Crystals.. I have been hard at work testing a bunch of them.
(December 2008) -- I have only sold a handfull so far!
(December 2008) -- I have only sold a handfull so far!
What I do (for most of them) is put them into my oscillator circuit. The oscillator is a NAND gate type 74F00 that is wired up as a ttl oscillator circuit.
Has worked well for me so far (except for the lower frequencies below 2 mhz). Im going to build up another oscillator for low frequency crystals.
I sort them into their basic frequency of oscillation. I label them with a sticker after they are out of the test oscillator circuit. NOTE: many are in fact
overtone crystals that have a multiple of this basic frequency stamped on them. If someone requests a crystal from me..I do a calculation then I
search for the crystal. -- IF I HAVE THE CRYSTAL..MY TERMS ARE VERY VERY REASONABLE. Try it in your circuit..if it works for you my charge is only
a fraction of what you would pay a manufacturer or supplier. IF IT DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU..return it to me..no charge. YOU PAY ONLY POSTAGE!
Has worked well for me so far (except for the lower frequencies below 2 mhz). Im going to build up another oscillator for low frequency crystals.
I sort them into their basic frequency of oscillation. I label them with a sticker after they are out of the test oscillator circuit. NOTE: many are in fact
overtone crystals that have a multiple of this basic frequency stamped on them. If someone requests a crystal from me..I do a calculation then I
search for the crystal. -- IF I HAVE THE CRYSTAL..MY TERMS ARE VERY VERY REASONABLE. Try it in your circuit..if it works for you my charge is only
a fraction of what you would pay a manufacturer or supplier. IF IT DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU..return it to me..no charge. YOU PAY ONLY POSTAGE!
Above pictured; December 2008, I am working on my old IC22A 2 meter
crystal controlled FM transceiver. I am organizing my 2 mtr fm crystals at
the same time and testing them and labelling them as well. IF you need a
pair of crystals for an old FM rig..get in touch with me. I might be able to
help.
crystal controlled FM transceiver. I am organizing my 2 mtr fm crystals at
the same time and testing them and labelling them as well. IF you need a
pair of crystals for an old FM rig..get in touch with me. I might be able to
help.
These crystals are measured on an oscilloscope. Any that are not
oscillating with a strong relatively clean waveform are labelled as possibly
defective. LARGER BODIED crystals are kept. I should be able to transplant
a small crystal into a large crystal body for old radio restorations.
oscillating with a strong relatively clean waveform are labelled as possibly
defective. LARGER BODIED crystals are kept. I should be able to transplant
a small crystal into a large crystal body for old radio restorations.
DO you have any old crystals that are just gathering dust? I would buy or swap for them.
This is my basic test setup. To the left is the NAND gate
oscillator. To the right is my frequency counter and 100
mhz Leader Oscilloscope.
oscillator. To the right is my frequency counter and 100
mhz Leader Oscilloscope.
I even got my wife to help out for awhile. She used to work in HIGH TECH in the
assembly of Integrated Circuits. Just like old times for her..working in testing.
We moved up here to Elliot Lake Ontario after her job went to China and upper
NY state. I did not like my job in the Government. I have an active mind and like
to be industrious. In my basement shop I can dabble as much as I want and even
though the pay is not nearly as much..I enjoy the challenges of being accurate
and working in an environment that fosters learning. I get a fair amount of emails
with favourable comments from other people (mainly ham radio types) that are
glad to see that the technical side of the hobby is still being pursued by some.
assembly of Integrated Circuits. Just like old times for her..working in testing.
We moved up here to Elliot Lake Ontario after her job went to China and upper
NY state. I did not like my job in the Government. I have an active mind and like
to be industrious. In my basement shop I can dabble as much as I want and even
though the pay is not nearly as much..I enjoy the challenges of being accurate
and working in an environment that fosters learning. I get a fair amount of emails
with favourable comments from other people (mainly ham radio types) that are
glad to see that the technical side of the hobby is still being pursued by some.
I bought this bag of crystals at a ham
radio flea market for $2.00! Many of the
crystals seem to be for uhf rigs or vhf
rigs with frequencies in the 50 mhz
range or 450 mhz range.
