Re: [time-nuts] Bodnar "Precision Frequency Reference (GPS Clock)" AND LeoNTP Networked Time NTP Server Questions

2018-05-18 Thread Mark Goldberg
Leo and I are already discussing it off list and he is trying to duplicate my measurements. Regards, Mark On Fri, May 18, 2018, 10:08 AM Denny Page wrote: > Have you considered asking Leo? In my experience, he is very helpful. > > Denny > > > > On May 17, 2018, at 19:19, Clay Autery wrote: >

Re: [time-nuts] Bodnar "Precision Frequency Reference (GPS Clock)" AND LeoNTP Networked Time NTP Server Questions

2018-05-18 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Thu, May 17, 2018 at 7:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote: > Anyone who is using one (or both) of these, and/or folks who have a > logical opinion: > - Not sure how much I plan to have the unit connected via USB. Beyond > curiosity data gathering for a while, I'm thinking at some point I want it > to b

Re: [time-nuts] TruePosition GPSDO Holdover Issues

2018-05-11 Thread Mark Goldberg
What antenna are you using and where is it located? I have the TruePosition with a Motorola PCTEL 8508851k66 antenna on a windowsill with a ground plane under the antenna and it generally sees 4-7 sats. I have seen some holdovers but it has been better after running for a while and doing a survey.

Re: [time-nuts] TruePosition GPSDO Holdover Issues

2018-05-11 Thread Mark Goldberg
s so I'm > still inclined to think it's doing what it's supposed to. > I'll try to set up some continuous logging over the weekend and see if I > can get any more definite correlation between number of sats tracked and > indicating holdover. > > Regards, >

Re: [time-nuts] suggestions on getting 24 Mhz ?

2018-04-11 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 11:15 AM, Bob kb8tq wrote: > Hi > > > On Apr 11, 2018, at 12:11 PM, Graham / KE9H > wrote: > > > > Phase noise is (usually) more important than absolute frequency accuracy. > > It’s probably well worth looking into exactly what you are after in terms > of phase noise, > s

Re: [time-nuts] Environmental sensor recommendations

2018-04-05 Thread Mark Goldberg
I will comment on a couple postings: On Wed, Apr 4, 2018 at 8:00 PM, Tisha Hayes wrote: > > I would suggest that if you are looking at taking temperature sensor data > and attempting to control some type of heating/cooling device that you > implement a PID loop for stability. I have implemented

Re: [time-nuts] LT1016 as a pulse shaper...

2018-03-03 Thread Mark Goldberg
among others. I haven't investigated or used any of them. Regards, Mark Goldberg On Sat, Mar 3, 2018 at 10:08 AM, Ulf Kylenfall via time-nuts < time-nuts@febo.com> wrote: > > Gentlemen, > I have so far been using LT1016 as a pulse shaper and also whenever I > needed tocon

Re: [time-nuts] HP 5065A super

2018-02-22 Thread Mark Goldberg
My reading of IPC J-STD-001F Paragraph 4.5 says that the gold embrittlement issue does not apply to ENIG or ENEPIG. Paragraph 4.5.1 does say other gold shall be removed so there won't be solder embrittlement. Is that still correct? The issue with ENIG and RF is interesting. I have not heard that

Re: [time-nuts] The "NAKED" 5065A optical unit

2018-02-20 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Tue, Feb 20, 2018 at 2:30 AM, Poul-Henning Kamp wrote: > If that is the case, I think it will make sense to give the lamp > its own adjustable voltage regulator (LM317), so the power can be > reduced to what is optimal/necessary without having to take the > lamp apart and change a resistor. >

Re: [time-nuts] Vanguard TCXO

2018-02-08 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Thu, Feb 8, 2018 at 10:51 AM, jimlux wrote: > On 2/8/18 5:34 AM, Mark Goldberg wrote: > >> What is the phase noise like on the cheap TCXO?Vectron >> > > > VT-702 (the first one in the list online) > -99 at 10Hz > -123 at 100Hz > -143 at 1kHz > > go

Re: [time-nuts] Vanguard TCXO

2018-02-08 Thread Mark Goldberg
What is the phase noise like on the cheap TCXO? Being on frequency is far from the only characteristic that matters. I did some research on cheap TCXOs for Kenwood radios and found truly awful phase noise and lots of spurs above and below the oscillator frequency. I don't know if these characterist

Re: [time-nuts] More on SiLabs 5340

2018-01-29 Thread Mark Goldberg
Reference my earlier postings titled "SI532X Chips Close In Spurs (Somewhat Long)". There are many sets of register values that will get you the same output frequency and the clock builder may not give you an optimal set for phase noise and spurs. I created a spreadsheet to calculate other sets of

Re: [time-nuts] power supply design Re: Slightly OT: interest in a four-output, > ultra-low jitter, synthesizer block?

