[time-nuts] time-nuts Digest, Vol 136, Issue 5

Bob Camp kb8tq at n1k.org
Sat Nov 7 09:06:12 EST 2015


Hi

Equally to the point - don’t overpay. 

A unit that needs a whole bunch of attention is worth less than something that
fires up and “just works”. In this case entry level “just works” is priced below $200. 

Stuff with historical significance - sure, you could easily pay more for that. To 
me it’ll be another 20 years before the mid-90’s GPS gear becomes “historical”. 

It’s easy to get caught up in some of this stuff. I have piles and piles of this and that
to prove the point. 

Bob

> On Nov 5, 2015, at 3:17 PM, paul swed <paulswedb at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Yes funny how those things tend to work.
> If you have good enough life will fill in with other things pretty quickly.
> As an example I have an old austron 2201 GPS unit that really does a nice
> job of showing offsets. But with the GPS rollover and other annoyances its
> actually a pain in the butt to fire up.
> Far to spoiled by the modern things you fire up walk away and 30-120 min
> later pretty darn stable.
> Regard
> Paul
> WB8TSL
> 
> On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 12:35 PM, Stephen Farthing <squirrox at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> Hi guys,
>> 
>> Thanks for the advice and offers to help. I think I will pass on the
>> Proteus. I have already have a rubidium standard and getting  the Proteus
>> to work is probably going to take up more time than I have available for a
>> while.
>> 
>> Kind regards,
>> 
>> Steve G0XAR
>> 
>> On Thursday, 5 November 2015, <time-nuts-request at febo.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Send time-nuts mailing list submissions to
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>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> Today's Topics:
>>> 
>>>   1. NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit (Stephen Farthing)
>>>   2. Re: NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit (Bob Camp)
>>>   3. Re: NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit (paul swed)
>>>   4. General Radio frequency standard question... (Burt I. Weiner)
>>>   5. Re: NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit (Rob Sherwood.)
>>>   6. Re: NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit
>>>      (GandalfG8 at aol.com <javascript:;>)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 19:25:39 +0000
>>> From: Stephen Farthing <squirrox at gmail.com <javascript:;>>
>>> To: time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>> Subject: [time-nuts] NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit
>>> Message-ID:
>>>        <CAAx2MdJJOU6rcz=EV-SQng-TBKwBvcFMMOjUwUhr0oSZe1QK=
>>> A at mail.gmail.com <javascript:;>>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I have the chance to buy a new boxed unit. Having glanced at the manual I
>>> understand that the configuration software runs under Windows 95 and
>> uses a
>>> serial RS232 port. The only Windows box I have now runs Windows 10 and
>> has
>>> USB only. So my questions are, can I run the config software under
>> Windows
>>> 10 and will a USB to serial adaptor work with it? I will need to make a
>>> power supply for it as I think it requires 24 volts. That should be no
>>> problem.
>>> 
>>> Any comments great fully received.
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> 
>>> Steve G0XAR
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 2
>>> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 17:47:36 -0500
>>> From: Bob Camp <kb8tq at n1k.org <javascript:;>>
>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>>>        <time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>>
>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit
>>> Message-ID: <B7486F86-BEAC-46CA-BB7A-C0D80B532AF2 at n1k.org
>> <javascript:;>>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>>> 
>>> Hi
>>> 
>>> In general running Win 95 software on Win 10 is not a real good bet. It’s
>>> slightly more
>>> likely to work with Win 10 Pro than with the entry level version.
>>> 
>>> Bob
>>> 
>>>> On Nov 4, 2015, at 2:25 PM, Stephen Farthing <squirrox at gmail.com
>>> <javascript:;>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> 
>>>> I have the chance to buy a new boxed unit. Having glanced at the
>> manual I
>>>> understand that the configuration software runs under Windows 95 and
>>> uses a
>>>> serial RS232 port. The only Windows box I have now runs Windows 10 and
>>> has
>>>> USB only. So my questions are, can I run the config software under
>>> Windows
>>>> 10 and will a USB to serial adaptor work with it? I will need to make a
>>>> power supply for it as I think it requires 24 volts. That should be no
>>>> problem.
>>>> 
>>>> Any comments great fully received.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> 
>>>> Steve G0XAR
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 3
>>> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 17:19:41 -0500
