I recently bought an HP 5316A frequency counter. It has the ability to use an "external reference". Does that mean it ignores its internal clock and uses the external signal in lieu of the clock?
Is it complicated to provide the external reference signal? What is involved?
Yes, the counter will use external clock as its time base. The instrument itself has an internal reference clock, but it has certain limited accuracy. If someone has a better quality "atomic clock" (as rubidium standard or else), one can use it to improve the counter parameters significantly.
What is involved? An external clock generator and BNC coaxial cable.
