[time-nuts] Re: What's the best HP OCXO for frequency counter reference?

[paul swed]

David
Great comment on power. I used to run everything 24 X 7 also including
various radio sets. That was all fine when Mr. Ready Killowatt (Believe he
worked at a Nuclear Power plant) was 2-3 cents a KW and the only other
charge was a meter rental.
But then the darn rates started going up. Now I have a GPDSO with TCXO with
distribution. Power switches on everything. I can switch better GPDSOs into
the distribution chain if needed. Same with CS and Rb references. But 99%
of the time the TCXO is good enough even from a cold start. That system
when on as I recall is maybe 4 watts. Its not a lot.

I think you nailed it on what may be available in the wild. Hard to say how
good or bad something is. Some sellers will let you check within 30 days.
The question is how good does it have to be to take to a club meeting?
Regards
Paul
WB8TSL

On Tue, Jun 28, 2022 at 1:13 PM Dr. David Kirkby via time-nuts <
time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:

> I have a 5352B 40 GHz frequency counter which was fitted with a TCXO. I
> removed that and fitted an HP 10811-60111 S/N 2332A17049 which I removed
> from a 5370B time interval counter - I have a few of those, and the
> microwave frequency counter needed the oven more than the time-interval
> counter.
>
> Looking at the specification of the 5352B, there were 3 oscillator options
>
> * Standard TCXO
> * Option 001 Oven time based. Long-term aging < 5 x 10^-10 / day after 24
> hour warmup. < 1 x 10^-7 / year for continuous operation.
> * Option 010 High stability time base. Long term aging < 1 x 10^-10 / day.
> < 3.6 x 10^-8 / year for continuous operation.
>
> To be honest, when the instrument is here, I will use a GPS reference. But
> I might want to take it to the amateur radio club sometimes. I would like
> to get the best oscillator I can. Are any models going to be better than
> others, or by this time, is it just pot luck? I think it's the latter, but
> maybe some are double-ovens and some single.
>
> With the exception of power cuts of up to a few hours, the HP 10811-60111 I
> fitted has been continuously powered on for a few years. But due to soaring
> power costs, I am going to switch my ovens off.
>
> Dr David Kirkby Ph.D
> Email: drkirkby at kirkbymicrowave.co.uk Web:
> https://www.kirkbymicrowave.co.uk/
> Kirkby Microwave Ltd (Tel 01621-680100 / +44 1621-680100)
> Stokes Hall Lodge, Burnham Rd, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6DT.
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