[time-nuts] Equipment question: OCXO versus GPSDO + XTAL

[WB6BNQ]

Hi Wolfgang,

I would go with the highest stability OCXO they offer.  That would provide the
best portable functionality if you take it out of your work place.  Nothing is
more aggravating then having to lug a ton of extra junk around if you have to
travel to a remote place to do work.

Even if you did drag a thunderbolt along, unless you know the exact coordinates
you would have to spend time doing a self survey, etc., etc., etc.  Besides, the
thunderbolt's second to second specs are not any better then a really good OCXO.
Also, the short term noise would probably be worse the a really good OCXO.

In the LAB, a thunderbolt makes sense as a long term reference, as a comparator
for a long base line against a high quality lab reference oscillator.  I doubt
your traveling needs would require such a long term reference and if they did
then have additional thunderbolts at those remote points.

Bill....WB6BNQ

Wolfgang wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm new on this list.
>
> Right now, I'm planning to buy a brand new Agilent 53230A frequency
> counter (350 MHz, 20 ps, 12 digits/s, 2500 EUR).
>
> I'm wondering whether it is worth investing into a built-in OXCO timebase
> option when ordering the 53230A since that adds 950 EUR.
>
> The alternative would be to go with the standard timebase and connect
> a GPSDO like the TBolt or a Rb-based oscillator to the 10MHz reference
> clock input. Or, to use the both OCXO option AND the GPSDO/Rb clock.
>
> Opinions needed based on experience with other devices: Would you think
> buying the 53230A with a built-in OXCO timebase gives better performance
> for any measurement than using the standard clock with an accurate external
> reference?
> Or, how would "OCXO option + GPDSO" compare to "standard osc + GPDSO"?
> (Especially for usual gate times 10ms to 10s.)
>
> Regards,
> Wolfgang, DL1SKY
>
> Known specs are:
>
> Standard oscillator:
>   ??? / day
>   0.2 ppm / month
>   1 ppm / year
>
> OCXO option:
>   0.3 ppb / day
>   10 ppb / month
>   50 ppb / year
>
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