The first section of this page is about sources for crystals. Scroll down for articles about crystals and crystal oscillators.
I have no connection to, or relationship with, any of the companies listed below. They are listed only as a convenience for those needing crystals and I can make no recommendations about any of them – W4NPN.
Quartslab, a UK crystal supplier, has sold its operation to Kove Electronics, a Belgian company. Find the Kove website here.
AF4K Crystals (now operated by WD8DAS) is a major supplier of crystals to the ham community
Crystal Supplier (Czech Republic): krystaly@krystaly.cz
Krystaly, Hradec Kralove A.S., Okruzunzni 1144
500 03 Hardec Kralove, Czech Republic
Sales: +420-495-406-687, +420-603-717-347
Bomar Crystal, + 1-732-356-7787, + 1-800-526-3935
VCXO, TCXO, OCXO & VCTCXO
200 B Wood Ave
PO Box 10, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Articles about crystals and oscillators are below:
RadioWorld’s recent article about the history of crystals is very informative and interesting.
The extensive book, Oscillators at Work, by John Rider, is an exhaustive treatment of tube-based oscillators of every type. It explains RF and Audio oscillators in great detail, includes schematics of many commercial audio oscillators and test equipment. Modulation of oscillators is included.
Many of the designs can be replicated by common transistors, (with a suitable reduction in voltage!), since these can be imagined as triodes.
The explanation of crystal oscillators begins on page 70 and a nice 100/1000 KC test oscillator which can be used as a frequency standard, is found on page 75 (pg 84 in the left sidebar).
About Baking and Repairing “Dead” or Sluggish Crystals to Rejuvenate them.
Bliley Electric Co Article on Crystal Grinding:
“Crystal Grinding Without Tears“
Bliley’s Web Page for Older Technology: Crystals
Bliley’s Free Book on Oscillator Types
EuroQuartz Crystal Oscillator Circuits
Crystal Oscillator Troubleshooting Guide
Wikipedia Crystal/Oscillator Tutorial
Pushing and Pulling a Crystal’s Frequency
Changing a Crystal’s Frequency (1)
Changing a Crystal’s Frequency (2)
Changing a Crystal’s Frequency (3)
Changing a Crystal’s Frequency (4)
Changing a Crystal’s Frequency (5)
Changing a Crystal’s Frequency (6)
A Crystal Frequency Checker for Grinding
Calculating Crystal Load Capacitor Value