Hi again David,
I talked to xxxxx this morning and here's what he said:
Thanks.
The 5370B has a different processor board than the "A" model, with on-board RAM (the "A" had a separate RAM board). The "B" has had an upgrade to its DAC board. The "B" has a different input module that is more stable than in the "A". The firmware has had an upgrade in the "B", as the HPIB (GPIB) would occasionally hang up in the "A" model. The bad news is that the newer firmware carries the same rev. number as the old one so you can't easily tell which one you have installed.
I'm slightly lost there. You seem to be implying the B's have newer firmware than the A's, but then saying its not easy to tell if you have the new firmware, since the revision is the same. If the newer firmware was installed only in B's, then all you would need to do is look at the model number. Clearly then I assume either some B's have the old firmware, or some A's have the new firmware, or perhaps HP would update an A to a B firmware.
Very early units of the "A" model had non-ovenized oscillators in them. Later versions had the ovenized
HP 10544 oscillator, followed by the newer HP 10811
oscillator, and it is believed that all "B" models have
the 10811 oscillator (ovenized).
OK, it seems worth paying a bit more for a B. I have actually bought one, so are pleased I bought the B. I don't have it yet, so have no idea of S/N or anything.
In an "A", it is easy to tell whether you have an ovenized oscillator or not. Turn the counter off for a couple of minutes and then re-apply power. All units with ovenized oscillators in them will show an asterisk on the front panel, indicating the oven is warming up. The non-ovenized units have no asterisk.
Mine is a B, so it should have the oven then.
So, that's about it - hope this was helpful. Have a nice weekend!
Regards, Jim Agilent Laboratories Palo Alto, CA
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of David Kirkby Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 10:22 PM To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Difference between HP 5370A and 5370B
Thanks a lot Jim.
I was thinking of buying one. Although the 5370B seems a bit more expensive, there does seem to be a lot more information on them around, which is a definite advantage.
When you speak to xxxxx, I'd like to know if these have ovens as standard, or whether that is an optional extra.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi David,
I will check with another guy tomorrow (the last
surviving technician), but one person "in the know" has this to say:
================================================================
What I remember is the input amplifiers are very different. As a result, some of the boards and pots and switches associated with it are different.
I don't remember any significant differences beside that.
My recommendation for someone buying one through eBay is, whereas it is hard to get replacement parts for both, getting parts for A is much harder.
Try talking to (xxxxxxx) who is the last surviving technician familiar with the product.
=================================================================
If I find out any more details, I'll post them. There are a lot of sharp experimenters out there who may know the answer and will get it to you before I do.
Regards, Jim Johnson Agilent Laboratories Palo Alto, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
====================================================================
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of David Kirkby
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 3:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [time-nuts] Difference between HP 5370A and 5370B time
intervalcounter
Can anyone tell me what is the difference between the above two instruments?
Does anyone have any operating manuals in electronic format?
-- Dr. David Kirkby, G8WRB
_______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list [email protected] https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
-- Dr. David Kirkby, G8WRB
Please check out http://www.g8wrb.org/ of if you live in Essex http://www.southminster-branch-line.org.uk/
_______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list [email protected] https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
