Re: [time-nuts] Version 5 wrong leap second
My tbolts/LH also showed 00:00:60. The sequence was: 23:59:59 00:00:60 00:00:00 00:00:01 On 12/31/2016 6:28 PM, Bill Beam wrote: My LH v5.00 showed leap second as 00:00:60 on a Tbolt. Not good Previous June 2015 LH v3.10 correctly showed 23:59:60 If interested, I have screen captures. Bill Beam NL7F ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Z38xx rack mounts
Nigel, These are standard HP 1/2 rack units. The rubber bezel around the front and back peel off. HP (Agilent, now Keysight) makes a Link Lock Kit http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Agilent-Lock-Link-Kit-5061-5458-/291271152251?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0hash=item43d11d127b to connect the units. The finger piece mount in the slots in the side of the front bezel and lock together. The lock pieces strap the rear square frame posts together. Add the 2U (each 'U' is 1-3/4) rack mount flanges and you're good to go. Mike On 10/22/2014 4:26 PM, GandalfG8--- via time-nuts wrote: Hi Dave Many thanks for the MTI260 data, that's very useful and much appreciated. As regards the the Z38xx modules, my Z3801As actually measure 10 9/16 between the front panel edges but obviously still too much to fit two like that into a standard 19 inch rack. I've considered two options on this, one is to keep the existing front panel and just cut it down closer to the case itself and the other, prompted by having one arrive several years ago with a bent front anyway, is just to remove the existing front panels entirely and make up another panel to accommodate two units side by side. The actual cases themselves are 8 inches wide so two should sit side by side quite nicely in a 19inch rack. Regards Nigel GM8PZR In a message dated 22/10/2014 21:44:42 GMT Daylight Time, dgmin...@mediacombb.net writes: I have a couple questions regarding the Z38xx type units. I have a Z3801A, and a couple other modules that don't need a full 19 rack space. The Z38xx units are 11 wide (10-9/16 mounting centers) , and obviously are not suitable for a standard 19 rack cabinet. Looking in the Z3801A manual, I see that the rack trays that these units are mounted in are 28.5 wide, with a dual mounting shelf so that two GPS units can be mounted side-by-side. Were the racks for these units custom built by Motorola and/or Symmetricom? Where in the civilized world might these cabinets and mounting shelves be found and purchased (preferably surplus)? I've searched Google until my eyes are crossed, but nothing shows up. Maybe I'm not using the right search terms? Don't know. I guess I could destroy an old rack cabinet and fabricate something that would fit the equipment, but I'd prefer to buy one (assuming that it doesn't approximate the cost of a new SUV). Cheers, Dave M ___ 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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Time Code Units Available
Walter, Are there manuals for these? I have a Trak 8390 and would like to get a manual (or copy). Thanks, Mike Blazer On 7/8/2014 4:08 PM, walter shawlee 2 wrote: (very sorry for the first file size! Here's a smaller one) Since there were several requests for more details, here's the various*time code units *we have, numbers following in () are *quantities*. Sorry, the fluke 207-1 VLF receiver is gone. A pic is attached to show some units and the condition (very good), and here's a list of what I found in one building. There are probably more elsewhere, but I have to search further later. I remain mystified as to *why* I thought we needed all these at some earlier time. We also have a huge quantity of stabilized/TCXO oscillator modules if interested. probably more fun to snorkel through them in person, however. *TRAK:* 8400 Time Code Translator/Generator 8390 Time Code Generator (2) 8392 Countdown Reader 8397-4 Time Code Translator (3) 8397-8 Time Code Translator (2) *OTHERS:* Kinemetrics/Truetime 60DC NBS Time (WWVB) Kinemetrics/Truetime 468DC NBS Time (Satellite) (*I believe these are complete receivers, but both need antennas I do not have*) KODE Inc. TCU DATACHRON 3700 CDU (Large display) ($40) DATACHRON 3070 Time Code Translator/Generator Anadex Counter CF-601R (seems to be second counters w/plasma displays) (2) Datum 9300 Time Code Generator/Translator ($25) ODETICS 285 Time Code Unit Time Code Generators are $50 each, Translators/Displays are $30 each. the Kinemetrics and Odetics units are $50 each. all are as-is, as shown in the pic. shipping is extra. If you are coming up for the August 1/2 Free Stuff session, we will toss some of these into the free pile! all the best, walter ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] clock and cannon at noon story
Wouldn't the watchmaker notice that his clock is always a few seconds fast? If the cannon is a mile away, the watchmaker would be adjusting the clock so that 'noon' would sound around tea time after about 10 years. Mike On 2/4/2014 11:52 AM, Tom Van Baak wrote: I suspect many of you have heard clock synchronization stories like this one (there are many variations): -- A chap was on holiday in Gibraltar. The tour guide said that before leaving Gib you had to see two things: The daily firing of the noon day gun on the rock and, down in the town square, the world's most accurate mechanical clock. So the bloke ambles up the rock in the morning, taking pictures of the apes and arriving at the gun just at noon. There are two men in ceremonial uniform stood ready, one next to the gun and one next to a telescope. The man with the telescope checks his watch, looks through the telescope and, at the right second, signals to the other guy who fires the cannon. The gaggle of spectators cheer and as one guy packs up the cannon the tourist ask the man what he was looking at through the telescope. 'Oh, from here you can see down into the town square and the world's most accurate clock, which is on the side of the local watchmaker's shop. When that says twelve we fire the cannon.' 'Oh, that's next on my list,' says the tourist, looking through the telescope, 'I'm off down there now.' After a pleasant stroll down to the town square the tourist finds himself stood looking up at the clock he had been seen through the telescope. The watchmaker sees him and comes out to say hello. 'I hear this is the most accurate clock in the world.' 'Yes,' says the watchmaker with some pride, 'It's not lost a second in the last one hundred years.' 'That's amazing,' says the tourist, 'how do you measure it?' 'Well', says the watchmaker, 'Every day at noon they fire a cannon and the clock is always spot on!' -- But I do have a serious question. If you have a favorite alternate version of this (from oral tradition, book, or web) please share it with me. It turns out there's some interesting time nuts math in some of them. Contact me off-list since this is a bit off-topic. You know my email: t...@leapsecond.com Thanks, /tvb ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Coax cable for volute antenna
Would running RG-316 thru a hollow brass tube work? These are available at most hobby stores in a variety of sizes and they are solderable. Mike On 10/16/2013 10:26 PM, quartz55 wrote: I've been searching for the small copper hardline I can use for the feed on the gps volute (egg beater) antenna. Can anyone steer me where to get a foot or so of the small 50 ohm line so I can make a few antennas? I've been searching mouser to no avail. Dave N3DT ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] RS 232
Hal, I like your term automagically. Typo or intentional, it describes how most people 'understand' technology. Mike On 7/26/2013 8:07 PM, Hal Murray wrote: ma...@non-stop.com.au said: It you can figure out how to raise DTR while your application has the port open it can be a good source of power for a RS232 device. Most OSes turn it on automagically when you open the file. (and turn it off when you close the file) ___ 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] Language -- The eternal barrier