>>> From: paul swed <paulswedb at gmail.com <javascript:;>>
>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>>>        <time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>>
>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit
>>> Message-ID:
>>>        <
>>> CAD2JfAg_ZNcZH6T3-eEzLbRB2mmNabX2MHQwJA+SM72w+vMd6g at mail.gmail.com
>>> <javascript:;>>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>> 
>>> Steve
>>> My very small 10 cents.
>>> I am pretty sure win 95 had no idea what USB is. I think thats was win98
>>> sp2 region.
>>> Certainly win10 wouldn't understand what that program was.
>>> 
>>> But that said there are dos emulators/virtual machines that might let you
>>> get away with it. The other comment is if the device is circa 95 then
>> most
>>> likely you will also have GPS week rollover issues.
>>> If the thing is selling for $1 then what the heck. Fun is fun.
>>> Otherwise you may want to consider something a bit newer saving the
>>> headaches and complexity. They seem to start in the $125 range and go up.
>>> There are certainly modern solutions at low cost without the pain.
>>>> From the guy who has recovered more then a few ancient GPS systems. :-)
>>> I suspect if there is a better answer you will get it here. Good luck.
>>> Regards
>>> Paul
>>> WB8TSL
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Nov 4, 2015 at 2:25 PM, Stephen Farthing <squirrox at gmail.com
>>> <javascript:;>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> 
>>>> I have the chance to buy a new boxed unit. Having glanced at the
>> manual I
>>>> understand that the configuration software runs under Windows 95 and
>>> uses a
>>>> serial RS232 port. The only Windows box I have now runs Windows 10 and
>>> has
>>>> USB only. So my questions are, can I run the config software under
>>> Windows
>>>> 10 and will a USB to serial adaptor work with it? I will need to make a
>>>> power supply for it as I think it requires 24 volts. That should be no
>>>> problem.
>>>> 
>>>> Any comments great fully received.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> 
>>>> Steve G0XAR
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 4
>>> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2015 09:07:42 -0800
>>> From: "Burt I. Weiner" <biwa at att.net <javascript:;>>
>>> To: time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>> Subject: [time-nuts] General Radio frequency standard question...
>>> Message-ID: <757554.67050.bm at smtp120.sbc.mail.gq1.yahoo.com
>> <javascript:;>
>>>> 
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>> 
>>> I'm trying to remember the model number of the GR Comparison Scope -
>>> the one that had the anode in the center of the face of the
>>> CRT.  Something like an 1109A or B?  Can someone refresh my
>>> memory.  At one time I was looking for one of those - maybe I still am.
>>> 
>>> Burt, K6OQK
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] General Radio frequency standard question
>>>> 
>>>> There is a GR group on Yahoo but its pretty quiet.
>>>> 
>>>> I joined when I started restoring one of the GR early synthesizers a
>>> 1161A,
>>>> the a 1115A
>>>> oscillator (the one where the dewer got destroyed in shipping).
>>> 
>>> Burt I. Weiner Associates
>>> Broadcast Technical Services
>>> Glendale, California  U.S.A.
>>> biwa at att.net <javascript:;>
>>> www.biwa.cc
>>> K6OQK
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 5
>>> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 03:59:26 +0000
>>> From: Rob Sherwood. <rob at nc0b.com <javascript:;>>
>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>>>        <time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>>
>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit
>>> Message-ID: <E85D45FF-A0E5-4094-B2D2-860F98FED67E at nc0b.com
>> <javascript:;>>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>> 
>>> For multiple reasons I install serial cards in my Win7 desktops.
>>> On the issue of the Win95 program, it may not run because the CPU is too
>>> fast.
>>> Rob
>>> NC0b
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> 
>>>> On Nov 4, 2015, at 7:02 PM, "paul swed" <paulswedb at gmail.com
>>> <javascript:;>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Steve
>>>> My very small 10 cents.
>>>> I am pretty sure win 95 had no idea what USB is. I think thats was
>> win98
>>>> sp2 region.
>>>> Certainly win10 wouldn't understand what that program was.
>>>> 
>>>> But that said there are dos emulators/virtual machines that might let
>> you
>>>> get away with it. The other comment is if the device is circa 95 then
>>> most
>>>> likely you will also have GPS week rollover issues.
>>>> If the thing is selling for $1 then what the heck. Fun is fun.
>>>> Otherwise you may want to consider something a bit newer saving the
>>>> headaches and complexity. They seem to start in the $125 range and go
>> up.
>>>> There are certainly modern solutions at low cost without the pain.
>>>>> From the guy who has recovered more then a few ancient GPS systems.