2018-01-26 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 8:51 PM, jimlux wrote: > What we've done is switcher from wide range bus (9-24V) to 8V, 60 dB > ultimate attenuation low pass, switcher 8V to 5V(e.g.), 60 db low pass, > linear with great HF rejection (i.e. the LT3042) to 3V > If it is any help to someone, I did some rese

Re: [time-nuts] Slightly OT: interest in a four-output, ultra-low jitter, synthesizer block?

2018-01-25 Thread Mark Goldberg
I have had very good luck with a converted toaster oven, GC-10 solder paste, and OSH Stencils metal stencils. Basically, if the temperature profile is good and you have good solder paste application, decent placement, good solder mask and correct pad sizes, everything solders itself. I have built 7

Re: [time-nuts] Slightly OT: interest in a four-output, ultra-low jitter, synthesizer block?

2018-01-25 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 7:32 AM, John Ackermann N8UR wrote: > > After the recent discussion about Silicon Labs clock generators, I looked at their Si5340A part and think it will be useful for a ham radio project I'm working on. Have you considered the Si5340-EVB development board? https://octopa

Re: [time-nuts] HP 8642 line

2018-01-24 Thread Mark Goldberg
I do not have great equipment to do the measurement but it is at least this good at 10 MHz as measured on one of my 8642As. I can't measure phase noise at 30 or 100 MHz. Offset (Hz) 10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 1,000,000 Phase Noise (dBc/Hz) -96.9 -103.0 -106

Re: [time-nuts] SI5328

2018-01-22 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Mon, Jan 22, 2018 at 4:34 AM, ew via time-nuts wrote: > In my opinion the SI 5328 is worth looking at for time nut application, > like offset frequency. My problem is solder ability. Does any one know a > source for an evaluation board or as an alternative a source that would do > a small volu

Re: [time-nuts] trimble Thunderbolt, how to get 25 or 27 mHz from it??

2018-01-20 Thread Mark Goldberg
It looks like the 5328 has two outputs, > which is still useful but would require putting two or three of them on the > board. Which isn't the end of the world. > > Thanks, > John > > > > On 1/19/2018 8:56 AM, Mark Goldberg wrote: > >> On Jan 19, 2018

Re: [time-nuts] trimble Thunderbolt, how to get 25 or 27 mHz from it??

2018-01-19 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Jan 19, 2018 6:01 AM, "John Ackermann N8UR" wrote: > Sorry to hijack the thread, but the Si5351 looks interesting for another > project I'm working on. I know it specifies "low jitter" but has anyone > looked at the phase noise? Is it usable for RF applications? > Datasheet states jitter i

Re: [time-nuts] SI532X Chips Close In Spurs (Somewhat Long)

2018-01-09 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Mon, Jan 8, 2018 at 11:37 PM, Hal Murray wrote: > If you look at the binary of the word that goes into a DDS adder, the ones > with more low order bits have closer in spurs. Which of the setting is the binary word going into the DDS adder? I think this uses a SI5328, and it is not described

[time-nuts] SI532X Chips Close In Spurs (Somewhat Long)

2018-01-08 Thread Mark Goldberg
I am using the Leo Bodnar Single output Mini GPSDO to generate 38.4 MHz as an input to a Wenzel Oscillator that locks to it and produces a low phase noise 80 MHz to drive my Perseus SDR. The Wenzel has a low loop bandwidth so the phase noise from the Bodnar above the 10-100 Hz range does not seem t

Re: [time-nuts] TAPR "PulsePuppy" Pot Selection

2017-12-24 Thread Mark Goldberg
Absolutely I see what you describe below. Bournes actually has an old paper that describes all of these issues, but they do not seem to address them in selection guides these days. I have no way to find out which are good until I try 50 of them. I get a few that are just awful, basically a random c

Re: [time-nuts] TAPR "PulsePuppy" Pot Selection

2017-12-24 Thread Mark Goldberg
> it's possible to substitute as nice a pot as you'd like. I have one unit > that's hooked up to an external precision pot with a turn-counter dial > (just because it was there). > > John > > > On 12/24/2017 03:57 AM, Mark Goldberg wrote: > >

[time-nuts] TAPR "PulsePuppy" Pot Selection

2017-12-24 Thread Mark Goldberg
Can you specify what pot you have used? I am using some for my TCXO boards and am not quite happy with the settability or mechanical stability. resulting in noise and higher Allan Deviation. A low noise regulator driving it also helped. I subscribe to the opinion to not use any extra resistors. W

