universal oscillator circuit Test crystals over a 200:1 frequency range For more years than | care to remember, I've been collecting crystal oscillator circuits with the hope that ‘one day I'd stumble across the ultimate oscillator cir- cuit. The ultimate circuit would allow me to test the oscillating frequency of all types of crystals from 100 kHz to 20 MHz. No tuning or parts changes would be needed; I'd just swap the crystal and watch the activity fon some kind of meter. I'd also be able to measure the frequency as accurately as possible. Over the years I've yet to see a circuit with this capa- bility that could be duplicated without too much trou- ble and, most of all, some kind of explanation of why things were done as they were including all relevant technical details, complete with accurate parts infor- mation so you'd know what can and what cannot be Substituted. Being in radio repair myself, | felt it would be very nice to have something to count on; not find- ing anything really suitable, | finally had to come up with some ideas myself, The circuit shown in fig. 1, which | call the OmniTek oscillator, shows the results tt may not be the ultimate oscillator circuit, but so far ve not seen one more versatile or better suited for my needs. circuit description Figure 1 shows the oscillator, 01, and its associated parts: 02 (the buffer) and Q3 (the emitter follower with dual output, one for the indicating meter and the other for a counter or other uses). I’ve seen variations of it before, but not with the 200:1 range this one has. The secret seems to be in the 10 mH choke (scramble- ‘wound miniature coil on a ferrite core) on the drain of Q1. Having tried all kinds of combinations, includ- 38 GB April 1986 ing other types and makes of L1, | found that only the specified choke worked well and consistently every time. Various versions of this oscillator — including a handheld test unit with meter and also one that replaced a master multiple crystal oscillator that used ‘a tube (in that well known 6BH6 circuit) — were built ‘The Activator button is for low activity or 3rd over- ‘tone crystals that may need an additional jolt to start. (Most of the time, however, it sn’t necessary and could certainly be omitted. If you don’t want to, or cannot, calibrate the oscillator for a 32 pF load by plugging in a known crystal calibrated for 32 pF, omit capacitors C1 and C4. Just be sure that the values of C2 and C3, are correct because their ratio, 51 to 56 pF, is very important for the correct operation of the oscillator. They're also the correct values for a very close approx- imation of a 32 pF load. Use 5 percent silver micas or NPO ceramics here. As a matter of fact, all capaci- tors in the vicinity of Q1 — that is, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7 and C13 — should be either silver micas or NPO ceramics. (I prefer the ceramics because they're so much smaller.) The trimmer, C1, if used, is often an N450 or N750, though the temperature coefficient really doesn’t matter much. All other capacitors may be standard, and will not affect the operation of the oscilator at all All resistors should be at least 1/4 watt, except the pot, which should be 1/2 watt. The meter ccan be just about anything you can find, but full scale deflection sensitivity should not be much over 200 1A; if itis, you won't get a good {i.e., more than half-scale) indication on the meter on the higher frequencies. The diode across the meter is used to limit the maximum voltage on the meter {to about 300 mV) because on crystals below 10 MHz the output may be high enough to damage the more sensitive meter movements. The By Robert H. Fransen, VEGRF, 227 Cottonwood Avenue, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8Afig. 1. 100 kHz to 20 MHz crystal ost tyt oF (2 pF load. counter output is tied to the wiper of the pot but could also be connected directly to the emitter of 03, if desired. To check the battery (with the terminals mounted ‘downward in the case of the portable version), | drilled 2 small hole through the bottom below the + termi: ral. By sticking a probe through the hole (don’t short the probe to the case) you can test the battery volt- age without taking the box apart. application Although the unit is intended for checking crystals, it can also be used as a rough-and-ready signal gener- ator or spotting calibrator. If you use it for spotting and you want plenty of harmonics, connect two diodes (14148) in parallel back-to-back across R2 (see insert in fig. 1). The only effect on the oscillator characteristics will be an increase in the harmonic output. If you have a circuit board with soldered-on crys- tals, checking the crystals can be very difficult because taking them off the board very often destroys them: ‘A much easier way is to cut the traces to the crystal and put two No. 18 sewing machine needles (mount- ing shaft ground off) in the oscillator socket holes. Press them against the traces of the board; the oscil- lator will indicate the crystal quality If you don’t intend to use the circuit for this pur- pose, C13 can be omitted. It's there only to keep DC Off the crystal socket. Omitting C13 allows you to test the battery voltage on the socket connected to the drain of Q1 so no holes have to be drilled. Never try to insert a crystal without holding the box in your hand; if you do, static will damage Q1. A good indi cation of damage to Q1 (gate leakage) is if the unit ‘oscillates only on the higher frequencies. Although the PWR button can also be a switch, whenever you tet & se e So o Sab Spiga ete tevatiaci aia ker for April 1986 i 39ED Enver THE FIRST CONTROLLER DESIGNED FOR PORTABLE AND SOLAR- POWERED STATIONS Model PK1-L GLB ELECTRONICS, INC. DeLee ed Author Also displaying the popular a ARRL PUBLICATI = HUSTLER + * TELEX/HY-C SPECIAL eMC In Stock Cl A OA ues BCA CLS CL UML LL NEW! OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK Kenwood TM-2570A $478.00 ccheck the battery make sure there's no crystal installed so the cifcuit uses maximum current. Construction and wiring are not critical. Just try to keep the leads near Q1 as short as possible and install Q1 ina manner that will allow it to be replaced easily because it's easily destroyed If you want to keep things simple and not use C1 or C4 oF the ACT button, install C2 (5IpF) and C3 (56pF) and check your frequency. If it’s too high, a gimmick wire capacitor across C2 will bring the fre quency down. If the frequency is too low, replace C2 with a 47 pF capacitor and try the gimmick capacitor again on C2 — that is, if you have a good calibrated crystal. If you don’t, install the caps and forget about calibration, Also keep in mind that 3rd overtone crys Is don't oscillate at precisely 1/3 of their frequency they're series-calibrated. It’s understood, of course, that the indication on the meter is strictly rela tive, But after a bit of use, and a knob on the pot with a calibrated skirt, you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly and know what to expect Other variations of this circuit are possible. Since supply voltage and load variation don't, for all practi cal purposes, affect the frequency (keep yor away from the crystal), further experimenting may be in order, perhaps with other 10 mH chokes. ham radio ec ‘hands ized Dealers For KENWOOD & 2) [ICoOm) acessories needed to complete a HAM STATION IONS * AEA PRODUCTS + AMPHENOL * ALPHA DELTA * ASTRON * AUSTIN ANTENNAS + AVANTL * BELDEN * BENCHER * B & W * DAIWA + HAM-KEY KLM * LARSEN * MIRAGE * ROHN GAIN * VIBROPLEX * WELZ * ETC. Rd., (Rte. 119) Littleton, MA 01460 Rte, 495 (Exit 31) toward Groton, Mass. 40 UB April 1986