? It has only three wires, which I assume are power, ground and output, with no EFC input. One thing that I'm sill note sure about is what to do when the receiver is not receiving WWVB. I was thinking of using something like the DS3231 RTC module. If this OCXO is better, I may use it. Thanks Robert ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Re: Isotemp OCXO question
Hi The issue you run into is that the fancy devices tried to derive information from the phase of the WWVB signal. With an “AM only” receiver accuracy in the 10’s (or 100’s … yikes ….) of ms was pretty common. With a phase oriented approach, you could get into the 100’s of us. Indeed there is a lot of fine print involved with any WWVB claims. The change over did not impact the typical WWVB watch or an AM based receiver. It very much messed up any of the fancy timing stuff. Bob > On Aug 19, 2021, at 9:09 PM, Robert DiRosario wrote: > > I have a MAS6180C AM receiver chip, on a board with a few other parts to > complete the receiver. I did not make the board, it came from > Universal-Solder Electronics in Canada. The date on the chip datasheet is > 2014 and on the receiver board 2016, so after NIST messed up WWVB in 2012. > > Robert > > > On 08/19/2021 07:23 PM, Bob kb8tq wrote: >> Hi >> >> It’s a good bet that whatever the spec on that Isotemp OCXO, it’s way better >> in terms >> of temperature and aging then the DS3231. Is it still on frequency (however >> many years >> later …..) who knows …. >> >> Many of the “time oriented” WWVB devices stopped working when they put in >> the new >> modulation scheme. It’s a pretty good bet that this applies to the device >> you have. >> >> Bob >> >>> On Aug 19, 2021, at 6:55 PM, Robert DiRosario wrote: >>> >>> I got a Trak Systems "Time Code Translator" from ebay. It's a 1U box with >>> large LEDs for DOY and H/M/S that translates IRIG-A to NASA-36 time code. >>> I plan on using the case for my WWVB clock. >>> >>> Unexpectedly it has an Isotemp OCXO in it, model OCXO59-11-2, frequency >>> marked as 1.000 MHz The Isotemp website is more or less dead, it has no >>> information on it. Does anyone have any information on this model, like >>> how accurate it is? It has only three wires, which I assume are power, >>> ground and output, with no EFC input. >>> >>> One thing that I'm sill note sure about is what to do when the receiver is >>> not receiving WWVB. I was thinking of using something like the DS3231 RTC >>> module. If this OCXO is better, I may use it. >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> Robert >>> ___ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send >>> an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com >>> To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an >> email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an > email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Re: Isotemp OCXO question
I have a MAS6180C AM receiver chip, on a board with a few other parts to complete the receiver. I did not make the board, it came from Universal-Solder Electronics in Canada. The date on the chip datasheet is 2014 and on the receiver board 2016, so after NIST messed up WWVB in 2012. Robert On 08/19/2021 07:23 PM, Bob kb8tq wrote: Hi It’s a good bet that whatever the spec on that Isotemp OCXO, it’s way better in terms of temperature and aging then the DS3231. Is it still on frequency (however many years later …..) who knows …. Many of the “time oriented” WWVB devices stopped working when they put in the new modulation scheme. It’s a pretty good bet that this applies to the device you have. Bob On Aug 19, 2021, at 6:55 PM, Robert DiRosario wrote: I got a Trak Systems "Time Code Translator" from ebay. It's a 1U box with large LEDs for DOY and H/M/S that translates IRIG-A to NASA-36 time code. I plan on using the case for my WWVB clock. Unexpectedly it has an Isotemp OCXO in it, model OCXO59-11-2, frequency marked as 1.000 MHz The Isotemp website is more or less dead, it has no information on it. Does anyone have any information on this model, like how accurate it is? It has only three wires, which I assume are power, ground and output, with no EFC input. One thing that I'm sill note sure about is what to do when the receiver is not receiving WWVB. I was thinking of using something like the DS3231 RTC module. If this OCXO is better, I may use it. Thanks Robert ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Re: Isotemp OCXO question
Hi It’s a good bet that whatever the spec on that Isotemp OCXO, it’s way better in terms of temperature and aging then the DS3231. Is it still on frequency (however many years later …..) who knows …. Many of the “time oriented” WWVB devices stopped working when they put in the new modulation scheme. It’s a pretty good bet that this applies to the device you have. Bob > On Aug 19, 2021, at 6:55 PM, Robert DiRosario wrote: > > I got a Trak Systems "Time Code Translator" from ebay. It's a 1U box with > large LEDs for DOY and H/M/S that translates IRIG-A to NASA-36 time code. I > plan on using the case for my WWVB clock. > > Unexpectedly it has an Isotemp OCXO in it, model OCXO59-11-2, frequency > marked as 1.000 MHz The Isotemp website is more or less dead, it has no > information on it. Does anyone have any information on this model, like how > accurate it is? It has only three wires, which I assume are power, ground > and output, with no EFC input. > > One thing that I'm sill note sure about is what to do when the receiver is > not receiving WWVB. I was thinking of using something like the DS3231 RTC > module. If this OCXO is better, I may use it. > > Thanks > > Robert > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an > email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Fwd: Your request in Real-Time HAT