Obviously we've been doing it wrong all these years. Here's 29 dB Noise Reduction http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-RTX-Folding-Earmuffs/product/94964/ for only $29.99. Mike On 7/1/2013 3:45 AM, gandal...@aol.com wrote: Having recently bought a couple of MV89As I found listed on AmazonUK I received a feedback request a couple of days ago from the seller and took the opportunity to point out that whilst one was fine the other was much noisier than the first, and also in comparison with others I'd previously bought elsewhere. The seller has very kindly provided a solution to my problem.. --- Dear Nigel, Thank you for your reply. We are very sorry for the issue. We suggest that you could wear earphone to reduce the noise when you use the oscillators. Sorry for all the inconvenience again. Your understanding will be highly appreciated in advance. -- Off topic I know, so apologies for that, but thought others might enjoy it too:-) Regards Nigel GM8PZR ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] SV 27 Not OK
It'll probably show up on eBay as a pickup only. On 6/3/2013 5:26 AM, Bob Camp wrote: Hi It's retired from government service and now is doing it's same old job as a consultant - at a much higher rate of pay…. Bob On Jun 3, 2013, at 12:25 AM, Mark C. Stephens ma...@non-stop.com.au wrote: I see they have retired USA-84. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-84 It is still up there transmitting though. Perhaps it won't turn off :) -marki ___ 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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] ThunderBolt and LabView
Has anyone developed any drivers or other software for the Thunderbolt in LabView? Mike Blazer San Antonio, TX ___ 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] Javad Letter to FCC...
These filters have been extensively tested with five different innovative tests Obviously you don't know the 'innovative' tests that can test 'perfect' filters to prove the vertical cutoffs. Mike On 9/25/2012 7:22 PM, Scott McGrath wrote: Is he going to retrofit every GPS dependent device already in service for free??? I'm also suspicious of the steepness of the filter skirts. They seem to be too good to be true and I've looked at a lot of filters through multiple VNA's and scalar analyzers Ou Sent from my iPhone On Sep 25, 2012, at 9:59 AM, Rob Kimberley robkimber...@btinternet.com wrote: http://www.gpsworld.com/javad-asserts-filters-protect-gps-l1-l2-l5-glonass- l1-l2-galileo-l1-l5/ I'm wondering how much LightSquared are paying this guy? Rob ___ 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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] T-Bolt Temperature
The DS1620 is located just behind the RS-232 connector. This is on the far corner from the oscillator. Mike On 8/22/2012 12:59 PM, Ron Ward wrote: Hi: What is the temp chip reading? Is it reading the oven temperature or just the ambient temperature? Ron -Original Message- From: time-nuts-boun...@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf Of Azelio Boriani Sent: Friday, August 17, 2012 7:57 AM To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] T-Bolt Temperature No, IIRC the problem is indeed with the chip because the new silicon release has no higher resolution temperature reading. The old chip allows this reading via an unofficial feature that the new chip has no longer. The TBolt firmware exploits this unofficial (but documented and known) method of reading. On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 3:29 PM, b...@lysator.liu.se wrote: It would be a worthy hack (in the classic sense) to extract the Tbolt firmware and patch it to work with the current temperature chips. -- Björn Hi Just in case this inadvertently heads of in the wrong direction…. Lady Heather displays exactly what the TBolt firmware comes up with. The disconnect with the new sensor chip is between the TBolt firmware and the chip it's self. Bob On Aug 16, 2012, at 10:37 PM, Arthur Dent golgarfrinc...@yahoo.com wrote: Do you know the part number of a chip to replace the DS1620? The part number is the same, DS1620. What is important is the revision of the DS1620. When Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim 'improved' the chip and went from REV-D (or D2) to REV-E they made a change in the way the data was sent to the outside world. Lady Heather displays the temperature from REV-E chips in distinct step instead of a smooth curve. I have used REV-C2 chips as replacement and they work just fine. Note the chip revision has little or nothing to do with the Trimble REV letter on the outside of the Thunderbolt case, the latest Thunderbolt revision from 2005 just happens to be a REV-E. -Arthur ___ 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@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@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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Interesting Loran-C antenna pictures
Wow, what a view. How does the advice go, Don't look down? On 8/22/2012 9:22 AM, Poul-Henning Kamp wrote: http://www.jan-mayen.no/ press news Look for 21. august. The last picture is particularly interesting: http://www.jan-mayen.no/nyhet/2012/08_august/C-%20mast/C-mast%208b.JPG Here you can see both the top-hat which forms the capacitance, they guy-wires which hold the mast in place and the ground-grid which forms the other electrode. ___ 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] Gray T Bolt
Does any one know about a gray cased Thunderbolt? This unit is backwards from the gold box T-Bolt. The circuit card is mounted on the non-flanged case half (that has the connector cutouts). There is no serial number sticker, but does have the power supply sticker next to the connector. And just for fun, the power connector is backwards from the gold box units. You can guess the next line... Does anyone need a T Bolt Aroma Therapy device? One scent (not pleasant), slightly used, real cheap. I was rearranging the bench and plugged a properly keyed power supply into the gray box. The power supply that I did have on this unit doesn't have the keying lock. Of course, this one has (had) the good DS1620 (D rev) chip. Oh well, live and learn. Mike ___ 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] : L1 GPS timing signal(s) into local time on computer(s)
Just order one from RJB1998 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/120969870669?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649) Friday and it's here today. $169 with free shipping. He included a power cable (6 pin to leads) and a TNC-F cable. Mike Blazer On 8/20/2012 4:07 PM, cfo wrote: On Sun, 19 Aug 2012 15:29:22 -0400, Sarah White wrote: oh wow, thanks. I'll try that. Also, I figured out that typing in trimble thunderbolt instead of thunderbolt gps gives me zero hits for phone... but fewer hits for the GPSDO too :( Try to search on : 10mhz gps You should see most thunderbolts,and especially this one (eB#) 170886463609 US located , and the only decent priced Tbolts left on eB CFO - Denmark ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] T-Bolt Temperature
Do you know the part number of a chip to replace the DS1620? Mike On 8/16/2012 5:58 AM, Arthur Dent wrote: I have two Thunderbolts that I'm monitoring with Lady Heather. The temperature on the older unit (MFG 2/26/2004) seems to track the environment. The newer one (MFG 11-24-2004) shows 44.75 °C and only changes in increments of exactly 1°. All REV-E Thunderbolts with date codes after about mid-2004 used the DS1620 E chip and have this problem. Buyers have been told and believe the REV-E units are somehow superior to previous revisions so they will ask a known problem unit. I think they have seen articles on the internet that show really old units with the noisy Piezo OXCO and somehow believe that only the REV-E Thunderbolt has the newer Trimble OXCO, which is not true. After about 2001 all REV-A through E Thunderbolts had the new Trimble OXCO. I doubt you could find any with the older Piezo OXCO now. As far as I know there is only one U.S. seller of Thunderbolts on Ebay that replaces the DS1620 in these affected REV-E units with one that will display correctly with Lady Heather. I've heard several stories from buyers who have bought problem Thunderbolts from resellers, many of whom don't do any real testing to see their units work properly or are stable. Ask questions before you buy. -Arthur ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] T-Bolt Temperature
