HP-5384A as a Counter? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: SeoulBigChris
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 08:27:22 am
content: I'm embarrassed to ask this, but I can't find it in a quick scan through the manual. If I get one of the HP-5384A frequency counter, or a similar one from that era, Can it be put in a simple counter-only mode? You know, just to count events. I could swear that I used this functionality back in my younger years, but I could be recalling a another brand or model.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 08:45:40 am
content: 5384A can’t count events unfortunately, only do frequency and period measurements. You will need another counter for that.

author: SeoulBigChris
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 01:12:26 pm
content: I’ve found a cousin, the 5316A which is classified as a universal counter.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 01:20:14 pm
content: Yes that’d do the job. Those are quite nice counters. If you want the best of both worlds and some more then the 5334B is a good one to look out for too.The 5334B can be retrofitted with an OCXO module and 1.3GHz option cheaply. I’ve done both of those before.

author: SeoulBigChris
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 09:50:48 pm
content: Out of curiosity, what differentiates a universal counter from a frequency counter? It seems to be that adding the ability to tally events / totalizing function to a frequency counter is merely a matter of firmware to display the data in a different manner. You’re already thresholding pulses, counting pulses, and have a gate — I don’t see that additional circuitry would be needed.What would be an equivalent universal counter from the 34401A DMM era, if you happen to know off the top of your head ?

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 10:01:00 pm
content: Simple frequency counters are just that—only measure frequency with a discrete set of counting times.Universal counters add capabilities for period, period averaging, totalizing (count ch A while ch B is high), frequency ratio (A/B), sometimes computing frequency from reciprocal of measured period, etc. Back in the day, this (except for reciprocal frequency) was done in hardware.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 10:29:31 pm
content: Regarding counter from 34401A era you’d be looking for the 53131A. Like the 34401A they still command serious money though, especially with channel 3 and OCXO options.Also like the 34401A’s the VFDs are a bit hit and miss now.

author: SeoulBigChris
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 11:00:13 pm
content: Tim, yeah, I get that. I guess my question was more coming from the point of view of the HP 5384A that I originally posted about. This seems to have a lot of the "advanced" functionality you describe, and I was just surprised that a simple totalizing mode wasn't available.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2021, 11:06:32 pm
content: Different price points--not everyone needed totalize mode.

author: SeoulBigChris
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2021, 04:39:43 am
content: Well, wish me luck. Got a used HP-5384A for about $200 on the way. Should arrive in a couple days.