> The display rate pots is particularly useless. You can just > hardwire it to max.
The only case I've seen where that's an issue is when using the counter over GPIB, free running in talk-only mode. If I run it with the Prologix Ethernet adapter, which turns each reading into its own TCP/IP packet, I have to back the display rate down to about 1/2 maximum to let the adapter keep up. Not a huge deal, and it probably wouldn't be a problem with non-Ethernet adapters at all. > The biggest bugaboo in buying a 5370 is the state of the HP > custom input amplifier chips. They can be damaged by overloading > the input. Blow one and you are screwed. Buy a 5370 with a > blown input amp and you are screwed. The 5370A and 5370B used > different chips. The 5345A counter is a source of input amp chips. Hopefully Demian won't keep us in suspense re: that Maxim part...? > It would be VERY nice if some clever person built drop in > replacement "chips" built of modern SMD parts on a DIP header. > Those input amp chips are socketed. They are little more than a > comparator. > > Quick check of the 5370A inputs is to set the unit to "SEParate" > inputs and connect the back panel 10 MHz ref signal to each of > the inputs. The signal level LED should flash. A steady LED > means that input is toast (or the input PCB slide switches are > full of navel lint and need cleaning). The switches are indeed a reliability problem. They're about as well thought-out as the pots you mentioned. -- john, KE5FX _______________________________________________ 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.