I have two Thunderbolts that I'm monitoring with Lady Heather. The temperature on the older unit (MFG 2/26/2004) seems to track the environment. The newer one (MFG 11-24-2004) shows 44.75 °C and only changes in increments of exactly 1°. The DAC Voltage and frequency seem to be tracking similar traces. The older unit is running about 5.2 nS RMS, the newer unit 10.5 nS RMS. Both units have the same date for GPS (10.2, 11-14-2001) and APP (3.0, 6-27-2002). Is either unit operating normally? Do I have a setting different between the two units? Mike Blazer San Antonio, TX ___ 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] gps jamming source found
A badly tuned/designed super-regenerative receiver can put out a lot of garbage. For commercial products, the receiver needs FCC approval to ensure this doesn't happen. Mike On 7/5/2012 4:03 PM, ed breya wrote: The wireless data links in those R/C sensor type things don't operate near GPS carriers, but their harmonics can land there. The transmitted power allowed should be too small to interfere with anyone's receiver farther away - yours is probably pretty close. I believe that the remote senders do not wait for any polling signals - if so, they would have to be receiving on a regular basis, taking precious battery life. It makes more sense for them to just burst transmit at regular intervals, while the line-powered (or bigger-battery-powered) base station is always listening, or listens at various intervals to see if any remotes are calling. That's why it takes a while to get the initial temperature data when the system starts up. The base station receivers used for simple, cheap VHF data are typically super-regenerative type for high sensitivity, so when they're fired up it may appear that they're transmitting, but actually are only receiving, with lots of crap kicking out of the super-regen circuit. A common carrier used for VHF remotes is around 315 MHz - the fifth harmonic of that one is especially bad, landing almost right on top of GPS. When you add in the loose frequency stability and modulation, and the regen signals, the transmitters and receivers can cause quite a spectral mess. Ed ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] So, how did you spend your leapsecond?
Watched on my Thunderbolt's external monitor: https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5951au8lukljot/LeapSecond20120630.3gp Mike Blazer On 6/30/2012 7:07 PM, Mark Sims wrote: ? ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] So, how did you spend your leapsecond?
Well, the list isn't called Time Nuts for nothing. Mike On 7/1/2012 11:05 AM, Edgardo Molina wrote: I was dinning at an Argentinean restaurant with my wife and some friends of her. Armed with a 3G Internet equipped iPad and sharing the story with the people at the table. Good food, good company and the opportunity to shine publicly (at least for a leap second), explaining time keeping to a table full of psychologists. A lonely engineering soul being analyzed for sure by the phycological minds. Nice warm and rainy afternoon in Mexico City. Regards to you all, Edgardo Molina XE1XUS On Jul 1, 2012, at 10:27 AM, Chuck Harris wrote: We spent our leapsecond reading books by kerosene lamp as the power failure continued... And, no, the power failure wasn't caused by the leapsecond, but rather a very strong thunderstorm that came roaring through parts of Maryland trees down everywhere. ... Well, unless Mother Nature is yet another that is offended by the shear lunacy of leapseconds. There are large numbers still without power even now. -Chuck Harris Mark Sims wrote: ? ___ 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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] HP5386A GPIB
Hui, It sounds like the issue is with your OEM GPIB controller. Why don't you post some pictures of it and see if any of the Time Nuts can identify it? It probably is a generic version of some common interface. Mike On 6/18/2012 8:43 AM, Hui Zhang wrote: Hello Mike: Many thanks for useful information. The problem is I have no more information of my USB-GPIB controller, so I don't know any command of this device. I used stupid way to send my command, if I want send DI to increase the display digis, I will convert DI to HEX code, it's 0x44 and 0x49. I add 0x36 (0x36 is HP5386's address) and 0x0A in the begin and end of my command sequence separately. So my command looks like 0x3644490A0D, the command was worked. but I don't know what command can set my counter to talk status, I am also confused on how to initiate its read cycle. Hui At 2012-06-17 23:45:07,Michael Blazer mbla...@satx.rr.com wrote: Hui, The older instruments have a very simple command structure. You don't need the ? to query. Typically just doing a GPIB Read command (ibread for NI controllers) will address the counter to output and it will send the current reading. This can cause a problem if you request data too soon after a setup command. You'll get the previous reading. The ENTER S ; N$ command just reads from address S into the variable N$. It sound like you need the command to your USB-GPIB controller to get it to read. The counter is probably ready to send the data, the controller just needs to initiate its read cycle. Mike On 6/17/2012 10:17 AM, Hui Zhang wrote: I have a old HP5386A counter and a OEM USB-GPIB controller(no tech support), I use a serial port debug program to send command via USB-GPIB to HP5386A, when I send FU2(Measure period) or DI(increment display digis), the 5386 response the command and worked well, the other control command in the HP's manual also worked well. But I don't know how to read the measure value from 5385A, in my HP3478A mutilmeter case, I just send a ?, it will return voltage value to software, but at 5386A, the “?” not work, I got error message 52 on LCD panel. I read the HP5386's manual, the demonstrates used ENTER command to get measure value, but the ENTER is a HP-BASIC command of vintage HP-85 computer. I don't know how to send similar command to control my counter, can someone give me some advice? Thank you! Hui ___ 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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] HP5386A GPIB
Hui, The older instruments have a very simple command structure. You don't need the ? to query. Typically just doing a GPIB Read command (ibread for NI controllers) will address the counter to output and it will send the current reading. This can cause a problem if you request data too soon after a setup command. You'll get the previous reading. The ENTER S ; N$ command just reads from address S into the variable N$. It sound like you need the command to your USB-GPIB controller to get it to read. The counter is probably ready to send the data, the controller just needs to initiate its read cycle. Mike On 6/17/2012 10:17 AM, Hui Zhang wrote: I have a old HP5386A counter and a OEM USB-GPIB controller(no tech support), I use a serial port debug program to send command via USB-GPIB to HP5386A, when I send FU2(Measure period) or DI(increment display digis), the 5386 response the command and worked well, the other control command in the HP's manual also worked well. But I don't know how to read the measure value from 5385A, in my HP3478A mutilmeter case, I just send a ?, it will return voltage value to software, but at 5386A, the “?” not work, I got error message 52 on LCD panel. I read the HP5386's manual, the demonstrates used ENTER command to get measure value, but the ENTER is a HP-BASIC command of vintage HP-85 computer. I don't know how to send similar command to control my counter, can someone give me some advice? Thank you! Hui ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Frequency calibrator for sale ?
