In message <taongt$1v3h$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 09:26:54 on Thu, 14 Jul
2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>>SW/HF CB in the UK operates between 26.965 and 27.76125MHz.
>>
>>There's a six-way switch and six pairs of Xtal sockets. Inside is one
>
>Never heard of an Xtal socket. Whats it for?

Plugging an Xtal into.
--
Roland Perry

In message <taormq$2mhtq$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:38:17 on Thu, 14 Jul
2022, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>OFCOM predecessors did have a remote monitoring capability around the
>country (originally in telephone exchanges I think).

It would have been a department of whatever the DTI was called that
week, rather than an independent regulator. The latter only being
invented to cope with erm, regulating the deregulated regime which grew
up in the 80s (Thanks in part to EU Directives).

>It seemed to have been replaced by a purpose design network but never
>seen much written about it.
>
>I assisted the then Radiocommunications Agency find an airband pirate.
>They have difficulty because he could have been anywhere in the North
>of Scotland.
>
>We got down one area when a friend was hearing a VERY loud signal.
>
>They put a trailer with remote controlled DF equipment in a secure site.
>
>Coincidentally I was just reading a file sent to me yesterday about the
>origins of the RSS in 1938 which of course resulted the whole Bletchley
>Park operation once they realised what they were hearing!

--
Roland Perry

On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 11:19:00 +0100
Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>In message <taongt$1v3h$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 09:26:54 on Thu, 14 Jul
>2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100
>>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>>>SW/HF CB in the UK operates between 26.965 and 27.76125MHz.
>>>
>>>There's a six-way switch and six pairs of Xtal sockets. Inside is one
>>
>>Never heard of an Xtal socket. Whats it for?
>
>Plugging an Xtal into.

Helpful as ever. Given google gives half a dozen definitions which one are
you talking about? I'm assuming its not the VR headset.

<Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 11:19:00 +0100
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <taongt$1v3h$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 09:26:54 on Thu, 14 Jul
>> 2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>>> On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>>>> SW/HF CB in the UK operates between 26.965 and 27.76125MHz.
>>>>
>>>> There's a six-way switch and six pairs of Xtal sockets. Inside is one
>>>
>>> Never heard of an Xtal socket. Whats it for?
>>
>> Plugging an Xtal into.
>
> Helpful as ever. Given google gives half a dozen definitions which one are
> you talking about? I'm assuming its not the VR headset.
>
>
Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital
frequency synthesisers the radio channel was often defined by a crystal cut
to (simplified before anyone jumps in about overtones) the required
frequency.

On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:24:08 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
wrote:

>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 19:24:50 +0100
>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:24:53 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:33:48 +0100
>>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:12:48 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>>wrote:
>>>>>Why not fire them up and see if there are any hams on that band (apparently
>>>>>29Mhz).
>>>>>
>>>>Better not to as a SA CB radio will be illegal to use in the UK and
>>>>usually illegal to possess unless imported under exceptional
>>>>arrangements.
>>>
>>>Ofcom and plod barely give a toss about pirate FM broadcast stations.
>>>
>>There aren't a lot left now, thanks to the internet and greater
>>availability of localised licences.
>
>If you're ever in London have a twirl around the FM dial. You'll find loads
>of them.
>
I don't. They are swamped by the legitimate stations. On the rare
occasions I do encounter one it tends to be in particular areas and
only received for a short distance.
<snip>

On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 07:14:05 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk>
wrote:

>In message <r1juch143a9po2771t7ujooj5t3rcqke0c@4ax.com>, at 23:54:45 on
>Wed, 13 Jul 2022, Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com>
>remarked:
>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>>>>>>Why not fire them up and see if there are any hams on that band (apparently
>>>>>>29Mhz).
>>>>>>
>>>>>Better not to as a SA CB radio will be illegal to use in the UK and
>>>>>usually illegal to possess unless imported under exceptional
>>>>>arrangements.
>>>>
>>>>Ofcom and plod barely give a toss about pirate FM broadcast stations. They're
>>>>not going to be sending the blues and twos out for some guy using an import
>>>>CB.
>>>
>>>And they don't have any batteries in them.
>>>
>>Usually a safe defence especially if you can't the right battery any
>>more.
>
>They take about a dozen AA cells each. In theory you could use
>rechargeables (there's connections for a cradle-charger), but I don't
>have a one other than rigging something up.
>
Same as my long-disused CB handheld. It came with two dummy cells for
when primary cells were used.
<snip>

