[Elecraft] 10 mHZ external reference VS the K3S's optionalKTCXO3-1

[Bayard Coolidge, N1HO]

We're talking about extreme precision here, but in somecases, it might be needed for MARS. I am not a member of MARS, soI am not privy to their current frequency tolerance requirements.But, at 1PPM, we're talking 10Hz at 10MHz.

I'm running a Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO, and according to LadyHeather, I see a 10000 tau accuracy of 10 to the minus 13. Is thatextreme? Perhaps, for normal amateur use, but I think that it wouldprovide a decent "safety" margin for a MARS operator who needsto meet a certain frequency tolerance on a repeatable basis withno notice - i.e. instantly QSY to another frequency as needed, withoutworrying about how long it's been since the last formal calibration.

(And, to be even more inane, the correct abbreviation is "MHz." -capital M for Mega, capital H/lower case Z for Hertz, since it's aunit named for a person, and is therefore capitalized. Lower caseM is for milli, which in this case might describe how far off thedesired frequency a signal might be if it were sync'ed to an externalsource with the degree of accuracy under discussion here...)

I have a K3 with both the optional TCXO and the K3EXREF.

Just my 20 millidollars' worth,

N1HO
      From: Wes (N7WS) <wes at triconet.org>
 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Monday, November 2, 2015 6:04 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 10 mHZ external reference VS the K3S's optionalKTCXO3-1
   
Precisely or more accurately, accurate!

This pastime is no more inane than contesting or working QRP.