[time-nuts] Re: HP 8663A: option 003

[Matt Huszagh]

Bob  Camp <kb8tq at n1k.org> writes:

> I think you will find that they put a SAW based oscillator into the option 003
> units. It certainly is more than just a “select the best” process.
>
> One would guess that since this is phase noise and not aging, the factory
> number still probably do matter.

Thanks for that info Bob.

There was another thread here recently entitled "Phase noise of HP8663A
640 MHz reference?" that contains a lot of relevant info on this
topic. Jim Muehlberg posted a plot/data of a non-003 unit vs a 003 unit
and, at least for those units, the phase noise of the non-003 unit
seemed to be in line with the 003 spec+typ and what John Miles measured
in his units.

I have one 003 and one non-003 here. I may see if I can do a similar
measurement. Will post back with results if so.

Matt