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Today's Topics:
1. Re: 9390 GPS RX (Tom Knox)
2. TrueTime TL-3 WWV Receiver (Majdi S. Abbas)
3. Re: Extron ADA 6 as 1/5/10 MHz DA (Charles P. Steinmetz)
4. Re: Net4501's cheap... (Jim Sanford)
5. Downsizing dilemma, HP 3335A (Bill Hawkins)
6. Re: Net4501's cheap... (Chris Albertson)
7. Re: Net4501's cheap... (Don Latham)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 13:19:12 -0600
From: Tom Knox <[email protected]>
To: Time-Nuts <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] 9390 GPS RX
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I am sure someone brought this up already, you appear to be seeing
the rubidium attempting to lock. The sweeping is the oscillators
attempt to find the Rubidium Resonance. It should lock in 15-20 minutes.
Thomas Knox
Remember tact is the art of making someone feel at home........when
you wish they were.
> From: [email protected]
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 10:58:08 +0000
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] 9390 GPS RX
>
> It's a 9390-55024
>
> I have plugged my counter into the Efratom rubidium oscillator
thing and disconnected the EFC.
>
> It is actually wobbling ~ +/-650Hz, peaking as much as +/- 1KHz.
> So, hazarding a guess, something is very wrong inside the black box thing.
>
> My biggest fear is, wherever will I get the 'Winchester'
connector used on this oscillator?
>
> What I mean is, for a proper bench job, according to the manual,
I'd have to remove the whole rubidium from the 9390 and put it on
the clean bench for disassembly.
> Then I can connect various voltmeters to monitor the various
signals, and if needed, replace parts and re-align.
> However, I am unwilling to lop off the connector in the 9390, to
only have to put it back on/in after Mr. Balls Efratom is back to normal.
>
> The other way, I suppose is to bodge up wires from the inside of
the connector to some sort of temporary Jig for the service job.
>
> Reading the Most Interesting FRK.PDF, it sounds like the crystal
oscillator assembly has issues, whether the crystal oven is broken or similar.
> That is a really interesting document, worth the read, even just
for the heck of it ;)
>
> -marki
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rob Kimberley
> Sent: Wednesday, 22 May 2013 7:16 PM
> To: 'Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement'
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] 9390 GPS RX
>
> Mark,
>
> What is the full model number (from label on rear)? It will be 9390-xxxx.
>
> Rob
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mark C. Stephens
> Sent: 22 May 2013 07:56
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] 9390 GPS RX
>
> Just a Follow up,
>
> I checked the 10 Mhz output of the 9390 and it was... ~12 MHz.
> Uhuh, Wiggling some cables I came across one that when pressure
was put on it, the frequency dropped back to 10Mhz.
> The was J9 on the main (logic?) board.
>
> Now I need to mention this particular 9390 has a separate board for the
> 16.368 oscillator.
> From the photo's I posted earlier, it is the 2nd card in from the
front on the right.
> From earlier posts I have gathered this is normally present on
the Trimble GPS monstrosity.
> My Point is, this particular 9390 isn't your average model.
>
> With the frequency now at 10 Mhz I tried a number of different
antennae / terminator combinations and eventually I was able to
find a satellite.
> Just 1? And it dropped in and out all the time.
>
> Watching the 10 Mhz, it was drifting +/- 500Hz.
>
> That definitely wouldn't do, so I plugged the house standard into the
> (external) time base input and the 9390 10 Mhz output became stable.
> After a few minutes, I had 2 satellites! Cool.. 5 minutes we had
4 birds and we are doing "GPS Correction"
>
> Being the inquisitive sort I went in reverse, unplugging the
house standard from the (external) time base input.
> Uhuh, we are back to 1 satellite dropping in and out. The GPS
receiver definitely doesn't like the 10MHz reference wobbling about
all over the place like a drunk sailor on shore leave..
>
> Of course I plugged the House standard back in and we are in
business again with 4 Satellites, locked and loading.
> No drop outs either. Interesting.
>
> So My question is, (mostly to myself) Is the Efratom FRK Faulty
and the root of the Drift?
> And how do I fix it, I ask myself?
>
> I have downloaded the FRK manual for perusal, I believe there is
an external adjustment to bring it into lock area.
> It may also be a problem with the PLL loop, fun stuff because I
don't have a schematic.
>
> You see, the service manual I was supplied with when I purchased
the 9390 isn't for this unit.
> It's for the much newer varieties.
> There is no mention of this particular Trimble GPS receiver with
its multiple sub-boards nor mention of a FRK oscillator in it.
>
> I did a search of earlier time nuts posts and found there are
quite a few time nuts with 9390's, although there appear to be
drastic differences between the different 9390's.
> Perhaps I should be going on the postfix, for instance mine is a
9390-55024.
>
> Bah, I just noticed the GPS day is wrong, I think we are ~142 but
its saying 278, Is that a GPS receiver bug?