Here's the quote I received for the hat: Original Message SUBJECT: Your request in Real-Time HAT DATE: 2021-08-19 05:23 FROM: Andreas Foglar TO: "d...@montana.com" Dear Mr. Latham, Thanks for your interest in our Real-Time HAT for Raspberry Pi. There is a lot of information about it in the web: 0. Homepage: https://innoroute.com/realtimehat/ [1] 1. System Description: https://innoroute.com/download/systemdescription/ [2] 2. Operation Manual: https://github.com/InnoRoute/RealtimeHAT [3] 3. Image download: https://my.hidrive.com/share/3ugldbuowd#$/ [4] 4. Pin Assignment: https://pinout.xyz/pinout/real_time_hat# [5] 5. Instruction Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX-0AXp_XrxDvd4bfO6ZMBQ [6] 6. Papers: https://www.researchgate.net/project/Raspberry-Real-Time-HAT [7] The current price of the 3-port device is 400 EUR. With best regards, Andreas Foglar InnoRoute CEO Phone +49-89-8776-7567 Telegram/ Signal +49-160-9726-5646 Skype afoglar Mail fog...@innoroute.com www.innoroute.com [8] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasfoglar/ [9] Marsstr. 14a, D80335 Munich, Germany New request for Real-Time HAT 2-port Details: Name: Don Latham Company: Six Mile Systems LLC E-Mail: d...@montana.com Requested Type: Real-Time HAT 2-port Reason: other: Quantity: 1 Additional information: The whole world is a straight man. -- Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL PO Box 404, Frenchtown, MT, 59834 VOX: 406-626-4304 Links: -- [1] https://innoroute.com/realtimehat/ [2] https://innoroute.com/download/systemdescription/ [3] https://github.com/InnoRoute/RealtimeHAT [4] https://my.hidrive.com/share/3ugldbuowd#$/ [5] https://pinout.xyz/pinout/real_time_hat [6] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX-0AXp_XrxDvd4bfO6ZMBQ [7] https://www.researchgate.net/project/Raspberry-Real-Time-HAT [8] http://www.innoroute.com/ [9] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasfoglar/ ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] interesting time hat for RPi
See: https://hackaday.com/blog/?s=Raspberry+Pi+HAT+for+IEEE1588 I got a quote; a 3 port hat is 400 Euro. You'll have to decide. Comments very welcome. Don The whole world is a straight man. -- Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL PO Box 404, Frenchtown, MT, 59834 VOX: 406-626-4304 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Isotemp OCXO question
I got a Trak Systems "Time Code Translator" from ebay. It's a 1U box with large LEDs for DOY and H/M/S that translates IRIG-A to NASA-36 time code. I plan on using the case for my WWVB clock. Unexpectedly it has an Isotemp OCXO in it, model OCXO59-11-2, frequency marked as 1.000 MHz The Isotemp website is more or less dead, it has no information on it. Does anyone have any information on this model, like how accurate it is? It has only three wires, which I assume are power, ground and output, with no EFC input. One thing that I'm sill note sure about is what to do when the receiver is not receiving WWVB. I was thinking of using something like the DS3231 RTC module. If this OCXO is better, I may use it. Thanks Robert ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Re: E5500 blues
John, On 2021-08-19 05:19, John Miles wrote: So, with a 5 MHz source, a RF generator that is doing DCFM lock of PLL and then analyse spectrum of that, that fails to lock this PLL loop, and I fail to get a monitored beat note that makes sense. So, I was hoping someone had done this and could help me with the teething problems. Once that is done I intended to redo this at 180 MHz and 1440 MHz just for fun. Thus, 3047, 3048 and E5052 becomes off topic, and not part of this exercise. If your 5 MHz source is a crystal oscillator, it's probably injection locking. The phase detector has relatively poor port isolation, maybe 30 dB or so. You almost always have to use isolation amps (note the plural) for crystal oscillator measurement with these boxes. The 5 MHz source I had on reach is an active hydrogen maser. The BVA in it is already in lock. Isolation amps laying around here, so applying those would be a good cause. Another thing to check is the VCO gain parameter. This doesn't have to be spot-on, but if you enter a value that's too far off, the initial beat note lockup process may not work properly. That seem to calculate out fine from the parameters I gave it. If you are using an optional frequency counter as part of the setup, try disabling it and letting the FFT analyzer measure the DUT properties. OK, I can try that. It's worth getting the E5500 working IMHO, as it's capable of doing everything the 3048A system could without taking up a whole equipment rack. Rick's right in that these instruments are sort of a pain in the neck to work with, but I wouldn't say that they're primarily meant for residual tests. They are very much suitable for general purpose AM/PM noise measurements as long as you have the necessary peripherals and patience. Well, pain in the neck or not, I want to get it working. I do have a bit of peripherals and now I decided to make a more serious attempt at getting it going. I have done residual tests and that works fine. The hydrogen maser was measuring at around -177 dBc/Hz while the E4420B was far above, which is expected. Still want that absolute measurement to work, as I want to unlock more and more of the instrument. The TimePod straight of the bat gives me 30 MHz, and with this thing I go do 1.6 GHz, which expands to a lot of other sources. Yes, I know I can go higher using external sources and mixers with the TimePod, but being able to use another approach helps to verify what I see. There will be more tests performed eventually. Cheers, Magnus ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com -- To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-le...@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to and follow the instructions there.
