Ebay auction, HP 5065A rubidium standard - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: testpoint1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 10:54:30 pm
content: it is not mine,https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-5065A-Rubidium-Vapor-Frequency-Standard/402012478628so many years, I just care its frequency offset and jitter, all the electronic component will exist the aging problem, I do NOT think its current KPI is better than Spectratime SRO-100 or SRS PRS10.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 12:11:57 am
content: outch 2k$ for that .....

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 02:01:07 am
content: Ooof!Makes a GPSDO look positively cheap.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 04:58:35 pm
content: Cheap, compared to the money some people sink into HP3458s with dodgy unrepairable ASICs.Since it's made without any unobtainable electronic parts, the chances of repairing/keep it working are quite good.

author: testpoint1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 06:45:59 pm
content: Quote from: MadTux on December 27, 2019, 04:58:35 pmyou can replace Rubidium cell and Rubidium lamp ?

author: 5065AGuru
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2019, 07:00:49 am
content: Testpoint1,Actually as it sits the short term stability will most likely exceed any other Rubidium you can buy.The Cell does not have a failure mechanism and HP lamp failures (the lamp itself) are almost non-existant.However I did experiments a few years back and LPRO, PRS10, FRSC, and Varian lamps can be made to work in the 5065A. I never had to make use of that data since the original lamps are so robust!Cheers,Corby

author: testpoint1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2019, 04:18:52 pm
content: Quote from: 5065AGuru on December 28, 2019, 07:00:49 am5065A is quite rare in the world, I believe the lamp is good in most of them, you just care the cell the SRD circuit, that will affect the Rubidium Oscillator's peak to peak tolerance. till now, I tear down more than 100 pcs Rubidium unit (include LPRO, PRS10, SRO-100), this is the fatal problem for them. btw, I never open any 5065A since no lots for them.

author: 5065AGuru
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2020, 04:05:12 pm
content: WOW!A new record @ $5111.00last late model on eBay one went for $4000.00.Cheers,Corby

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2020, 04:24:43 pm
content: Soooooooollllllllddd outch never tough that could go as high 5K $ ??

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2020, 04:31:39 pm
content: Yes, the prices are getting scary. I realize that some professional users need a level of performance that only the 5065A can provide, but I find it hard to believe that a 30 year old untested unit is worth $5K. I find it even harder to believe that a corporate beancounter would sanction such a purchase. And I find it unbelievable that a hobbyist would pay a price like that.At what point do purchases like this make manufacturers think "Maybe there's a market for a new, lab quality Rubidium Standard"?Corby, did you add the serial number to your database? Not ideal since you don't know who has it, but better than nothing. In case you need it, it's 2816A01603.I'm not the buyer or seller.Ed

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2020, 04:42:01 pm
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on January 02, 2020, 04:31:39 pmWell, some people buy old cars or motor cycles for much higher amounts.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 02, 2020, 07:19:29 pm
content: It did look to be in near perfect condition, that can't be easy to find.

author: 5065AGuru
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 04:26:12 pm
content: Ed,If you need the performance required Only Masers ($$$$$$) or an option 8 BVA Quartz oscillator for the short Taus ($>13000 last I heard) can beat or equal a good 5065A! So lets say you are qualifying space grade ultra stable Quartz or Rubidium oscillators. Have the beancounter cough up 250K for an active maser or buy a couple BVA option 8!I think companies that build Metrology grade equipment are in the same "trap" as the solar cell people.I.E. always chasing the next Unicorn rather than biting the bullet and putting something into production.Also maybe the pool of real buyers will no longer support it?I did get the serial number, thanks, I don't really need any owner details I just like to add to my list of know units.Currently the list documents 146units and keeps getting bigger!TheSteve - The serial prefix 2816 indicates that is the last batch ever sold. My list shows 26 of that prefix.Cheers,Corby