TrueTime Symmetricom XL-DC GPS OCXO 10Mhz GPSDO Oscillator LCD Clock ** PARTS ** [For Parts]

*** FOR PARTS OR REPAIR *** • Upgraded OCXO Oscillator • Large Left LCD Time Display • 5V Antenna Power • GPS Disciplined 10MHz Oscillator • Atomic Clock Timecode Receiver • 10Mhz 5Mhz 1MHz Frequency Outputs • IRIG-B / 1PPS • 115V or 230V Power

Actual item for sale

Description

Here's a lightly used TrueTime/Symmetricom XL-DC GPS time receiver/timecode generator in good cosmetic condition. It is equipped with an upgraded OCXO oscillator.  It is being offered for PARTS or REPAIR, as a FINAL SALE NO RETURNS transaction as it partially works.  It has been tested for acquisition of GPS Time Sync and for good GPS Time, Date, Timecode and Frequency outputs. Note that the unit syncs to GPS time and not UTC.  There is currently an 18 second difference between the two.  Normally these default to UTC time and can be set to GPS time as an option.  This unit seems to be factory set to GPS time and I could not find a way of changing that.  Aside from the time being 18 seconds ahead of UTC, the GPS Disciplined 1PPS,10, 5 and 1 MHz outputs should be accurate.  Also, I was unable to send and receive data using the DB9 serial port using my test PC's Hyperterminal application. That may indicate that the device has been optioned with the RS-422 serial protocol instead of the RS-232, so my PC's 3-wire serial card can't communicate, but I have not explored this further. In any case, all the important parameters for the device are accessible via the front panel keypad, so the serial I/O is probably unnecessary for most applications. I have not explored the 86-729-15 and 86-383-5 expansion cards for lack of documentation, but I do see some config options coming up on the front panel so I assume they are working as they should, but this is not guaranteed. The internal Lithium memory back-up battery has just been replaced so that should not need further attention for some years. Both LCD displays have a backlight; both are bright and even - see photos which show the actual item for sale.

A basic test antenna is included to get you started - so you may need to take both receiver and antenna into the open air to test the device. The Antenna voltage is 5V so almost any good quality GPS antenna should work, but try and have at least 26dB of antenna gain if you want to replicate my test results. A Symmetricom AT575 type is recommended and I usually have some listed separately. Rack ears are included as shown. No printed manual is included but a copy may be downloaded from https://www.prostudioconnection.net/1112/xl-dc-manual.pdf. No unpictured cables, accessories or documents are included.

So if you're looking for a very affordable GPSDO with a cool display and the time offset isn't a concern then this may be a very attractive purchase.  Alternatively if you have a spare XL-DC CPU module and want to try a swap then it would seem that the OCXO module, chassis, power supply and display boards are all good.

I'm sharing the results of my testing to help you in your purchase decision, but I do not guarantee that you will get the same results or reach the same conclusions. Nor that I haven't missed some important point. Please bear this in mind in your valuation.

Actual item for sale

Features

• Less Than 40 Nanoseconds rms Accuracy to UTC
• Better Than 1x10-12 Frequency Accuracy
• Versatile and Modular Architecture
• Supports Many Different Output Options
• 10Mhz, 5Mhz and 1MHz Sine Wave Outputs
• 1 PPS Output
• IRIG B Time Code Output