[time-nuts] Datum/Exactime 9390-6000

[Ziggy]

I've recently acquired one of these, primarily to use as an alternative to (and for comparison with) my Thunderbolt. This was a DC model that was inoperative when I received it and at $225 (price from the OEM) to replace the failed DC-DC converter, I installed an AC supply. So far, so good. The unit powers up, tracks, locks the OCXO and things look generally good. I'm giving it some burn in time before I try to characterize it. However, I have a couple of issues. I did search the archives, and have contacted Symmetricom (who politely told me this unit was obsoleted 2 generations of product ago :)

The menus and serial command responses do not match any version of the manual that I can find, although the Datum 9390 manual on Didier's site is pretty close on the commands. Does anyone have a manual that covers this model/firmware?

This unit suffers from a GPS epoch rollover problem. This makes the date produced incorrect, and there is no way to override it, or offset it in my firmware (DT813MP) other than running it in 'freewheel' or undisciplined mode. It's my understanding that there may have been a firmware update to address this, so if you have a firmware image, or a unit with later firmware it would really be great to get a PROM copy/image. 

And perhaps a silly question: Is the LCD supposed to be illuminated? Because mine isn't. I haven't taken the front panel apart yet to check out the display - I've been more concerned with getting the unit operational.

In the end, it's pretty usable the way it is, but the date being off irks me. I'd like to fix that if I can, and docs that match the hard/firmware would be nice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Paul - K9MR