[time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation

[Don Latham]

OK, time-nuts, here's the gauntlet. can't "we" generate a design for a
PC-based FPGA or chip setup that would be generally useful as a counter?
We've seen thorough discussions about trigger jitter, which IMHO is the
fundamental problem. And isn't the PIC2 Time base from 10 MHz standard,
all else should be straightforward.
I'm not a designer, just a messer-arounder, or I'd give it a shot. Robot
Basic is a nice PC software maybe.
Don

J. L. Trantham, M. D.
> I suspect that this question will lead to a discussion of Dual Mixers but
> as
> far as the counter question goes, I would recommend you consider an HP
> 5370B.
>
> Joe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com]On
> Behalf Of Dave M
> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 1:55 PM
> To: TimeNuts
> Subject: [time-nuts] Frequency counter recommendation
>
> I'm a retired electronics tech and computer programmer.  I have a pretty
> decently equipped shop for almost all of my projects and experiments.
> However, my time and frequency equipment is a bit long in the tooth.  I
> have
> a couple old HP 5328A counters (commercial version; not the military
> version), one with a 10544, the other with a 10811 oscillator.
> I have an HP Z3801A that has been operating well for several years, and
> recently acquired a TBolt to keep the counters in tune.  I also have a
> good
> distribution amp and  couple of old Montronics (Fluke) frequency
> comparators.
> What I'm looking for now, is a recommendation for a good low-cost (<$400)
> counter that will get me on the way to performing some of the "down in the
> grass" noise, jitter and deviation tests that the more learned members of
> the group discuss.  I know that new equipment is far out of my budget, but
> I'm also aware that some of the older, now obsolete (also cheaper)
> equipment
> is quite capable of doing what I want to do. I prefer HP equipment since
> manuals are much easier to find than most other brands.
> I'd also like recommendation for a good low-cost GPIB controller that
> allows
> me to write software to control some of my instruments.  I have experience
> writing software in BASIC on a Fluke 1722A controller.  I've seen these
> controllers on the Bay and other online vendors, but I've not located the
> BASIC discs for them.  Any advice?
> I realize that a counter is not the only piece that I need, but it's first
> on my list.  Other, more applicable equipment is on my want list, but will
> have to wait for a bit.
>
> Thanks for advice,
> David
> dgminala at mediacombb dot net
>
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-- 
"Neither the voice of authority nor the weight of reason and argument are
as significant as experiment, for thence comes quiet to the mind."
R. Bacon
"If you don't know what it is, don't poke it."
Ghost in the Shell


Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL
Six Mile Systems LLP
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POB 134
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