[time-nuts] Thunderbolt hardware revisions

[Bob Camp]

Hi

Roughly mid 2004 is a reasonable point for the divide between the two
thermometer chips. They apparently did not have a single magic date after
which all boards got the newer / bad resolution chips. Replacement chips are
available cheap, so switching the part out is an option. 

You also find boards that have been upgraded in terms of firmware and
re-date coded. They may have been built in 2001, but the date code shows as
2004. Unless you can tear the beast open there is no perfect way to pick.

Best bet - buy several and then sort them out.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
Behalf Of George Dubovsky
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 7:23 AM
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Thunderbolt hardware revisions

All,

The Label you are referring to is applied by the equipment mfgr, and has
only a loose correlation to the vintage of the Trimble unit inside the case.
The label has a bar code, a mfg serial number, the date the production bar
code was issued, the Andrew/Grayson assembly part number (A002206.G1), and
the revision letter of that assembly. Although I've never looked it up, I
think Rev E changed the 3 dB splitter to a different model. If your case
either has a small splitter attached, or 4 holes in the top cover where the
scrapmonger ripped it off, it is probably a Rev E. That says nothing
absolute about the vintage of the Thunderbolt inside.

73,

geo - n4ua

On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 12:54 AM, Ziggy <ziggy9 at pumpkinbrook.com> wrote:

> Well, if it's any help, on my rev E unit with the 'coarse' temperature
> chip, there is a sticker on the top (near the power connector) with a bar
> code, a date (3/14/05) and the Rev E designation. There's also a series of
> numbers that could be a serial number and some other kind of rev
designator
> but their significance is not clear.
>
> My Rev D unit with the 'fine' temperature chip has a similar sticker dated
> 12/16/03.
>
> Paul - K9MR
>
>
> On Aug 10, 2011, at 5:55 PM, Richard W. Solomon wrote:
>
> OK, now, how old is old enough ?? Where is the units date code located ?
> Hopefully, the seller knows (or even cares) where to find it.
>
> 73, Dick, W1KSZ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> > From: Bob Camp <lists at rtty.us>
> > Sent: Aug 10, 2011 9:59 AM
> > To: 'Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement' <
> time-nuts at febo.com>
> > Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Thunderbolt hardware revisions
> >
> > Hi
> >
> > The real question is what's the date code on the unit? If the rev E part
> is
> > old enough to have the good thermometer chip in it - that's the one to
> get.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> > Behalf Of David Garnier
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 10:19 PM
> > To: time-nuts at febo.com
> > Subject: [time-nuts] Thunderbolt hardware revisions
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm brand new to the time-nut odessy thing so please bear with me. ;-)
> >
> > I'm in the market to buy a used Thunderbolt, I have found a vendor
that's
> > selling used Thunderbolt receivers and states one can have the choice of
> > PCB
> > revisions A, B or E.
> >
> > Does anyone have any specific info or determined the product history of
> > these guys?
> > Any information would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Dave Garnier - wb9own
> >
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