[time-nuts] Confusion over Thunderbolt - noob is going crazy

[Arthur Dent]

Basically there is only one Thunderbolt. There are 2 firmware versions (2.2
& 3.0) and some of the earlier firmware version had a Piezo branded
oscillator rather than the Trimble branded one and the Trimble one is
somewhat better. The thick Thunderbolt package has a switching power supply
mounted on top of the Thunderbolt that allows one voltage to supply the
unit rather than the +5/+12/-12 used by the Thunderbolt proper. The sellers
of the one with the power supply mounted on top seem to ask way more for
the package than the cost of the included power supply would warrant.

I have one of the 2.2 firmware version with a Trimble branded OCXO that I
have used for years and it works perfectly for my use. Of the over 200
units I have sold there were only a couple of the 2.2 firmware versions and
no Piezo OCXOs in all those.  I’ve never seen or heard of a BNC antenna
connector. Internal to the wireless locator where these Thunderbolt were
used there was a cable to go from the type F connector on the Thunderbolt
to the TNC connector on the rear panel of the locator.