Antenna recommendation for Timing Amateur
I'm planning on getting a M12M and would like a recommendation for an
antenna for timing purposes.
I'm just an amateur looking to discipline an oscillator. No scientific uses
planned.
My antenna coax is likely to be 30ft or more so I suspect I'll need an
amplified antenna.
The M12M outputs 3v so the "timing" antennas offered by Synergy don't
directly apply.
What is the real difference between a "timing" antenna and one meant for
mobile use?
Synergy offers several amplified mobile antennas that would work with 3v.
tia
jim ab3cv
Jim,
The M12M will actually put out +5V to the antenna. The antenna voltage that
you supply from your electronics are just "passed through" to the MMCX
connector on the board. If you have 5V available on your board you can
simply use this to run the antenna. The only thing the M12M electronics do
is that they will protect the antenna supply against short circuits. If you
draw over about 80-90mA (or short the coax) the M12M will interrupt the
antenna power.
In general, timing antenna electronics are just about the same as "good"
mobile antennas. By good I mean that they have at least one ceramic/SAW
filter. These usually add about -20dB of rejection at +/-50MHz from Fo (1575
MHz). This really helps reject nearby RF, especially if you are surrounded
by cell phone towers and the like.
The major physical difference is that timing antennas carry around their own
ground planes (that's why they are usually bigger than typical mobile
antennas). Timing antennas are also more easily mounted to a mast or other
structure. They also are usually just terminated with a TNC or N type
connector so that the user can size the antenna cable to fit the
application. They'll last a lot longer outside too....
My suggestions:
Budget installation: AR-10N, AR-10S, or ART-10S. I have a lot of experience
with all of these. They all have dual-pole filters (-40dB @ +/-50MHz).
Low-Budget Timing: Timing3000. Again, dual-pole filter.
High-End Timing: VIC-100. Triple filter. If you are in a bad RF
environment, this is the one to get. -60dB @ +/-50MHz.
Cable: 10m of cable will not be a problem. You could get away with RG-58
(-6.5dB for 30'). If you go with the Timing3000 you might want to bump up to
RG-8X as the Timing3000 LNA gain is a little on the low side. If you can
find some dual shielded cable (LMR-195 (RG-58 equivalent) or LMR-240 (RG-8X
equivalent) these would be preferable due to the better shielding and RF
characteristics. They will also stand up to the weather much better because
the jacket is much tougher than PVC.
Hope this helps,
Randy Warner
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On
Behalf Of Jim Miller
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:12 AM
To: time-nuts
Subject: [time-nuts] Antenna recommendation for Timing Amateur
I'm planning on getting a M12M and would like a recommendation for an
antenna for timing purposes.
I'm just an amateur looking to discipline an oscillator. No scientific uses
planned.
My antenna coax is likely to be 30ft or more so I suspect I'll need an
amplified antenna.
The M12M outputs 3v so the "timing" antennas offered by Synergy don't
directly apply.
What is the real difference between a "timing" antenna and one meant for
mobile use?
Synergy offers several amplified mobile antennas that would work with 3v.
tia
jim ab3cv
time-nuts mailing list
time-nuts@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
Jim,
Almost forgot. If you only have +3V available for antenna power don't use
the VIC-100. Performance falls off badly. The Timing3000 will run quite
happily at +3V. It's not specified to work at +3V, but I used to do it all
the time when I was at Synergy.
Randy
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On
Behalf Of Jim Miller
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:12 AM
To: time-nuts
Subject: [time-nuts] Antenna recommendation for Timing Amateur
I'm planning on getting a M12M and would like a recommendation for an
antenna for timing purposes.
I'm just an amateur looking to discipline an oscillator. No scientific uses
planned.
My antenna coax is likely to be 30ft or more so I suspect I'll need an
amplified antenna.
The M12M outputs 3v so the "timing" antennas offered by Synergy don't
directly apply.
What is the real difference between a "timing" antenna and one meant for
mobile use?
