[TenTec] Orion II Frequency Stability Progress

[Ron Castro]

Keeping it on would fix the problem...but I'm sure it would eventually take 
its toll on component life.  I ran across a Peltier device while I was 
researching this, and very briefly considered pursuing that, but it was a 
bit to sophisticated and costly, but a good idea anyway!

Easy enough to retune to the other station's frequency if they are off 20 
Hz, but during a net it's kind of a drag tuning up and down all the time :-]

Ron
N6AHA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Tippett" <btippett at alum.mit.edu>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 6:09 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion II Frequency Stability Progress


> N6AHA:
>
> >Greater stability can be achieved using more sophisticated
> temperature control, including keeping the area warm even when
> the radio is off, or using a crystal oven
>
> ...or simply leaving the power on continuously.
>
> I previously worked at HP where we sometimes used  Peltier devices
> for oscillator temperature stability
> in high precision digital voltmeters (A/D techniques
> convert V to F so oscillator stability is important
> for ppm range voltage accuracy).  You might be able
> to mount one of these directly to the crystal can.
>
> http://www.peltier-info.com/
>
> >however, for most purposes, this should give the kind of
> stability needed to prevent being 20 Hz high or low on a net
> (I heard several stations off by at least that much on the
> Ten-Tec net today, a couple of them using Orions), which is
> noticeable on SSB.
>
> ...which begs another question.  If you can hear that
> you are off frequency by 20 Hz, why is ppm accuracy even
> necessary in the first place?  ;-)
>
>                                         73,  Bill  W4ZV
>
>
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