I suggest that for anyone getting involved in frequency references for the first time, and prepared to learn by doing things themselves, would find it useful to have a go at building a simple GPS Disciplined Reference.
Sure, they may not be the ultimate reference (especially if simple and homebrew), but the results are better than references found in most home workshops, and are a good inexpensive way to learn what is important. There is a very simple SINGLE CHIP GPS Disciplined Reference design at www.qsl.net/zl1bpu/MICRO/GPSCLOCK/ . While the design is presented as a clock, it also disciplines a TCXO or OCXO reference and has good graphical monitoring tools. While it works just fine (and at very low power) using a V-TCXO, it will also operate with V-OCXOs, and there's a version of the software which works with the HP 10811A and similar OCXOs with negative sense control voltage. With a bit of rummaging in the junk box, this unit can be built for $50 or less. You need a GPS receiver with 1pps, but you don't need a comms receiver, oscilloscope, frequency counter or other fancy gear to set it up. Regards, Murray ZL1BPU _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