That's amazing, the current stock list price is $745. Anyone up for the 'eBay premium'? On 6/9/2012 10:58 AM, EB4APL wrote: In contrast, the same seller tries to get $1300.0 for this coil !!! ebay Item # 200728874248 Ignacio El 09/06/2012 5:21, Mark Spencer escribió: Saw what looks like a military version of a vectron frequency standard on eBay. Item number 251075220188 The under $100.00 buy it now price seems a refreshing change from what others are asking for similar items and they are open to offers. They probably won't ship to Canada and I probably have enough stuff like this so i thought I would pass this on. I have no affiliation with the seller and no specific knowledge of the item in question. Sent from my iPad ___ 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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] LightSquared in the news again
Sounds like a gun with no safety and a hair trigger. On 6/4/2012 10:41 PM, d.sei...@comcast.net wrote: A law firm with a technology department? -Dave - Original Message - From: Michael Blazermbla...@satx.rr.com To: time-nuts@febo.com Sent: Monday, June 4, 2012 7:44:26 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] LightSquared in the news again It's not a technology company if it has more lawyers than engineers. Mike On 6/4/2012 7:33 PM, Eric Williams wrote: Typical of technology companies that have more lawyers on staff than engineers. On Mon, Jun 4, 2012 at 5:09 PM, Tom Knoxact...@hotmail.com wrote: Lightsquared is like a cockroach every time you think it is dead it shows up again. Thomas Knox 1-303-554-0307 Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 19:25:22 -0400 To: time-nuts@febo.com From: charles_steinm...@lavabit.com Subject: [time-nuts] LightSquared in the news again From today's communications news (fair use): LightSquared stressed its intention to deploy a nationwide 4G wireless broadband network, during a meeting with Angela Giancarlo, chief of staff to FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell. The commission has some legal and policy responses it can take to address the inability of a limited number of GPS receivers to operate properly in spectrum that has not been allocated for GPS use, the company said in an ex parte filing. It said the actions proposed in the commission's Feb. 15 public notice revoking its ancillary terrestrial component are disproportionate and inappropriate, especially in light of the current administrative record. http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view;jsessionid=PbLJPNCL1F1v170xHrQhXLJlClpRjS2DfgWX7c4CqvvhwQlgG2nn!-1221852939!NONE?id=7021921317 ___ 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@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@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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] LightSquared in the news again
It's not a technology company if it has more lawyers than engineers. Mike On 6/4/2012 7:33 PM, Eric Williams wrote: Typical of technology companies that have more lawyers on staff than engineers. On Mon, Jun 4, 2012 at 5:09 PM, Tom Knoxact...@hotmail.com wrote: Lightsquared is like a cockroach every time you think it is dead it shows up again. Thomas Knox 1-303-554-0307 Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 19:25:22 -0400 To: time-nuts@febo.com From: charles_steinm...@lavabit.com Subject: [time-nuts] LightSquared in the news again From today's communications news (fair use): LightSquared stressed its intention to deploy a nationwide 4G wireless broadband network, during a meeting with Angela Giancarlo, chief of staff to FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell. The commission has some legal and policy responses it can take to address the inability of a limited number of GPS receivers to operate properly in spectrum that has not been allocated for GPS use, the company said in an ex parte filing. It said the actions proposed in the commission's Feb. 15 public notice revoking its ancillary terrestrial component are disproportionate and inappropriate, especially in light of the current administrative record. http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view;jsessionid=PbLJPNCL1F1v170xHrQhXLJlClpRjS2DfgWX7c4CqvvhwQlgG2nn!-1221852939!NONE?id=7021921317 ___ 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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Why are 1PPS signals so skinny?
I always thought it was nice to have the pretty LEDs showing the power supplies are working, but then you have to find the one that's not lit. I've seen others that have a 'fail' indicator, but if the power supply is dead, what powers the fail LED. The B-1B test stations have an interface board with status LEDs behind a smoked plexiglass door. One version of the CCA has the 90° LEDs facing backwards. Mike On 5/15/2012 10:25 PM, Hal Murray wrote: rich...@karlquist.com said: FWIW, the E1938A oscillator control board had a happy light LED that flashed 1 time per second, and sure enough this corrupted the power supply and affected some applications. We added a command to turn it off. Why should lights blink when they are happy? Your eye is real good at noticing blinking things. Why not use blinking for things that are broken and need attention? Of course, with a PPS, blinking is an obvious thing to do: 1 resistor, 1 LED, your eye does all the work. I built a converter from blink on happy to blink on sad. I've been happy with it. ___ 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] Why are 1PPS signals so skinny?
