[time-nuts] Getting a 5370A tomorrow - How do i test it works

[Ed Palmer]

If you haven't already done so, download the manual - there are multiple 
copies on the net - and run through the Operation Verification Tests in 
Table 4-1.  All you need for that is a BNC cable.  If it passes those 
tests you can be reasonably sure that everything is alive.

Next, I suggest running a noise floor test.  Take the signal from any 
decent oscillator and route it to the Start input (high impedance) via a 
T-connector then through maybe a 3 to 5 meter (length not important) 
cable to the Stop input (50 ohm).  You could also use a splitter and 
unequal cable lengths to the Start and Stop inputs (both 50 ohms).  
Measure the time from Start to Stop.  Collect the data via GPIB if 
possible and see what the ADEV curve looks like by using something like 
TimeLab, Plotter, or Stable32.  I can't find any 5370A results on the 
net, but they should be similar to the 5370B results shown here:

http://www.febo.com/pages/hp5370b/

Ed

On 8/28/2013 10:35 AM, cfo wrote:
> I bought a 5370A on *bay last week , and the unit is supposed to arrive
> tomorrow.
>
> I have never used such a beast , and as the seller wrote it is fully
> working , and passes self test. I was wondering if anyone could give some
> hints to test that it's working ok.
>
> I mean the input stages , known defects etc. ?
>
> I have a Tbolt ,a PM6680 Counter , a cheap Rigol DG1022 Func Gen, a
> working Linux-Gpib installation , and a Prologic GPIB-Ethernet adapter.
>
> And for clock sources: A Morion MV89,some 10Mhz *bay #310380778466 5v
> square out i think, some Pletronics 26Mhz OCXO's, a X72 Rubi, some FEI
> Rubi's and some Jupiter GPS boards to test with.
>
> But what do i do for a start ?
> Besides opening it up and vaccum clean it ,set it for 240V, and check if
> there's a OCXO in there ?
> 	
>
>
> Also what are the input voltage limits ?
> I'd rather not start by killing the input stages my self.
> 							
> I think i read around 1volt for the 5370A , and 3.3v for a 5370B ?
>
> But i also think Bruce wrote that (maybe only the B) would accept 5v , as
> the clamping diodes would then be active.
>
> Somewhere i also read that a 5v signal via a 270R resistor would be ok on
> the 5370A
>
> Thank you for any hints/tips,warnings or help.
>
> CFO - T-Nut Beginner Denmark
>