Data Precision frequency counter 5740 question
 

R C wrote:
Hello. I picked up a frequency counter cheap at a hamfest a couple of weeks
ago. Playing with the thing, I've found several shortcomings and am
wondering if it's broken or just operator error.

The period measurement seems to work just fine over the first three ranges,
but not the forth (10 sec gate time.) The frequency measurement just counts
up till it hits overflow.

Yes it does.
That's what overflow means.

It works from at least 1KHz-2MHz, but not at 4
MHz.

Is it worth trying to fix? It looks like a manual for the thing will cost at
least twice what I paid for the unit itself. Or am I better off scrapping it
for parts?

What does it NOT do that you need to do?
If the answer is "nothing", it ain't broke.
If the answer is "anything else", it still ain't broke.


Thanks,
R C





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Wanted, 12.1" LCD for Gateway Solo 5300. Samsung LT121SU-121
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
Compaq Aero floppy,ram,battery.
FT-212RH 2-meter 45W transceiver. 2-meter linear
Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment
30pS pulser, Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

R C wrote:
Hello. I picked up a frequency counter cheap at a hamfest a couple of weeks
ago. Playing with the thing, I've found several shortcomings and am
wondering if it's broken or just operator error.

The period measurement seems to work just fine over the first three ranges,
but not the forth (10 sec gate time.) The frequency measurement just counts
up till it hits overflow.

Yes it does.
That's what overflow means.

It works from at least 1KHz-2MHz, but not at 4
MHz.

Is it worth trying to fix? It looks like a manual for the thing will cost at
least twice what I paid for the unit itself. Or am I better off scrapping it
for parts?

What does it NOT do that you need to do?
If the answer is "nothing", it ain't broke.
If the answer is "anything else", it still ain't broke.


Thanks,
R C





--
Return address is VALID.
Wanted, 12.1" LCD for Gateway Solo 5300. Samsung LT121SU-121
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
Compaq Aero floppy,ram,battery.
FT-212RH 2-meter 45W transceiver. 2-meter linear
Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment
30pS pulser, Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

"mike" wrote in message ...
R C wrote:
Hello. I picked up a frequency counter cheap at a hamfest a couple of
weeks
ago. Playing with the thing, I've found several shortcomings and am
wondering if it's broken or just operator error.
The period measurement seems to work just fine over the first three
ranges,
but not the forth (10 sec gate time.) The frequency measurement just
counts
up till it hits overflow.

Yes it does.
That's what overflow means.

I kind of expected a direct frequency readout. X many cycles per gate time.
This
just counts and counts. Then again, I don't have a manual.. but there aren't
exactly
a lot of controls.

It works from at least 1KHz-2MHz, but not at 4
MHz.

Is it worth trying to fix? It looks like a manual for the thing will
cost at
least twice what I paid for the unit itself. Or am I better off
scrapping it
for parts?

What does it NOT do that you need to do?
If the answer is "nothing", it ain't broke.
If the answer is "anything else", it still ain't broke.

Well.. Something better than 2 mhz, I think. I was hoping this was a simple
problem; if not, it's simple enough to salvage the LED display and counters
and build a new one out of an AVR or PIC. I think the rated speed is around
100 MHz for this unit, which is why I'm suprised it doesn't work at 4.

Thanks,
R C
KG4MVB

"mike" wrote in message ...
R C wrote:
Hello. I picked up a frequency counter cheap at a hamfest a couple of
weeks
ago. Playing with the thing, I've found several shortcomings and am
wondering if it's broken or just operator error.
The period measurement seems to work just fine over the first three
ranges,
but not the forth (10 sec gate time.) The frequency measurement just
counts
up till it hits overflow.

Yes it does.
That's what overflow means.

I kind of expected a direct frequency readout. X many cycles per gate time.
This
just counts and counts. Then again, I don't have a manual.. but there aren't
exactly
a lot of controls.

It works from at least 1KHz-2MHz, but not at 4
MHz.

Is it worth trying to fix? It looks like a manual for the thing will
cost at
least twice what I paid for the unit itself. Or am I better off
scrapping it
for parts?

What does it NOT do that you need to do?
If the answer is "nothing", it ain't broke.
If the answer is "anything else", it still ain't broke.

Well.. Something better than 2 mhz, I think. I was hoping this was a simple
problem; if not, it's simple enough to salvage the LED display and counters
and build a new one out of an AVR or PIC. I think the rated speed is around
100 MHz for this unit, which is why I'm suprised it doesn't work at 4.

Thanks,
R C
KG4MVB