17-10-2015, 10:15 AM
Interesting 'bare-bones' frequency counter for under £20!
The only thing the spec doesn't state is what input protection it has, if any, but then most things it will be used for will be low voltage signals. Often no direct connection to a circuit is needed anyway - just a loop around say an oscillator coil. Worst comes to the worst - you right off £18.99. Looks quite adequate for the likes of me but I've got a homebrew counter that goes up to 1 GHz anyway, which meets my simple needs:
0.1-60MHz, 20MHz ~ 2.4GHz RF Signal Frequency Counter. Choice of red, green, or blue display. (Eight seven segment LEDs).
£18.89 post free.
Spec:
With Microchip's PIC16F648A, 2.4 GHz frequency meter.
Using temperature-compensated voltage controlled crystal oscillator (2.5 ppm VC-TCXO).
Unique gate control and precise time algorithm (non-timed interrupt).
Gate (display refresh) time 0.01 seconds / 0.1 seconds / 1.0 seconds, real-time display frequency value.
Single-ended input design, three-channel frequency measurement (low channel / high channel / Auto Channel).
Dual frequency design, value and IF / down mode can be preset separately.
Using eight 0.56 inches high brightness digital display, eight adjustable brightness.
Circuit is simple and reasonable structure, two-button control, simple operation.
The settings are automatically saved, boot directly call.
Descriptions:
1 Gate time
0.01
0.10
1.0
2 Measurement channels (channels are low impedance)
low channel: Measuring range: 0.1 MHz ~ 60 MHz
Accuracy: ± 100Hz (0.01 1s gate time)
± 10Hz (0.1 seconds gate)
± 1Hz (1.0 seconds when the gate)
Low channel sensitivity: 0.1 MHz ~ 10 MHz: better than 60mVPP
10 MHz ~ 60 MHz: better than 60mVPP
60 MHz ~ 75 MHz: Not tested
high channel (divided by 64)
Measuring range: 20 MHz ~ 2.4 GHz
Accuracy: ± 6400Hz (0.01 seconds gate)
± 640Hz (0.1 1s gate time)
± 64Hz (1.0 1s gate time)
High channel sensitivity:
20 MHz ~ 30 MHz: better than 100mVPP
30 MHz ~ 60 MHz: better than 50mVPP
60 MHz ~ 2.4GHz: not tested
Auto Channel:
Automatically selected according to the input signal frequency high or low channel channel, identifying the frequency of 60 MHz. Such as when the input signal amplitude is greater than 60 MHz shortage can not automatically select high channel, the channel should manually select high frequency measurement.
3: IF settings:
Independent double-IF design, adjust the minimum frequency step of 100 Hz, frequency range 0 ~ 99.9999 MHz, can be set to increase or decrease the IF frequency mode.
4. Frequency reference:
Using 5032 package 13.000MHz Warming voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VC-TCXO), frequency stability of ± 2.5 ppm.
5. Operating voltage
DC Input: DC 9V ~ 15V (with reverse polarity protection)
6 Current
Maximum 160 mA (test conditions: ① DC12V power supply; ② red LED; ③ eight brightness)
7 Eight LED display, the highest display eight digits.
8 Eight LED brightness is adjustable, factory set to maximum brightness.
9 Physical Dimensions: ,Length × width × height: 125.5 mm × 25.5 mm × 21.5 mm
10. Component quality 46 g (NW)
11. Onboard Interface
DC IN (Power Interface): HX2.54-2P socket
RF IN (signal input): HX2.54-2P socket
ICSP (programming interface): 2.54-6P Pin
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-1-60MHz-20MHz-2-4GHz-RF-Singal-Frequency-Counter-Cymometer-led-Tester-Meter/191224157142?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D33842%26meid%3D44c09884cf5342ecada83c3b57dcdc85%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D281829474472
The only thing the spec doesn't state is what input protection it has, if any, but then most things it will be used for will be low voltage signals. Often no direct connection to a circuit is needed anyway - just a loop around say an oscillator coil. Worst comes to the worst - you right off £18.99. Looks quite adequate for the likes of me but I've got a homebrew counter that goes up to 1 GHz anyway, which meets my simple needs:
0.1-60MHz, 20MHz ~ 2.4GHz RF Signal Frequency Counter. Choice of red, green, or blue display. (Eight seven segment LEDs).
£18.89 post free.
Spec:
With Microchip's PIC16F648A, 2.4 GHz frequency meter.
Using temperature-compensated voltage controlled crystal oscillator (2.5 ppm VC-TCXO).
Unique gate control and precise time algorithm (non-timed interrupt).
Gate (display refresh) time 0.01 seconds / 0.1 seconds / 1.0 seconds, real-time display frequency value.
Single-ended input design, three-channel frequency measurement (low channel / high channel / Auto Channel).
Dual frequency design, value and IF / down mode can be preset separately.
Using eight 0.56 inches high brightness digital display, eight adjustable brightness.
Circuit is simple and reasonable structure, two-button control, simple operation.
The settings are automatically saved, boot directly call.
Descriptions:
1 Gate time
0.01
0.10
1.0
2 Measurement channels (channels are low impedance)
low channel: Measuring range: 0.1 MHz ~ 60 MHz
Accuracy: ± 100Hz (0.01 1s gate time)
± 10Hz (0.1 seconds gate)
± 1Hz (1.0 seconds when the gate)
Low channel sensitivity: 0.1 MHz ~ 10 MHz: better than 60mVPP
10 MHz ~ 60 MHz: better than 60mVPP
60 MHz ~ 75 MHz: Not tested
high channel (divided by 64)
Measuring range: 20 MHz ~ 2.4 GHz
Accuracy: ± 6400Hz (0.01 seconds gate)
± 640Hz (0.1 1s gate time)
± 64Hz (1.0 1s gate time)
High channel sensitivity:
20 MHz ~ 30 MHz: better than 100mVPP
30 MHz ~ 60 MHz: better than 50mVPP
60 MHz ~ 2.4GHz: not tested
Auto Channel:
Automatically selected according to the input signal frequency high or low channel channel, identifying the frequency of 60 MHz. Such as when the input signal amplitude is greater than 60 MHz shortage can not automatically select high channel, the channel should manually select high frequency measurement.
3: IF settings:
Independent double-IF design, adjust the minimum frequency step of 100 Hz, frequency range 0 ~ 99.9999 MHz, can be set to increase or decrease the IF frequency mode.
4. Frequency reference:
Using 5032 package 13.000MHz Warming voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VC-TCXO), frequency stability of ± 2.5 ppm.
5. Operating voltage
DC Input: DC 9V ~ 15V (with reverse polarity protection)
6 Current
Maximum 160 mA (test conditions: ① DC12V power supply; ② red LED; ③ eight brightness)
7 Eight LED display, the highest display eight digits.
8 Eight LED brightness is adjustable, factory set to maximum brightness.
9 Physical Dimensions: ,Length × width × height: 125.5 mm × 25.5 mm × 21.5 mm
10. Component quality 46 g (NW)
11. Onboard Interface
DC IN (Power Interface): HX2.54-2P socket
RF IN (signal input): HX2.54-2P socket
ICSP (programming interface): 2.54-6P Pin
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-1-60MHz-20MHz-2-4GHz-RF-Singal-Frequency-Counter-Cymometer-led-Tester-Meter/191224157142?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D33842%26meid%3D44c09884cf5342ecada83c3b57dcdc85%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D281829474472
Regards, David.
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
