[time-nuts] Odetics 325: Replacing receiver...?

Robert Atkinson robert.atkinson at genetix.com
Mon Dec 11 11:13:45 EST 2006


Hi Bruce,
I forgot to say that I'm fairly certain that the interface is NOT NMEA.
It's fairly easy to monitor on the main PCB.
If I remember correctly I had to do a cold start or reset before it
would acquire any satellites. I'd have to look through the menu options
to be sure.
Two out of the three units I have came with faulty PSU's. The PSU is a
complex switchmode unit with both mains AC and low voltage DC inputs. I
gave up on repairing them and just fitted a standard, multi-output
mains-in supply module. 
The other problem with my switching firmware is that the Magellan rx
unit has a OCXO and the other one is an Rb, The tuning parameters are
almost certainly different.

Robert G8RPI.

-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
Behalf Of Bruce Lane
Sent: 11 December 2006 15:12
To: time-nuts at febo.com
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Odetics 325: Replacing receiver...?

Hi, Robert,

	Thanks much! This is good information. I feel fortunate to have
gotten one with the Magellan module.

	What I'm planning on doing (Since Zyfer doesn't seem to even
care about these grand old beasties any more) is reading all the EPROMs,
and any PALs that are in the unit, archiving them, and posting them to
my FTP site. This means that anyone with an EPROM programmer will be
able to update their unit. If the newer firmware means compatibility
with NMEA-speaking receivers, so much the better.

	As near as I can tell, the newer firmware seems to support all
options. You have nothing to lose by trying other than a bit of time
(pardon the pun).

	Thanks for confirming that the Magellan unit uses a standard GPS
antenna. One other question: Do I need to enter my initial position in
the 325's memory, or can I just fire it up with a good antenna and let
it sit for a couple of hours?

	FWIW: Mine has the ovenized quartz oscillator.

	Keep the peace(es).

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 11-Dec-06 at 14:34 Robert Atkinson wrote:

>Hi Bruce and Doug,
>I have three SatSync 325 receivers. Two have the original Odetics rx,
>one has the retrofit Magellen OEM rx. Two have OCXO's and one an Rb
>oscillator. The one with the Rb has all the interfaces fitted including
>HaveQuick timing, unfortunately it has the Odetics rx. The Odetics rx
>needs a downconverting antenna, I've discussed this with Rob in the
>past. It will probably work with a Meinberg antenna but I've not tried
>this.
>The two receivers are form and fit replacements, but do not seem to be
>interchangeable without changing the firmware. I'd like to get the
>Rb/HaveQuick unit running but due to the additional options I don't
have
>confidence that the firmware from the unit with the Magellen would work
>properly.
>I use the Magellen unit with a Trimble aircraft antenna with about 26dB
>gain and have had no problems. If you just want a GPSDO without the
time
>functionality of the SatSync, you can configure it for an external 1PPS
>signal and use an external GPS.
>There have been some  UT+ rx's on eBay recently that would be ideal for
>this.
>I don't have a manual and would be most interested if Doug is prepared
>to scan or copy it.
>Sorry for the late response, I was out of the country last week.
>
>Robert G8RPI.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
>Behalf Of Doug Millar
>Sent: 10 December 2006 19:34
>To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Odetics 325: Replacing receiver...?
>
>
>
>\\
>
>
>
>Hi Bruce,
>         I have two of the units, but have never had anything but 
>reset problems. Both are standard GPS receivers , not down 
>converters. Do you have a manual? I actually have one but it doesn't 
>say much about the receiver interface, however I can look for you.
>                 Doug  K6JEY
>
>
>At 12:49 AM 12/10/2006, you wrote:
>>Hi, Rob,
>>
>>*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
>>
>>On 10-Dec-06 at 08:29 Rob Kimberley wrote:
>>
>> >Hi Bruce,
>> >
>> >The 325 came with different RX modules. Some of the earlier ones
also
>used
>> >a down converter on the antenna.
>>
>>         Yes, I saw references to that in the manual.
>>
>> >What antenna are you using (is it the original?), what is the RX
>module? A
>> >quick check to see if it is a down converter type is to check on the
>> >antenna connector to see if you have 10 MHz on there, and also the 
>> voltage. I
>> >believe these used a 12v supply, so trying the unit with a standard
>modern
>> >antenna (typically 3.3 or 5V input) would result in antenna damage.
>>
>>         Actually, I've gotten quite lucky antenna and 
>> receiver-wise. I had the unit open today, and discovered that the 
>> receiver is a fairly late-model Magellan OEM type, specifically an 
>> "OEM 5000." I've already dropped a note to Thales (who bought 
>> Magellan) to see if I can get some details on it.
>>
>>         You are correct about the DC bias (it's 12V). Fortunately, 
>> I have a Trimble reference antenna which can handle anything from 5 
>> to 15V. I've been using it to test, but still have not managed to 
>> pick up any satellites.
>>
>> >Odetics changed its name to Zyfer (I worked for them then), and then
>more
>> >recently FEI-Zyfer. The 325 is obsolete and the guys in Anaheim do
>not
>> >offer any support whatsoever now.
>>
>>         Ah. Then my E-mail to them will probably go unanswered
(sigh).
>>
>> >Time Nuts is your best bet for an answer, and I know that there are
>at
>> >least two 325s lurking out there amongst fellow ' Nuts.
>>
>>         Excellent! I'm hoping someone will be able to shed some 
>> insight on this beastie. I'm hoping, since it uses a Magellan 
>> module, that it understands NMEA sentences. If so, it would be 
>> trivial to swap the existing receiver for a workable one.
>>
>>         Thanks much.
>>
>>
>>
>>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>>Bruce Lane, Owner & Head Hardware Heavy,
>>Blue Feather Technologies -- http://www.bluefeathertech.com
>>kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech do/t c=o=m
>>"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped 
>>with surreal ports?"
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>time-nuts mailing list
>>time-nuts at febo.com
>>https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>
>
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner & Head Hardware Heavy,
Blue Feather Technologies -- http://www.bluefeathertech.com
kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech do/t c=o=m
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with
surreal ports?"


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