What a wreck. Just the sort of crazy thing Time-nuts get into. This should be fun to watch and learn. Regards Paul WB8TSL
On Sun, Sep 14, 2014 at 1:16 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Well, I bet that got your attention! > > My Hydrogen Maser "kit" arrived recently. > > It's a surplus Sigma Tau VLBA-112 with an unknown physics package problem > that has had its power supply modules, RF receiver modules, synthesizer > and cavity servo tuning modules, and a couple other "bits" removed for > spares. > > Also it has been opened up to the level that the storage bulb could be > removed. (Magnetic shields, insulation, and bell jar removed) > > The two main problems (so far, fingers crossed) are that the palladium > silver purifier/leak valve is missing (along with the Hydrogen supply > bottle), and that the storage bulb coating looks to be shot. > > I've been tracing the power supply wiring and design, and should be able > to replace the missing stuff easily. > > Minor problems are fabricating connectors for the ion pumps, replacing > one missing oven control module, and finding a Perkin Elmer pump > controller (150ma) for a reasonable price. > > Once the bulb and purifier problems are cured the major efforts will be: > > -to reassemble the cavity, shields, and bell jar. > -bakeout and pumpdown the ion pumps (in isolation) > -bakeout and pumpdown the system. > -stabilize the ovens and initiate the Hydrogen discharge. > > Then if oscillation can be achieved the RF system can be built. > > Replacing the Automatic cavity tuning will come last as it's not needed > for basic operation. > > I plan to add a relay on the input of the EFOS2 Maser that lives here. > This will allow the EFOS RF systems to be utilized for testing before > having to build up the new receiver. > > This will be a LONG term effort and I will share the progress as I go > along. > > Some info: Copper cavity loaded with Quartz dielectric cylinder and > Quartz bulb. > Cavity Q (loaded) 36000 > Line Q approx 1.6X10+9 > Drift < 5 parts in 10-15 per day (Auto tuner on) > Temperature sensitivity < 1 X 10-14 per degree C > ` Weight 525 pounds (including backup battery) > > > Tom has kindly posted some PIX at: http://leapsecond.com/corby/maser/ > > You might want to look at the old posts about homemade Hydrogen Masers > starting back in Aug 29 2010. > > > > Cheers, > > Corby > > _______________________________________________ > 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.
