Technical Topics > The RF Workbench
which type of crystal
ff:
--- Quote from: OMCS on June 11, 2014, 1718 UTC ---These guys have been around for years.
http://jancrystals.com/
--- End quote ---
Yes, along with International Crystal and a few others who are still chugging along. Unfortunately, nowadays the cost for a custom-cut crystal is quite out of reach for many. Also, the manufacturers stopped producing FT243 size rocks over 20 years ago. Many no longer mess with HC6s. HC18s and similar are generally the largest physical rocks one can custom order nowadays. Hamfests, Ebay sellers, and online vendors selling used rocks are the only places one can find the big fellas now. Small rocks are fine for low power oscillators but for MOPA-type transmitters (which are usually beginner-type projects), the little chunks will overheat and fail. I still jump on FT243s in my frequency ballpark when I occasionally come across them. There's always some like-minded folks in need... ;)
redhat:
Last I checked, ICM only wants about $25 shipped for a standard HC-6 crystal. Doesn't sound that out of reach to me.
+-RH
ff:
--- Quote from: redhat on June 12, 2014, 1449 UTC ---Last I checked, ICM only wants about $25 shipped for a standard HC-6 crystal. Doesn't sound that out of reach to me.
+-RH
--- End quote ---
Nor to me either. Admittedly Redhat I haven't actually purchased a custom-cut rock since the 90s. A few years back one of my buds had a quote from Jan for an HC-6U of about $40 shipped with a lower per rock price for multiple xtals of the same freq and specs. Buying one wouldn't hurt too much but ordering for several freqs might smart a bit, especially for some of the newbs...
redhat:
Honestly, if your going to go the multi-frequency route, a better way would be to build a simple frequency synthesizer based around a 74HCT4046 for about the same money in parts, and can generate frequencies up to 17 MHz. That's the way I'd go :)
+-RH
ff:
Yes, I'd say the PLL is a good way to go for anyone who wants to invest the effort. Its funny you mention the 4046 Redhat. I'm toying with one right now, along with a 74hc74 flipflop to use as an xtal doubler. Have you ever played with one? I'd appreciate your thoughts...
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