[time-nuts] Vectron Type 229 Crystal Oscillator

GandalfG8 at aol.com GandalfG8 at aol.com
Sat Jun 23 18:20:08 UTC 2012


I've recently bought a  Vectron 229-9268 100MHz crystal  oscillator via 
Ebay with no information other than it was supposed to have been  removed from 
an item of Racal radio equipment several years ago.
 
It has an SMA RF connector and a 7 pin circular power connector, much in  
the style of a B7G valve base, with several leads attached to that which  
terminate at what appears to be a miniature version of a 9 pin D  connector.
 
A search through the list archives, and online generally, has thrown up  
two different connection options offered in response to previous requests  for 
information on 229-xxxx series oscillators, the first listed as being for a 
 CO-229 is as follows.......
 
Pin 1 No connection (NC)
Pin2 Case(0V)
Pin3 Case(0V)
Pin4 B+  24VDC
Pin5 VCXO Supply For option V models only
Pin6 VCXO Input For option  V models only
Pin7 VCXO Return/case For option V models only
 
The second is shown as being for a "VECTRON 229 osc with 7 pin Kovar feed  
through in circle similar to a
tube base".......
 
1 B+ (Oven)
2 N/C
3 N/C
4 B+ (Osc)
5 VCXO Supply
6 VCXO  Input
7 return (Case)
 
Mine looks to be a very close match to the second option, pins 2 and 3  
aren't used, 7 is definitely ground, and there are small decoupling caps  from 
pins 1 and 6 to pin 7, although no decoupling on 4 and 5.
 
I've seen suggestions for the single power feed versions that  the supply 
options were either 12, 15, or 24 volts but have found  nothing to indicate 
whether or not the dual power feed versions would  always use identical 
supply voltages, or if they might also have been  available requiring different 
voltages for oven and oscillator.
 
I'm happy enough to play "suck it and see" with the oven voltage, and judge 
 that by current and case temperature, but would prefer not to fry the  
oscillator as part of that process, bit self defeating really:-), so any  
information would be very much appreciated.
 
regards
 
Nigel
GM8PZR 


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