Magnus, https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ is the search site for military standards. MIL-188-155 is not found. Could it be another dash number? Mike On 5/14/2012 2:20 PM, Magnus Danielson wrote: Mark, Azelio and Björn, On 05/14/2012 06:33 PM, b...@lysator.liu.se wrote: Mark Azelio, Or even 10V into 50ohm, 20us... See figure 3-4 in ICD-GPS-060. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/ICD-GPS-060B.pdf More modern 3-5.5V into 50ohm, 20us. http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/majorsys/jab/DAGR%20Interface%20Specification.pdf Above are two standards demanding short skinny 1PPS pulses. Are there any other standards with distinct shape requirements on 1PPS pulses? You need to look at MIL STD 188/155 which if I recall things was initially formed in the 60thies. An AccuBeat presentation actually says that the PPS was originally defined in it. The MIL STD 188/155 is actually a 10 V peak level, so it was much hotter than we are used to know. It specified 5 MHz as base frequency, or power of 2 multiples (10, 20, 40 MHz... ). It was later reformulated in the PTTI spec, which ICD GPS 060 is a derivate. The 50 ns rise and 1 us fall slopes comes from that spec. I was not able to find MIL STD 188-155 on the net right now, but I have been able to download it before, so if someone is a more lucky it should surface. I should have my download somewhere. Cheers, Magnus ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] wwvb weak on east coast especially when the pre-amps under wa...
Here's comparison for various type of conformal coating: http://mgchemicals.com/downloads/appguide/appguide0404.pdf.https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ I think there is a type that is 'serviceable' and removable with alcohol. Mike On 5/14/2012 6:01 PM, gandal...@aol.com wrote: The other option of course is to pressurise the box with dry air to ensure a positive pressure differential, such that the net flow is always outwards at all points, but it's probably easier just to provide a drain hole:-) However, whilst a drain hole will prevent the build up of a lake inside the enclosure it still doesn't prevent condensation forming on circuit boards, and powered circuit boards and condensation don't really go well together. As per earlier comments, it's quite difficult to keep any externally mounted enclosure totally moisture free, so it's much easier to accept the inevitable and allow for it. In a past life I designed quite a few circuit boards that were required to be fitted in externally mounted vented enclosures, so not a great deal of pressurisation there then:-), and I usually specified that both sides should be sprayed with a plastic coating following final test. I can't remember now exactly what this stuff was called, but it was readily available in the UK from both RS and Farnell as an aerosol plastic spray that provided a good barrier but was a bit more flexible than the usual MOD spec conformal coatings. It melted easily under a soldering iron, albeit with a foul pong:-), so reworking was no problem, and resisted moisture remarkably well. problem solved:-) Nigel GM8PZR In a message dated 14/05/2012 23:10:30 GMT Daylight Time, arnold.ti...@gmx.de writes: The only solutions I think: Apply air pressure tight boxes having a breathing hole an the bottom, mount the box that no rain and water can penetrate from the top or sides. If the hole is big enough, eg. 2mm, no pressure difference is possible and no pumping effect will occur. (If the hole is too wide, small animals may penetrate). Or, when using a pressure tight box, it must be stiff and sealed to withstand under all temperature conditions more then 1 bar/ 100 kPa. Do not forget that all feed throughs must be of real hermetic type, normal coaxial connectors are not tight! Don't route cables directly in, because no cable braid or mesh is vapor tight. ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Why are 1PPS signals so skinny?
I haven't heard that one before. I try to slip in the TLAR check in all the test procedures I write. When 'they' ask, I look at it and say: That Looks About Right. Mike On 5/14/2012 6:18 PM, Jim Hickstein wrote: On 2012/05/14 18:02, time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote: https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ is the search site for military standards. Hmm. Doesn't find MIL-TGDBP-41. I got this from my (now late) great uncle, Bob Sedgwick -- who was to hydraulics what I am to computers, only he has a number of patents. Some smart-aleck at Wright Field, as it then was, put this on a drawing, and it went without comment for quite a while until someone tried to look it up. This escalated to a bird colonel, who then tracked down the miscreant. It stands for Make It Like The G-D Blueprint For Once. ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Conformal Coating
The Humiseal and Chemtronics Acrylic both meet the Mil Spec 'AR' rating. (I've had to track down this document trail.) I believe the MG Chemicals also meets the same spec. The MG and Chemtronics are readily available at most local electronic stores, Newark, Mouser and other distributors. Mike On 5/14/2012 8:13 PM, Sam Reaves wrote: For conformal coating I recommend Humiseal Acrylic 1B73 in aerosol. You can also get it in brush form. I believe that Chemtronics used to offer acrylic coating as well, maybe even re-packaging the Humiseal product. I don't know if there is a source for small quantities of Humiseal but it is a fine product. I have also used Krylon clear acrylic that you can get at Wall-Mart in a pinch. The acrylic coatings I have found are better for HiZ circuits that have requirements for low-leakage. Consult the can for solvents and make sure that what you are coating are compatible with Toluene, Ketones, Acetone, etc. be careful around connectors as the coating will wick into connectors as the 1B73 is a fairly low viscosity. You can also get Humiseal formulations 1B38 and 1B66 which are also Acrylics but are brush on and require a one gallon minimum purchase. The shipping cost for a gallon is almost as much as the product due to the requirement that it be shipped as a hazardous material (flameable). The acrylics can be dissolved with MEK or any of the solvents I have listed above. You can remove a small amount with a Q-Tip. The Humiseal product also has a UV indicator in it that glows blue under a black light so you can check coverage. I have tested Humiseal Acrylic on probably 1000+ PCB's and it has yet to fail me. It is also easy to rework and re-coat after repairs. You can also get polyurethane coatings but I do not recommend them since they are more difficult you use, not as easy to remove and have better performance for HiZ and RF circuits. Good luck and let us know how you make out. Sam W3OHM http://www.hmcelectronics.com/product/Chemtronics/CTAR12 On Mon, May 14, 2012 at 7:31 PM,time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote: Send time-nuts mailing list submissions to time-nuts@febo.com To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to time-nuts-requ...@febo.com You can reach the person managing the list at time-nuts-ow...@febo.com When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of time-nuts digest... Today's Topics: 1. Re: Why are 1PPS signals so skinny? (Jim Hickstein) 2. Re: Why are 1PPS signals so skinny? (Azelio Boriani) 3. Re: wwvb weak on east coast especially when the pre-amps under wa... (Michael Blazer) 4. Re: wwvb weak on east coast especially when the pre-amps under wa... (Azelio Boriani) 5. Re: Why are 1PPS signals so skinny? (Michael Blazer) 6. Re: Why are 1PPS signals so skinny? (Bob Camp) 7. Re: wwvb weak on east coast especially when thepre-amps under wa... (Alan Melia) -- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 18:18:20 -0500 From: Jim Hicksteinj...@jxh.com To: time-nuts@febo.com Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Why are 1PPS signals so skinny? Message-ID:4fb192bc.4060...@jxh.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed On 2012/05/14 18:02, time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote: https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ is the search site for military standards. Hmm. Doesn't find MIL-TGDBP-41. I got this from my (now late) great uncle, Bob Sedgwick -- who was to hydraulics what I am to computers, only he has a number of patents. Some smart-aleck at Wright Field, as it then was, put this on a drawing, and it went without comment for quite a while until someone tried to look it up. This escalated to a bird colonel, who then tracked down the miscreant. It stands for Make It Like The G-D Blueprint For Once. -- Message: 2 Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 01:21:26 +0200 From: Azelio Borianiazelio.bori...