Simple Frequency Counter?
 

I am looking to build a frequency counter, or buy an inxepensive kit.
Any recommendations?
Needs: low cost, few parts count
Thanks

Almost All Digital Electronics


"SWbeginner" wrote in message
...
I am looking to build a frequency counter, or buy an inxepensive kit.
Any recommendations?
Needs: low cost, few parts count
Thanks

Almost All Digital Electronics


"SWbeginner" wrote in message
...
I am looking to build a frequency counter, or buy an inxepensive kit.
Any recommendations?
Needs: low cost, few parts count
Thanks

I made a 5Hz to 100MHz from a Ramsey kit. Yeah, it's a P.O.S., but it's
also still functional after 15 years! :-)

--
Gregg
*It's probably useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

I made a 5Hz to 100MHz from a Ramsey kit. Yeah, it's a P.O.S., but it's
also still functional after 15 years! :-)

--
Gregg
*It's probably useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

I plan on building receivers and a simple frequency counter is needed.
Say 4 to 6 digits, up to about 50 Mhz.


I have seen approaches using:
74HCxxxx logic IC's could be made for $20 but lots of wiring

PIC - not much experience except with 16f84.
how to build programmer for lastest PIC's?


Anyone know of a demo or free digital simulation software with CMOS 4XXX
library? I have Microcap 7 demo but digital library is scarce.

So much has progressed since the MC14553 3 digit counter chips. Do they
even make them?



What frequency range , how accurate, and what do you think of as
inexpensive ?
I have not looked lately but there used to be some that would work up
to about 1.5 Ghz around $ 125 or so that would get you to within a
couple of hundred Hz at 150 mhz.

I plan on building receivers and a simple frequency counter is needed.
Say 4 to 6 digits, up to about 50 Mhz.


I have seen approaches using:
74HCxxxx logic IC's could be made for $20 but lots of wiring

PIC - not much experience except with 16f84.
how to build programmer for lastest PIC's?


Anyone know of a demo or free digital simulation software with CMOS 4XXX
library? I have Microcap 7 demo but digital library is scarce.

So much has progressed since the MC14553 3 digit counter chips. Do they
even make them?



What frequency range , how accurate, and what do you think of as
inexpensive ?
I have not looked lately but there used to be some that would work up
to about 1.5 Ghz around $ 125 or so that would get you to within a
couple of hundred Hz at 150 mhz.

I am looking to build a frequency counter, or buy an inxepensive kit.
Any recommendations?
Needs: low cost, few parts count
Thanks

What frequency range , how accurate, and what do you think of as inexpensive
?
I have not looked lately but there used to be some that would work up to
about 1.5 Ghz around $ 125 or so that would get you to within a couple of
hundred Hz at 150 mhz.

I am looking to build a frequency counter, or buy an inxepensive kit.
Any recommendations?
Needs: low cost, few parts count
Thanks

What frequency range , how accurate, and what do you think of as inexpensive
?
I have not looked lately but there used to be some that would work up to
about 1.5 Ghz around $ 125 or so that would get you to within a couple of
hundred Hz at 150 mhz.

You might try Francesco Morgantini's (IK3OIL) PIC freq counter. It's based
on a 16f84 and he will email you the hex code if you request it. It will
run to approx 45 MHz as is and up to 1.5 GHz with a simple add on prescaler.
He has divide functions built in the program ( divide by 10/32/64) and he
has also include IF offset if you want to use the counter as a freq readout.
I've etched about 40 boards for local hams here and every one that has been
built has worked without fail. Total cost has been in the neighborhood of
$35.00 including the prescaler but excluding enclosure. If you want a copy
of the circuit board layout with prescaler, just email me at ww2742 at
dragonbbs.com. As for accuracy, I just adjusted one today for another local
ham at it was within 200 Hz at 440 MHz using a recently calibrated IFR-1200
for a source - that was close enough for me.

Here's his website URL: http://digilander.libero.it/ik3oil/menu_eng.htm

Mike
"SWbeginner" wrote in message
...
I am looking to build a frequency counter, or buy an inxepensive kit.
Any recommendations?
Needs: low cost, few parts count
Thanks


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