[Elecraft] TCXO

[Bob McGraw]

The TCXO is the reference frequency for about everything that takes 
place in the radio.  It is the master clock.  If it is incorrect, then 
everything else is incorrect, for the most part.

A 5 ppm TCXO, or 5 parts per million, can have an error of +/-250 Hz on 
6 meters.   Where as a 0.5 ppm TCXO can have an error of 25 Hz on 6 
meters.   It just depends on how accurate and stable you desire your 
radio to be.

Oh, the frequency read-out on the front is just that, a read out.  It is 
not a frequency measurement of the exact frequency. Many will put their 
radio on 14.255.000 and swear it is on that frequency.  But with a 5 ppm 
TCXO it could be +/- 71 Hz.  Where as with a 0.5 ppm it would be +/- 7 
Hz.  Of course one must consider crystal and component ageing and 
perform very easy calibration procedure at regular intervals.  I check 
and adjust mine once a month and can maintain +/- 2 Hz or or better.

I ordered mine with the 1 ppm TCXO with F/W corrected to 0.5 ppm.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 3/30/2022 3:25 PM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:44:49 -0500
> From: rikoski<rikoski at rikoski.com>
> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Cc: Richard Rikoski<rikoski at rikoski.com>
> Subject: [Elecraft] TCXO
> Message-ID:<11CE6286-6D21-47FD-9734-4B1646D35C31 at rikoski.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-ascii
>
> What are the uses for the TCXO option in a K3?
>
> Why would I want one? Thanks,
>
> 73 W9ZD