@screen.it To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement time-nuts@febo.com Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Why are 1PPS signals so skinny? Message-ID: CAL8XPmOc8cLJ3aGBcqJsJB=fbw5xtq-_fy54r9eddudux+a...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Maybe the correct number is MIL-STD-188-115? On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 1:18 AM, Jim Hicksteinj...@jxh.com wrote: On 2012/05/14 18:02, time-nuts-requ...@febo.com wrote: https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ is the search site for military standards. Hmm. Doesn't find MIL-TGDBP-41. I got this from my (now late) great uncle, Bob Sedgwick -- who was to hydraulics what I am to computers, only he has a number of patents. Some smart-aleck at Wright Field, as it then was, put this on a drawing, and it went without comment for quite a while
Re: [time-nuts] Oh dear
Wow! $1260 for a 4' power cord, but wait, there's more... It was named 'Power Cord of the Year'. Mike On 5/7/2012 9:39 AM, Burt I. Weiner wrote: A friend of mine signed me up for a catalog from the Audio Advisor. He said I deserved this - I was afraid to ask what he meant by that! Spend a few minutes looking over this site: http://www.audioadvisor.com/ Be sure to check out their Power cords at: http://home-audio.audioadvisor.com/search?w=Power+Cords Burt, K6OQK From: Rob Kimberley robkimber...@btinternet.com To: 'Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement' time-nuts@febo.com Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Oh dear An old saying: a fool and his money are often parted. Sums things up nicely I feel. Rob Kimberley Burt I. Weiner Associates Broadcast Technical Services Glendale, California U.S.A. b...@att.net www.biwa.cc K6OQK ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Time Code Generator
Does anyone have data on a Trak System Model 8390 Time Code Generator? The sticker shows the following: Part Number: 48390-1014-101 Model: 8390-46 I picked this unit from a salvage yard several years ago. I'd like to find a service manual or just schematics? Any takers? Mike Blazer San Antonio, TX ___ 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] Chinese Scopes
Does anyone remember the HP 1980B Digital O'scope? This had to be the worst scope UI ever. There was only one knob and buttons for everything else. Mike On 4/16/2012 7:04 PM, J. Forster wrote: IMO, a good UI should be entirely obvious. I learnt to use a Tek 503 in about 1963. Everything after that has been obvious, until the 'puter'scopes. The problem with nested menus is knowing where the dang thing you want is, or worse, that some setting or other even exists. Have you explored all the pull-down menus in your browser or Word, or, worse, Excel or AutoCAD? I know I havn't. An Adventure game is far less opaque, IMO, and the game is designed to decieve. -John That simply is not the case with the Rigol scope. I was able to use it without opening the manual. On 4/16/2012 4:33 PM, Scott McGrath wrote: Chinese scopes and menus In modern asian culture it's a highly valued skill to be able to memorize menu selections which are deeply nested And many asian designs actually increase the number of menus to cater to this ___ 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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Looking for CA3130E IC...
Findchips was my first choice as well. Looks like Newark and Avnet have stock. I deal with both on a regular basis with good results. On 4/13/2012 3:25 AM, Attila Kinali wrote: On Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:46:48 -0700 Burt I. Weinerb...@att.net wrote: Hopefully someone out there has a stash of what I'm looking for. I need 4 ea IC type CA3130E. Need this specific number. It's an 8 pin DIP. I've tried DigiKey and Mouser. No luck. Try http://www.findchips.com/avail?part=CA3130E Attila Kinali ___ 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] Efratom M3100
The JM38510/11201BCA crosses to a LM139 which is the Mil-Spec version of the LM339. Mike On 4/1/2012 2:39 PM, ewkeh...@aol.com wrote: Paul thank you. I tried google and only got links to advertise other parts. Makes sense, unit has a summary bit output, probably checks 4 levels and gives a lock output. Different from M100 and other Efratom products. Still hunting for the 85 Hz, 127 Hz on the M100 is 5V pp into the phase detector. can not rule out the actual cell, maybe the step recovery diode. Will try every thing else before I go there. Bert. In a message dated 4/1/2012 3:14:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, paulsw...@gmail.com writes: Strange indeed Bert I put the whole number into google and had 5 hits. The first number is actually JM then the number but its a quad voltage comparator according to the data archive. pdf is available and looks like numbers of manufacturers made it. PMI TI Nat nalog dev. They are still available also. Regards Paul. On Sun, Apr 1, 2012 at 1:50 PM,ewkeh...@aol.com wrote: In the past I have asked if some one has any info of the Efratom M3100. I have carefully dissected the unit and checked functionality. It sweeps but does not lock. Lamp signal is strong 60 MHz and 5.xx all work properly and can be seen on a spectrum analyzer The problem is in the loop and there is not enough signal into the phase detector. Trying to follow the detector output is challenging because lack of information and packaging density. Typical loop frequency in a M100 is 127/254 in this case I see 85/160. I would expect in a military application they would go up not down for vibration purposes. Tracing the circuits is also made more difficult because of the use of mil parts and mil nomenclature. I have most cross correlated and I am down to one PMI part38510/11201BCA. Does any one have any info, such a nice unit, would like to make it work. ThanksBert Kehren ___ 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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Opera coordinator has resigned
I agree that you can't inspect quality into a system, but it is far to easy to 'not inspect' quality right out of the system. Some of the new 'buzz-word' systems (TQM,6 sigma, etc.) seem to want everyone to be their own QA inspector to lessen the involvement of independent QA. I find that no matter how careful I inspect my own work, just knowing someone else will be looking over it makes me do a better job. Mike On 3/31/2012 11:23 AM, J. Forster wrote: Frankly, I'm a bit surprised at the connector problem. Much of High Energy instrumentation uses LEMO connectors, which have a definite click when mated. They are not like BNCs which can be mated, without locking. --- As to my point about inspecting in quality, look at the (crummy) attached picture: The leads to CR5 (a photocell) just to the left of the ceramic IC have NEVER been soldered or clipped. Yet, this 5519A Laser Interferometer head was built by HP, inspected by HP, tested by HP, and sold to a ciustomer by HP as part of a$60,000 system. I rest my case. You simply cannot inspect in quality. -John Jim Lux wrote: And we do things like stake connectors with epoxy, just in case. Serves two purposes: 1) a second independent look at the connector (after the first guy went through and tightened it with the torque wrench with the QA guy watching) 2) if, for some reason, there was a problem with #1 (maybe the torque wrench had an issue, or the QA guy sneezed and looked away, or...), at least the connector won't back off with vibration. ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Best reason
1 nanosecond = 1 foot, do you know where you are? Remember, wherever you go, there you are. Buckaroo Banzai On 3/28/2012 3:28 AM, Jim Palfreyman wrote: So when a member of the general public says: Why do we need really accurate clocks? What is your answer? Personally I explain that accurate clocks enable you to pack a higher data rate into your smart phone. They like that. Any other thoughts? Jim ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Pulsar Source?