>
> So, Any helpful navigation hints before I embark on this Journey?
>
>
> Many thanks,
> Marki
>
> From: Mark C. Stephens
> Sent: Tuesday, 21 May 2013 8:42 PM
> To: '[email protected]'
> Subject: 9390 GPS RX
>
> Hello Fellow time nuts,
>
> I received a Datum 9390 GPS receiver I bought off eBay today. It
had a PSU fault and I am running it off a bench supply until I can
get the PSU working again. All the PSU does is supplies 28V so I
can probably adopt a more recent supply to fit if I can't fix the
old one. I pulled the PSU apart and so far found a blown triac.
There is bound to be more 'things' blown but I want to see if it's
worth repairing first. I mean, it's not much use repairing
something that proves to be useless?
>
> Funnily enough in the back of the Manual binder was a second
manual. A service Manual for a Trimble 5000A GPS/TIME frequency
monitor. I'll scan it if anyone needs it?
>
> This particular 9390 is an odd Chap, doesn't look at all like
picture in the supplied manual.
> http://www.vk2hmc.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9390-fr.jpg
>
> When I opened it up,
>
http://www.vk2hmc.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9390-insides.jpg
I saw an Efratom FRK!
> http://www.vk2hmc.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/frk.jpg
>
>
> I am having a bit of problem identifying the GPS module. It says
Trimble navigation on the board:
> http://www.vk2hmc.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/gps-bd.jpg
> I measured the antenna Jack for the expected 15V normally on a
Datum 9390, but found it was 5.1 volts.
> I could not get rid of the Antenna feed error until I put a 50
ohm terminator on it. I tried higher values (75-180R) but the only
value that cleared the feed error was 50 ohms. So I used a BNC
'tee' and terminated the output of the GPS distribution amp to the
9390. I fear this GPS RX requires an antenna with a down-convertor
-or- a whacking great L1 signal. I always thought the 9390 had a
Trimble svee6 module in them. But this one's positively ancient.
> I have entered my approximate co-ordinates to see if it finds any
birds but so far no luck.
>
> If you know anything about this GPS board, please leave me a message?
>
> The interface convertor from the Trimble to the Datum:
>
http://www.vk2hmc.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/gps-bd-if.jpg
is labelled "Datum TANS interface".
>
>
>
> Marki
>
>
> Complete blog post is here: http://www.vk2hmc.net/blog/?p=178
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 14:45:18 -0400
From: "Majdi S. Abbas" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [time-nuts] TrueTime TL-3 WWV Receiver
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Does anyone happen to have a manual, or at least a pinout
for the 8 pin mini-DIN serial port? It doesn't appear to be one of
the common mini-DIN serial arrangements.
If you do have a manual, I'm really just interested in the
pinout and serial command set.
Any help greatly appreciated,
--msa
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 18:30:14 -0400
From: "Charles P. Steinmetz" <[email protected]>
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Extron ADA 6 as 1/5/10 MHz DA
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
What I have been referring to as the "plain ADA 6" is properly known
as the ADA 6 Component:
<www.extron.com/download/files/userman/ADA6ComponentB.pdf>
Judging from the dates on some of Extron's documents, it appears to
be a newer model than the ADA 6 300 series -- which is consistent
with Bruce's comment that his ADA 6 300MX had through-hole
resistors. Accordingly, it is possible that the ADA 6 300 models do
not share the circuit I attached to my last e-mail. As always, use
due diligence!
Best regards,
Charles
>Following the recent discussion of using the Extron ADA 6 as a
>distribution amplifier for 1/5/10 MHz reference signals, I dug out
>the schematic of the amplifiers and typed up my notes re:
>modifications (see attached).
>
>Note that the ones I have are "plain" ADA 6's, not "MX" or
>"MX-HV." I do not know if the MX or MX-HV units use this circuit
>or, if they do, if the component numbers are the same. However, the
>gain-switching circuitry is present on the "plain" ADA 6 PC cards
>(but the switch itself is not), which leads me to believe that at
>least the MX version was built with this same card.
>
>There may be other Extron video DAs that use this circuit -- in
>particular, models that have a PC card parallel to the rear panel
>and mounted to it by the BNC connectors may do so.
>
>There is another, discrete design that Extron apparently produced at
>the same time, one example of which is the ADA 3 180. This design
>cannot drive 50 ohm loads to +13dBm (1 Vrms) without severe
>distortion (negative peak clipping), so you need to attenuate the
>typical 1 Vrms input signal 6 dB to stay out of
>clipping. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to modify this design
>to drive +13dBm into 50 ohms (and, IMO, there is a lot not to like
>about it for any use, including RGB video). I have a schematic of
>that circuit, too, if anyone needs it.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Charles
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 21:31:44 -0400
From: Jim Sanford <[email protected]>
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Net4501's cheap...
