[time-nuts] I'm the new guy
Joseph Gray
jgray at zianet.com
Tue Jul 12 23:17:04 EDT 2005
I just joined the list and thought I would introduce myself. To begin with,
I make my living dealing with PC's, networks, servers (Windows, Linux and
Unix), routers, firewalls, security, etc. I have been doing this for 20
years now. In my first computer job 20 years ago, I dealt with HP
workstations. Several years ago, I worked with PC-based telemetry systems. I
got my ham license almost 20 years ago, although I haven't been active in a
while. I have been an electronics hobbyist and tinkerer with neat stuff
since I was a teenager. I have been curious all my life and hope to stay
that way.
Almost a month ago, I came across an HP 5061B at the local surplus place.
Out of curiosity, I borrowed it (I've known the guy since before he started
the business). I found the operations manual on-line and checked the 5061B
out. After messing around with it for a while, I decided to buy it and
negotiated a good price. Now, this is not a piece of equipment that I really
need (I could say that about a lot of my stuff). But, being the kind of
person I am, I think it is cool having it and I am enjoying learning new
things related to metrology (that is a new area for me).
After reading some of the interesting doings at febo.com, reading the entire
time-nuts archive, some app notes from HP (I mean Agilent) and some papers
from NIST, I got more interested and decided to buy a time-interval counter.
I wound up with an HP 5370A (I have a PDF of the "B" manual and am still
looking for a cheap "A" manual). I am currently trying a few simple
experiments to get a better understanding about how this counter works and
to further my understanding of these types of measurements (I may have some
questions later).
I am working on getting an HP Z3801A soon, to add to the collection (I found
a great resource on this at realhamradio.com, which I'm sure you guys know
about). I have just ordered a used GPIB interface and a copy of LabView with
textbook (student version), so that I can really collect some data. I can
only write so fast :-)
Finally, I am only a hobbyist. I don't have a PhD (like most of you seem to
have) and in fact, have no practical reason to be doing any of this, other
than curiosity. So, I will probably be asking some basic questions from time
to time. If this is not the type of mailing list where this is welcome, let
me know now and I'll be on my way. Otherwise, I hope to learn more about
time and frequency measurements and have fun doing it. I have already picked
up a bit by reading the archives.
I have already have a few emails with two of the members here. Thanks for
replying to a newbie.
Joe
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