[Test-Equipment] HP equip questions

[Robert S. Stein]

gil smith wrote:
> 
> Hi Gary:
> 
> At 02:34 PM 1/14/02 -0500, you wrote:
> >I have never seen any official explanation of how HP used
> >suffix letters.
> >
> >In many cases they used A, B, C, etc for newer versions of
> >the same instrument.  Sometimes the step was rather large as
> >when the 410 multimeter went from the 410B, which was the
> >large old style vacuum tube version to the compact 410C
> >which still used a vacuum tube.  Later 410's went to solid state,
> >but were still referred to as 410C.
> 
> My 8443A Tracking-Gen/Counter is a later-model unit that uses a 7-segment
> display instead of nixies -- seems like that kind of change should have
> become a C version (the B version has no counter I think), but it stayed an
> A.  I was kinda bummed when I saw the 7-seg display, since I love nixies,
> but the unit looks brand new, so I guess I can't complain.
> 
> >The 5245M may have come out later than the 5245L, but it also
> >has different specs (high stability time base) and was in the
> >catalogs at the same time.
> >
> >In an earlier message I noted that the 5245L could have the
> >10544 high stability time base.  I think this is as good as the 5245M,
> >but I don't know anyway to tell that you have it except to open the
> >cover and look.
> 
> I have a 5245L, Specification H96 -- anyone know what the H96 means?  I
> just popped the top to look at the timebase, which must be the cylindrical
> can behind the plugin area.  It is marked "5243A-69A Crystal Oven."  Is
> this the standard timebase?
> 
> gil
> 
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The H96 is a special option, made for a specific customer or to meet a
specific requirement.  You will have to be extremely lucky to find any
documentation on it.  There was usually a special addemdum to the
standard manual which detailed the changes.

And yes, that is the standard timebase.

Bob, w6nbi