[sdiy] HP Counter Recommendation?

[Glen]

NOTE:
I tried to send the following to Tim Ressel directly, but it bounced back
to me. So, I'll post it to the whole list. If anyone else wants to reply to
this besides Tim, that's fine also.


Hi Tim,

I think you might be the best person to answer a few of my HP counter
questions.

Is it practical to measure steady audio frequencies with high precision,
using the period measuring mode? (I know that I would have to translate the
period into a frequency measurement--no problem there.) I think most of the
HP's feature an "averaged period" measurement mode. Would this help cut
down on errors due to a signal's frequency jitter?

I was also interested in the ratio measuring mode. Would it be practical to
use this for audio? I'm thinking of things like determining the ratios
between notes on a musical instrument to determine its exact temperament,
or possibly comparing a TOG's input frequency to one of its outputs and
determining the exact division ratio for that output.

I could also use the counter to set the high frequency going into a TOG.
That should be an easier task for a counter, because of the higher
frequency. In a similar way, I could calculate the exact amount of delay in
a BBD line, by measuring its clock.

One of the people on the list suggested that I simply get a chromatic
tuner, but that won't do everything I want. I don't want to simply tune a
synth. I want a way to precisely measure time, most often in the form of
frequency.

I was thinking of looking for a 5328A, and then I saw a 5316 that looked
interesting. Funny, how those were also the two models you suggested.  :)

Would you prefer a 5328A or a 5316? Which is the most versatile, or the
most precise?

I've seen 5328A models sell for $50 - $100 on eBay. There are also some
people selling 5328A's that have been calibrated and come with a warranty,
for a little over $200. I wonder if I should pay the extra for someone who
claims their counter is calibrated and that they offer a 30 day warranty?

Any additional info you can offer is greatly appreciated. If I buy one of
these, I'll be buying it "blind", so to speak. Not only will I not be able
to see the product in person before I buy it, but this will be my very
first frequency counter purchase. I'm sure there a some little things to
watch out for that I might not have considered. Any info I can gather
before I bid on something is of great benefit to me.


thanks,
Glen Berry