I have had some experience with the 6130a. It's all one board inside. The internal oscillator's crystal is ovenized. There are some power supply issues that cause some hum spurs on the output. I reduced them a lot cutting some traces and cleaning up the power supply rectifier routing.
I would like a copy of the schematic if possible. Another option would be to get a demo board for one of these: http://www.linear.com/product/LTC6945 ($125) Demian Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 14:38:57 -0500 From: "Dave M" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Trimble Thunderbolt, any easy way to create 500 MHz reference from one? Message-ID: <FF0EB0E6F4214BBA9D15C3AD8FD5EE1F@D77M7BF1> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original > > > If easy means a temporary lashup, takes but one piece of gear. The > Ballantine 6130A time mark generator takes in 10 MHz, produces from it > a synchronous 1Hz to 500MHz selectable in 1-2-5 steps. I've not tested > mine for phase noise, probably not the best performer... but for $35 > not a big concern, given my needs. > Shameless plug: I'll have another one for sale at the Dayton > Hamvention, flea market space 1901. There will be other Time Nuts in > residence at 1901 as well. > > Bob LaJeunesse > ________________________________ > From: Chris Wilson <[email protected]> > > >> >> Is there any fairly easy way to multiply the output of a Thunderbolt >> to have a 500MHz reference at about 4dBm? Thanks. >> >> -- >> Best Regards, >> Chris Wilson. >> mailto: [email protected] >> > ****************************************** Bob's suggestion to get a Ballantine 6130A Time Mark Gen might be your easiest solution if this is a one-off project. According to the schematic, the 10MHz oscillator is sent through a series of multipliers and filters to arrive at the 500MHz High Freq output. Specifically, it goes through a doubler and two quintuplers. I don't know how the unit is constructed (I only have a schematic, not the complete manual), but if the RF circuitry and the digital dividers are on separate boards, then you might be able to use just the RF board to construct your 500MHz signal. (I'm assuming that your intent is to construct the project into a single enclosure). The only other solution that might be easier would be to find a PLL board that can be programmed to output your 500MHz signal. I looked over eBay and Google without much luck there. Good luck with your project. Dave M _______________________________________________ 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.
