[time-nuts] PTS synthesizers

[John Ackermann N8UR]

Jim Lux said the following on 02/08/2012 07:17 PM:
> On 2/8/12 3:23 PM, EB4APL wrote:
>> I want to take advantage of the topic just to ask if anybody has any
>> manual or schematics of the PTS 040. I realize that the PTS 160 is close
>> enough, taking in account the different frequency range, and they use
>> almost the same modules but it would be nice to have the right manual.
>>
>> What is about the remote interface? Please, share the info.
>
>
> Way back in the 80s, I used a PTS and the remote interface, so I'm going
> off memory. As I recall, it's basically a BCD parallel thing with a
> strobe. The general architecture of their synthesizers is a series of
> decade modules, so the parallel interface just extends that to as many
> digits as you have modules.
>
> Settling time to the new frequency is pretty fast (<1 microsecond, I
> think) but not necessarily phase continuous, and, there can be glitches
> during the transition (i.e. if one module switches faster than the
> others). no fancy-shmancy DDSes back in those days.

The remote interface is very simple to talk to; in fact, I've wired up a 
mating connector with just a bunch of jumpers right in the connector for 
a single frequency.  It is BCD with a couple of twists -- the 
programming info is on some web pages (including one of mine, but I 
think I still have an error that needs to be fixed in my description).

There's a guy who will put front panel controls on a remote-interface 
PTS, with thumbwheel switches, level control, and BCD connector, along 
with nice looking labels, for a very reasonable price.  Contact me 
off-list if you'd like his contact info; I'm not sure that he wants it 
widely published as it's a spare-time business.  I've had him modify 
several units for me, and been very happy with the results.

John