Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Chris Albertson
Lowest price I've found is BasicPCB.com They charge $3 per square inch for 2 layers with mask and legend. Minimum is three boards of 1 square inch. So you actually can place a $9 order with them. They are a USA based company. They accept standard Gerber files. This is very impotent as a few

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread DaveH
http://dirtypcbs.com/store/pcbs Very happy with them. Dave > -Original Message- > From: time-nuts [mailto:time-nuts-boun...@febo.com] On Behalf > Of Dr. David Kirkby (Kirkby Microwave Ltd) > Sent: Friday, December 09, 2016 12:07 > To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement

Re: [time-nuts] pcb protos

2016-12-09 Thread Christopher Hoover
+1 on Sunstone +1 on Screaming Circuits, who will SMT the board with consigned parts or even do a full turnkey build. Been happy with them on both accounts. I don't know how many of these super cheap places will do full electrical check -- I want it on my personal boards. On Fri, Dec 9, 201

[time-nuts] pcb protos

2016-12-09 Thread jimlux
On 12/9/16 1:02 PM, Brooke Clarke wrote: Hi John: Yes. It is not at all economical to have ExpressPCB make boards the final size in production. BUT . . I've used Sunstone (also known as PCBExpress, which *is* a bit confusing). both ExpressPCB and Sunstone also have deals with Screaming Cir

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Brooke Clarke
Hi John: Yes. It is not at all economical to have ExpressPCB make boards the final size in production. BUT . . . if you have them make panels and cut them apart yourself it's very reasonable. I've used many methods for cutting the boards apart but have settled on a 12" metal shear that cuts

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread wb6bnq
Dr. Dave, That is NOT true ! I use http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml to handle the my ExpressPCB actions. They are over in Asia somewhere and have been quite happy with their work. They are a bit cheaper than ExpressPCB themselves. They also will do other PCB programs and Gerber's

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Bob Camp
Hi If you are one of those people who feel “cramped” in anything less than 6 layers, the Chinese are about the only way to go. There are a few houses over there that will do 6 and 8 layer boards at a “basement affordable” sort of price. Given the way things change with some of these outfits fig

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread John Ackermann N8UR
That points out a key difference in the PCB house pricing models: ExpressPCB and the Advanced Circuits $33 prototype are flat fee up to a size limit (for Advanced Circuits 4 x 6 inches) while others go by the square inch -- OSH Park is $5/in2 for three copies of two layer, and $10/in2 for three

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Bob Stewart
I built my first set of boards with ExpressPCB, but they get expensive quickly if you want to make something that's not in their special form factor.  I use KICAD and OshPark.com to make my boards (there are other board makers).  I just ordered some boards that are .7" x .63" that cost $8.40 for

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Brooke Clarke
Hi Bill: It's their Mini Board Pro service and you get 3 each 2-layer boards each 3.8 x 2.5" with solder mask (great for SMT) and silk screen top side labels for $61. https://www.expresspcb.com/miniboard-pro/ If you get this service some caution is needed regarding the solder mask since it's p

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Bob Camp
Hi The bottom line has always been that the outfits in China are the cheaper source for boards. That said, right now, Advanced Circuits will sell you a single piece of a double sided board for $33. It’s a “full feature” board with solder mask, silk screen, and a 3 day fab time. I don’t use the

Re: [time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread Dr. David Kirkby (Kirkby Microwave Ltd)
On 9 December 2016 at 19:58, BIll Ezell wrote: > Sorry if I'm behind the times, just did a new project that required a pcb, > and ExpressPCB is my go-to vendor for one-off boards. I just noticed they > now provide the low-cost boards (fixed size, 3x5, quantity 3) that I've > always ordered with si

[time-nuts] OT: ExpressPCB (cross-post from volts-nuts)

2016-12-09 Thread BIll Ezell
Sorry if I'm behind the times, just did a new project that required a pcb, and ExpressPCB is my go-to vendor for one-off boards. I just noticed they now provide the low-cost boards (fixed size, 3x5, quantity 3) that I've always ordered with silk screen and solder mask for $71. I got my latest b

Re: [time-nuts] SiLabs5351C

2016-12-09 Thread James Robbins
Hello Peter, I found a note on Time-Nuts from you back on November 18, 2014 referencing the use of "SiLabs5351C" to get 10 MHz from a 15 MHz oscillator. Your Dropbox links don't work anymore. Would you have any further information you could share about your use of it? Many thanks. Jim Ro

[time-nuts] Performance of TDC7200

2016-12-09 Thread Li Ang
sl.net/b/bi7lnq/Projects/freqcnt6.0/data/20161209/nc7sz125_74lvc1g04_53220a.png I also tried to measure 3 OCXOs at the same time. FE180, OCXO8663, free running TBOLT http://www.qsl.net/b/bi7lnq/Projects/freqcnt6.0/data/20161209/freqcnt_v6_20161209.png http://www.qsl.net/b/bi7lnq/Projects/freqcnt6.

Re: [time-nuts] Totally unrelated, but..

2016-12-09 Thread David G. McGaw
One has to be very careful with LDOs. As we say in applications, RTFDS. :-) The output capacitor often needs a finite ESR (effective series resistance). A too-large ceramic cap WILL make them oscillate. I have noticed that they are used in some GPSDOs. David On 12/8/16 11:39 AM, Van Hor