Some of the crystals have 2 frequencies
stamped on them. One being the
oscillator circuit frequency (probably
overtone frequency) and the other is
the actual communication frequency
channel.
I sort them as to their basic frequency
of oscillation in my test oscillator and I
label them that way ..but I leave any
stamped values visible on the crystal
holder body.
With all these crystals I have gathered, I
may be able to make a small business
supplying used but tested crystals to
hobbyists.
I have encountered very few duds or
soft or non oscillating crystals so far.
radio flea market for $2.00! Many of the
crystals seem to be for uhf rigs or vhf
rigs with frequencies in the 50 mhz
range or 450 mhz range.
Some of the crystals have 2 frequencies
stamped on them. One being the
oscillator circuit frequency (probably
overtone frequency) and the other is
the actual communication frequency
channel.
I sort them as to their basic frequency
of oscillation in my test oscillator and I
label them that way ..but I leave any
stamped values visible on the crystal
holder body.
With all these crystals I have gathered, I
may be able to make a small business
supplying used but tested crystals to
hobbyists.
I have encountered very few duds or
soft or non oscillating crystals so far.
Navigation Link..click here to go back to the start of earlandrews.com
My ham radio pages and my small basement electronics shop. I am taking a small
business course in January 2009 and I am working on developing a small business
strategy. I may actually specialize in Crystals for radios (who knows?)
One thing is for sure..my prices will be hobby prices and lower than the stores or
retailers..but my inventory is of course specialized and unfortunately limited!! THERE
ARE SO MANY FREQUENCIES AND DIFFERENT CIRCUIT CONFIGURATIONS THAT
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOCK CRYSTALS FOR SALE...NEVER THE
LESS..EMAIL ME and I just may happen to have something.
tnx for looking Earl.
My ham radio pages and my small basement electronics shop. I am taking a small
business course in January 2009 and I am working on developing a small business
strategy. I may actually specialize in Crystals for radios (who knows?)
One thing is for sure..my prices will be hobby prices and lower than the stores or
retailers..but my inventory is of course specialized and unfortunately limited!! THERE
ARE SO MANY FREQUENCIES AND DIFFERENT CIRCUIT CONFIGURATIONS THAT
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOCK CRYSTALS FOR SALE...NEVER THE
LESS..EMAIL ME and I just may happen to have something.
tnx for looking Earl.
This breadboarded crystal testing jig works well. It has a series
capacitance. I have noticed lately that it sometimes does not work on
certain crystals. I am going to build another test jig of a different
configuration to work along side this one. This one seems to be an
overtone generator more than a fundamental generator (especially
at lower frequencies).
capacitance. I have noticed lately that it sometimes does not work on
certain crystals. I am going to build another test jig of a different
configuration to work along side this one. This one seems to be an
overtone generator more than a fundamental generator (especially
at lower frequencies).
Crystals are used in older ham gear for generating heterodyne frequencies for
mixer stages and can be used to build crystal filters or even to repair crystal
filters (I suppose!).
I have a circuit board from FAR Circuits to build a real nice crystal evaluator circuit.
I'm now ready to build this circuit up. I think it was from a QST article in the ninties.
I'll get cracking at it soon.
mixer stages and can be used to build crystal filters or even to repair crystal
filters (I suppose!).
I have a circuit board from FAR Circuits to build a real nice crystal evaluator circuit.
I'm now ready to build this circuit up. I think it was from a QST article in the ninties.
I'll get cracking at it soon.
Labelled and sorted and stored after testing.
| NEW..MARCH 5 2009 |
NOT ONLY CAN I TEST CRYSTALS ..BUT I CAN NOW MATCH THEM VERY
CLOSELY USING MY NEWLY BUILT KD1JV FREQUENCY COUNTER WITH
CRYSTAL TESTING CAPABILITY.
I AM ALWAYS BUILDING NEW TEST CIRCUITS AND JIGS in my basement
workshop.
CLOSELY USING MY NEWLY BUILT KD1JV FREQUENCY COUNTER WITH
CRYSTAL TESTING CAPABILITY.
I AM ALWAYS BUILDING NEW TEST CIRCUITS AND JIGS in my basement
workshop.
| CUSTOMER FEEDBACK... |
The xtal arrived and works very well Earl. I will drop a letter in the mail
shortly.
