[time-nuts] HP 5360A History?

[Bob Camp]

Hi

I had a 5360 on my bench in the 1970’s. Back then it was a pretty impressive piece of gear. The most amazing thing I remember doing with it was converting the output to PPM. Yes, that’s not really all that exciting these days …..

Bob

> On Apr 13, 2016, at 5:32 PM, Jeremy Nichols <jn6wfo at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The insider name for the 5360A was "computing pig" because of its size (weight) and complexity. It combined most of the counting ability of a 5345 with much of the computing ability of the 9100 programmable calculator. Jamming so much into a standard (for the era) -hp- cabinet was quite a challenge. One of my 5360s uses Nixie tubes while the newer one is plasma.
> 
> Since there is no way to store a program entered with the keyboard, you have to leave the machine 'on' or re-key your program. Given the limited 32-step memory, this is not a terrible limitation. The 5376 Systems Programmer could be expanded to 200 (!) steps but I've not had the privilege of using one with my 5360.
> 
> If any one has a copy of Application Sheet No. 27, "Fractional Frequency Deviation Measurements on Ultra-Stable Sources" or Application Note AN 120-2, "Measuring Phase with the 5360A," I'd like to buy copies.
> 
> Jeremy
> 
> On 4/13/2016 1:44 PM, John Ackermann N8UR wrote:
>> Thanks, Tom (and others)!  That's fascinating.
>> 
>> I was interested in the mention of diode programming systems. It's a little off topic, but I encountered a few of those in the 1970s amateur radio world.  A couple of the early synthesized (as opposed to fixed-frequency-crystal) controlled ham radios had memory channels that were "programmed" in BCD digits by installing or removing 1N914 diodes, often in a row of DIP sockets.
>> 
>> Another early design was in the first synthesized "police radio" scanner by Regency.  It used aluminum combs that looked like, well, combs.  You broke off the tines as instructed for a particular frequency and then inserted the comb into a socket. The presence or absence of the tine signified 1 or 0.
>> 
>> ----
>> On 4/13/2016 3:57 PM, Tom Van Baak wrote:
>>> John,
>>> 
>>> I agree with Paul, an absolutely amazing instrument. The early models have nixie display, later ones plasma. 11 digits! In 1969! It was the first hp instrument that was capable enough to compute stability statistics. In real-time! Like Paul I have a couple, along with various the accessories. Built like a tank, even the keyboard.
>>> 
>>> You'll find mention of the counter in old technical articles, sometimes including the programs people would write for automated statistics. I've always thought the 5360 was uniquely at the cross-roads between hp as an instrument company and hp as a computer company (not to mention hp as a printer ink company). You can see the DNA of each of these in the 5360 & its accessories.
>>> 
>>> You were probably reading this major 5360A Computing Counter issue:
>>> 
>>> http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1969-05.pdf
>>> 
>>> Here's all about the 5375A keyboard:
>>> 
>>> http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1970-03.pdf
>>> 
>>> And this is where the diode and punch card interface is shown, as well as ADEV from 1 us to 1 s (see page 4, fig 4).
>>> 
>>> http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1970-12.pdf
>>> 
>>> More on ADEV on the 5360:
>>> 
>>> http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1971-11.pdf
>>> 
>>> Select high-res page scans from my own hardcopy HPJ collection are here:
>>> 
>>> http://www.leapsecond.com/hpj/
>>> 
>>> For example, the 79-step ADEV program is here:
>>> 
>>> http://www.leapsecond.com/hpj/v22n4/v22n4p10.jpg
>>> 
>>> Finally, do not miss HP AN116 "Precision Frequency Measurements":
>>> 
>>> http://www.hpmemoryproject.org/an/pdf/an_116.pdf
>>> 
>>> /tvb
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "John Ackermann N8UR" <jra at febo.com>
>>> To: <time-nuts at febo.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:38 AM
>>> Subject: [time-nuts] HP 5360A History?
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> I was browsing through the HP Journal archives and came across the May,
>>>> 1969 issue, dedicated to the new 5360A Computing Counter -- "An
>>>> Electronic Counter for the 1970s!"
>>>> 
>>>> I don't recall hearing much about these in time-nuts lore.  I can guess
>>>> from the Journal articles that it was a beast to keep running and was
>>>> very expensive (500 ICs and a 10A 5V power supply).
>>>> 
>>>> Is anyone here familiar with the story of this product?
>>>> 
>>>> John
>>> 
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