[time-nuts] Rb vs.Crystal OCXO

[paul swed]

Welcome to time-nuts. I have to agree with Tom for an out of the box
experience.

However as so many time-nuts experiment with GPS control of these
oscillators you really can get great stability with both today and I
believe even better in the future. I like the low power of the xtal
oscillator. Thats handy when running on emergency battery here in New
England. My RB will run 2 days before the batteries shut down. But a OCXO
would most likely increase that another day or more. Plus run the GPS lock
system.

However since the rest of the house has no power somewhat of a useless
point. Far bigger concerns at least in the winter.

It really boils down to what you need to do with the solution.
Regards
Paul
WB8TSL


On Fri, Apr 25, 2014 at 4:30 PM, Tom Van Baak <tvb at leapsecond.com> wrote:

> > Hi Everyone,
> > I'm newer to this forum but I really enjoy reading the discussions. I
> have
> > a pretty basic question.
> > I'm wondering why one would chose an Rb Oscillator over a traditional
> OCXO?
> > It does not immediately appear there is a phase noise advantage in the
> Rb..
> > Thanks,
> > ~Shane
>
> Welcome to time-nuts. Good question.
>
> In some applications the exceptional long-term frequency accuracy and
> stability you get with Rb is more important than the better phase noise,
> smaller size, lower power, better short-term stability, longer lifetime, or
> cheaper price that you get with an OCXO.
>
> When you buy a new OCXO, it might be accurate to 4 or 5 or 6 digits,
> out-of-the-box. You have to mechanically (screw) or electronically (EFC)
> calibrate it to get closer. If you want, say, 9 digits of accuracy, then
> you may have to re-calibrate it every day or at least once a week.
>
> When you buy a new Rb, it might be accurate to 9 or 10 or 11 digits,
> out-of-the-box. If you want, say, 9 digits of accuracy, then you may have
> to calibrate it every couple of years.
>
> /tvb
>
>
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