Bert wrote:
The thunderbolt is one of the best timing devices but not for frequency, if you want high resolution. Over time it is ok but high resolution short gate times and you see the frequency changes. They use the OCXO to correct for timing error
I concur with Tom's comments -- I think you have the diagnosis wrong. Using the OCXO to correct the timing error is a feature of the TBolt architecture, and it provides a powerful benefit -- no need for "sawtooth" correction. By optimizing the oscillator disciplining parameters and protecting the OCXO from fast temperature changes (see my previous posts on metal boxes), you can improve the frequency AND timing performance of a TBolt to the point that it doesn't have to apologize to any other GPSDO. Lady Heather is an invaluable aid here, and compatibility with LH is a huge advantage in favor of any GPSDO. Indeed, "Make sure it is compatible with LH" should probably be Rule #2 for time nuts acquiring GPSDOs. ("Make sure it uses a 10811-class OCXO" being Rule #1.)
Again, I don't want to discourage anyone from building DIY GPSDOs. But it seems to me the first thing any aspiring time nut needs is a benchmark -- a known reliable standard for frequency and timing. Without one, it will be impossible to quantify (or possibly, even to qualify) how well an experimental DIY circuit works. So it makes extremely good sense to first acquire a GPSDO with which the time nuts community has had extensive experience, and which is compatible with a very powerful diagnostic tool (LH). Then start experimenting. If you do better (or, at least, well enough to satisfy yourself), you can always sell the commercial GPSDO and recover your investment.
Best regards, Charles _______________________________________________ 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.
