Today around noon I tripped the breaker powering my ref-0/ref-1 pair. Prior to this happening my ref-0 was active and transmitting the 15Mhz signal. Ref-1 was in standby. Upon powering the units back up, ref-0 is showing a fault (after the blinking light test) and now ref-1 is active. Ref-0 is remaining in fault state. Ref-1 is running the survey again.
I looked in the error log and around the time of the failure a "15Mhz output failure" was logged. Stupid me I cleared the log so I can't read the correct error text. So I guess what happened is that the ref-0 (which was active) saw the power failure first? transferred to ref-1? and now ref-1 will be active until the next failure? I power cycled them right after the failure so they came up at the same time. I would have thought ref-0 would have taken over again. And if ref-1 is active I would have thought ref-0 would be in standby, not fault, no?
Is there a way thru Satstat to have them switch back or is there another way to test the fail-over? Also, Since the 10Mhz output is on ref-0, does that remain sync'ed when ref-1 is active?
Lastly, I see there is a power-on setting to either have it rerun the survey or use the last known position. I don't see a way to set it. Querying the device shows it defaults to rerun.
thanks
I am using 19.6V to drive both of them. I had seen posted that the DC-DC converter takes anything from 18 to like 36V. I plan to build a better power supply but I am starting to think maybe I am too close to the 18V.
Moto, the internal power lights are fine as you stated, slowly blinking green.
I came down after dinner where before I had recycled the power. Ref-0 (where I had the fault) was now ok, no fault, and 'on' putting out 15Mhz; ref-1 was in 'standby' mode. So it looks like a couple of power cycles plus some waiting time fixed it.
So not being able to leave well enough alone, I switched the front panel Output level from 17 - 23 on ref-0. The 'on' lights started blinking in both units and they logged an error that the setting were different. Ref-0 then failed over to ref-1. So I set them both back to the same 17 level setting. I then recycled the units and ref-0, the one I've been having trouble with, is now showing fault again and ref-1 is in 'on' mode. It posted another 15Mhz failure.
I'm wondering if you have to have the 15Mhz unloaded when it boots? I'll attempt that next as I try to clear the fault on ref-0. It might just clear itself. It shows that it is GPS locked which usually is what clears the fault.
I don't know if I am adding to the wealth of knowledge on these boxes or confusing the subject...
I'll try to answer some of your questions. I've been working on these units quite a bit the past couple weeks, with the goal of getting the two boxes (REF-0 and REF-1) to operate independently of each other. I have been successful in this, and have learned a lot about them in the process.
I recently needed to buy a GPS antenna for my gpsdo and after touring ebay found item 181420921843.
I received it yesterday and can highly recommend it for anyone looking to get a very nice outdoor GPS antenna for a good price.
The listing isn't too great but what you are really getting is a new waterproof Trimble 5 volt 26 db gain antenna, part # 28367-70 and a 5 meter RG316 cable made by Huber Suhner with a TNC on one end for the antenna and an SMA on the other. The cable is very highly quality - no cheap chinese parts.
Pretty tough to beat this combo for 15.99 USD shipped for those in the US.
I have no affiliation with the seller, just like a good deal and this kit is ideal for many gpsdo owners.
edit - aww, they just put the price back to 19.99 for them, still a good deal but not as good.
I recently needed to buy a GPS antenna for my gpsdo and after touring ebay found item 181420921843.
I received it yesterday and can highly recommend it for anyone looking to get a very nice outdoor GPS antenna for a good price.
The listing isn't too great but what you are really getting is a new waterproof Trimble 5 volt 26 db gain antenna, part # 28367-70 and a 5 meter RG316 cable made by Huber Suhner with a TNC on one end for the antenna and an SMA on the other. The cable is very highly quality - no cheap chinese parts.
Pretty tough to beat this combo for 15.99 USD shipped for those in the US.
I have no affiliation with the seller, just like a good deal and this kit is ideal for many gpsdo owners.
edit - aww, they just put the price back to 19.99 for them, still a good deal but not as good.
The antenna is waterproof, but what about the connector? On the Symmetricon antenna that I have, the connection is made inside a tube, the top of which is sealed with a gasket. So unless you mount it upside down, water can't get in. As you say the listing isn't too good, but based on the picture that's there it looks like water could get into the connector.
I recently needed to buy a GPS antenna for my gpsdo and after touring ebay found item 181420921843.
I received it yesterday and can highly recommend it for anyone looking to get a very nice outdoor GPS antenna for a good price.
The listing isn't too great but what you are really getting is a new waterproof Trimble 5 volt 26 db gain antenna, part # 28367-70 and a 5 meter RG316 cable made by Huber Suhner with a TNC on one end for the antenna and an SMA on the other. The cable is very highly quality - no cheap chinese parts.
Pretty tough to beat this combo for 15.99 USD shipped for those in the US.
I have no affiliation with the seller, just like a good deal and this kit is ideal for many gpsdo owners.
edit - aww, they just put the price back to 19.99 for them, still a good deal but not as good.
The antenna is waterproof, but what about the connector? On the Symmetricon antenna that I have, the connection is made inside a tube, the top of which is sealed with a gasket. So unless you mount it upside down, water can't get in. As you say the listing isn't too good, but based on the picture that's there it looks like water could get into the connector.
I'd recommend any outdoor antenna connection be properly sealed in vulcanizing/Self-amalgamating tape.
I recently needed to buy a GPS antenna for my gpsdo and after touring ebay found item 181420921843.
I received it yesterday and can highly recommend it for anyone looking to get a very nice outdoor GPS antenna for a good price.
The listing isn't too great but what you are really getting is a new waterproof Trimble 5 volt 26 db gain antenna, part # 28367-70 and a 5 meter RG316 cable made by Huber Suhner with a TNC on one end for the antenna and an SMA on the other. The cable is very highly quality - no cheap chinese parts.
Pretty tough to beat this combo for 15.99 USD shipped for those in the US.
I have no affiliation with the seller, just like a good deal and this kit is ideal for many gpsdo owners.
edit - aww, they just put the price back to 19.99 for them, still a good deal but not as good.
The antenna is waterproof, but what about the connector? On the Symmetricon antenna that I have, the connection is made inside a tube, the top of which is sealed with a gasket. So unless you mount it upside down, water can't get in. As you say the listing isn't too good, but based on the picture that's there it looks like water could get into the connector.
I'd recommend any outdoor antenna connection be properly sealed in vulcanizing/Self-amalgamating tape.
Well crap, now the price of vulcanizing/Self-amalgamating tape will go up too....
I was just wondering, was the OP question actually answered?
What is the best economical option for a precision frequency reference?
With my experience so far, the FE5680B seems to be it.
What is the easiest to use and have running and have accurate without worrying about being off because of age drift?
IMHO the bg7tbl GPSDO on ebay, any flavor, is the best bet.
Huawei/BG7TBL 2015-07-08 (Star4+ board)
...
Cons: Requires minor change (solder two wires) to fix management interface mis-wiring from BG7TBL. Limited availability now it seems. No software to monitor.
For a box with no docs, no specs, no software and an abused looking OCXO to boot, no one should be paying more than $60-$70 for it.
But you know what they say ...opinions are like GPSDOs...everyone has one.....