In message <f1m0dh1eca5nh86mbobjcbsngfsivpanrl@4ax.com>, at 18:57:29 on
Thu, 14 Jul 2022, Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com>
remarked:
>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 07:14:05 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk>
>wrote:
>
>>In message <r1juch143a9po2771t7ujooj5t3rcqke0c@4ax.com>, at 23:54:45 on
>>Wed, 13 Jul 2022, Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com>
>>remarked:
>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>>2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>>>>>>>Why not fire them up and see if there are any hams on that band
>>>>>>>(apparently 29Mhz).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>Better not to as a SA CB radio will be illegal to use in the UK and
>>>>>>usually illegal to possess unless imported under exceptional
>>>>>>arrangements.
>>>>>
>>>>>Ofcom and plod barely give a toss about pirate FM broadcast
>>>>>stations. They're not going to be sending the blues and twos out
>>>>>for some guy using an import CB.
>>>>
>>>>And they don't have any batteries in them.
>>>>
>>>Usually a safe defence especially if you can't the right battery any
>>>more.
>>
>>They take about a dozen AA cells each. In theory you could use
>>rechargeables (there's connections for a cradle-charger), but I don't
>>have a one other than rigging something up.
>>
>Same as my long-disused CB handheld. It came with two dummy cells for
>when primary cells were used.

Yes, these have one dummy cell each; looks like a solid cylinder of
machined aluminium.
--
Roland Perry

In message <tapf2o$10pc$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:08:57 on Thu, 14 Jul
2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 11:19:00 +0100
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>In message <taongt$1v3h$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 09:26:54 on Thu, 14 Jul
>>2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100
>>>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>>>>SW/HF CB in the UK operates between 26.965 and 27.76125MHz.
>>>>
>>>>There's a six-way switch and six pairs of Xtal sockets. Inside is one
>>>
>>>Never heard of an Xtal socket. Whats it for?
>>
>>Plugging an Xtal into.
>
>Helpful as ever. Given google gives half a dozen definitions which one are
>you talking about? I'm assuming its not the VR headset.

I dunno, could it possibly be something which sets the frequency of each
channel:

There's a six-way switch and six pairs of Xtal sockets. Inside is one
pair: 29.405 MHz and 29.860 Mhz (thus 455KHz apart). 29.860 would be
their Channel 13.
--
Roland Perry

On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
><Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 11:19:00 +0100
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <taongt$1v3h$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 09:26:54 on Thu, 14 Jul
>>> 2022, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com remarked:
>>>> On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0100
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <tamrkl$1sjq$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 16:24:53 on Wed, 13 Jul
>>>>>>> SW/HF CB in the UK operates between 26.965 and 27.76125MHz.
>>>>>
>>>>> There's a six-way switch and six pairs of Xtal sockets. Inside is one
>>>>
>>>> Never heard of an Xtal socket. Whats it for?
>>>
>>> Plugging an Xtal into.
>>
>> Helpful as ever. Given google gives half a dozen definitions which one are
>> you talking about? I'm assuming its not the VR headset.
>>
>>
>Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital

When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't sound
anything like it.

>frequency synthesisers the radio channel was often defined by a crystal cut
>to (simplified before anyone jumps in about overtones) the required
>frequency.

Ironically the frequency synthesisers will still require a cut quartz crystal.

