Taka - The majority of the surplus GPSDO units come from the mobile/cellular telecommunication companies since the late 1990s. Surplus equipment occurs due to Service advances (2G—>3G—>4G/LTE—>5G), Technology upgrades/obsolescence, and Consolidation/merger of telecom companies. == NO Distinct Advantage in owning the Trimble Thunderbolt models versus other options, some would note a few disadvantages (now 10 years later, like 1024-week rollover). == A large number of Trimble Thunderbolt GPS Disciplined Oscillators (GPSDO) appeared on the surplus market in 2007 and 2008. Majority of these were the “THIN Model” (no internal DC-DC converter).
At that time (2008) TAPR Time-Nuts had a Group Buy, and offered a KIT (~ $225). Tom Van Baak (tvb) and other members of Time-Nuts tested units and packaged these with a tri-voltage (+5, +12, -12) power supply for Group Buy participants. http://www.leapsecond.com/pages/tapr-tbolt/ W6AER built (DIY) this Rack Case for his surplus Thunderbolt & power supply. https://w6aer.com/10mhz-gps-disciplined-oscillator-gpsdo-trimble-thunderbolt/ = The RED Thunderbolt model has a Larger case because it contains the SMPS (24V to Tri-Voltage) as well as the GPSDO (THICK model). http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-10015/ This specific model is no longer mfg. or supported by Trimble (no firmware updates provided). Surplus “Red” units have appeared from 911 telephone centers (past 5 years), since the RED model does not handle the 1024-week rollover. The “cheapest” has been ~$250 (2018 price, I paid) for a surplus unit from a Pennsylvania 911 center. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Week_Number_Rollover The Lady Heather software (Mark Sims) “notes & corrects” the 1024-week rollover occurrence with these Trimble units, on its computer display. ANY OTHER Solution would also have to “Correct” for the 1024-week rollover. — The BLUE Thunderbolt E model is Current Trimble Production ($$), hence RARELY seen as Surplus. Trimble refreshed their hardware, simplifying design (newer components). http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-383329/ Trimble Thunderbolt-E Product Page https://www.trimble.com/Timing/thunderbolt-e.aspx = THUNDERBOLT Frequently Asked Questions (from Group Buy, a decade ago). http://www.ko4bb.com/getsimple/index.php?id=time-nuts-thunderbolt-gpsdo-group-buy g. beat, w9gb chicago == Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 04:02:56 +0000 (UTC) From: Taka Kamiya <[email protected]> To: Time Nuts Group <[email protected]> Subject: [time-nuts] Confusion over Thunderbolt - noob is going crazy I have several GPSDO, BUT I don't have a TRUE Trimble Thunderbolt. I want one. There seem to be infinite variations of them. So far (I have been looking for a week), there are no good summary (or even a summary) of various types and how they are different. I know there is a thin type that looks to be 1" or so thick, and thick type that is about double that. I know one model has a Blue label (Thunderbolt E) and an earlier model had a Red Label (Thunderbolt). I know there are differences in the Internal Crystal Oscillator/Oven. Spending $1500 for new one is out of question, but price seems to vary from $150 to $500 for used ones. Since most of these surplus units now come from China, I'd think they are reclaimed equipment. Is this assumption right? Any reliable source?? I am a bit skeptical with the surplus market the way it is. Are they all telecom quality?? Thank you very much. ---------------------- (Mr.) Taka Kamiya KB4EMF / ex JF2DKG _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
