I have a HP 5385A frequency counter, which I am using with an external
standard. If I try to compare one 10 MHz standard against another,
using one as the external standard and the other as the device being
measured, the readout fluctuates between 10.0000000 and 9.9999999. This
happens when I am comparing a Z3801A and the Trimble look-a-like using
the same GPS antenna and identical cables (including length) between the
GPS antenna splitter and the two units. I have also used identical
cables between the 10 MHz outputs and the counters. Hence, cable
variations shouldn't be the issue.
The same thing happens comparing the Timesource 2700 against either of
the GPS standards.
Is this attributable to the different standards or the frequency
counter? I haven't yet set up a dual trace scope to compare the various
sources directly, but that will be my next step.
Fred,
This is normal (for both gated and reciprocal counters). Never trust
a frequency counter that gives you the same number every time.
In fact it is very advantages. If you log hundreds or thousands of
these frequency readings and compute the mean you will get a
more precise value for your long-term average frequency. It's
unlikely you will get a 50/50 split between the two readings; the
actual ratio between them allows you to "interpolate" somewhat
between 9 and 0 in the last digit. Try it.
/tvb
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