Silicon Chip's frequency counter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: yorkie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 09:35:04 am
content: I am a new convert to electronics (well sort of new, I made my first project in 1975 and not much since).I am interested in adding to my test gear and thought the Silicon Chip 2.5GHz 12 digit frequency counter would be a nice project. This was published in the December 2012 and January 2013 editions. I am finding it challenging to find all the parts though. My question is really has anyone built one of these and if so how does it perform?I have tried the usual searching online but can't find any reviews/build threads etc. Any comments would be gratefully received.My first post by the way!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 09:41:47 am
content: What parts are you missing?

author: yorkie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 09:59:22 am
content: For example I have tried RS for parts (seem to be the largest Oz supplier I can find) such as MC10116 triple line receiver, 74HC160 decade counter (nope, not sure exactly what they do!). Another part MC12095 frequency divider comes up as discontinued.As I said I am very, very new to electronics and sourcing parts is confusing at times because I have no knowledge to substitute other parts if necessary.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 10:19:41 am
content: Other suppliers to check out are Element 14 , they appear to have the prescaler in small format.http://au.element14.com/on-semiconductor/mc12095dg/ic-sm-logic-ecl-clock-gen/dp/1607926?Ntt=MC12095Others are Mouser, Digikey (watch out for post costs to Aus)Also some other finder services e.g. Find Chips on Dave's video page

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 02:06:39 pm
content: That's the same frequency counter project that was in the Jan/Feb EPE. In that magazine those parts were listed as being available from a place calledwww.LittleDiode.com

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 04:23:43 pm
content: Quote from: VK5RC on May 04, 2014, 10:19:41 amIt's out of stock, and they won't get any more since it's an obsolete part.OP should just buy the parts on eBay.

author: yorkie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 02:40:20 pm
content: Thanks very much for the replies, as a result of your advice I have now ordered all the components. From four Australian stores and eBay (naturally). I had to resort to eBay for the older components (MC12095, MC10E016 and NX2301P).It has proven quite a task and taken me over 6 hours in total to order the parts for the frequency counter and the allied "deluxe" GPS 1pps timebase. Now looking forward to receiving all the bits and the assembly.Dave made comment recently on the Amp Hour on how the internet has transformed the gathering of data, essentially doing away with the paper based data sheets and in education. I absolutely agree, I have learnt so much over the past couple of months using YouTube and various blogs etc. It is actually entertaining watching Dave, Ian Johnstone, Gerry Sweeney and "Mike" to name a few.Thanks again for the advice and I shall post something after I complete the Frequency generator on the experience.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 06:13:18 pm
content: Quote from: yorkie on May 05, 2014, 02:40:20 pmThat is true but the transformation includes what I call Burke's Law named after James Burke:"If it is not on the internet, then it does not exist."

author: DMartens
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2022, 03:15:16 am
content: hi all ... the other part of Yorkie's original question was about the performance of this unit ... does anybody have any experience with this?And/or are there any other (more recent) frequency meters designs available? I'm not so much after a high frequency range (2.5 GHz or similar is fine) but more after accuracy and resolution ... 12 digits is plenty.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2022, 04:25:27 am
content: In Australia pretty much the only place left to find old magazine project parts is Rockby.https://www.rockby.com.au/SearchresSql_12.cfm?Searchkey=10116https://www.rockby.com.au/SearchresSql_12.cfm?Searchkey=hc160I didn't find the 12095But if Jaycar and/or Altronics ever offered a kit you could always ask if they have residual parts still laying around somewhere.And don't dismiss asking Silicon Chip.And it wouldn't hurt to shoot Rockby an email because they have acquired a lot of parts from other shops as they closed down and may not have bothered to catalogue it all.