[time-nuts] Efratom M100 Found on Ramco auction site.

[Bob kb8tq]

Hi

One of the nice things about the broad reach of this list is that a pretty good
“database” of device performance can be compiled. In addition there *is* the
fact that even Rb’s can be repaired. The “toss it when it breaks” approach is
not a favorite with most list members. 

I have seen no reason to believe that powering an Rb down and running it for
< 5% duty cycle in any way is a bad thing. I have rebuilt a few dozen Rb’s 
and they seem to work pretty well in a “mostly off” usage pattern. 

Indeed I have never run into a Rb supplier that suggests constant on. That 
includes back when I worked for EG&G. It also includes re-selling several 
different Rb’s over the years. 

Sitting in the basement there are three Rb’s from the 1970’s and 80’s still
chugging along fine. They have been repaired a few times, but they still 
are performing much better than their original specifications ….

Bob

> On Nov 2, 2020, at 4:58 PM, The Fiber Guru via time-nuts <time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
> 
> I have noticed a number of Rb oscillators for sale on eBay over the years, but be aware of the limited lifetime of the oscillator.  In our experience, the life is the same whether constantly in use or just sitting on a shelf.  That said, life cycles vary greatly....
> 
> My advice to uses who have had a clock powered for years and want to move it.....do NOT power it down, use portable power (batteries) to keep it powered during the move (which takes great care).  Many old (8-12 years) Rb oscillators that have been powered will just not survive power down, getting cold then power back up.  It can happen, but we sell a lot of replacement Rb oscillators to replace those ranging from 8-15 years.  However, a good ocxo will last magnitudes longer than Rb.
> 
> We have not noticed a significant difference in lifetime among the Rb manufacturers.  Sometimes they are equally bad!
> 
> :)
> 
> The Fiber Guru
> www.fiber.guru
> 
> 
>> On Nov 2, 2020, at 3:50 PM, Dave B via time-nuts <time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
>> 
>> https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/ramco/catalogue-id-ramco-10255/lot-e55bd54e-6a87-44c7-8286-ac610134f040
>> 
>> Listed as a Crystal oscillator, but has a telltale mention of "Rb lamp
>> voltage signal" !
>> 
>> It's an Efratom Model M100  Listed for £5.00 UKP !  (Located in the UK.)
>> 
>> (There are also some MI/IFR 2025 signal generators listed, and other RF
>> stuff.)
>> 
>> No affiliation.
>> 
>> Dave G8KBV.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Created on and sent from a Unix like PC running and using free and open source software:
>> 
>> 
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> 
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