Synergy offers several amplified mobile antennas that would work with 3v.
tia
jim ab3cv
time-nuts mailing list
time-nuts@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
Hi Jim,
If you would like to save a little money, you might want to check with
[cid:part1.46719E86.E4CDD4BB@cox.net]
They had about 40, brand new, in the box with mounting hardware,
Oncore Timing2000 antennas at the beginning of MAY when I purchased
mine from them off of eBay. His price was $39.95 "buy it now" and I
asked him how many they had when I called after taking the auction.
It is the same as the Timing3000 antenna that Randy refers to except
it has two filters instead of three, as I understand it. It runs on 5
volts.
I was using an active patch antenna that Randy sold me and that worked
well also. Just decided to make a more permanent installation.
Bill....WB6BNQ
Jim Miller wrote:
I'm planning on getting a M12M and would like a recommendation for
an
antenna for timing purposes.
I'm just an amateur looking to discipline an oscillator. No
scientific uses
planned.
My antenna coax is likely to be 30ft or more so I suspect I'll need
an
amplified antenna.
The M12M outputs 3v so the "timing" antennas offered by Synergy
don't
directly apply.
What is the real difference between a "timing" antenna and one
meant for
mobile use?
Synergy offers several amplified mobile antennas that would work
with 3v.
tia
jim ab3cv
_______________________________________________
time-nuts mailing list
time-nuts@febo.com
[1]https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
References
OK -- sorry -- the clipped pic of the company logo did not come through.
Ridge Equipment company
1393 Progress Way, Suite 909
Eldersburg, MD 21784
410-549-7661
By the way, I have dealt with them several times and they are a very reputable
company.
Bill....WB6BNQ
Jim Miller wrote:
I'm planning on getting a M12M and would like a recommendation for an
antenna for timing purposes.
I'm just an amateur looking to discipline an oscillator. No scientific uses
planned.
My antenna coax is likely to be 30ft or more so I suspect I'll need an
amplified antenna.
The M12M outputs 3v so the "timing" antennas offered by Synergy don't
directly apply.
What is the real difference between a "timing" antenna and one meant for
mobile use?
Synergy offers several amplified mobile antennas that would work with 3v.
tia
jim ab3cv
time-nuts mailing list
time-nuts@febo.com
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
Bill et al -
Actually, the Timing2000 and Timing3000 antennas are identical. The ONLY
difference is that the 2000 has a Motorola logo in it. They both have dual
filters. $39.95 is a great price. I think retail on the 3000's is about $65.
Randy
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On
Behalf Of WB6BNQ
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 1:01 PM
To: Jim Miller; Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Antenna recommendation for Timing Amateur
Hi Jim,
If you would like to save a little money, you might want to check with
[cid:part1.46719E86.E4CDD4BB@cox.net]
They had about 40, brand new, in the box with mounting hardware,
Oncore Timing2000 antennas at the beginning of MAY when I purchased
mine from them off of eBay. His price was $39.95 "buy it now" and I
asked him how many they had when I called after taking the auction.
It is the same as the Timing3000 antenna that Randy refers to except
it has two filters instead of three, as I understand it. It runs on 5
volts.
I was using an active patch antenna that Randy sold me and that worked
well also. Just decided to make a more permanent installation.
Bill....WB6BNQ
Jim Miller wrote:
I'm planning on getting a M12M and would like a recommendation for
an
antenna for timing purposes.
I'm just an amateur looking to discipline an oscillator. No
scientific uses
planned.
My antenna coax is likely to be 30ft or more so I suspect I'll need
an
amplified antenna.
The M12M outputs 3v so the "timing" antennas offered by Synergy
don't
directly apply.
What is the real difference between a "timing" antenna and one
meant for
mobile use?
Synergy offers several amplified mobile antennas that would work
with 3v.
tia
jim ab3cv
_______________________________________________
time-nuts mailing list
time-nuts@febo.com
[1]https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
References