[time-nuts] Re: Frequency counter recommendation wanted

[John Vendely]

I concur.  I've also experienced keypad problems with the 1992, and know 
of someone else who has, as well.  Otherwise, they're good instruments...

73,

John K9WT

On 3/15/2023 3:08 PM, Ken Winterling via time-nuts wrote:
> John,
>
> I've owned three of the Racal-Dana 1992 counters for years. The one
> weakness I have noticed is that the keypad tactile switches.fail at a very
> high rate. I got my counters very cheaply because they were advertised as
> defective, for parts only.  If you encounter a switch problem I can send
> you information on what I have done to fix the problem.
>
> 73,
>
> *Ken*
> *WA2LBI*
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 12:15 PM John Miller via time-nuts <
> time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
>
>> Right now I think I have a line on some Racal-Dana 1992s from another
>> member, but I have heard so much good about the 5334B I think I want to get
>> one just on principle. Especially once I have these 1992s, I could pick up
>> a faulty 5334B and repair it! I think that could be a lot of fun and save a
>> good bit of money.
>>
>> I really appreciate all the feedback, folks, and hopefully in another 5-10
>> years those I'll be able to get my hands on an  SR 620 or a multi-GHz model
>> like the HP 53132A. I have an Agilent E4402B that needs some work....
>>
>> Thanks all,
>> John
>>
>>> On Mar 14, 2023, at 4:39 PM, Stewart Cobb via time-nuts <
>> time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
>>> I've bought perhaps a dozen HP 5334B counters off ePay for my company
>> labs
>>> over the last decade, at prices from about $75 to $225. I've never had a
>>> problem with one. Rick built a good box. For various reasons, the B model
>>> is a better bet than the A model.
>>>
>>> If it does everything you need it to do, the 5334B is the counter to get.
>>> It's blessedly quiet because it doesn't have or need a fan.
>>>
>>> Pro tip: you will occasionally see one listed "as is" with the display
>>> showing "no osc". Those counters are generally fine. All that message
>> means
>>> is that the timebase switch on the back is set to "external" rather than
>>> "internal", and the seller doesn't know to flip it back. If you can see
>>> that on the photos, don't be afraid.
>>>
>>> If it's an OCXO model (option 010), it's possible that someone harvested
>>> the 10811 OCXO before selling the remainder. I've never seen that, but
>> it's
>>> possible. If so, it's a bit tedious to change back to the default
>> internal
>>> crystal, but these counters will always work with an external 10 MHz
>> input.
>>> Cheers!
>>> --Stu
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