[time-nuts] Varian R-20 Rubidium Frequency Standard

[EB4APL]

Paul,

You are right, NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) used a pair of Sulzers in 
their Frequency and Timing subsystem.  At some time before 1972 they 
were replaced by a HP 5061A, a HP 5065A, and a HP Xtal oscillator, 
probably a HP 105B, the Sulzers remained in the rack several years but 
unpowered.
A curious thing that I remember is that the Cesium was used for the 
clock and all the timing, but the Rubidium was used for frequency 
reference for a lot of equipment, mainly for multiplying up to 
microwaves for the transmitters and receivers. When I asked why, I was 
told that they were more phase clean for this application.
Later an Hydrogen Maser replaced the Cesium as the primary reference and 
the crystal references were removed.
The MSFN used in the Apollo program used a different Frequency and 
Timing Subsystem.

Regards,
Ignacio EB4APL


On 05/11/2014 a las 15:27, paul swed wrote:
> To a earlier comment I believe the NASA racks used Sulzers. Reason my 2 X
> are NASA and still work just fine. :-)
> Regards
> Paul
> WB8TSL
>
> On Tue, Nov 4, 2014 at 9:33 PM, Bob Camp <kb8tq at n1k.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi
>>
>> Yup I’ve seen that seller before. I’ve wondered a lot what they are up to.
>> Everything they sell is roughly 10X above the going rate. Most of it has
>> “buy it now” as an option.
>>
>> If you need the manual, offer the guy the $25 that it’s worth and see what
>> happens. He may accept. Stranger things have happened. I’d only start the
>> process on something I REALY needed. Life is to short to play silly games
>> with some of these people.
>>
>> Usual disclaimer - never bought from the guy, don’t know anything about
>> him, he may be a prince, he may have ties to the Society of Rome …I have no
>> idea.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>> On Nov 4, 2014, at 9:27 PM, EB4APL <eb4apl at cembreros.jazztel.es> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Adrian,
>>>
>>> I found one at ebay,  item #251687322849 but the crazy seller wants $249
>> for it.  All his manuals and books are tagged with so exorbitant prices
>> which is a shame because its commercial value is nil.
>>> Regards,
>>> Ignacio
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 04/11/2014 a las 16:34, Adrian wrote:
>>>> I got a nice old Varian R-20 rubidium frequency standard that would be
>>>> nice to get working.
>>>> To begin with, there is at least a problem with the voltage regulator
>>>> circuit.
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone have a manual? I couldn't locate anything on the web.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Adrian
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