[time-nuts] FE5680A Calibration

[Pete Lancashire]

The first thing to consider is something to put the 5680 into. Search
the list for
temperature considerations. Basically you will need to heat sink the 5680. It
can be run without, but won't last long. The technique I'm going to
use it to heat
sink the 5680 and with a pair of small variable speed fans (one as a backup) the
inside of the box will be keep at a reasonably constant temperature with the set
point based on keeping the 5680 in a safe region.

There's been quite a bit of discussion on 10 MHz distribution. For now
I'm thinking
of using a surplus commercial video distribution amplifier. Most
studio grade DA's
are good to 15 MHz +- 3db. I also have a HP 5087A but its input is 5 MHz and
the output cards are mostly 5MHz. A future project to convert.

I have not decided if I want to put the Rb which maybe a LPRO, the Thunderbolt,
and maybe a 10811 into one box or not. One idea is with them all on
one box having
the ability to adjust the Rb and the 10811 via the Thunderbolt, and
one box can be
looked at as a temp controlled 'oven' for all three.

One could also put a DIY DA into the same box.

-pete

PS A friend and time-nut has be threatening to do a modern easy to
build DA, many on
the list need one.

On Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 8:17 AM, Chris Stake <stake at btinternet.com> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I purchased a FE5680A from a Chinese  Ebay vendor. I have connected it to a
> 16.5V laptop supply, added 7805-based 5V rail and a PMOS Fet switch to drive
> a LED for the "locked" signal. I can communicate with it using the excellent
> Fe5680Calibrator software. As received the frequency offset is set to Zero
> and the unit seems to work well.
>
> I plan to put it into service as a workshop frequency reference and so would
> like to set it close to 10.0Mhz. I have various oscillator modules, signal
> generators, SDR receivers, GPS receivers, a scanner, some uncalibrated
> test-gear. I live in a river valley in North Devon UK so radio reception is
> a bit restricted but I receive digital television via a masthead amplifier
> and long downlead.
>
> Could someone please suggest a way of going about this?
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Chris Stake
>
>
>
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