[Elecraft] 10 Mhz Reference Oscillator

[George Dubovsky]

Wishful thinking? Yeah, probably, for the same reason Elecraft doesn't want
to get into the power supply business. There is a HUGE amount of
"closely-held magic" in both the precision oscillator and in the GPS
disciplined-oscillator business. Elecraft would have to devote Engineering
resources to develop a product that others already have on the market with
volume production, but aimed at a niche market with a predisposition to
low-end pricing. The percentage of hams that actually NEED a precision
reference oscillator in their radio (for other than bragging rights) is a
small number, indeed.

You can buy 3 or 4 used Thunderbolts today for the cost of a new one - and
likely 3 out of the 4 will work perfectly for this application. Throw away
the bad one, keep a good one, and advertise the other two on the Elecraft
reflector ;-)

73,

geo - n4ua

On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 11:30 AM, Roy Morris <w4wfb at carolina.rr.com> wrote:

> Presently it seems that the Trimble Thunderbolt is the only reasonably
> priced reference oscillator available.  When ordering one of these you are
> taking a chance as they are refurbished and shipped from China.  Some of
> these units are better than others depending on serial number.  Again, you
> are taking a chance with what is shipped to you.
> Since the K3EXREF is being offered, a logical next step would be to produce
> an external reference oscillator.   I hope Elecraft is developing one.  Is
> this wishful thinking?  Roy Morris  W4WFB
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