[TenTec] Orion/O2 Drift Problem-who is interested in a fix?

[Martin AA6E]

Ron,

Just to confirm, I would be interested in a high-stability reference 
oscillator for the Orion.  (I have the original Orion, which hopefully 
would use the same parts as the Orion II.)

I can see several possibilities:

1.  Self-contained OCXO or high stability TCXO, fixed tuned or 
mechanically tweakable.  This would probably give the best phase noise 
results.  Provision for standby oven power would be helpful if it's an OCXO.

2.  Voltage-controlled TCXO with a buffered output to the back panel, 
along with a fine control input.  The buffered output and control input 
could be connected to an external (user-provided) synchronizer for 
GPS-trained or other high-stability reference.  Alternatively, the user 
can supply a DC voltage to allow manual zero-beat with WWV or other 
reference.

3.  Complete TCXO/stabilizer system with back panel input of a 10 MHz 
reference.  (Or a GPS 1 pps input?)

My quick check shows that common voltage-controlled oscillators are 
significantly worse phase noise than the fixed-tuned units.  That might 
be an issue for Orion, where spectral purity is a key requirement.

Of course, cost is an issue.  Probably option 1 is least expensive.

Thanks for your effort on this project!

73, Martin AA6E