How to test HP 5221a electronic counter

I am very sorry if this question is too "ignorant" for this group - if
so, please let me know.

I just picked up a surplus HP 5221a "Electronic Counter" (I assume it
is a frequency counter). I bought it mostly because the nixie tubes
caught my eye, but I'd like to make it do something useful (If it even
can - it has a "JSC Calibration Rejected" sticker - I'm assuming JSC is
Johnson Space Center based on the "Property of NASA" sticker elsewhere
on the device).

What is the proper sort of input to the BNC connector? Can I just hook
up an RF transmitter? Is there a limit to what power and/or frequency
should be used? Also, I understand (I think) the meaning of the .1 and
1 Hz selector positions, but what are the "open" and "closed"
selectors?

Thanks, sorry of the complete lack of knowledge - I've googled all
night and haven't been able to find anything too useful.

Dan

 

[Robert Baer]

dmorriso@gmail.com wrote:

I am very sorry if this question is too "ignorant" for this group - if
so, please let me know.

I just picked up a surplus HP 5221a "Electronic Counter" (I assume it
is a frequency counter). I bought it mostly because the nixie tubes
caught my eye, but I'd like to make it do something useful (If it even
can - it has a "JSC Calibration Rejected" sticker - I'm assuming JSC is
Johnson Space Center based on the "Property of NASA" sticker elsewhere
on the device).

What is the proper sort of input to the BNC connector? Can I just hook
up an RF transmitter? Is there a limit to what power and/or frequency
should be used? Also, I understand (I think) the meaning of the .1 and
1 Hz selector positions, but what are the "open" and "closed"
selectors?

Thanks, sorry of the complete lack of knowledge - I've googled all
night and haven't been able to find anything too useful.

Dan

The signal level should be in the range of 100mV to 1V RMS; sine or
pulses at a rate from 0.1 cycles per second (need that 10 second count
for that rate to maybe work at one count) to 10 megacycles per second;
might work higher tho.
Note i used the older term "cycles per second" as that is most
appropiate with non-sine waveforms (remember, i did mention pulses).
I think that the "open" and "closed" relates to the use of a manual
gate; it has bee a feq daze since i have seen and used one of those
beasties.
Reliable as all heck; likely only a minor problem with the one you
have.

 

[Watson A.Name - \"Watt Su]

"Robert Baer" <robertbaer@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:41CBD8AC.8F109A17@earthlink.net...

dmorriso@gmail.com wrote:

I am very sorry if this question is too "ignorant" for this group -
if
so, please let me know.

I just picked up a surplus HP 5221a "Electronic Counter" (I assume
it
is a frequency counter). I bought it mostly because the nixie tubes
caught my eye, but I'd like to make it do something useful (If it
even
can - it has a "JSC Calibration Rejected" sticker - I'm assuming JSC
is
Johnson Space Center based on the "Property of NASA" sticker
elsewhere
on the device).

What is the proper sort of input to the BNC connector? Can I just
hook
up an RF transmitter? Is there a limit to what power and/or
frequency
should be used? Also, I understand (I think) the meaning of the .1
and
1 Hz selector positions, but what are the "open" and "closed"
selectors?

Thanks, sorry of the complete lack of knowledge - I've googled all
night and haven't been able to find anything too useful.

Dan

The signal level should be in the range of 100mV to 1V RMS; sine or
pulses at a rate from 0.1 cycles per second (need that 10 second count
for that rate to maybe work at one count) to 10 megacycles per second;
might work higher tho.
Note i used the older term "cycles per second" as that is most
appropiate with non-sine waveforms (remember, i did mention pulses).

The PRR - pulse repetition rate - is in, of course, pulses per second.

I think that the "open" and "closed" relates to the use of a manual
gate; it has bee a feq daze since i have seen and used one of those
beasties.
Reliable as all heck; likely only a minor problem with the one you
have.