Re: [time-nuts] Determining Allan Deviation From Interpolated Peak Frequency Readings

2017-12-16 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Sat, Dec 16, 2017 at 7:36 AM, Gerhard Hoffmann wrote: I'm about to buy a RedPitaya Stemlab 125-14. Cost is just €310 in .de, > seems to have respectable performance, can emulate the > GnuRadio hardware boards more or less right out of the box, > Win & Linux. > > And it is a nice stepping ston

Re: [time-nuts] Determining Allan Deviation From Interpolated Peak Frequency Readings

2017-12-16 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Sat, Dec 16, 2017 at 3:57 AM, Attila Kinali wrote: > > > Apparently the Perseus is supported by GnuRadio[1]. Which means you can > just click your control system together (similar to LabView). According > to [2] the driver uses libusb and works on windows as well. > > If you want to use GnuRad

Re: [time-nuts] Determining Allan Deviation From Interpolated Peak Frequency Readings

2017-12-16 Thread Mark Goldberg
Thanks for the detailed response. On Fri, Dec 15, 2017 at 5:42 AM, Attila Kinali wrote: > Hey Mark > > On Wed, 6 Dec 2017 15:43:49 -0700 > Mark Goldberg wrote: > > > https://sites.google.com/site/perseusmods/ > > and > > https://sites.google.com/site/spectruml

Re: [time-nuts] Test WWV timecube against Cesium, Rubidium, MASER or other precision time (UT-1) metrology

2017-12-07 Thread Mark Goldberg
I have done some frequency measurement testing of WWV transmissions against a not that great reference. Results are shown on https://sites.google.com/site/perseusmods/home/performance They are pretty awful even compared to a not that great reference. The Ionosphere is not friendly. Mark W7MLG

[time-nuts] Determining Allan Deviation From Interpolated Peak Frequency Readings

2017-12-06 Thread Mark Goldberg
I am making frequency measurements as described on the following pages: https://sites.google.com/site/perseusmods/ and https://sites.google.com/site/spectrumlabtesting/ using wide FFT bins and Spectrum Lab's peak frequency interpolation function. I would appreciate comments as to the effectivenes

Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-29 Thread Mark Goldberg
With help from an number of people who responded, I have gotten the Wenzel oscillators to work and provide a frequency locked external clock to a Perseus SDR radio. I had to add an external clock input to the Perseus and describe it at: https://sites.google.com/site/perseusmods/ Mark W7MLG __

Re: [time-nuts] Regarding Wenzel PLO's

2017-11-13 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 12:57 PM, Ulf Kylenfall via time-nuts < time-nuts@febo.com> wrote: > > Know then that the Wenzel PLO's are sensitive to the input Power levelof > the external reference. The datasheet says one thingbut the phase noise > of the locked output signal won't look very good at a

Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-13 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 7:02 PM, Mark Goldberg wrote: > > On Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 6:38 PM, John Miles wrote: > >> >> Most of the 100 and 200 MHz bricks I've seen work with either 5 or 10 MHz >> . I don't know if I've seen any 80 MHz units that do. A

Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-12 Thread Mark Goldberg
On Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 6:38 PM, John Miles wrote: > > Most of the 100 and 200 MHz bricks I've seen work with either 5 or 10 MHz > . I don't know if I've seen any 80 MHz units that do. All of the ones > I've bought on eBay have been from the customer-proprietary 500- series > with unusual input

Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-12 Thread Mark Goldberg
gt; If dropping the supply gets you on frequency, then you have moved things > a > > lot > > with that voltage change. 50 PPM is a lot of delta T on any normal OCXO > > crystal. > > That strongly suggests there is something wrong in the control circuit. > > >

Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-12 Thread Mark Goldberg
job correctly. > > If multiple units do the same thing, either they all got busted being > puled from gear > (unfortunately that’s common) or you are running it at the wrong supply > voltage. > > Bob > > > > > On Nov 12, 2017, at 1:19 PM, Mark Goldberg > w

Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-12 Thread Mark Goldberg
r in > China. A high percentage the OCXO's I get on eBay show up with > issues as a result. There is no way to be sure this or that part was > ok before it came out of the gear it was in. It’s always a gamble. > > Bob > > > On Nov 12, 2017, at 10:41 AM, Mark Goldb

[time-nuts] Wenzel VHF PLO Oscillators Off Frequency

2017-11-12 Thread Mark Goldberg
I have obtained a couple 80 MHz Wenzel Oscillators P/N 500-16423A. They are proprietary but similar to the VHF PLO and 501-14057 Oscillators. I want to use this to replace the internal oscillator in my Perseus SDR, for better accuracy and maybe better phase noise. Both of these are way off in frequ