Ultimately all pulsars slow down. Pulsars are rotating neutron stars. We see the pulse whenever the beam from one of the poles points in our direction. A pulsar emits a massive amount of energy and there is drag from the rotating magnetic field in its stellar environment. There is also matter falling onto the neutron star and the crust can flex and shift (star quakes). All these lead to variations in the period. Mike On 3/28/2012 6:20 PM, Hal Murray wrote: All that is of course correct. But ultimately the pulsars are a better source, I see it as an application question, could it be utilized? Perhaps building an algorithm and basing corrections on multiple pulsars x-ray pulses like a GPS constellation for the next generation of conventional GPS. I think modern atomic clocks are better than Pulsars. Unfortunately, I don't have a good reference handy. I think the theorists have several ideas for why the period of Pulsars change. ___ 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] Best reason
Just remember, to the 'average' person (no such exists in reality), all technology is magic. The TV remote is a magic wand that you wave at the TV and recite the proper incantation (sometimes profane). You chant the spell to your smart phone and you can talk to your friend anywhere in the world. Everyone knows the 'spells' to make things operate, but have no idea how they actually work. The math used with GPS is beyond most (non-technical) college graduates. One young child was asked how TV worked and he answered 'with gas. The pipe (cable) bring the picture in and the electricity heats it up to fill the screen'. He knew that things expand when heated and made the connection. This (6 or 7 year old, if I recall) showed far more scientific reasoning than most of our elected officials. Most people understand faster, slower, bigger, smaller, but 'more accurate' is a hard concept. 1% accuracy is bad until you realize you are referring 1% uncertainty (99% accuracy). I'm currently have to convince management that our 6-1/2 DMM (0.01% uncertainty) can't be used to test the 0.1ppm DC Source that we're repairing. My earlier comment of '1 nanosecond = 1 foot' really applies to GPS. If the atomic clock on the satellites are allowed to drift, even a fraction of a nanosecond, the accuracy of the whole system quickly degrades. These clocks are updated at less than 4 hour intervals to keep this from happening. Mike On 3/28/2012 7:43 PM, Hal Murray wrote: jim77...@gmail.com said: So when a member of the general public says: Why do we need really accurate clocks? What is your answer? Personally I explain that accurate clocks enable you to pack a higher data rate into your smart phone. They like that. Any other thoughts? Navigation? It goes back to Harrison. Dava Sobel's Longitude is good. There is a version with nice pictures. GPS is probably something they can appreciate. If you have to explain why GPS needs accurate clocks, it might be simpler to start with LORAN in 2D. Work out a simple example and then do it again with one of the transmitters being off by a few microseconds. I think of GPS as a bunch of satellites broadcasting I'm Bob, my orbit parameters are XXX, my clock says YYY. If you hear 4 of those, you have 4 equations to work out 4 unknowns. The unknowns are your position: X, Y, Z, and T. ___ 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] OT: calibration
Their prices seems to be in the same ball park as the Austin lab (TesCom) that we use at work. Does anyone know anyone that offers 'hobbyist' rates? I could easily spend $1000 getting my equipment cal'd, but certainly can't justify the budget. Mike On 3/20/2012 11:52 PM, Joseph Gray wrote: Has anyone used these guys? I have this model DMM and need it calibrated. I can't afford to spend a fortune, as this is only for hobby use. http://www.teknetelectronics.com/Search.asp?p_ID=115pDo=DETAILHP%20-%20Agilent_3478A Joe Gray W5JG ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Frequency Counter Errors
The 5328A is manually switched. 30kHz to 10 MHz 1V RMS min, 5VP-P max into 1kohm. Mike On 3/21/2012 7:39 PM, Tom Knox wrote: It must be that one counter has not switched to ext ref. It has been a while with both these counters, does the 5328A auto switch to ext ref? The 5372A does have an auto ref switch and will acept 1,2,5,and 10MHz+/-1% at 1-5VPP . A quick way to check that ext ref is seen by the 5372A is during a measurement remove the ext ref. Measurements will stop. You will need to press the restart key to resume and alternate time base selected press restart will appear. Then perhaps if the 5372A is ok then use the 10MHz output from the 5372A (Which is phase locked to the ext ref in) to the ext ref in on the 5328A. That should narrow things down. Best Wishes; Thomas Knox Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:05:44 -0700 To: time-nuts@febo.com From: jmulc...@cox.net Subject: [time-nuts] Frequency Counter Errors I have a question for the collective group. I have a HP 5372A and a HP 5328A frequency counters. Both counters use the same PRS-10 Rubidium frequency standard driving a 6 channel reference distribution amplifier to each counters reference input port. The problem is this; When I measure the same frequency on both counters, (done one at a time) the frequency is generally off by about 300 Hz or so between the counters. Now I would expect an error of +/- 1 digit, but 300Hz seems a bit strange to me. I can not find the problem and the difference exists even if I use the internal timebases of each counter, give or take the timebase errors. The frequency is always at least200 to 300Hz off between the two counters and I don't know which one to believe. You know the man with 2 clocks problem. Anyone have any idea what may be causing this? Thanks Jerry ___ 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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] 0MHz distribution...NOT
