[time-nuts] Ashtech Z-12-R Operation?

[bg at lysator.liu.se]

Brooke & Tom,

>> Hi:
>>
>> I got an Ashtech Z-12-R that powers up and displays the start up screen,
>> see:
>> http://www.prc68.com/I/AshtechZ12.shtml
>>
>> But it does not progress or respond to button presses.  Does someone
>> have a pdf
>> manual or know how to kick start one of these?
>
> Brooke,
>
> My Z12-T requires an external 20 MHz reference clock; I'm not
> familiar with your -R model but it too may require this. It's not
> uncommon for high-end geodetic-grade timing receivers to rely
> on an external clock (e.g., cesium or maser). The idea is that
> all received GPS signals are referenced to a real external clock
> instead of an internal or virtual gps clock, or something like that.
>
> So try that first. The quality of the 20 MHz is not important just
> to see if it starts working. But clearly, to get good results, you'll
> want to lock your 20 MHz to something atomic.
>
> When I got my Z12 I played a bit with how to get 20 MHz. See:
> http://www.leapsecond.com/pages/20mhz/
>
> /tvb

My Z12 does not eat 20MHz. (5MHz to 10MHz works IIRC)

Look for manual and other documentation around the below URL:

  ftp://ftp.magellangps.com/Reference Stations/EOL/Z12 Marine Ref. Sta/

Outside of the timing community, I suspect rubidiums are more common
external sources than CS/H-masers.

--

    Björn