Jerry, I have both and they work very well. There are programs available to monitor both the TBolt and the Z3816A. The Z3816A has an LED on the front panel to announce when it is 'locked' while the TBolt does not, thus the ability to get some information about the 'quality' of the signal without a computer. There is a small external LED monitor that is available on the Bay (300373959536) to connect to the TBolt to alleviate the need for a computer. No connection to the seller except a satisfied customer.
Both communicate via an RS232 serial port. The Z3805A is also on the Bay and also communicates via an RS232 serial port although you will need to build a DB25 to DB9 adapter. You might want to look at http://www.realhamradio.com/ for a comparison of the Z3801A and the Z3816A. The oscillator for the Z3816A and the Z3805A is the same. I have used them as reference standards for my workshop but not for the ham shack. The TBolt requires +12 VDC, -12 VDC, and +5 VDC where the Z3816A requires about +24 VDC. Either way you cut it, to go portable, you will need some extra equipment. I suspect it is easier to build a +12 VDC supply for the TBolt than the Z3816A. As long as the antenna is stationary, the signal should be good once it is 'locked'. In a 'new' location, this can take upwards of an hour. In my shop, it is about 20 minutes. The Z3816A is a bit smaller than the Z3805A but a similar package and relatively easy to rack mount. The TBolt is a 'modular' item and could be incorporated in a box that includes a power supply and the LED monitor. Ideally, it could be a 12 VDC/120 VAC supply with connections to allow an external computer or the internal LED monitor to function. (I wonder if you could have both active at the same time?) This has been a plan of mine for 'a while' but not in action yet. Hope this helps. Joe -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jerry Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2010 5:57 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [time-nuts] Advice on a freq time standard. I am looking for a time/frequency standard for use with my ham radio and test equipment. There seem to be several surplus units available at inexpensive prices. I bought a Z3801A/58503A which would have meet my needs but had to return it when I found that the firmware would not control the outer oven. I am seeing Z3816A's and Tbird units that seem to be readily available at reasonable prices and I am wondering if I need to continue to look for a Z3801A with the HP 10811 OCXO or if either the Z3816A or the Tbird unit would be a good replacement to generate a 10 MHz signal with a 10 -12 spec locked to the GPS satellites. If either of these two are acceptable which is the best and are there any gotchas to look out for. Reading this group is being very informative and I would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks, Jerry W5RCQ _______________________________________________ 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. _______________________________________________ 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.
