Precision Frequency References

Curious about what the “10 MHz” connector on the back of your test equipment or radio is?  Interested in calibrating an SDR to reduce tuning error?  Do you want an accurate frequency source for tuning radios?  How about a super accurate sense of what time it is?  This week, Dr. Frank M Howell K4FMH joins Jeremy and George to talk about GPS Disciplined Oscillators and Frequency references for your workbench.

Hurricane Watch Net - https://www.hwn.org/

Icom IC-9700 - http://qrznow.com/icom-ic-9700-vhfuhf1-2ghz-prototype-transceiver-shown-at-tokyo-hamfair-2017/

Circuit Board Printer - Voltera - https://www.voltera.io/

Circuit Board Printer - BotFactory - https://www.botfactory.co/page/homepage
KF7IJZ’s Workbench

• Remote Airspy Server w/ ASUS Tinkerboard
• • Airspy SDR Receivers
  • • Airspy R2 - 24Mhz - 1.8Ghz 10Mhz Bandwidth SDR Receiver - $169 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy/
    • Airspy Mini - 24Mhz - 1.8Ghz 6Mhz Bandwidth SDR Receiver - $99 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy-mini/
    • SpyVerter HF Converter - $49 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-spyverter/
  • ASUS Tinkerboard
  • • I Used a Tinkerboard because I had one, but I would recommend an ODroid device instead - http://www.hardkernel.com/main/main.php
    • Tinkerboard Hardware - https://www.asus.com/us/Single-Board-Computer/Tinker-Board/
    • Tinkboard Linaro Linux Distro available on that page under Downloads
    • Armbian Distro for Tinkerboard - https://www.armbian.com/tinkerboard/
    • Good review of Tinkerboard - https://forum.armbian.com/index.php?/topic/4614-asus-tinker-board/
  • Software
  • • Spyserver for ARM 32 Bit - http://airspy.com/download/
    • Airspy on ARM Instructions (do this first) - http://photobyte.org/running-spyserver-raspberry-pi-3/
• Arduino MIDI Mute Button
• • Hardware
  • • Adafruit Pro Trinket 5V - https://www.adafruit.com/product/2000
    • Adafruit 24mm LED Arcade Buttons - https://www.adafruit.com/product/3430
    • Adafruit MIDI Jack - https://www.adafruit.com/product/1134
  • Arduino MIDI Wirting and Communication Guide - https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Midi
  • Use “Debounce” Example code from Arduino IDE
  • Arduino MIDI Message Guide (code is deprecated, but message formats are relevant)- http://little-scale.blogspot.com/2011/08/simple-examples-of-sending-midi-data.html
  • Eagle Best Practices
  • • 1/16” Margin around the edge of the board
    • Avoid acute angles on circuit traces
    • Vias should be at least 0.04” in size
    • Traces should be at least 0.03” in size
    • Keep good space between signal lines and ground planes/traces
• Other Links
• • Perseus SDR - http://microtelecom.it/perseus/
  • SDR Console Software - http://sdr-radio.com/Software/Download1/Download
  • RF Space - http://rfspace.com/RFSPACE/Home.html
  • Cloud SDR - http://www.cloud-sdr.com/
  • SDR# Tuner from Mouse - https://www.rtl-sdr.com/building-a-tuning-knob-for-sdr/

KJ6VU’s Workbench

• RIDGID Toolbox for KX3 Project - http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Organizer-Black-222571/205440492
• BBC Micro:Bit - http://microbit.org/

K4FMH’s Workbench

• Trimble based GPS GPSDO 10Mhz / 1PPS Clock - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trimble-GPS-Receiver-GPSDO-10MHz-1PPS-GPS-Disciplined-Clock-sine-and-square-wave-/252162780444?hash=item3ab612ad1c:g:o2IAAOSw1WJZHdMY
• PCTEL GPS (L1) 26dB Timing Antenna Kit - http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCTEL-GPS-L1-26dB-TIMING-ANTENNA-KIT-GPS-TMG-26N-W-Mount-Kit-/263159662203?epid=1209248913&hash=item3d4589c67b:g:KU0AAOSw8gVX3BPx
• Six Output Video Distribution Amplifier - Sigma Electronics VDA-100A - https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=SIX+Output+Video+Distribution+Amplifier+Sigma+Electronics+VDA-100A&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XSigma+Electronics+VDA-100A.TRS0&_nkw=Sigma+Electronics+VDA-100A&_sacat=0
• Leo Bodnar Precision 2 Output GPSDO (450Hz - 800Mhz) - https://v3.airspy.us/product/lb-gpsdo-1/
• HP 3586A Selective Level Meter - http://ve2zaz.net/HP3586_AD5962/HP3586_AD5962.htm

K4FMH’s Blog - http://k4fmh.com

WWV - https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/radio-stations/wwv

EEVBlog Frequency Reference Videos
Rubidium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPPB7ZzO_TA
Cesium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yTL06ZU5SU

Lady Heather Disciplined Oscilator Control Program - http://www.ke5fx.com/heather/readme.htm

U-Blox GPS Receivers and Timing Devices - https://www.u-blox.com/en

Gerry Sweeny on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/gezzasw

WGUR “The Noise” - http://www.gcsuradio.com/

K4FMH on Linux in the Ham Shack - http://lhspodcast.info/2015/10/lhs-episode-155-interview-with-frank-howell/

​K4FMH on Twitter - https://twitter.com/frankmhowell