[time-nuts] Z3801A - notes on the hp58533a GPSDO

[Didier Juges]

Regarding the Thunderbolt, I got some information from the Trimble sales 
manager for timing products:

The Thunderbolt was designed and built in-house (of course from parts 
bought from outside sources). So, the software and IP are Trimble, not 
OEM'd. Any resemblance with the Symmetricom 58540A unit is pure 
coincidence (or more likely purposely made to look the same in order to 
try and capture some of the same market, since the Thunderbolt was there 
first).

A cursory look at the HP 53540A and Thunderbolt specs, particularly for 
holdover, will confirm the units are not the same, not even in the same 
league (Thunderbolt: +/- 1uS/2 hours, HP 53540A: 100uS/1 hour, which is 
hard to believe)

The engineers who designed it are still at Trimble and are churning 
current Trimble timing products.

Didier KO4BB

paul at wireless wrote:
> to: John,KE5FX
>
> Hi John
> I read your question on the THUNDERBOLT look-alike sold by 'accelium'. Since
> I have bought this unit (for 500$!!!), I can answer some of it:
>
> The hp58533a has a similar form factor as the Thunderbolt but it's an
> entirely different design. I made the following notes when trying it out:
>
>   
.....

> Regards
> Paul
> TM-Brokers of Switzerland
>