[time-nuts] "Best" GPSDO

Murray Greenman denwood at orcon.net.nz
Fri Sep 28 18:50:58 UTC 2012


Ulrich,
I think this is a bit like discussing one's favourite wine or favourite 
stereo! Especially since many of the participants here will not have the 
capability to compare GPSDO performance reliably.

I have a few GPSDOs, and it's my impression that of them all the Agilent 
Z3815A with MTI260 DOCXO has the best phase noise. Of course these units 
were originally equipped with an E1938A, and the later MTI260 version is not 
as common.

I also have an E1938A, which I operate standalone. It is very impressive, 
excellent AD, in fact my best source now that I've given away my HP 5065A. 
There is some phase noise well away from the carrier, but I've put that down 
to my own construction (switching power supply noise).

Another of my favourites with low phase noise is the Trimble/Nortel 
NTGS50AA, which has a CMAC/Rakon CFPO-DO OCXO. I've had no opportunity to 
measure the AD apart from what Lady Heather reports. This unit is physically 
large but is not power hungry and talks to LH very well.

I also own a Z3801A, a Samsung GCRU-D and a small homebrew GPSDO with a 
CFPO-DO. Sorry, no Timepod for comparisons.

73,
Murray ZL1BPU




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