On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:47:01 +0100
Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:24:08 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 19:24:50 +0100
>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:24:53 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:33:48 +0100
>>>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:12:48 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>>>wrote:
>>>>>>Why not fire them up and see if there are any hams on that band
>(apparently
>>>>>>29Mhz).
>>>>>>
>>>>>Better not to as a SA CB radio will be illegal to use in the UK and
>>>>>usually illegal to possess unless imported under exceptional
>>>>>arrangements.
>>>>
>>>>Ofcom and plod barely give a toss about pirate FM broadcast stations.
>>>>
>>>There aren't a lot left now, thanks to the internet and greater
>>>availability of localised licences.
>>
>>If you're ever in London have a twirl around the FM dial. You'll find loads
>>of them.
>>
>I don't. They are swamped by the legitimate stations. On the rare
>occasions I do encounter one it tends to be in particular areas and
>only received for a short distance.
><snip>

Rubbish. I live in London and I can pick up at least half a dozen. More at
the weekends.

On 15/07/2022 10:24, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
> Ironically the frequency synthesisers will still require a cut quartz crystal.

Why ironically?

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 +0000, Muttley wrote:

> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
....
>>Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital
>
> When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't sound
> anything like it.

Dunno, but it dates back at least to when I started with electronics in
the 1970s!

nib

nib <news@ingram-bromley.co.uk> wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 +0000, Muttley wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
> ...
>>> Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital
>>
>> When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't sound
>> anything like it.
>
> Dunno, but it dates back at least to when I started with electronics in
> the 1970s!

For me it was the 80s but it was clearly well established then.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:40:23 +0100
MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:
>On 15/07/2022 10:24, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>> Ironically the frequency synthesisers will still require a cut quartz
>crystal.

You get rid of a system based on crystals to use one that still requires
a crystal albeit in a slightly different function.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:46:55 +0000, nib wrote:

> On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 +0000, Muttley wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
> ...
>>>Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital
>>
>> When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't
>> sound anything like it.
>
> Dunno, but it dates back at least to when I started with electronics in
> the 1970s!
>
> nib

To add: It's in the Shorter Oxford Dict, given as mid-20th century.

nib

Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
> nib <news@ingram-bromley.co.uk> wrote:
>> On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 +0000, Muttley wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>> ...
>>>> Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital
>>>
>>> When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't sound
>>> anything like it.
>>
>> Dunno, but it dates back at least to when I started with electronics in
>> the 1970s!
>
> For me it was the 80s but it was clearly well established then.
>
> Sam
>

Probably because many of the other letters were in use on schematic
diagrams. R for resistor, C for capacitor etc. Crystals are usually marked
as X1, X2 etc.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:45 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
wrote:

>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:47:01 +0100
>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:24:08 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 19:24:50 +0100
>>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:24:53 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:33:48 +0100
>>>>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:12:48 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>>>>wrote:
>>>>>>>Why not fire them up and see if there are any hams on that band
>>(apparently
>>>>>>>29Mhz).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>Better not to as a SA CB radio will be illegal to use in the UK and
>>>>>>usually illegal to possess unless imported under exceptional
>>>>>>arrangements.
>>>>>
>>>>>Ofcom and plod barely give a toss about pirate FM broadcast stations.
>>>>>
>>>>There aren't a lot left now, thanks to the internet and greater
>>>>availability of localised licences.
>>>
>>>If you're ever in London have a twirl around the FM dial. You'll find loads
>>>of them.
>>>
>>I don't. They are swamped by the legitimate stations. On the rare
>>occasions I do encounter one it tends to be in particular areas and
>>only received for a short distance.
>><snip>
>
>Rubbish. I live in London and I can pick up at least half a dozen. More at
>the weekends.
>
Other parts of London are available.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
wrote:

<snip>>
>When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"?
>
"cryst" not "crys"

About 1600 years ago.

https://www.vox.com/2014/12/14/7374401/jesus-xmas-christmas
<snip>

On 15/07/2022 11:25, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
> You get rid of a system based on crystals to use one that still requires
> a crystal albeit in a slightly different function.

To replace a system where the crystal might have to be cut to order (or
a range of them held) with a delay waiting for delivery to one where you
just set some DIL switches or even program from computer.

I suppose they could go back to using a tuning fork!

