EMRFD Message Archive 13693

Message Date From Subject
13693 2017-03-10 18:30:19 w7zoi International Crystal

Hi All,


A friend just sent me an email with some disturbing news.   It seems that International Crystal (ICM) is going out of business.   That's been our "go to" source of quartz crystals in the US for a long time.    I'm sorry to see them go, for they did a good job for a long time.


https://www.icmfg.com/


73, Wes

w7zoi


13695 2017-03-10 20:13:17 Rick Herndon Re: International Crystal
So, Wes, who's second at bat for crystals?

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Rick Herndon K5FNI

13696 2017-03-10 20:27:24 Dana Myers Re: International Crystal
13697 2017-03-12 04:18:05 Hans Summers Re: International Crystal
Hi all

In case you aren't aware of it, the QRP Labs "ProgRock" kit may be a good substitute for custom crystal requirements. At $18 it is a similar price to a single custom crystal but can be reprogrammed, GPS disciplined, select from 1 of 8 banks of configured frequencies, etc. See http://qrp-labs.com/progrock 

It uses an Si5351A Synth chip and simple microcontroller control, to provide three separate outputs. Frequency range is 3.5kHz up to almost 300MHz. You can connect 1pps from a GPS for GPS discipline to within 0.1ppm (GPS discipline uses one of the 3 oscillator outputs, so only two are available). There are also three logic inputs so you can configure 8 banks of frequencies and use the logic signals to select one.

Frequency configuration is by either the onboard DIP switches in binary coded decimal; or alternatively for easier configuration or remote operation etc there is a 9600-baud serial port for configuration. 

73 Hans G0UPL