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Do you have any documentation on how to use them? I have one that I
bought to be an internet access point with a verizon card, failed due to
verizon not complying with the RFCs. Love the device, but no
information on ports, etc. Might want to play with it, or could make it
available.
Thanks & 73,
Jim
[email protected]
On 5/19/2013 10:45 AM, Jason Rabel wrote:
> Just a heads up, there are some (8+ @ last count) used Soekris
Net4501's for $29 on eBay (Search for: Soekris)... I submitted a bid
> for $20 each and it was instantly accepted... Don't know how low
you can go, from the description the guy wants to get rid of them
> or they are going in the trash. Seems like a good deal if you are
looking to make a little NTP server, especially compared to the
> retail price for a net4501... ;)
>
> I'm not affiliated with the seller in any way, I just love those
little net4501's... I already have 5 of them, I don't know why I
> just bought 5 more... lol... Now I need more GPS modules!
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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.
>
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 23:23:20 -0500
From: "Bill Hawkins" <[email protected]>
To: "'Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement'"
<[email protected]>
Subject: [time-nuts] Downsizing dilemma, HP 3335A
Message-ID: <4CEF4D81A05C4700B940876D2045B1AB@system072>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Group,
I have three HP 3335A synthesizers, one with the telecom connector
option.
At one time two of them worked, but not now. All power up.
It is time to downsize for the move to a retirement living community.
Should I try to repair these units, or have they become curiosities
because they only go to 80 MHz?
Bill Hawkins
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 21:26:50 -0700
From: Chris Albertson <[email protected]>
To: [email protected], Discussion of precise time and frequency
measurement <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Net4501's cheap...
Message-ID:
<CABbxVHutT28H=WZX0tc-+Gw0NfkiX8yqg0PXdfcsuQmVWLT=+q...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
What do you need to know? Most of the details will depend on what
software you are running on it. Which operating system. After it boots up
you can look in one of the log files. But details vary with the OS.
On Wed, May 22, 2013 at 6:31 PM, Jim Sanford <[email protected]> wrote:
> Do you have any documentation on how to use them? I have one that I
> bought to be an internet access point with a verizon card, failed due to
> verizon not complying with the RFCs. Love the device, but no information
> on ports, etc. Might want to play with it, or could make it available.
>
> Thanks & 73,
> Jim
> [email protected]
>
> On 5/19/2013 10:45 AM, Jason Rabel wrote:
>
>> Just a heads up, there are some (8+ @ last count) used Soekris Net4501's
>> for $29 on eBay (Search for: Soekris)... I submitted a bid
>> for $20 each and it was instantly accepted... Don't know how low you can
>> go, from the description the guy wants to get rid of them
>> or they are going in the trash. Seems like a good deal if you are looking
>> to make a little NTP server, especially compared to the
>> retail price for a net4501... ;)
>>
>> I'm not affiliated with the seller in any way, I just love those little
>> net4501's... I already have 5 of them, I don't know why I
>> just bought 5 more... lol... Now I need more GPS modules!
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected]
>> To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/**
>>
mailman/listinfo/time-nuts<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<https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts>
> and follow the instructions there.
>
--
Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 23:05:39 -0600 (MDT)
From: "Don Latham" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected], "Discussion of precise time and frequency
measurement" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Net4501's cheap...
Message-ID:
<[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
There is now one left for $129, gee free shipping. Do yourself a favor
and get a $35 RaspberryPi and a $12 5-port net switch.
Don
Jim Sanford
> Do you have any documentation on how to use them? I have one that I
> bought to be an internet access point with a verizon card, failed due to
> verizon not complying with the RFCs. Love the device, but no
> information on ports, etc. Might want to play with it, or could make it
> available.
>
> Thanks & 73,
> Jim
> [email protected]
>
> On 5/19/2013 10:45 AM, Jason Rabel wrote:
>> Just a heads up, there are some (8+ @ last count) used Soekris
>> Net4501's for $29 on eBay (Search for: Soekris)... I submitted a bid
>> for $20 each and it was instantly accepted... Don't know how low you
>> can go, from the description the guy wants to get rid of them
>> or they are going in the trash. Seems like a good deal if you are
>> looking to make a little NTP server, especially compared to the
>> retail price for a net4501... ;)
>>
>> I'm not affiliated with the seller in any way, I just love those
>> little net4501's... I already have 5 of them, I don't know why I
>> just bought 5 more... lol... Now I need more GPS modules!
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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.
>
--
"Neither the voice of authority nor the weight of reason and argument
are as significant as experiment, for thence comes quiet to the mind."
De Erroribus Medicorum, R. Bacon, 13th century.
"If you don't know what it is, don't poke it."
Ghost in the Shell
Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL
Six Mile Systems LLP
17850 Six Mile Road
POB 134
Huson, MT, 59846
VOX 406-626-4304
www.lightningforensics.com
www.sixmilesystems.com
------------------------------
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End of time-nuts Digest, Vol 106, Issue 110
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