Thank you very much.
73
Cliff
shortly.
Thank you very much.
73
Cliff
Since I am just a one man show here..I can make very flexible arrangements with people. With
Cliff..I took no money. I sent him a 100 khz crystal in a padded envelope. It worked in my test circuit
but not sure about in his radio...SO.. I told him..try it out first..if it works then send me $2.50 for the
crystal and the $1.25 it cost to mail it.
I told him..if it dindnt work for him..just send me the $1.25 for postage. When dealing with other
ham enthusiasts like myself..I use the honour system and seldom get burned.
Cliff..I took no money. I sent him a 100 khz crystal in a padded envelope. It worked in my test circuit
but not sure about in his radio...SO.. I told him..try it out first..if it works then send me $2.50 for the
crystal and the $1.25 it cost to mail it.
I told him..if it dindnt work for him..just send me the $1.25 for postage. When dealing with other
ham enthusiasts like myself..I use the honour system and seldom get burned.
I buy and sell crystals. I'd like to get my
hands on more of them actually. I also
swap with people.
hands on more of them actually. I also
swap with people.
I actually had very little problems putting
this qrp kit together.
It is a frequency counter and it goes up to
46 mhz or so.
I plan to use it with my argonaut 509 (in
the picture) in order to have digital
readout capability.
The kit costs about $30 and has frequnecy
offset options for plus or minus offset (for
cw)..good for DC rigs and has a crystal
match capability. IT CANNOT OFFSET the
IF frequency HOWEVER.
I used tweezers to hold the little surface
mount parts while I soldered them by
hand with a 15 watt grounded tip
soldering iron (radio shack). I have plans
to build a surface mount component jig.
this qrp kit together.
It is a frequency counter and it goes up to
46 mhz or so.
I plan to use it with my argonaut 509 (in
the picture) in order to have digital
readout capability.
The kit costs about $30 and has frequnecy
offset options for plus or minus offset (for
cw)..good for DC rigs and has a crystal
match capability. IT CANNOT OFFSET the
IF frequency HOWEVER.
I used tweezers to hold the little surface
mount parts while I soldered them by
hand with a 15 watt grounded tip
soldering iron (radio shack). I have plans
to build a surface mount component jig.
I work world wide on the world wide web. I ship small parts using the post office. I have pay pal. I take cheques but I wait about a
week for them to clear. I have had orders from Africa, Canary Islands, Marshall Islands and Australlia so far besides North
America.
I dont make a profit from selling these parts! At least not yet! My monthly fees from the bank, my yahoo web account, and ebay
fees and pay pal fees have pretty well levelled me down to a break even situation.
So it is a hobby..non profit..FUN for me!
I recently bought some TTL 50 MHZ oscillator cans. I will be making a little marker generator for 50 mhz and I may actually try
making a low power beacon (ie 100 milliwatts or something like that) -- IF you want one of these items let me know. I can sell you
one for quite cheap or point you to the source of supply in USA.
week for them to clear. I have had orders from Africa, Canary Islands, Marshall Islands and Australlia so far besides North
America.
I dont make a profit from selling these parts! At least not yet! My monthly fees from the bank, my yahoo web account, and ebay
fees and pay pal fees have pretty well levelled me down to a break even situation.
So it is a hobby..non profit..FUN for me!
I recently bought some TTL 50 MHZ oscillator cans. I will be making a little marker generator for 50 mhz and I may actually try
making a low power beacon (ie 100 milliwatts or something like that) -- IF you want one of these items let me know. I can sell you
one for quite cheap or point you to the source of supply in USA.
THIS LITTLE FREQUENCY COUNTER KIT I BUILT UP (small surface mount components) ACTUALLY WORKED the first
time I plugged it in. I built it using hand tools and a magnification lamp. Sure some of the components went on a wee
bit crooked..but she works. THIS UNIT CAN MEASURE CRYSTALS AS WELL and can be used in matching them
closely. -- Could be used to closely match crystals for crystal filters.
time I plugged it in. I built it using hand tools and a magnification lamp. Sure some of the components went on a wee
bit crooked..but she works. THIS UNIT CAN MEASURE CRYSTALS AS WELL and can be used in matching them
closely. -- Could be used to closely match crystals for crystal filters.