You may want to take a look at the signal on a scope. Most instruments terminate their reference input. You might actually have 4 50 ohm loads on the Thunderbolt's output and the input voltage might be marginal. If your instruments have both reference input and output, it's better to daisy chain the units. On 3/10/2012 5:10 PM, Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX N2469R wrote: A month or two ago I had sketched out a simple distribution amp for my 10 MHz reference. In the meantime I became somewhat disillusioned about my FE-5680a standards. So I removed the FE-5680a and disconnected its power supply from the box that holds the Thunderbolt, power supply, and big line filter. I decided to try daisy-chaining the Thunderbolt's 10 MHz output. I have plenty of hardware left over from the days of 10BaseT networking. So I have the Thunderbolt going to a BNC T on the back of my FlexRadio 1500, hence to my Advantest U3641 spectrum analyzer, and finally to the external reference on my Racal-Dana 1992 nanosecond universal counter. That end has a 50 ohm termination on the other side of its T connector. All three devices seem happy with the 10 MHz they are receiving. ___ 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] FCC Chair Talks Spectrum, Gets GPS Letter
Here's the link to the white paper: http://javad.com/downloads/javadgnss/publications/20112312.pdf. It was originally linked from GPS World's news email. It was originally posted as a technical white paper. I don't recall the 'Political Noise' lead in, but then, I'm a technical person and try to avoid political noise anyway. After rereading it, it seems more like a 'I love me' piece. Mike On 3/8/2012 12:53 AM, Hal Murray wrote: mbla...@satx.rr.com said: I read a white paper Javad put out touting their new (and cheaper to build) front end filter. Of course it is patented. So guess where everyone has to go should LS get the green light. Was that filter included as part of the recent round of testing? Did it work? I don't remember seeing any grand press releases along the lines of just use our filter. ___ 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] FCC Chair Talks Spectrum, Gets GPS Letter
I'm sure it's way, way better. Just ask them, they'll tell you... Even if you could buy it of the shelf, how well would it perform in anything but the reference design? Their envelopes look very, very good. In my experience, the entire front end would need to be very carefully tuned. On 3/9/2012 8:11 PM, David wrote: I see a big lack of details. Form factor? Insertion loss? Frequency change with temperature? How does it compare with a standard Murata filters? On Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:32:10 -0600, Michael Blazer mbla...@satx.rr.com wrote: Here's the link to the white paper: http://javad.com/downloads/javadgnss/publications/20112312.pdf. It was originally linked from GPS World's news email. It was originally posted as a technical white paper. I don't recall the 'Political Noise' lead in, but then, I'm a technical person and try to avoid political noise anyway. After rereading it, it seems more like a 'I love me' piece. Mike On 3/8/2012 12:53 AM, Hal Murray wrote: mbla...@satx.rr.com said: I read a white paper Javad put out touting their new (and cheaper to build) front end filter. Of course it is patented. So guess where everyone has to go should LS get the green light. Was that filter included as part of the recent round of testing? Did it work? I don't remember seeing any grand press releases along the lines of just use our filter. ___ 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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] USB Interface, legacy Software
I've been using Delmore GPS receivers for several years. They have a driver (http://support.delorme.com/questions.php?questionid=24 http://support.delorme.com/questions.php?questionid=24) for Windows that will install it as a standard serial port sending NMEA messages. The older serial Earthmates can be powered by applying 5 volts to pin 9 (return to pin 5). As long as the software communicates thru the standard Com drivers, Serial to USB converters should work OK. I've been able to tap the USB 5 volts and power the serial device (as above). Just look for a converter that is in a hard plastic case, not molded. If found the Gold-X adapters are pretty consistent working with legacy software. Mike Blazer San Antonio, TX On 3/7/2012 10:48 AM, Joe Leikhim wrote: I have a software program, no longer supported, which requires two RS232 serial com port interfaces, one to communicate with a sensor (signal strength collection receiver) and the second to accept serial data from a GPS. The laptop computer I am using has only one RS232 Com port which I must use with the sensor due to incompatibility with USB to serial converters I have tried. This leaves the USB for the GPS input. I am assuming that the GPS string should be acceptable as I do nor believe the software needs to handshake with the GPS. I would like to use a Delorme USB type receiver on the USB port. Can anyone recommend a software add on that will make this type receiver appear as a standard RS232 Com port to my software? Thanks ___ 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] FCC Chair Talks Spectrum, Gets GPS Letter
I read a white paper Javad put out touting their new (and cheaper to build) front end filter. Of course it is patented. So guess where everyone has to go should LS get the green light. Mike On 3/7/2012 12:22 PM, saidj...@aol.com wrote: Sorry for my language, I was quite upset when I read his letter. If it really was trivial and very low cost to upgrade GPS receivers, then he should not worry too much about loosing much revenue. This sounds more like he made major investments in either Lightsquared itself, or into designing and qualifying compatible receivers, and hoping for a major payday which is not coming. There should be other solutions for LS such as allocating to a different sp ectrum etc to not lose a $14 billon investment. Also his claims that GPS receivers will soon be obsolete anyway's are clearly not true of course. This reminds me about the futile episode of Edison electrocuting Elephants to prove his DC power grid to be superior to AC... bye, Said In a message dated 3/7/2012 09:03:10 Pacific Standard Time, robkimber...@btinternet.com writes: It's all very squalid! Sent from Samsung Mobile Original message Subject: Re: [time-nuts] FCC Chair Talks Spectrum, Gets GPS Letter From: Mike S To: time-nuts@febo.com CC: On 3/6/2012 10:37 PM, saidj...@aol.com wrote: I'm sorry, but Mr. Javad is on crack. Yeah right. In what world does he live in? The one in which he's head of the only company who offers GNSS receivers with ... LightSquared Inside. http://javad.com/jgnss/javad/news/pr20110921.html ___ 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@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@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@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