On 15/07/2022 11:35, nib wrote:
> To add: It's in the Shorter Oxford Dict, given as mid-20th century.
>
> nib

1957 I think in the main OED but I suspect the abbreviation was used
earlier than that.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:36:02 -0000 (UTC)
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
>> nib <news@ingram-bromley.co.uk> wrote:
>>> On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 +0000, Muttley wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> ...
>>>>> Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of digital
>>>>
>>>> When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't sound
>>>> anything like it.
>>>
>>> Dunno, but it dates back at least to when I started with electronics in
>>> the 1970s!
>>
>> For me it was the 80s but it was clearly well established then.
>>
>> Sam
>>
>
>Probably because many of the other letters were in use on schematic
>diagrams. R for resistor, C for capacitor etc. Crystals are usually marked
>as X1, X2 etc.

Sure using a letter thats at least in the word would make more sense. Y for
example.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 15:36:45 +0000, Muttley wrote:

> On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:36:02 -0000 (UTC)
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>> nib <news@ingram-bromley.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 +0000, Muttley wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:43:05 -0000 (UTC)
>>>>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> ...
>>>>>> Xtal is shorthand for crystal. Before the widespread advent of
>>>>>> digital
>>>>>
>>>>> When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"? Extal and crosstal don't
>>>>> sound anything like it.
>>>>
>>>> Dunno, but it dates back at least to when I started with electronics
>>>> in the 1970s!
>>>
>>> For me it was the 80s but it was clearly well established then.
>>>
>>> Sam
>>>
>>>
>>Probably because many of the other letters were in use on schematic
>>diagrams. R for resistor, C for capacitor etc. Crystals are usually
>>marked as X1, X2 etc.
>
> Sure using a letter thats at least in the word would make more sense. Y
> for example.

Are we sure it's not a (tongue-in-cheek?) copy from Xmas where the X is
really the Greek letter chi, approx = ch. Hence Xt for Christ, Xian for
Christian, Xmas for Christmas and Xtal for crystal. Not the same initial
spelling but the same sound.

nib

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:27:12 +0100
Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:45 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:47:01 +0100
>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>On Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:24:08 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 19:24:50 +0100
>>>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:24:53 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>>>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:33:48 +0100
>>>>>>Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>On Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:12:48 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>>>>>>>wrote:
>>>>>>>>Why not fire them up and see if there are any hams on that band
>>>(apparently
>>>>>>>>29Mhz).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Better not to as a SA CB radio will be illegal to use in the UK and
>>>>>>>usually illegal to possess unless imported under exceptional
>>>>>>>arrangements.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Ofcom and plod barely give a toss about pirate FM broadcast stations.
>>>>>>
>>>>>There aren't a lot left now, thanks to the internet and greater
>>>>>availability of localised licences.
>>>>
>>>>If you're ever in London have a twirl around the FM dial. You'll find loads
>>>>of them.
>>>>
>>>I don't. They are swamped by the legitimate stations. On the rare
>>>occasions I do encounter one it tends to be in particular areas and
>>>only received for a short distance.
>>><snip>
>>
>>Rubbish. I live in London and I can pick up at least half a dozen. More at
>>the weekends.
>>
>Other parts of London are available.

Almost all of them transmit from the top of tower blocks which means even
a few watts can go for miles.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:33:40 +0100
Charles Ellson <charlesellson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:24:13 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com
>wrote:
>
><snip>>
>>When did "X" become shorthand for "crys"?
>>
>"cryst" not "crys"
>
>About 1600 years ago.
>
>https://www.vox.com/2014/12/14/7374401/jesus-xmas-christmas
><snip>

That makes sense. But in that case it should be spelt Xal, not Xtal.

On Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:27:14 +0100
MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:
>On 15/07/2022 11:25, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>> You get rid of a system based on crystals to use one that still requires
>> a crystal albeit in a slightly different function.
>
>To replace a system where the crystal might have to be cut to order (or
>a range of them held) with a delay waiting for delivery to one where you
>just set some DIL switches or even program from computer.
>
>I suppose they could go back to using a tuning fork!

You do realise quartz crystals don't just naturally conveniently resonate at
2^15 occilations a second?