[time-nuts] R&S XSRM Rubidium

[Magnus Danielson]

Chris,

On 11/01/11 06:43, Chris Erickson wrote:
> Would someone mind posting the manual for this? I have a dead one in the
> closet that needs my attention and I'm not quite sure where to start. The
> power supply works, but no other signs of life.

When I get around to scan it I will put it on my web.

I'd guess that you have the same problem as mine.

1) Bring it out of the closet

2) Release the lamp-removal tool (its located to the left side just 
behind the front of the XSRM module, there is a pair of holes lower down 
for screws holding the removal tool, but loosing one of them and you can 
bring the tool up)

3) then bring into the backside of the XSRM module and unscrew the lamp 
anti-clockwise

4) Look into the lamp. If you see the Rubidium splittered around in the 
bottom, possibly have a dark shade on the glas... then you might 
consider the next steps...

5) Put the lamp and lamp holder upside down in some form of clamp

6) Heat the lamp using a normal heat gun, heat it up properly. If you 
have a dark colouration it will release itself as the rubidium 
evaporates. Keep warming for a few seconds more and then let it cool down.

7) When it has cooled down, look into the lamp and if you still have a 
lot of splittered rubidium in the bottom, redo the process. It took me 
two times to get the hagn of it... one way in the wrong orientation. 
When you are done the rubidium should be located as a single droplet in 
the middle all the way back in the lamp assembly.

8) Reinsert the rubidium lamp, screw it in clockwise.

9) Power the XSRM up and let it zimmer for 30 min or so... let the 
amplitude rise (turn the monitor knob to "CHECK"). If it does not go up 
there, let me know.

10) Using a screw-driver slowly turn the trimmer of the OCXO assembly 
(Y4) and see how the Control Voltage reacts slowly as a response. Then 
you know that the loop has closed. Then in small steps bring the control 
voltage into the middle of the response.

11) Let it sit there and stabilize before fine-tuning the C-field on the 
multi-turn knob on the front.

I'll scan the manual eventually, but the above is essentially what I did 
to revitilize mine with that same fault description. If you need any 
part of it let me know. I'll try to help you getting it up and running 
again.

Cheers,
Magnus