>> :-)
>>>> I suspect if there is a better answer you will get it here. Good luck.
>>>> Regards
>>>> Paul
>>>> WB8TSL
>>>> 
>>>>> On Wed, Nov 4, 2015 at 2:25 PM, Stephen Farthing <squirrox at gmail.com
>>> <javascript:;>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have the chance to buy a new boxed unit. Having glanced at the
>> manual
>>> I
>>>>> understand that the configuration software runs under Windows 95 and
>>> uses a
>>>>> serial RS232 port. The only Windows box I have now runs Windows 10 and
>>> has
>>>>> USB only. So my questions are, can I run the config software under
>>> Windows
>>>>> 10 and will a USB to serial adaptor work with it? I will need to make
>> a
>>>>> power supply for it as I think it requires 24 volts. That should be no
>>>>> problem.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Any comments great fully received.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Steve G0XAR
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>>> To unsubscribe, go to
>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>>> and follow the instructions there.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> If this email is spam, report it to
>>>> 
>>> 
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>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 6
>>> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 05:18:44 -0500
>>> From: GandalfG8 at aol.com <javascript:;>
>>> To: time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] NAVSTAR proteus GPS time and frequency unit
>>> Message-ID: <75951.31663a70.436c8704 at aol.com <javascript:;>>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>>> 
>>> Hi Steve,
>>> 
>>> I've got one of these, also came to me new in the box but that was
>> around
>>> twelve years ago and other than a short period of testing has stayed
>> there
>>> ever since, nothing wrong with it as far as I can remember  just  too
>> much
>>> stuff, too much to do, and Thunderbolts and the like do take  up a bit
>> less
>>> space:-)
>>> 
>>> How long do you have before you need to make a decision?, I can let you
>>> have a copy of the software if you want to play with that first, and  the
>>> manual too if you don't have ongoing access to it at the moment.
>>> 
>>> Interestingly, the Proteus software is badged Symmetricom, although I
>>> don't recall anything to suggest that they and Parthus had any working
>>> relationship.
>>> 
>>> My manual indicates the software as suitable for Win95, Win98, and NT,
>>> which does rather show its age:-), but I've run it ok on a P4 WinXP
>> machine
>>> using a standard RS232 port.
>>> I could try an installation under Win7 via a USB to serial adapter but my
>>> Proteus is tucked away in its box so I would need a bit of time to get it
>>> set up, and whilst that obviously won't confirm it will work with Win  10
>>> it
>>> might at least be a step nearer.
>>> 
>>> Unfortunately whilst the manual does give information on the message
>> format
>>> for the time port output it doesn't for the control port, just refers to
>>> the  supplied CDU software.
>>> Presumably it could be sniffed at the port but the manual does state that
>>> the messages are binary format and that a terminal emulator can't be
>> used
>>> for control.
>>> 
>>> The Proteus was supplied in 12, 24, and 48 Volt versions, and this will
>> be
>>> indicated on the label on the unit. One thing to be aware of, just in
>> case
>>> it  doesn't come with original antenna, is that the antenna port feeds 12
>>> Volts DC  to the antenna, rather than 5 Volts, or even 3.3 Volts, as
>> often
>>> found  later. As far as I remember this isn't made clear in the manual.
>>> 
>>> Week 1024 rollover is discussed in the manual and shouldn't have been an
>>> issue, at least that's what they said for the 1999 rollover:-), but
>> again I
>>> can  check that if you don't need to make a decision in the next day or
>> so.
>>> 
>>> Regards
>>> 
>>> Nigel
>>> GM8PZR
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I have the chance to buy a new boxed unit. Having glanced at the manual
>> I
>>> understand that the configuration software runs under Windows 95 and
>> uses
>>> a
>>> serial RS232 port. The only Windows box I have now runs Windows 10 and
>> has
>>> USB only. So my questions are, can I run the config software under
>> Windows
>>> 10 and will a USB to serial adaptor work with it? I will need to make a
>>> power supply for it as I think it requires 24 volts. That should be no
>>> problem.
>>> 
>>> Any comments great fully received.
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> 
>>> Steve G0XAR
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Subject: Digest Footer
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> time-nuts mailing list
>>> time-nuts at febo.com <javascript:;>
>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> End of time-nuts Digest, Vol 136, Issue 5
>>> *****************************************
>>> 
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