[time-nuts] Problem with HP 83623A 20 GHz sweep generator stepping up/down 100 Hz when not wanted.

[n2lym]

Dave,

Look at it with a narrow band SA and see if it's modulated by 100Hz.

73,

Mike N2LYM




On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 07:39 AM, Dr. David Kirkby (Kirkby Microwave 
Ltd) wrote:

> On 22 December 2016 at 03:17, paul swed
  wrote:
>
>> Dave Congratulations on 10 Ghz SSB.
>>
>
> This was not a QSO at all. It was simply a one way transmission from a
> signal generator at my end to a receiver at his end. No QSO was 
> attempted.
>
>
>> Now to your question. I will fully believe you are seeing normal 
>> behavior
>> of the generators. Even if its dithering 100 Hz thats pretty amazing. 
>> Sweep
>> gens simply are not stable enough for narrow work like you are 
>> trying.
>> Now I am sure comments will prove me totally wrong.
>>
>
> But I find it a bit odd that HP would have a 1 Hz software option on 
> this
> instrument, if the instrument jumped up/down 100 Hz.
>
> Now I don't yet have the 1 Hz option programmed in, and it might well
> change the behavior completely, but I'd still like to find a way, if 
> one
> exists, of checking this with the equipment I have.
>
> The signal generator is no longer supported, but I could try my luck 
> seeing
> if there are any known problems with this unit, or firmware upgrades
> available - currently revision 29, May 1991.
>
>
>
>> But I don't think so. (Have been on 10G SSB over the years also. Only 
>> 60
>> watts plus. Nothing fancy. ;-)  )
>> Regards
>> Paul
>> WB8TSL
>>
>
> 60 W is clearly some setup. I also know a lot of people run portable 
> stuff
> on 10 GHz, where achieving frequency stability is more of a challenge,
> although less so with GPS. But this is a laboratory instrument, from a
> reputable manufacturer. I personally would not expected this behavior. 
> I
> actually purchased this very cheaply (£650 GBP, which would have been 
> about
> $900 at the time), but they are not cheap to buy now.
>
>
> Dave
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